Happy Summer 2017!

It's not officially summer yet, the actual season doesn't start until next week, but for us summer starts when school is out and the pool goes up. We got a new pool this year; the other one lasted a few years, a year or two longer than we thought it would, but it was time for a new one this year. I thought I would miss the outside being blue, but I like the dark gray of our new pool. The inside looks the same as our old pool, which I like. We (i say this loosely, michael did most of the work) put the pool up the weekend after we got back from California, but didn't get it actually filled all the way and up and running until last evening. Here are two short videos of the girls in the pool once it was up and running...

Referring to the first video... In case you're wondering... "bug bites" (i say this in the video) is what Bailey called her 'chest area' way back when she was just starting to talk, we've called 'them' that ever since. She used to think they looked like bug bites. Too much information, maybe? ha :)

The girls love jumping from the ladder into the pool. They aren't allowed to dive from the ladder, the pool manufacturer doesn't recommend it. An inground pool with a diving board would be nice, but our backyard isn't big enough for one and still have space for anything else. I wouldn't want the backyard to be all concrete and pool, I like some grass for play, barbecues, and other things.

Click on the 'play' button below to view the short video:



Click on the 'play' button below to view the short video:



(see below for the 'mrs. ken doll' post)
   
   
   
   
   

Mrs. Ken Doll

Bailey married her Ken doll last night. She is now known as Bailey Doll, not to be mixed up with Barbie Doll. Anyhoo...  If you decide to get them anything, they're registered at Toys R Us. Here are some pics... Bailey took most of them with her tablet...

It all started earlier last evening...

Here is Ken... isn't he dashing? He was on his way to meet up with Bailey... so she says.

Here they are together in the hall... holding hands.

Bailey took another selfie with Ken. They were photobombed by Caitie.

A thought came to her... love equals marriage. She decided to marry Ken.

So she got all 'dolled up' (couldn't resist); Ken was already dressed for a wedding, he's the wedding Ken doll after all. Caitie made Bailey's hair bow. She was a good maid of honor.

Caitie also made them this "Just Married" sign. Bailey had flowers picked in our backyard as well for her wedding bouquet, but no one thought to get a pic with Bailey's tablet. Caitie put the bouquet together, and it was actually really pretty... tied with dark green yarn, etc. She thinks of everything.

Here is part of the wedding party at the wedding reception. There were mug cakes, dancing, confetti, etc.

Got a quick pic of the ring bearer... Simon. Caitie made his bow tie. So handsome.

Here is the happy couple relaxing and planning their honeymoon. Caitie made Bailey's wedding ring as well (the yellow button with yarn on her finger). She's good at crafts. She even made Ken a ring; it was permanent gold marker on tape. Gotta love what kids come up with. :)

Bailey had so much fun that she wants to get married again; she's eyeing Ken's guy doll friend Steven. I explained to her that you should stay with your one true love, and with that, she laughed. We have our hands full in about seven years... oh boy. The dating years should prove to be interesting.

I mentioned 'mug cake' above. We found an easy recipe on YouTube, and you can find it on Pinterest as well. You can make single serve cakes by mixing regular cake mix and angel food cake mix together and put in a container or large Ziploc bag. Put 3 tablespoons of cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water and mix together in an average size, or larger microwave safe mug. Once mixed, put it in the microwave for one minute. I put it on high. Once it's done, you can put frosting, cool whip, fruit, chocolate chips, whatever you like on top. You can also add chocolate chips to the mixture before heating in the microwave. I put chocolate frosting on top of the cake mixture, along with some cool whip and chocolate chips. I forgot to add strawberries; that would have been pretty. The pic below isn't the best, but it shows what it looks like when it's done. It's actually pretty good. It's on the gooey side, which I like. Give it a try! :)

(see below for the 'a girl and her cats' post)

     

     

     

     

     

A girl and her cats

Caitie took a few pics on her tablet of herself with our cats...

Here she is with Simon, our newest addition to the family. He brought lovely ringworm with him; we're still trying to get rid of it. We got Simon, and his ringworm (ha), last September (2016). He was a kitten. He's gotten quite a bit bigger since then. He loves to eat! We've forgiven him for the ringworm. :)

Here's Caitie with Polly. We got Polly a couple of years ago around Caitie's 10th birthday. Polly knows who she belongs to, she goes everywhere Caitie goes.

Here she is with Sassy. Sassy was my dad's cat. We've had her about 7.5 years. She's getting old, but she still acts like a kitten.

Sassy's giving Caitie a kiss on the cheek. So sweet.

   

(see below for the 'it's a special day' post)

   

   

   

   

     

It's a Special Day

Click the 'play' button below to view the short video:



(see below for the 'bailey the videographer' post)