"When I grow up I want to be a... swiftue (Swiftsure) helper and a teacher."

It has been two pretty good days being back at school.  Emily's teacher this year is Ms. Thilmont, and for the first time since kindergarten this teacher hasn't been one of my best friends.  Emily's report is that she is really funny and just a little bit strict.  Her first homework assignment was to put three things in a bag to share about herself - she chose her gymnastics leotard, a gymnastics medal, and a gymnastics plaque.  She also had to share what she wanted to be when she grew up, right now it's a teacher but she is also really excited to go work for Swiftsure!

Summer's Grand Finale

On the twenty second of August I was back to work and Emily was off to gymnastics camp (it was just another week at the store for Aaron).  Emily was lucky enough to have a playdate after gym camp that day, Wednesday we went to the team swim party at the coach's house, and Thursday was the night of the team sleep over.

new practice leo for the season

So, with school starting tomorrow, here are the Back-to-school-photos-the-day-before-in-case-I-forget-in-the-morning photos!

She's ready for third grade!

The Total Eclipse

On August 21st I was supposed to return to work, but took the day off to see the eclipse!  It was supposed to be 98.6% here in Hailey.  We hiked up Carbonate Mountain for the event.

Swiftsure

We made it back for one last session of the summer at Swiftsure.  And since they are doing some construction on the outdoor arena this year, there will be no end of session rodeo.  They made up for it by bringing in the cows and having the kids round them up during their scheduled time.  Emily did get to ride Hoppy, a six year old Appaloosa pony.

Millie Is Here!

On Monday, August 14th, we went and got Millie.  Emily was so excited, but we did have to pull over along the way to watch this bull moose for awhile.

But then it was time to move on and get the puppy.  Emily was so happy that she didn't even mind it when Millie threw up three times on the car ride back home.  Initially she was getting up during the night and helping me take puppy out.  And even though she is still sleeping on the floor next to the crate in her sleeping bag, she is no longer a participant in the midnight potty breaks!  She still really likes Millie, but is not so happy with the puppy teeth.

Saturday was our final full day in Iowa and we were able to meet up with Uncle Pat, Aunt Cheri, cousins Sam and Becca, as well as Great Aunt Marcia and Great Uncle Jim for lunch in Ames.  And as a bonus we also got to meet Sam's boyfriend and celebrate Becca's birthday!

Any spare time on our trip was spent chasing down kittens and learning to play Monopoly, not the jr version we have at home!

Thanks for the great trip Grandpa and Grandma!

The last day of camping was also the day we went to visit Emily's great grandma and great uncle.

We had a great visit with her, went out to lunch, and Emily had a chance to show off a few of her gymnastics moves!

We were back home on Tuesday night and getting ready to leave again on Wednesday.  I had a conference to attend in Minneapolis, not far from the Mall of America.  Grandma and Grandpa tagged along and kept Emily busy while I was busy.  On Thursday she spent the ENTIRE day at Nickelodeon Universe, the mall's indoor amusement park.  They got started around 11 that morning, and I took over around 4 and we stayed until 9:30!  We were lucky enough to be able to meet up with one of my best friends from high school and a part of her family. Emily didn't even mind riding some of the younger kid rides with their 4 year old.

Friday they were back at the mall, starting off at the Sea Life Aquarium with a behind the scenes tour and a chance to feed the string rays.  

And then Emily spent the rest of her time there on the ropes course and zip line while Grandma and Grandpa watched safely from the ground. 

And this is how Emily spent the ride home from Minnesota!

Camping Weekend

After a day of rest, it was back in the car for me as I was off to Kansas City for a girls' weekend with my college friends, and Emily was off for a weekend camping trip with Grandpa and Grandma.

Camping meant there was plenty of time to feed the ducks and geese, try paddle boating, learn the game of miniature golf, and some outings in the Des Moines area.  There was a day of rock climbing at Climb Iowa and a day at the trampoline park called Sky Zone.  I think there might have been a few ice cream cones and s'mores eaten as well!

One night she even participated in the Let's Make a Deal activity and went in her snowman costume made out of garbage bags, duct tape, and a carrot.  She won six dollars!

When I came back on Monday there were more rounds of miniature golf and paddle boating.  There was also another day at Sky Zone.  There's no doubt Grandpa and Grandma kept her busy the entire weekend, and spoiled her rotten!