Day at Vilano Beach

 In some areas on this beach, the sand is actually completely shells and shark teeth.  Aleya figured out it doesn't  make very good sandcastles. 

 Further back on the beach there is more sand, so Amara and her friend, Julia,  built some castles.

 Aleya loves the shells.

 Joseph used Nick's skim board for a while.  He was actually getting the hang of it.

Orrin and Nick were off body boarding with the sharks.  Fortunately, they weren't shark snacks, this time.  Vilano Beach is notorious for a high concentration of sharks because the currents draw the fish here.  Mental note:  I don't plan to come here often.

Aleya has become a very proficient swimmer this summer.

 

 She enjoys jumping off the low-dive (especially after clapping her hands twice before she jumps).

Amara is practicing diving off the low dive.

Amara has always enjoyed the water.

Aleya always enjoys the waterslide at our neighborhood pool.

Joseph prefers the high dive.

Joseph is also working on his dive.

We spend many of the hot sweltering days at pool in the summer with friends.

Fuzzy Kitten

 Callie is such a cute fuzzball.  She is mischievous, though, scratching the furniture.

She looks sweet, but she is TROUBLE!

Amara and Aleya's Dance Recital--En Vogue

Here's all the kids in the recital at Wehner's School of the Arts.

"Hey, Mom! I'm over here!"

Aleya's Ballet number.

"En Vogue"

Country number.

Jazz dance.

Aleya's tap number.

Spanish fan dance.

"Shake Your Groove Thing."

Hip Hop Number: "Working at the Car Wash."

"Fireflies"

Both girls did their very best and we are so proud of them!

Joseph's 14th Birthday

We just held a simple family party for Joseph's 14th.

This fondant-covered cake was my EPIC FAIL of the year. It was supposed to be for Aleya's party, but was too hideous to bring out. I tried spraying it gold, silver, and black for Joseph but it just kept getting more and more hideous and girlie.

He received some ties.

He also received a bike and helmet, but says he doesn't plan to use them. I think they look cool!

Dance Photo Shoot

Amara really enjoyed her hip hop class.

She needs to work on her inner "ghetto." She's too sweet.

She loves her teacher, Miss Danae.

I just love their saucy red tutus.

The girls had their dance photo shoot before the recital.

This is Amara costume for her Jazz Class.Aleya poses for the photographer.

Aleya is in a Ballet/Tap Combo Class.

Aleya is mugging for her teacher, Miss Megan.

The girls sure look cute in their aqua and black costumes.