Isabella Rose

How did this little girl.....grow up so fast??

Isabella~4 & Jack~2

Back then....they would love to get our shoes and clomp around in them. Now Isabella's shoes are 1 size away from mine. Jack's right behind, growing out of his shoes every season. And they both are at the same exact weight. No wonder I go through so much food around here!

She turns 10 tomorrow. She is pretty excited to be turning double digits. She will be starting 5th grade this school year. Isabella has 2 friends from school overnight tonight, and I have been in awe ever since they've arrived. Talking their "big" girl talk. Entertaining themselves, giggling, and secrets. At this age the girls can pretty much be on their own....and I'm enjoying just observing. Getting flashbacks of this age, of myself with my friends. Waiting all day for a sleepover. Popcorn & movies, cake & ice cream, smores by the fire later. Also wondering what would embarrass her (can I sing in the car with the radio~or will they giggle and think-that lady needs to turn the radio up so I can't hear her.) I AM LOVING THIS STAGE of mama-hood.

It's not all blue skies and balloons~My biggest challenge is trying to remember I can't use the same consequences, punishments, & discipline on 10 year old that I'm still using on the boys and the 4 year old. It's so hard to switch gears and work at getting to this little heart of hers. Like most pre-teens she has this thing called attitude. Which is the hardest to know how, when, and where to work on that. How~how to get her to see how she sounds when she's talking to her siblings. When~to step in and work on some things & when to let brother/sisters do what they do. Where~to pull her aside and show her the areas she HAS to work on. I've got a lot to learn myself.

The best part of her little 10 year old self...is her gentleness

towards her sister. And sometimes even her brothers. LOVED taking her to get school supplies on Monday in Mishawaka. Her helping me get the things off the lists for her, William, & Jack. At this age, she's very helpful & efficient. Picking out an outfit for the first day. Loved looking through Barnes & Noble with her. Another favorite thing about her? She loves Carrabba's as much as I do! We ordered a meal and shared it. Sat at the pizza bar and got free samples of entrees and free ice cream with chocolate sauce!!! Yummo! What a treat to be with just her.

One thing that I've tried to implement since Donovan had surgery in May was showing my kids how to work. They've had chores and jobs...but since I'm doing all the yard work and my work inside~I've needed help in the house too. So I've been working with Isabella to take over some of my chores. I have to say there was a little bit of an adjustment/attitude phase...but now, I'm livin' the dream...baby. She's folding laundry, hanging up the shirts, and putting the clothes away. She also is cleaning up the dishes after meals when I ask her to. Hand washing the dishes that can't go in the dishwasher, and stacking the dishes in the dishwasher that go in there. Cleaning up the sink & working with her on to hang that wet rag up. :)

Today while I was hanging up laundry that sweet almost 10 year old came out to ask me if she can put the ice cream scoop in the dishwasher, or should she hand wash it? Melting moment for me. Her attitude was good, and I think...she was feeling pretty important and useful.

So many things I could say about her....where do I stop? I love her. I just adore this little lady she has become.

Kumbaya and other campfire songs we didn't sing

I yi yi yi.....have I been neglecting my peeps. So so sorry. We've been just a tad busy this summer. Hard to believe it's been over a month since I've really written on the good ol' blog. Having Donovan home from work has been something very different for us to learn. The first 6 weeks were not so easy...then after his 6 week check, he was NOT released to back to work.
And has had another 4 weeks off. Although this last 4 weeks were mighty different from the first stint. He now has a walking cast/boot. This is much easier to get around with. His pain is getting better every day....and oh la la. Enjoying summer to the fullest with ol' daddy around. Donovan's next Dr. appt. will be 1 week from tomorrow. By the looks of how he is now able to be on his feet for over an hour at a time...looks like things will come to a halt as far as joy rides during the day, and the sleeping in for me is sure to be interrupted.

There are so many things that have happened in the last month...as in swimming lessons, VBS, Jack turning 8, celebrating Father's day, pool days, trips to Indy, Suzy turning 4, beach days, the list goes on & on. I'm determined to still blog about some of the things...maybe bore you all to tears with some of the things. But how will I remember if I don't blog??

So this past weekend we camped. Not only do we not have a camper, we also do not have a truck to pull a camper with.
So we borrowed a SwEeT camper from our friends Joel & Angela, then borrowed a rockin' Excursion from Al to pull the sweet camper. We also borrowed campfire wood from Donovan's parents, and to top it off borrowed Whitney for the weekend from her parents for Isabella. Thankfully we had our own underwear and clothes.

As soon as we got there Isabella & Whitney found 4 baby birds hopping around on the ground. They named them and played with them...while we set up.

Oops did I say "we" in that last sentence? I meant to say D. I have no idea how to set up a camper people.
This is what I took care of while he set up. Wasn't that nice of Whitney's mom to send along some of my favorite magazines for me??? AND...she also sent along mix & espresso to make frappucino's. Thanks Julie, you are so awesome!!

After setting up camp, I mean after D set up camp...we hit the pool for a little while, then I did something I've never done before. I used a blow dryer on Suzy's hair, & then used a straightening iron on it. Could not believe how long her hair looks when it's not all curly!!! I love how this girl loves to be "dolled" up. She kept patting her head and oh and ahh-ing over her smooth hair. She loved the extra attention.

Our friends who invited us have been making this trip for several years to this same campground. Nearby lies this awesome little restaurant, Marias. They make it tradition to set up camp and then go out to eat the first night. S0 we took the whole gang out & enjoyed leaving the mess for someone else to clean up.

Count em'. 11 kids, 6 adults. Kinda think the staff were a little taken a back with so many kids in one group.

No we didn't eat out again. Breakfast was over the camp fire people. :) Don't you love how the little guy at the corner of the picture is needing a drink??

Enjoying the camp pool again.

My little friends~Suzy, Jade, Ava, and Kiera.

It seems the first 3 pictures D took my eyes were closed each time~here's the one that I worked really hard to keep them OpEn! A little freakish, I know. But look at that sweet little pea I put to sleep. Can I get an Awwwww???

We also rented golf carts...which made for lots of fun.

So very very unusual for this little honey to fall asleep on my lap. But after a long day at the pool, she was worn out. I loved it!!!

After a long pool day~we cleaned up and I found these 2 peas in a pod, chilling. I love that they are friends and enjoy so many of the same things. :)

That evening after supper~we took the kids put put golfing. Can you believe this was the first time my kids ever went??

Love that belly laugh she makes me have.

Conner, Jade, and Suzy.

Someone wanted a picture of just him and his friend Jade. Awww...so sweet.

I kept looking at these girls and all their little giggles, and sweet faces and getting flash backs to growing up with a best friend from church. So cool to have had Whitney along to give Isabella someone her age to be with.

Contrary to what you may think...this color combo was not planned. Nope~ noticed it after the picture was taken. :) It was so good to get to know Loretta better over the weekend. She has a sweet personality, and is so fun to be around. Plus she's an awesome cook!!

So we were in charge of breakfast Sunday morning. We made pancakes, eggs, sausage patties........

....and put Conway in charge of the bacon. Good job of cooking it over the fire C.

After breakfast I bet you can't guess where we ended up???
More sun & water.
Loved watching the girls doing jumps together. Loved their little games they played.

Jack might have felt a little jealous at times...not having Isabella. But it was so good for Isabella to have such a sweet friend. And...it was so good for our boys to have lots of other boys to play with.

One last spin on the way home from the pool, before the cart had to be turned in. What a weekend...full of great memories.

Quote of the day:
Jack: "I fell, but I'm not hurt. Don't worry about good ol' me. "