193/365

She has talked about getting this bear for months!  Thank you, Nanny, for coming through with a talking Lots O' Huggin Bear!  She was too cute (and very surprised!) when she hugged him and he said, "oh, you give the best hugs". 

Happy birthday sweet girl! 

192/365

It's her last day being five. 

*sniffle*

190/365

Tonight we sat outside on the deck watching for airplanes and looking at the stars.  Emily went inside and brought out Tony's flashlight and his shooting range headphones....is that what they are called?  They are the coolest!  They amplify sounds (those crickets and cicadas sounded awesome!) yet keep your ears protected. 

Here's little Caroline.  Wearing the headphones and learning how to turn on the flashlight.  This was taken in almost complete darkness.  The light on her face is from Emily...wearing the camo headlamp.

179/365

We went to the library today.  The girls always love the library. 

{book bokeh}

178/365

This afternoon? Tinkerbell {slash} Belle helped me with making blackberry cobbler for Daddy.

Today's prompt:  dress up

176/365

How do ya' like those Hello Kitty socks?  So much easier to twirl on hardwood flooring in socked feet.

Today's prompt:  twirl

Cross your fingers, people! I entered this photo in the I Heart Faces weekly challenge. The focus of this week's challenge is "whimsy". Head on over and check out the fantastical entries!

174/365

I had a terrible time choosing on this one....black and white?  color.  black and white?  color.

She'd spent the morning watching her sisters color with marker.  She then decided to color with marker, too.

On herself.   

The only visible Crayola tat in this photo is the one on her little knee.  However, don't be fooled.  There were marks all over that body. 

Still potty training...which explains the skin-ness of this one.  And she's looking up towards the door because that's where her payment for photos is.... a teeny row of M&Ms on the sill. 

Today's prompt:  contemplation

173/365

I don't know what you all are doing with your kids for summer break, but it can't be any more fun that what we're doing. 

You would not believe how much my girls loved cleaning windows and shutters this morning. 

No.  I'm serious. 

They did it with such joy and gusto, too. 

I decided to repay them by treating them to lunch and playtime at McDonald's. 

Like I said, I'm not sure what you are doing to entertain your little ones during this break, but whatever it is?  You're trying way too hard.  Just give 'em some Windex, a couple of towels and a vacuum and watch them have a heapload of fun. 

Today's prompt?  windows

I clicked it up a notch this month and focused on dramatic window lighting. Check out all of the others that have stepped up their game this month, too. You can head on over to Click it Up a Notch to have a look!

172/365

Day Three of Potty Training Boot Camp

We haven't left the house for THREE days...outside of taking the girls to taekwondo for 40 minutes yesterday.

And during that little trip? I double dog dared Caroline to wet her pants.

I gave her "the look" and she decided to wait 'til home.

Sheesh. I'll be glad when this Miss Stubborn McStubbornpants finally realizes that she loses this one.

Really, Caroline. I know this story and I win in the end.  I've looked ahead and I see you in kindergarden. Guess what? You aren't wearing Dora pull ups.

170/365

It's Father's Day!  We had a nice relaxing day at home today.  My ever-so-wonderful mom brought over lunch (complete with banana pudding) for Tony.  He was nice enough to let the rest of us have a bit, too. 

What a dude I have! He works so very hard to provide for us. We all love him to pieces.

166/365

Not too much time for photos today.  Too much cleaning and editing and laundry and such. 

This is Lulu the Wonderdog. She's fantastical.

Oh!  And this fits the prompt.... pets.

165/365

Today's prompt?  Sun

And just so you all know?  There are only two hundred more days of P365. 

How do I know? 

Well.  Because I can do basic math in my head. 

How stinkin' awesome am I? 

Please note the cute little freckle on her finger.  She's ever-so-proud of that freckle and she loves to show it off.  "See?  See my fweckle rite dare?"  She'd want to know that you noticed. 

164/365

Didn't go with a prompt today. I was lucky just to get a photo.

162/365

I had today's photo all set up and ready for editing.  The girls were playing in the hose while Tony and I worked a bit outside.  I'd taken a photo of Caroline waving the hose around...just learning how to "shoot it weely far" by putting her finger over the end. 

Then?  She started playing with her new flashlight at bedtime.  She had fun shining it on her toy shelf....'yook, Mommy!  I see dat and dat and dat!"  She then started counting the butterflies on the wall above the shelf.

I loved this one even more. 

Today's prompt:  monochromatic

161/365

Caroline simply loves this book.  I've read it over and over and over, but the thing is?  After the second time?  She just about memorized it.  So, although she loves to hear me read it to her (and talk in my really bad English accent) she "reads" it to herself very well, too.  The big girls often say, "ohmygoshmommy!!!  That's exactly what it says!!" 

Today's prompt:  reading

159/365

Today the girls and I went to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and it was such a good movie!  The big kids are really good about sitting super still throughout the entire movie.  Caroline?  She lasts until her Care Bear gummies are gone and then she likes to stand in front of her seat or sit in my lap and snuggle. 

157/365

Another day at the pool!  I couldn't help but snap a picture of Caroline when she slapped this bucket on her head.  It goes perfectly with the prompt I chose for today....red.

155/365

I ran across a neat little idea for the summer and decided to jump right on in with it.  It's the Inspired Summer Challenge from Photographer Cafe.   You can see all of that fun little stuff RIGHT HERE.

I love how cute the printable is.  For some reason?  I do much better with lists and templates that look pretty.  I started with the challenge yesterday (for that day I chose 'freckles') and I think I'm going to love it! 

Here's today's photo using the prompt 'sidewalk chalk'. 

154/365

Day Two.....at the pool again!

(Hey! We gotta get our money's worth out of those HOA dues, you know.)

152/365

Today the girls and I went downtown to Piedmont Park to play in the brand new fountain.  It was so very hot and you can bet that I'll be sportin' my suit on the next visit.  I had no problem standing right near the sprayer fully clothed...letting the girls "accidentally" get me wet.  I didn't take too may photos, but I was so happy to snag this one because all three girls are in it....Emily in the back in the green suit and Allison in the back right in the colorful suit.