Things

Here are their team pictures from the last day of t-ball. Just thought I'd share, since I hadn't yet.

Here's a video of some of Grace's dancing. After every 4 weeks, they invite the parents in to watch the simple choreography they've been learning in class. So, this was just an informal demonstration, nothing fancy or complicated. She's really enjoying this new dance studio and teacher. We already have her signed up for fall classes with the same level. She's excited! 

The camera batter stopped halfway through the 3rd song, sorry!

Here's a picture of Xander's newest tooth lost. It's a huge front tooth that's gone now. But, we're kind of happy because it's that crooked, brown tooth that he hit a long time ago. He lost it in some corn on the cob at dinner yesterday. He was so happy when the tooth fairy came with his 8 quarters. He is lisping pretty bad now, though!

Here's a little news on what's been going on here lately:

The weather is still ridiculously hot, so we've been spending a lot of time inside or at the pool. The kids are really enjoying swimming, so it's fun to take them. When we're inside at home, they've been reading a lot and playing video games. Their latest favorite things to read are super hero books (surprise, surprise) and joke books. We hear endless bad jokes all day (Grace: "What are the strongest days?"  Me: "What?" Grace: "Saturday and Sunday. Because all the other ones are week days.") Then they roll around with laughter, and then proceed to explain the joke to us, like we needed help understanding it. They think these things are hilarious. 

Another HUGE thing in our house right now is the Olympics. They are obsessed with them. In fact, we've been watching them pretty much every night, instead of reading books before bed. They especially love gymnastics and swimming. Grace wants to be a gymnast now and Xander wants to be a cyclist. Good grief!

And the best news of all, we have a new family member, a new nephew!! Tobias Oliver Baxter was born on Thursday, Aug 2nd. Sebastian is a proud big brother, always wanting to hold him and calling him "To-baby" instead of "Toby". They are all home now and getting along fairly well. Will woke up with pink eye this morning, otherwise we would have gone to visit today since tomorrow (Tuesday) is my first full day back at school and the kids are with babysitters all week! Only 1 more week until the kids come back to school, so it is almost here!

The kids started with a new piano teacher last week. Her name is Ruth and she is about my age, and a public school music teacher as well. She is nice and I think we'll get along well once we all get used to each other. Their first lesson was a little sketchy as the kids were really timid and didn't play well. It took a long time to get through their current songs, plus she had gotten them the wrong new books. Between all that, it wasn't good. She gave them a practice goal to hit each week and I think with enough planning ahead, we'll find enough time to practice each week and I see improvement on the horizon!!

Well, that is probably all until first day of school pictures next week. It is going to be a busy week for me at school getting ready for students next week and the kids are going to stay busy with Grandma Ellen this week. Thanks for looking in on us!!