SFA Twirling Camp

 At the end of June Jaina had a 4-day twirling camp in east Texas in Nacogdoches at Stephen F. Austin University. A requirement for High School Twirler.

I was kinda dreading this drive because it was a 3 1/2 hour drive up there and a 3 1/2 hour drive back home and she had to report for check in between 8-10am. But the drive wasn't really that bad it was a pretty easy drive. We left the house at 5:15 and picked up Allie to ride along with us. Justin decided to stay home with Jewell. 

We got there right at 9am. Jaina was SO excited to be there. She has never attended an extended overnight stay besides camping with Girl Scouts. This was a huge deal because it was for 4 days at a big university, so it was kinda like dropping her off for college and gave her a little bit of an idea of what it is going to be like when she goes to college. Surreal for both of us because in a few short years this will be real life for her!

She is staying on the Stephen F. Austin University campus in the dorms. She gets to share a room with Sawyer which helped a lot. 

She got all checked in. I felt very safe with the dorms because they have it locked up like Fort Knox. She got there and unpacked and made her bed. Sweet Sawyer had a little snack basket for Jaina. They changed into their camp shirts, and we all headed to the Civic Center. 

They days will be jammed pack with twirling. The girls will be bused over every morning to the civic center, and they are fed 3 meals a day. In the morning they have twirling stations, and, in the afternoons, they have 3 one-hour classes. I got her checked in and also put her name a raffle to try and win a lighted baton and fire baton. Fingers crossed she wins! Then we were outta there.

Jaina texted me throughout the day to let me know how everything was going. She said she was having fun and they ate Chick Fil A for lunch. When I registered her, Coach Debra had her in level one beginner classes but the coaches at SFA soon found out that she was not a beginner and actually moved her to a level 3 with college students! She took a couple of classes with them but asked to be moved down to a level 2 with Sawyer because she felt like those classes were going to be too hard for her and she wanted to have fun at camp and learn not be stressed out at camp. I told her "Good for you for expressing how you feel". I will have no problem with child as she gets older! She also got to be coach by Joel Claudio from America's Got Talent! (But she said he was a little hard and rude)

She said they had chicken for dinner and then report back to their dorms where her and Sawyer decorated their door. There was going to be a door judging contest and they were in it to win. I think they did an awesome job on their door! It looked so cute!

After we dropped her off Allie and I decided to go explore downtown Nacogdoches. We went in every shop on the square

We were bummed that the oldest store in town, the Mercantile was closed.

Then we headed to Dolli's cafe for lunch. Gaaaag! Allie and I both got the meatloaf, and it was so nasty. It tasted like we were eating a sponge. It was definitely and fail!

After lunch we walked around to the last of the shops

Then we headed over to the visitor center to learn a little bit about the Nacogdoches, Caddo Lake boats and the Indians 

Also got to see the oldest rifle in Texas.

And learned a little bit about the space shuttle that exploded over East Texas

I picked up a few decorations while shopping.

Then around 3:30 we headed outta town.

We stopped in Crockett and shopped their town square but only two stores were open so that was a flop. We stopped in Centerville on the way back for a soda and some pie. We got back to Temple around 6:00. I had to run a few more errands before heading home. It was a long but fun day!

Summer things

Back in May Girl Scouts hosted their end of the year Girl Scout Bridging but the girls did not want to attend so instead I just went by the shed and picked up their awards. 

Even though Jaina was an assistant leader this last year she was still considered a Cadette and earn her way to bridging to a Senior Girl Scout which is the second to last level of the program. 

Bridging to a Senior will look great on her college applications. She can list her levels of achievements and all of the volunteer work she did throughout the last 6 years. I'm proud of her sticking with it all those years, learning and having fun. 

She earned her bridging badge, Bridge Senior Award and her service pin

Jolee will end as a Junior. I know for her it took a little bit of motivation to attend meetings, but she had fun and met a few friends along the way. I'm proud that she stuck with it and of all her accomplishments too. She earned her cookie pin, and a few fun badges. 

Jaina has been having some trouble with her retainers since getting her braces off. She has a permanent retainer on the top and bottom teeth, and she has clear retainers for nighttime, but her top permanent retainer is the one that has been coming off. It has fallen off three times already. At her third appointment they took it completely off and resized it. I'm hoping third time is a charm and it won't come off again. 

While we waited for her to finish up Jewell played in the dental castle

Lol she kept waving to me from up top. 

Rusty and Jewell have become great buddies lately. He likes sleeping with her and likes for her to pet him. He's such a sweet and gentle boy. Once he has had enough, he just gets up and walks away. I don't think I have ever heard him growl or hiss.

Jaina's twirling uniform came in at the end of May. Do you love it?! I do and so does Jaina. This is the uniform she will wear to all the football games. Her and Sawyer have matching costumes. I was a little concerned about what it would actually look like, but I think it looks awesome! I can't wait until football season starts. 

Here is the back. I love it with the boots too

Summa time happenins

I love kicking off the summer with a little present for the girls. Ever since they started school, I have always gotten them a little something at the end of the year to celebrate all their hard work throughout the school year. This year I gave them a bunch of pool floaties because I know how much time we will be spending in the pool. Summertime evenings in the pool are the best!

Summer for Mom and Dad doesn't stop unfortunately we still have to work. Justin and I are still trading off our schedule so one of us are always home with the girls. Jolee LOVES coming to work with me and being my little helper. Fortunately, I have a job where she can come with me anytime, she wants too. Obviously, death does not bother her and she's very curious. I wouldn't be surprised if she lands into this profession too when she gets older.

Haha her first ride in a hearse, LOL 

We took it for a spin at the car wash, she wanted to lay down in the back and scare people, LOL She's totally my child!

Summer also calls for summer haircuts and this chick needed one bad. Her hair was so stringy at the bottom.

She wanted to cut it short so I told her she could get it cut to her shoulders.

She was SO excited to get a fresh new look for the summer.

Lookin good with her fresh new hair

So much healthier

Summertime means sleeping late, eating everything in the pantry and playing their hearts out. 

Jewell was so glad to have her sister's home to entertain her. She likes to play in Jaina's room and watch tv with her and sleep in her room with her. She also likes for Jolee to play toys with her. Every now and then Jolee will still play with her. They also like to play chase in the house and hide and seek.

Summertime also means evening walks.

We like to go around the street in the late evening when the sun is setting.

It's makes for a nice walk. 

Summertime also means lots of grocery shopping, snacking and dinner at home.

This girl was ready to go to grandmas with her dino back pack. 

She's been learning to undress herself and ALWAYS gets her shirt hung up on her head. Then she panics thinking it will get stuck on her like that, lol Silly girl.

Summertime also means afternoon naps and late-night movies.

And lots of snuggles.