Missouri

We just returned from Missouri.  We had a very fun filled week with my family.  I have a lot of photos to share but thought I would post my favorites to start. 

 

Fountain show downtown Branson



Silver Dollar City Fun
Happy Layla.  Love this picture of her.



First dinner in Branson at our resort

All five kids (and Jamie) playing a game at Silver Dollar City

 

The camera timer was set for a portrait in front of the waterfalls at Dogwood Canyon.  A large dragonfly landed on my back and we all scattered.  Except Grady!

Layla learned how to swim underwater!

Grady was cute in the pool.  And drank A LOT of pool water.

More pictures coming soon!

Camp

Layla went to Girl Scout camp this week.  This was another big reminder that she is getting to be such a big girl.  I had a hard time parting with her after just getting her back from the school year but she had so much fun.  I am really proud of Layla for embracing the week and learning so many new things.  And now I am happy to have her back again for the rest of the summer :)

 

First day!

 

Learning to fish with a Boy Scout

 

Hula hoop contest!  Layla is on the right.

 

Cleaning crew for the day.  The girls loved washing and drying the dishes all week.  

Poor Lizzy on the right had a mosquito bite close to her eye.

 

Candle making

 

Layla's proudest moment of the week....building a fire with just one match.  

She was given an award at the big ceremony on the last day of camp for her "fire skills."  

It was the first match she has ever touched!

 

Layla loved the song/dance games.  She is the the middle of this circle.

 

Layla with twins Lizzie and Lexie.  Three cousins (second cousins!) at camp.  The three girls were all born on the same day.  They really enjoyed their week together.

 

Layla and me after our second day at camp together.  I was able to volunteer for two days.  I was so impressed with the girls and exhausted by the end of the days!

 

Last day of camp.  Layla loved the bandanna accessory.

 

Learning about Laura Ingalls Wilder.

    And lastly dropping off her buddy after the week at camp.

What a fun week!!

Layla is 7!

 

Layla turned seven!  Seven seems like it is going to be a fun age.  

She loved first grade but has already settled nicely into summer.

Layla at seven is a sweet girl.  She is very loving and has a huge heart at this young age.  She thinks of others often and loves to spend lots of time with family.  To a stranger, she appears to be a quiet little girl but in reality she is a chatterbox!  The people who know her, know that she is full of personality.  She is surprising me constantly with her new found bravery in different situations and willingness to try new things.  

She loves school and she was really sad to see the year come to an end.   This was the year that Layla really learned how to read.  We are so proud of her new skills and I am excited for lots of fun reading this summer. I hope she always loves school as much as she did in kindergarten and first grade.

At home, Layla still loves to play.  She likes to have time each day to have downtime and play with her toys.  She loves dolls, Legos and playing outside.  Grady and Layla love to play together.  Sometimes it goes really well and sometimes there are battles!  The more time they are together, the better they get along so I am looking forward to a fun summer with my two buddies :)

Happy 7 years to Layla!!