Just another day at the beach...

When Reilly was in kindergarten, Ryan and I went in for her very first parent teacher conference. 

We weren't afraid. 

We know our kid well enough to know...

she rocks.

I know...EVERYONE thinks that their kid rocks....but with Reilly there was very little NO room for doubt.

Little did we know...there was a problem...

a problem we had NO idea about...

Reilly wasn't making friends....

Reilly had a friend.

Chelsey.

She didn't really see the need for more friends.  Chelsey was enough for Reilly and Reilly was enough for Chelsey.

The teacher was concerned.  They would only sit next to each other on the rug at circle time.  They would only sit together at lunch.  Whomever arrived first was forever saving a seat for the other.  Mrs. Simko thought they needed a little seperation.  She was worried that this friendship would stifle them socially. 

Fast forward EIGHT years.

These kids have become...so much more than friends...

they have become our family.

Reilly and Chelsey still do everything together.

They are still very much BEST friends.

Reilly has taught Chelsey to be a little more out-going....

Chelsey has brought a little calmness to Reilly...

Reilly toughens Chelsey up a bit...

Chelsey is a big BIG goof ball...

The best part of Reilly and Chelsey's friendship is that...

They have brought our families closer.

and...that closeness lead to this day.

This day... this amazing day...

of...

Sandy feet...

and...

pre-teens

smiling!

and...

little boys...shivering from the freezing ocean...

and...making sand cupcakes with munchkins...

and soaking up the sun...

and relaxing...

and being goofy...

because that friendship...lead to all of this...

because when those two little girls became friends...

we all became friends...

and these are the kinds of friends you hold onto...

These are the friends who become family...

This weather has been amazing. 

 I get one weeks vacation every July.

  Last year...it rained.  A lot. 

 Every single day of this week has been beautiful. 

We have managed to be outside every single day.

This makes me happy.

All of that Vitamin D soaking into my skin makes me feel so alive.

Today we went to Baylor's Lake.

Reagan got a whole day.

A whole day with her best buddies.

This is what summer is ALL about...

Friends...

goofing off....

Cooling off...

Digging for treasures...

a juicy plum...or two or three...running down your arm...all the way to your elbow...

Secrets between friends...

Even Moms get a little goofy...

and haming it up for the camera...

Friends like this...

and weather like this...

make for one amazing perfect summer...

Thanks Baylor

Thanks for sharing your lake..

and Thanks for an such a great day!

(and thank your Mom too!!)

Heat wave 2010

100 degrees in Dover NH....
No AC....
No swimming pool....

but....

we did FINALLY use the slip and slide Reagan got for her birthday...last year.

and boy did these kiddos have fun!

2 hours people....

2 FULL hours... of fun...

2 FULL hours of giggles...

It doesn't get better than this....

12, 8 and 5....

It is not easy to find something all of these kids like to do...

together....

but today....

today....

it was a good day...

and these smiles...

these smiles...they even cooled me off...

Today the training wheels came off...


It's a little crazy how that represents independence in so many ways....

My little girl is growing up. She is looking to venture out and explore the world. And because she is who she is...she is doing this...without...me. Needless to say... I am NOT taking it so well.

Yes, these tools are pink. And yes, they are Reagan's.

Reagan has always been a very independent kid. From the minute she was born she was trying to figure things out. She always looked mad. She wasn't mad...as much as she was interested. I can remember telling people...it's not you. She looks at everyone like that. She wasn't that kid....the one you baby talk to and she would giggle. As a matter of fact she didn't smile all that much. Don't get me wrong she was a very happy baby, the thing is... she never smiled because someone else wanted her to...she smiled because she wanted to...

Everything has ALWAYS been on her terms. She has done everything exactly when she wanted to, and how she wanted to. She knows what she wants, she knows what she doesn't and she can not be pushed into anything. EVER.

I LOVE this about her. It's my favorite thing about her. People are captavated by her beautiful blonde hair and her amazing blue eyes. The kid is a riot. She can put on one hell of a show. I love that she is so willing to put herself out there... but I LOVE that this child knows herself. I love that she is so willing to go out on her own.

Here's the thing... I also love that she lets us hold on to her. Almost like she knows we need to. She is one of the most cuddly kids I have ever met. She would much rather be on a lap than on a seat. Many times a day I have the pleasure of hearing "Hey Mom, you know what... I love you" or "Mommy you are so pretty." or "Your my best mom" like she has another one hiding away somewhere.

Along with that independence comes her stubborn streak...

Oh my is this adorable thing stubborn.

She's like someone else I know. :)

Her best friend.

Her Daddy. <3

She didn't quite get it on her own today.

But that's ok with me. It just means we get to hang on a little longer. It means we get another day to try together. It means another afternoon spent outside, in the sunshine, with her sister and father and I. It means ice cream sundae's for trying your hardest. It means more time before she is asking to "ride her bike to her friends".

She's the baby.

She's the last.

If it's ok with her... I'd like her to slow down just a little bit.

and I promise to let her explore and grow...

if she promises to stay my baby...

FOREVER.