All Ready for 3rd Grade

I just don't remember ever being this excited for school to start. She had her clothes laid out about 6:00 tonight, got her shower out of the way, and then came to tell us when it was 9:00 and time to go to bed. She was giddy with excitement all day. Her only concern was that she was so excited she might not be able to sleep. lol
She's riding the bus for the first time this year and she is also super excited about that. I know it will all wear off, probably sooner than later, but it makes me happy to witness her excitement.
Here's to a great year Mailia!
Love, Mom

Just 6 more days....

I think I can make it now. lol

Took her to the park today to wear off some of her energy. The playground equipment and the splash pad were not enough, however. She also took her heelys, her skateboard, her in-line skates and then decided to climb a tree after that.

If only I had an ounce of that energy.

There was a wonderful breeze coming off the lake (compliments of TS Ana) and lots of big shade trees, so it was a nice quiet respite for me. Ahhhhh.

Two Weeks Until School Starts

Hope I can hold on that long. lol It's been a long, hot, 24/7 summer.
I sooooooooo need adult conversation. lol

Girls Day Out

Took Mailia to see UP 3D this morning.
We'd both been wanting to see it all summer. What a cute movie. Haven't been to a theater in a long time, but wanted to see it in 3D. It was cute, it was sad at times, and SQUIRREL!!! it was funny! lol
We went to see it out at Downtown Disney and we were the only 2 people in the theater! Must be the tourists don't get up very early, or they go in the evenings. We went to the 10:30 am showing because it was cheaper.
Now we're looking forward to see Ice Age:Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 3D.
After the movie we went to Starbucks for an iced mocha latte (me) and a strawberry/banana smoothie (M). Thanks Aunt Linda!
Made for a nice and fairly inexpensive girls day out.

Now this is CREEPY!

Stepped outside the back door tonight to take a picture of our pond that reappears after our summer rains.
Nearly stepped on this perfectly intact snake skin. He (or she) had to have JUST slithered out of it, as I had been out there maybe an hr. earlier to bring a cat in. Took all the courage/guts whatever I had to pick it up, but felt like I had to measure him.
lol Darrell says it's a black racer or a king snake. Either way, it's from a snake that is harmless, unless you're a lizard or a frog or some such.
Still gives me the willys though, just looking at the pictures. He measured 51" long. M. would have screamed and had nightmares and and then vowed to never to go outdoors again...........but I didn't let her know I found it. I'm thinking of sending it to a nephew that I know would think it's the coolest thing ever. LOL

Cousins

Two days at the beach, two days at home in the pool, and two days at Universal Studios.....having cousins come to visit is AWESOME! They headed home to Michigan this morning :-( so Mailia slept until noon. Playing with cousins is also exhausting. lol

GOD BLESS AMERICA! Happy July 4th!!!

Family, Food, Fun and Fireworks!
I LOVE the 4th of July!!!

The grill is hot, the burgers await, and the kids are counting the hours til they can light up their world with fireworks.

And if that's not enough fun................the Coke Zero 400 begins at 8:00 at Daytona. A little sad that we're not there this year, but then again, we won't have to drive home at midnight with 200,000 other fans. lol

Hope y'all are having a great 4th too! Please be safe tonight.