We got the privilege of going to Aunt Susana’s oath ceremony to become a citizen of the United States of America last week!  The girls thought the entire ceremony was really interesting and neat.  Noelle even asked if she could say the oath as well!  Susana is from Spain, but has always wanted to be an American too, so this was a very special day for sure!

I took a picture of Noemi in Kay Kay’s arms at the exact moment they said, “You are now a citizen of the United States of America!”  It was such a moving ceremony and made me very proud to be a part of our country!

 

On Friday night, July 20, I was scared to let Noelle go to sleep because her tooth was hanging on by a thread.  I know this is silly, but I didn’t want her to choke on it in her sleep, so I knew it had to come out.  Mike agreed it was time.  Below is part of her journal entry describing how it happened:

July 20, 2012

You lost your very first baby tooth tonight!  It was the front bottom one in the middle on your left side. You got in my lap, and I was going to pull it. I did it super fast and you were so worked up you said, “Okay, let me catch my breath first…” and I interrupted you and said, “It’s already out!” You looked so shocked and said, “It’s out? It’s out?” and sat up to look. You held it in your hand and said, “It’s out! It’s out! Here’s my tooth!” You were so excited! I loved how it happened and am SO SAD we didn’t get it on video. It was really funny because you didn’t even know it had already happened!  “The Tooth Fairy” brought you beads and an ironing craft, eye shadow, 4 quarters and a note that said that she is so proud of you for being brave! I love you, sweetheart! 

  

Pics of Noelle doing her thing!

Noelle had this idea to make a thank you note for Poppa and Rara… I had to take a picture of it because she did such a great job!  She found these stickers on clearance at Hobby Lobby and asked if we could do this for them, so thoughtful!

We’ve been having lots of summer sleepovers!

 

This has been the summer of the snow cone machine.  We found a great deal on one, and it came with sugar free syrup, so you know that’s right up our alley!

Rose is into absolutely everything, headbands, necklaces, purses, CFA toys, and especially the mouse on my computer!

 

Noelle took this picture of Mike and me at her audition (more on that later)!

 

Oh yes we did!  Anyone say free?  I’m in!  Rose loves ketchup almost as much as her Mommy!

The girls absolutely LOVE dressing up as cows for CFA’s Cow Appreciation Day each July!  They totally get into it and play the part.  In the car on the way home, Noelle asked me if she could have a “Moo-mint?”  I said, “Just a moo-ment!”  Yes, we are that silly!

Usually I get a 12 pack of nuggets and share with Rose, but since today’s meals (yes, the whole thing!) was free, I got her a kid’s meal.  She loved having her own box.  CFA knows what they are doing, because from now on, Rose is going to want her own meal too!

Mike took this picture one night with his phone.  I never want to forget how much the girls enjoy the toy cabinets in the hallway!  Hopefully one day, these cabinets will hold adventures for their children! (if Mike doesn’t talk me into moving, some day!  I’m such a home body, but I’m pretty sure he’s up for adventure.  We’ll see!)

 

After Noelle went to the dentist (her tooth is still just hanging in her mouth, lol), I let her show me around her school play ground for her reward.  They don’t let parents go on the play ground during school hours, so I had never been out there.  She told me all sorts of creative things she and her friends did to make believe play.  It was cute, and she was so proud!

After naps one day, I let the big girls paint rocks!  They had a lot of fun with that!

Here are their rocks and artwork.  I don’t know if you can see it or not b/c it is upside down, but Noelle painted a heart butterfly on her rock with the word “Love” underneath.  I thought that was pretty creative, and Anna Kate did a great job using lots of colors on her paper.  She is just now getting into drawing and writing, something Noelle really enjoys teaching her about.

Okay, so the computer at library day was a big hit for baby Rose… until it was another kid’s turn, lol!  She was obsessed with the keyboard, mouse, and headphones.  That child sat there for 15 minutes straight, enjoying herself to the fullest.  Neither one of her sisters would have done that at her age, I’m sure of that.  So interesting how each kid finds something that is their thing!  Noelle’s was clocks (remember old time bloggers?) and Anna Kate’s was fountains… among other things.  Noelle and Anna Kate could pick clocks and fountains out anywhere we went.  That may be a little different, but you get the point… Rose loves computers!

 

Anna Kate at the computer and Noelle at McDonald’s…

I love this picture!  Noelle is so good at teaching Anna Kate new things, and Anna Kate is a good learner.  She soaks up everything her big sissy tells her.  They are great!

 

Before and After…

Ever since Anna Kate got to have a special date with Brylee to S&S and then again with her friends for Avery’s birthday, Noelle was begging for a turn!  Emily’s mom, Rachel, helped with face painting and balloon animals at Noelle’s birthday party, so as a thank you, the four of us went to S&S for a girl day!

Noelle was excited about the “Rock Star” look she picked out!

Emily was so patient when they did her make-up… just like a true princess!

  

 

Emily rocked her princess pose!

 

Apparently Miss Noelle has done this a time or two!  Lol…

Here are the two beauties eating at Café Express.  Light-hearted, carefree, fun… just the way we like it!

                   

The girls have had fun a gym camp this summer and are ready to watch the Olympics!

 

Friday night, Poppa and Rara took the big girls to see Peter Pan!  We ate with Brother Man’s family in Dallas before the show… it was fun and relaxing!

Mike and I have heard good reviews of this restaurant, so we were excited to give it a try.  It’s even been featured on a show called Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network. 

Aww… both of these girls look a lot like me, so they say!

Noelle took this pic… I found it on my phone… cool Noelle!

Love this pic of Poppa, Nancy, and Harper!

My mommy and me!

The Banks Family!

You could easily scroll down the page and think these were all of my girls (lol), but this is Harper with the big girls and Poppa!  Cute pic!

Poppa got an extension fork from a friend he met on their European cruise to use as a prank to play on the girls… Noelle was loving it!

Asking Noelle for a bit of her chicken!

Harper was really hugging Noelle… so sweet!  I love this tortilla in the pic, so funny!

I told the girls to go smile on the beach, cause this is as close as we’re getting this summer, lol!  They were okay with that!

This sweet man took us on the scenic route up to the play.  He drove pretty fast, and the girls were super impressed.  I joked with Mom that they are going to remember this ride more than the play itself.  Definitely set the stage for a wonderful experience!

The girls loved the movie star line-up where you could take pics before the show!

Noelle was so star-struck to meet Cathy Rigby (as Peter Pan).  She is 59 years old, but don’t let that fool you! She flipped and flew all over that auditorium.  She is in the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame and recently played the role as gym coach in the new American Girl Movie, McKenna Shoots for the Stars, which aired on NBC last week!

I have two favorite parts of the night.  My first was when Tinkerbell (a little spotlight) drank Captain Hook’s poisonous potion intended for Peter Pan.  She lost her power and almost died (her light was faint in Peter Pan’s hand)… it was up to the children to believe in fairies to bring her back to life.  They asked all the children in the audience to clap as loud and they could and say, “I believe!”  Anna Kate was on the edge of her seat, and clapped as loud and fast as she could.  When Tinker came back to life, and her little light started flying across the stage, Anna Kate squealed and laughed as hard as I’ve ever seen her.  It was so perfect!

At the end of the play during the curtain call, Peter Pan flew over the audience and sprinkled fairy dust on everyone below.  Noelle swears when she was at her highest, that she looked right at her and smiled.  I know it’s crazy, but I saw her and I really think she did!  I agreed with Noelle, and that made her night right there.  She was so proud of that!

Thanks Poppa and Rara for such a magical and memorable night

Autumn and Noelle always have a good time playing together!

 

Rose is really into saying parts of the face… she’s got “eye” down really good, but now when we say “Hi!” to her she will touch her eye and say “eye!” and we’re like no, “Hi!” and just giggles and does it again, lol!

Cheers to summer play dates!

The girls always love taking pictures with the mannequins at Old Navy…

 

They each picked a pretend sister!

I searched for this picture of Noelle and baby Anna Kate (at 14 months) playing in Anna Kate’s room after I had a deja vu moment when Mike took this picture of Rose in Anna Kate’s room below:

I was thinking to myself, I’ve seen this before.  I went back through and found the pic of this outfit on Anna Kate in this room, and was thinking, wow! sometimes they do look so much alike!

We go out to eat maybe twice a month these days… it’s definitely a special treat when we get to go relax together and enjoy a good meal!

Patios are our favorite because it’s not too cold and the girls can roam a little (which gives Mike and I a chance to visit).

This is a picture of the girls doing art at church with Layla while the adults were deep in conversation.  Good times.

 

Will we ever get over Justin Bieber!?!  I don’t think so… even Rose giggles and goes nuts.  It’s so funny.  This is the summer of his song “Boyfriend.”  They ask to listen to it almost every time we are in the car.  I enjoy the beat… it’s festive for summer!

 

Here’s Rose in Bekah’s glasses… she always knows how to save the day and make her happy!  Autumn is so sweet to Anna Kate and Rose, so it works out great when she comes over for play dates!

I walked by Mike’s office one day last week, and noticed this sign hanging on his french doors…

Apparently, we have a medical clinic right here in our house!  Have an ouchy, step right up!  We’re “Opend” for business!  I love the finger smudges all over the glass… sets the stage for what we’re all about!

Coincidentally, Noelle has a dentist appointment today!  Good times!