Just take the picture

Before we left for Ohio, we were out and about and stopped at a friends house. 

We were attempting to take a group picture......

We kind of decided that.....

today just wasn't that day.

Packing

About a week from traveling, almost everytime.  Scarlett is busy packing her little carry-on suitcase.  The girls love to travel!

They usually sit and wait, thinking that we are traveling that day.  In reality, I try to explain we are about 5 days out.

Another pose, later in the day as Willow awaits for the day that we "fly."

Love to learn

I bought these felt boards awhile ago at Learning Resources in Fern Park.  I love anything from this store.  The learning materials are beyond useful.  It can be a little expensive but the items last forever.  In Ohio, I was never near a store and always had to order online but I love going in and spending hours in the store.

Willow just didn't know what to do with her felt board.

We finally decided to start building the zoo.

Of course, Scarlett and her painting is such a treat.  FYI: the paint cups are from LR too!!

Summer heat

It is so hot in Florida that we are usually in the pool as often as we can be.

Maren and Grayson came over to play.  They love playing with their "florida cousins."

I loved this pose, as the girls stand and drink their juice.  They are crossing their legs.

Basketball

So our little Grayson started playing basketball.  Scarlett and Willow went to cheer him on.

Of course, Maren and Scarlett played more then actually watching.

Willow bean loved the snacks. 

Making a mess

Scarlett loves her little horses.  She is always "pretend" playing and it is so neat.  Sometimes, I try to record her talking like the horses.

Then, we have the puzzles.  We get them out weekly and go through about all 100 of them.

Willow is so good at puzzles, she just loves them.  LOVES THEM!!

Of course, it wouldn't be a great day in the Butler Household without PAINT>

Mommy's Barbie Birthday

Scarlett LOVES throwing a party.  Not sure where is gets it from but she was so excited to buy all kinds of Barbie "stuff" for my birthday.

We had a nice, relaxing evening with pizza and fun.

Of course, we played pin the barbie to the floater in the pool.

Of course, one of mommy's presents was a "barbie."  Wonder who picked that out?  Actually, I got a running watch which I was stoked about.  I opened it and realized that it doesn't clock my lap times so we are in the hunt for a new, inexpensive running watch since mine broke this year.

Just play

One of my favorite things to do is to sneak peek at the girls during their "open play" time. This is Scarlett lining up all the zoo and Noah's animals. 

They love to travel.  So they play travel.  This is their airplane with all of their luggage.  Note that the luggage overtakes the wagon.  Look closely at stacking as they worked really hard at it.

Willow and the giraffe

We had so much fun at the zoo.  We love that you can go right up to the giraffes and feed them.

At first the girls were a little hesitant.  Then, they wanted to feed them all day.

It was a wonderful day out with the kids although it was really hot.

The animals loved our food!!

Daddy and the zoo

So, the zoo was having a free zoo day.

Daddy came and joined us later in the afternoon.

We just loved the zoo and all the wonderful creatures that God made.

Dance Recital

Scarlett was in "big girl" dance this year and she had a little dance recital. 

Daddy was so proud of her!  She got all kinds of little treats from a few girlfriends that came to watch.

She is the one all the way on the left side.  She is the smallest and I think the youngest in her class.  We weren't sure if she would go on stage and do anything but she did great!

We told her that if she did a great job we would buy her a special present.  It was a barbie piece to her collection.  BUT, one of the biggest reasons was because we had spent money on the costumes, the last thing I wanted was for her not to go on stage.  But, now we know for next time, she will go on the stage, barbie or not.

Flowers are blooming

Our little girls are getting so big!!  We ask them all the time to stay little and Scarlett says, naw, I have to be a big girl.

Playing in the pool in the evening is usually a staple as we grill out.

Scarlett works so hard on all her little activities that I give her to do.  She loves artwork.