Twice in one month! Woohoo!!

You know the drill..."it has been so crazy here!" And it truly has.

Normally, I'd get my calendar and go day-by-day to catch up, but not this time. I'm just going to hit some highlights.

Chloe has been volunteering at the library for the last few weeks and is LOVING it. She has to use a stool to reach the top shelf and she loves that too. :) Jesse had the chance to crochet one day while Chloe was volunteering because we didn't have school that day. She wants to do that every time now. No way! lol

About three Sundays ago, John and I were chatting in the living room about some vacant "slots" that were open for AGR. Thursday of that week he filled one of them by getting promoted to Master Sergeant. The following week we had his Promotion Ceremony. I'm always proud of him, but I have to say it was very nice to hear all the kind words the General had to say on John's behalf.

A chat with the General before the ceremony.

After I put on his new rank.

That was two weeks of nothing but one big whirlwind ride! It threw both of us for a loop, but we are grateful for it. He truly earned that extra rocker over the seven to eight years. And of course, I couldn't be prouder.

School has been coming along. We did miss a day here and there because of this and that. One of the "thats" was my 25th high school reunion. Don't do the math! LOL  While I didn't make it to the BIG event, a few of us met at our high school and were given the grand tour. It amazed all of us at how much things had changed, yet stayed the same.

The same weekend we had a family reunion (my Mother's Mother's side). I love seeing them, but still find it funny that I only see some of them once a year, but they live just across town. Hysterical! I do keep up with them on FaceBook, so it doesn't seem as long as it really is.

We took a mini-vacation to Myrtle Beach. It was a total family affair; both the dog and the fish went with us! We had so much fun. And it was so funny watching Rosie on the beach for the first time. That dog is a mess!

Rosie was not so sure about all the loud water coming toward her. lol

A couple of weeks ago, we even had the opportunity to see a good friend's son in "Flat Stanley". He amazed me! I've seen him act before, in plays with the girls, but somehow it brought it all on for this. He did an outstanding job and I know he loved every minute it. And my cousin Phoebe came down with her boys to see it too (they're homeschooling too!). We had lunch then went to the house and had a great visit.

We are always so busy. But we love it!

Wow!

I know. I know. I haven't blogged in quite some time. Jesse is still reminding me, almost daily.

We have been so busy lately! excuses excuses (J):D  (Jesse, please don't add your commentary while I'm in the restroom!)

Anyway!! Chloe's big summer event was The Battle of the Books with our library. She had four practices then the Battle was on August 10th. She read, I think, eight out of the ten books they were "battling" over. There were about eight teams from all the libraries in Richland County, two teams from our library. Chloe's team didn't win; however, the winning team had an old friend of ours from taekwondo, so Chloe was very happy for her and her teammates.

Chloe had a great birthday! She invited quite a few friends (three families) to go bowling. She bowled her highest game ever, 126! I would post a picture, but I have not downloaded pictures from my camera yet. LOL  Go figure!!

Jesse had a great birthday too! She originally just wanted to go bowling with the four of us; but since she had so much fun at Chloe's birthday, bowling with the gang, she decided to do the same thing. Of course, she wanted Chinese food for lunch! No surprise there!!

The first week of August came camp! Yep, Kershaw County Day Camp hosted by the Soil and Conservation Department. Now, I must say, had it not been for our friend Chanda (who used to teach our science classes at the Children's Garden) we would not have known about this camp. We are very grateful she put us in touch with Ms. Donna about another project, which is how we learned about the camp. They had so much fun!! A few of their close friends, and some new ones from Music Man, attended too. They learned how to tie their own hooks for fishing, tried to fish (it was raining SO hard when they went to the pond), archery (Jesse's favorite) and a nature walk. Chloe enjoyed the archery too, but she had a hard time pulling back the compound bow. Yes, I have video...on my camera! LOL

On August 13th, Jesse attended the Volunteer Social for the library. She was given a beautiful award for volunteering over 100 hours with the library. Chloe starts volunteering this week and she is beyond excited!

John had an overnight trip for work on August 19th, so the girls and I partied. Okay, not really. But we did have pizza for dinner, stayed up late and I let them sleep in our room. They had a great time. John enjoyed his quiet time too.

We have done so much more, but these are our highlights. We have even managed to finish thirty-one days of school now. The girls are still loving their new science program, which I am very grateful.