Sum-sum-summer time 2018

Ah....summer....time for sundresses and silliness...

...time for geckos and get-togethers

...time for swimming, sprinklers and splashing.

...time for summer haircuts!

Check it out in living color!

Summer started on Memorial Day weekend, when I picked you up early from 'not school school' and took you to Keller's Drive in for some in-car burgers!

It continued with a long walk to CVS to get candy and test out those new pedometer watches and staring contests in the park. 

There were cookies to be baked, critters to be caught and released, and games of chase in the backyard and bike rides...

We finally got together with our friends: 

You learned new games, and played music...

...and had a surprise visit from Kaelyn!

There was more backyard fun, a sleepover (a first!) with Brady, many trips to harvest the garden, a fun trip to the tile store, and more!

And a surprise summer visitor, Holden!

Top it off with swimming, playing cards, cuddling dogs, and  a day trip to the rec center pool, complete with fresh peaches and an amazing million trips down the water slide, and you got yourself the start to a sweet, sweet summer!

Gymnastics: A 2017 Disco Boogie!

Julia- the moment you've been preparing for all year is FINALLY here! The pageantry... the skills... the grace...the moves...the boogie! 

It's Little Gym Show Week, and you shone like the bright star you are!

You've been talking about this for so many months, and been putting in some hard practice at home too, trying to perfect your poses and cartwheels for weeks. 

I can't believe how far you've come this year alone...but when I look back on it, you've been doing gymnastics since before you could even walk! And look at how far you've come and how much you've grown!

From a toddler hanging on....

...to a big girl hanging tough!

From a tiny tight-rope walker to a big girl gracefully traversing the beam!

But enough of this preamble, let's get to the show!

First of all, one of the biggest requests you had about your show was for Aidan to be able to come watch you. Aidan asked to come too...and he was able to come (we took him out of school), and you were SO excited! He was such a supportive big brother, cheering for you and dancing along with you. And you would call to him and give him thumbs up and ask for his attention. You two are so sweet, and I'm so glad that you wanted your big brother to be there with me, Mommy, Mimi, and Pops. Yaya and Baba, Sham and Joe were there in spirit, but couldn't make it (Yaya had just had surgery). But we were ALL cheering for you loud and proud, because you are the AWESOMEST you you can be!

 You showed us your skills on floor routine...

 ..on sideline awesomeness...

...on beam and bar....

and dance...

and ...

...on grace in victory...

But don't take my word for it! Watch the show for yourself!

Boogie on down!

During the awards presentation, Mr. Jaime introduced you as "Little Julia." You were quick to say, loudly, "I'm not little." And that is the truth. You are BIG: you are strong, brave, fearless, talented and amazing. You are a leader among your friends, and a great gymnast already! 

Keep up the amazing work! You are such an inspiration with your dedication, skills, and success. We are all SO proud of you, our big gymnast!