SWIMMING (4 YRS OLD)

Before S left to the beach with Mimi and Poppy, she had developed a "fear" of swimming in the pool. Momma's not sure exactly how this came about, but S threw a couple of tantrums over going to the pool.

S has always seemed comfortable in the water and at the beginning of the summer, she began diving down to fetch rings and toys as well as touching the bottom of the pool. Momma's not sure what to do -- is this a real fear or a control issue?

COMMERCIALS (4 YRS OLD)

Momma was wondering where S got her concept of "poison ivy." In the yard, she would say to momma, "Be careful of poison ivy." Momma thought maybe it was at school, but realized that S got it from a commerical for an antihistamine cream. Momma also guessed that why she calls the dish-washing machine Electrosol tablets, "the Diamond standard." Because that's what it's called on its commericial.

How impressionable are commercials? VERY! to a four year old!

COUSINS VICTORIA AND SABRINA (4 YRS OLD)

S got to meet her second cousins Victoria, age 6, and Sabrina, age 2 on Wednesday, July 21st. Their mother is Counsin Renae, daddy's first cousin. Their grandmother is Great-Aunt Ruthanne (Mimi's sister)whose farm daddy spent a summer working on. Cousin Theresa, Cousin Renae's sister, was also visiting. Cousin Renae and Cousin Theresa were taking Great-Aunt Ruthanne to the various relatives before she gets too sick to travel.

S was hesitant at first but after spending some time with Victoria and Sabrina in the hammock with Poppy, Ariana, and Miranda, she warmed up enough to hop into the kiddie pool with them, slide down the stairs and help poppy drive the tractor around the yard. S tried to copy everything Victoria did and Sabrina ran after the two girls.

Momma and daddy were glad that S got to meet her Great-Aunt and extended family. Momma and daddy left after dinner, but S got to spend the night until Friday afternoon.

TALIA'S BIRTHDAY (4 YRS OLD)

S's BFF Talia celebrated her 4th birthday on Wednesday, July 21st. In honor of her birthday, her mother arranged a party at Build A Bear. Talia got a unicorn, her favorite animal, S got a tabby cat, which she named "Kitty," and Alvie got a black doggie, like Neo. The girls love their experience. They followed the instructions intently rubbing the hearts on their heads and hearts and making a wish on it. The experience was accentuated by ice cream with lunch and a train ride through the mall. Momma thinks other birthday parties are going to pale in the experience of this one for S.

A DAY WITH TALIA (4 YRS)

S got to spend a day with her BFF Talia on Friday. Except for a small quarrel around 1 pm, the witching time for both of them, they played wonderfully together. They played Diego and hunted for turtle eggs. They played family, varying who was the mama and who was the baby. Of course, "daddy is dead" because there was no boy to play daddy. They jumped in the sprinklers.

When Uncle Nigel came to pick up Aunt Fiona, Talia, and Alvie. S and T both insisted on a spending the night together. So, they spent the night watching Snow White together, both huddled around "daddy" for the scarry party and fell asleep instantly afterwards.

The bad thing about having the two some play so well with each other is that sister Alvie often gets left out. The good thing was that both Aunt Fiona and momma got to sew some pretty dresses for the girls. What a relaxing Friday!

JOSHUA TREE (4 YRS OLD)

Momma and daddy decided to visit Joshua Tree National Park; it is located two hours west of San Diego and Los Angelos. Despite the dry heat, the park was a great experience for all. Although the park is known for its infamous tree, the unusual boulder formations were breath-taking. Daddy, momma and S went for a short 1 mile hike at the Hidden Valley Rock formation. S loves climbing now and enjoyed climbing Skull Rock with daddy. Daddy is now talking about coming back in cooler weather.

P.S. One entertaining experience about the park is the Junior Park Ranger program. S was sworn in as a Jr. Park Ranger by the end of the trip. All she had to do was by spot various plants and animals and checking it off through out the park in her little park ranger book. Surprisingly, she was engaged by it.

SAN DIEGO

DISNEYLAND (4 yrs old)

S was so excited about her trip to California. The week before, she kept asking when she was going on an airplane ride and a couple of times had an imaginary trip: packed up her suitcase, put it on the airplane, waited for the airplane to fuel up, buckled her seat and off she went to California.

Her first day in California was spent getting to the hotel and having dinner with her cousins. She was so happy to see them and spent the entire time jumping up and down in excitment.

The second and third day was her Disney experience. She refers to the trip now as her "princess vacation." The first day was spent at Disneyland. It was kicked off by the Disney band marching band and Goofy greeting everyone off the tram in Main Street. S mostly spent the time Fantasy Land. She loved riding the tea cup, carosel, driving the car and listening to princess story time. However,"It's a Small World" was probably her favorite ride. S got alot of autographs for her autograph book but was shy and often hid behind momma when she saw the many Disney characters. S took alot of encouraging from daddy, momma and her cousins to get her to take pictures with them. But momma can't wait to put her autograph book together so she can see the great pics!

Adventure Land was more age appropriate for S. She got to see the Micky Mouse Club House show and was enthrawed with seeing the gang, along with Handy Mandy. She sang the theme song all day after that. Bug land was filled with kid-friendly rides and short waits. She got to drive a bumper car with daddy. The high lights of Adventure land for S was probably the princess lunch where she got to meet: Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Cinderella, and Belle. The family favorite were probably the zip line and net brides in Big Brother Bear playland and the "thunder river" ride where everyone got wet.

The day was pretty long at Disney, starting from 9 am to 7 pm every day without a nap. But, S had a great time. On the airplane back home, she asked if she could visit the California and the princesses again.

BEACH (4 YRS OLD)

This year S and momma went to the annual summer beach trip with Mimi, Poppy, Ariana (13) and Miranda (10). They rented a three room condo at South Padre, a nine-hour drive from Austin.

The girls had a great time in the swimming pool, but due to the upcoming hurricane the waves were sometimes too rough for S. S really enjoyed the pool time and often had to be dragged out of it. She especially liked touching the bottom of the pool with the big girls, and pretending to have a tea party down there with them.

Unfortunately, the trip was cancelled early. Mommma and S had to head home on Wednesday (after arriving on Sunday) due to Hurricane Alex. Maybe, next year!

P.S. Since S and momma were home early from the beach, daddy, momma and S got to go see the fireworks on the fourth of July with their neighbors across the street in Buda. It was S's first time seeing fireworks and she had a great time hanging out with Christain (4).