Howe Two: Summer Fun--Week 10

Wow, this was a super fun, super busy week! Both girls attended a Frozen ballet camp (together!) from 9:30-noon each day, Jillian made her soccer practice debut, and we continued with the ice skating class. On Saturday, we all headed up to Mark and Shirlyn's lake house and the first official family lake weekend is in the books.

Make Something Monday--School countdown calendars

Try It Tuesday--Oops! We forgot. Next week...

What's Cookin' Wednesday--Paper bag popcorn. It was pretty exciting to discover that you can make popcorn in the microwave without all those nasty chemicals. Toss 1/2 cup popcorn with 1 t. oil and 1/2 t salt and then pour into a brown paper lunch bag. Fold top over twice and then microwave for 2 1/2-3 minutes. Delicious popcorn! Jillian experimented with a sweet topping of cinnamon-sugar on some of hers and it was also delicious.

Throwback Thursday--We snuggled up in the big cozy office chair (my favorite new spot in the house) and I introduced the girls to several of my favorite poems from Where The Sidewalk Ends. They had lots of giggles over Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout and still wonder why she wouldn't take that garbage out!

Friday Funday--Post ballet performance lunch at Pi

September 4th is coming soon--Jillian made her own numbers, it's just hard to see in the pic

Pretty awesome popcorn!

The ballet camp ended with a performance on Friday. Each girl could dress up in a princess or recital costume if they wanted. Jillian chose to be Anna and of course she wanted the trademark braids (she's holding hands with the girl in the red dress)

And Adrienne was Elsa. Third from right, with her signature head tilt.

Jillian spreading her beach towel out before the "In Summer" number

Serious and focused. It's so unexpected to me to see Jillian so serious in these situations. She never smiled while dancing, and you could tell she just was so focused on her job and getting it right.

And then there was Adrienne. Total goofball and entertainer. She needed to be wrangled personally by one of the high school helpers.

In place and ready to dance to "Let It Go"

My princesses. Just classic that Adrienne's crown would be on sideways

I'm officially a soccer mom

Jillian is on the far left here

Listening to the coaches

The stylish spectator

Check out these long legs!!

She looks 12 to me. Seriously.

And here begins the series of pics from our fun at Mark and Shirlyn's....

Life jackets? Check. Head tilt? Check.

Walking into the clear water.

On the lily pad

I'm glad Matt decided to suit up and be available to play

More lily pad fun

Time for a boat ride!

This is really fun!

Relaxed

Someone was getting sleepy, and sinking down into her jacket

She needed some snuggles from her ole mom. Just as she was about to fall asleep she overheard Jillian exclaim she was ready to try and tube. Then she immediately perked up and declared she wanted to, too.

Jillian was a little concerned, but resigned to try it out.

Oh boy, this might be fun!

Giving the thumbs up to go faster!

Jillian got off the tube smiling, and then Adrienne was ready to roll. She had zero hesitation.

Matt said she laughed the whole time

Remembered she was tired after she got off the tube

Jillian's second ride ended in a capsize. This did not please her at all. Matt said he had to rip her hands off the tube because she refused to let go of it as it was sinking forward and was ready to go down with her ship!

And then the real fun began. Matt decided to relive the days of his youth and go alone. Shirlyn did her best to throw him off with some wild turns and speed, but he could not be rattled. Quite an impressive performance....he's paying the consequence still today, however, as he is really really sore!

Drama mama put on quite a performance after her spill and refused to watch her dad tube.

You can see the dramatic performance continued as she rushed up to the house to sulk and wait for us to come in. Um. Can you say GORGEOUS lake house?

Adrienne and Shirlyn played a little candy crush while I cooked dinner. Not sure what was going on with A's hair here.

The girls were BEYOND excited to sleep in bunk beds!

The grown ups stayed up late drinking wine, eating cheetos, and playing games. We made a couple of walks down to the dock to check out the beautiful moon.