Julie's Craft Cave

I've created a new blog just for my crafty enterprises. Go by and visit and see what I'm up to!

Julie's Craft Cave

My First Card Creations

As most of you know, I love to scrapbook. Recently, I've gotten interested in making my own cards as well. (Thanks Rachel & Tony!) I'm finally ready to unveil my first 2 creations!

I am finally venturing out of my comfort zone and using some stamps and I just bought a Cuttlebug for my birthday. I love using the different texture plate. You can see on the Popsicle card I used the "Swiss Dot" embossing plate for the bottom part of the card.

I'm liking making cards to send to friends and family! I may have found a new hobby. (just don't tell David I'll need more supplies!)

Have a great week,

Julie

Gymnastics

This summer, I've signed the girls up for a gymnastics class at a local gym. I've been very impressed with what they are learning. They are learning the basics of the balance beam, various forward and back somersaults, the uneven bars, cartwheels, and different things on the trampoline. I started to sign them up for 2 days a week, but wasn't sure what they would be doing. Now I wish I had registered them for 2 days! We will definitely be signing them up for lessons after this session.

Maddie walking backwards on the balance beam

Katie practicing a forward roll on the balance beam

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Hubs. I can't imagine my children having a more perfect Daddy. We love you to the purple and back!

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

Author Unknown

Madeleine Marie & Daddy

Kaitlyn Rose & Daddy

Splish Splash

This morning the girls and I went to the splash pad at the park by our house. We had a blast! The girls ran and played nonstop for 90 minutes. I think this is going to become a regular event this summer.

Summer School

Last Tuesday was Maddie's graduation ceremony. It was so cute. They performed a musical about Noah's Ark. Miss M was a tiger (go figure!) I've got a cute video I will post later.

She had school the rest of the week and on Friday I made Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcakes for her class. When we put Maddie in school at Good Shephered our only goal for her was to get over her attachment to me. We got so much more. I am so thankful that the teachers helped her build her confidence. She is not only a more confident child, she is reading really well, she tells time and loves counting money.

I have planned to continue her education this summer. I am using a 1st grade curriculum to continue her reading growth. We are also working on some tougher math concepts as well as incorporating science and social studies. One biggie is her handwriting. She learned to print using the standard font. Our local school district uses De'Nelian handwriting, so I'm working with her to relearn how to print.

Katie is also getting an "education" this summer. We are working on her writing (she's finally decided that she's going to be a righty), counting and writing numbers to 100. She surprised me the other day in the car by counting to 100 by 10's! She's also participating in our science and social studies lessons. I'm so lucky my girls like learning. Every morning they ask me, "What are we doing in school today!" (Can you tell I want to home school them!?)

I am so proud of my girls!

Where've we been? Sea World!

Last Thursday, we left home at 5:30 am and headed to San Antonio. We arrived at the Sea World gates around 9:30. The girls were so excited.

They both agreed that the first thing they wanted to do was feed the dolphins in Dolphin Cove. I was so surprised that Maddie, my little scaredy cat, would touch the fish much less touch and feed a dolphin. She jumped right in and started handing out fish to the hungry dolphins. Katie couldn't wait her turn. We probably spent 30 minutes feeding and watching these amazing creatures.

Next door was the coral reef aquarium. We could sit and watch the fish for hours. They are so relaxing. Here are a few of my favorites.

Then we headed to see the Shamu show. Unbelievable! I can not believe these HUGE majestic creatures can propel themselves so high out of the water. We were sitting in the splash zone, but managed to avoid getting wet. The people sitting in the row ahead of us were not so lucky!

Next was the Viva! show with the dolphins and Beluga whales. I enjoyed this show. It is kind of like Circque du Soleil with fish. The high divers were breathtaking.

We took a break after that and let the girls play at Shamu's Happy Harbor, a playground and splash park for the kids. They had a blast cooling off. Katie crawled all through the net tunnels and ship. I was a nervous wreck trying to keep an eye on her! That's my monkey girl...

We rounded out the day with the walrus show. This was David's favorite. It was a cute comedy sketch. I missed the end of it because Miss Katie had to run to the potty. All in all, we had a great time at Sea World and will be going back again this year.

The rest of the weekend was spent in San Marcos with David's brother, his family and David's sister and her husband. We were there to see our niece Lindsay graduate from Texas State. Way to go Linny! We are proud of you! It was nice getting to spend some time with everyone.

While in San Marcos, we hit the outlet malls (did you think I would pass that opportunity up!?!) and rode the glass bottom boats at Aqurena Springs. It sure wasn't like the theme park I visited as a kid. I remember seeing the underwater mermaid show, Ralph the swimming pig, and riding the "Sky View" over the lake. Now, the park is owned by Texas State University and they have turned it into a natural preserve and aquaculture study center. They do still operate the glass bottom boats though. We did enjoy taking a ride on the boats. The girls squealed every time we saw a turtle!

After all that fun, we are glad to be home! Although, I'm still trying to catch up on laundry...