Daring to be Different

As you may have noticed in the first day of school photos, Elizabeth chopped off her hair.  Lee and I both loved her hair when it was short (two years ago, when she was growing out her bangs), but the style for girls is currently long, straight hair, so she insisted on growing it.  When I made the back-to-school haircut appointment, I suggested that she might want to think about going short again and she started to come around to the idea.  We pointed out that if she didn't like it, it would grow, so last week, she took the plunge.  And we are so happy that she did because it looks great!

The before...

She loves it!

Emily had two inches cut from her hair - this is the after picture, if you can believe it.  Miss Vanity won't be cutting her locks any time soon.

Third and Fifth

The girls started a new school year today - entering 3rd and 5th grade, respectively.  I can't believe it.  This summer really seemed to fly by and suddenly, it's over.  They were both so excited to go this morning, hopping up and down with anticipation at the bus stop.  I hope that the excitement about school lasts forever!

Special breakfast for the first day - cinnamon buns - but back to cereal tomorrow. 

This year, I've decided to put a note - inspiring, funny, famous quote - in their lunch boxes every day.  I thought that this one was a good way to start the year. 

Poor kid is suffering from severe poison ivy on her face, neck, chest and legs and was up half the night last night.  You can't even tell in these photos, her happiness about school shines through instead.  That, and the topical cream is finally working!

Special "big kid" Sperry's for the 5th grader. 

3rd grader! 

Craziness while waiting for the bus. 

And they're off! 

A great way to start the day! 

Welcome and opening prayer. 

Some of the 5th grade girls.

Some of the 3rd grade girls.

Manitou

Our friends Melissa and Mark have a beautiful boat and graciously invited us to sail with them one Saturday afternoon.  Although we've been on boats before, neither the girls nor I had ever been on a sail boat, so this was a new experience for all of us.  We had such a great time!  Much to my surprise, Mark let us steer the boat (the girls each took a turn and I steered for a while).  The girls had a great time going below deck with Mari and Maya and while they entertained each other, I got a pretty good idea how hard it is to handle a boat - lots of work!  Thank you so much to Melissa and Mark for sharing the Manitou with us for an afternoon!!

The girls and Mari - watching for pink jellyfish. 

Emily only steered for a few moments - she could barely hold onto the wheel.

Heart attack happening right here for Mom - I would have never let them do this, but Mark convinced me that they would be just fine.  Plus, what are life jackets for? 

Emily could have stayed right there all afternoon. 

Oh Captain, my Captain? 

Elizabeth and Maya 

Camp Ingersoll

The girls only spent one session (two weeks) at Camp Ingersoll this year but it was still a great experience.  They attended the same specialty camp - Mega Fort Building - and had a great time building and playing for two weeks.  The last session of camp always includes the Color Games and as you can tell from the photos below, they were on team blue.  While blue didn't win, they still had a great time with all of the games and competitions involved. 

They begged for blue hair - I found a hair chalk which rinsed out of Emily's hair after two washes; it wasn't until Elizabeth swam in chlorine that the last of the blue came out of her blond hair. 

We checked out the new amphitheater for the first time at the last family night of the summer. 

In their fort. 

With Leila, their NYC buddy that returns every summer.  This friendship is one of the amazing things about Camp Ingersoll. 

Singing the Camp Ingersoll song - cue the lump in my throat. 

The girls with Leila, at the beginning of the candlelight ceremony. 

The barge of candles, out on the lake.