Kaiya and Emmie had their first day of school yesterday (Tuesday), and Claire had her first day of preschool today (Wednesday).

Emmie was a little nervous about spending the whole day at school this year, and said she is "just going to miss me too much". Aww. I met her for lunch yesteday to make sure she was doing okay, and she is LOVING her teacher and 1st grade class. She has already made a "new best friend" and seems to be doing great. I'm so happy for her. She's such a great little girl.

Kaiya has moved up to 4th grade this year, and has a teacher that looks about 16 years old. Or maybe I'm getting old enough that everyone is just looking really young to me now? Anyway, Kaiya thinks she's beautiful and wonderful and is very excited about her upcoming school year.

Kaiya and I had a mini-battle about what she should wear on her first day, and I decided this was one fight that wasn't worth it. So although she has multiple things I'd have rather seen her in on her big first day, she left the house looking like Ellen DeGeneres. But she left happy, and i guess that's what matters.

Claire was excited and nervous about school today, but when I picked her up, she said her teacher is "super nice" and "even let her color". She's such a quiet little thing, but she seemed happy - and Claire will definitely let it be known if she's not happy.

I am feeling like the girls are all going to have a great school year! I'm so happy for all of them and so amazed at how quickly they are growing up.

Not only are the oldest three in school, but I've decided to return as well. Let's hope I can do a brain dump of the hundreds of "Dora" and "Sesame Street" songs I know to make way for all I'm supposed to learn this semester!

Wish us all luck!

Kaiya and Emmie on their first day...







And here's my cute little Claire on her first day of preschool...




Hayden had to get in on this picture-taking action...



And here's one of everyone...

I love Marietta so much, and our girls are so darn cute together. One of the best parts of hanging out with them? I get to forget about taking pictures for once, because taking perfect pictures is one of Marietta's many incredible talents. So while our girls played together at Chuck E Cheese, I sat back, stuffed my face with pizza and sipped my Diet Coke. Not a bad afternoon.

Kaiya and Amaia were nearly impossible to get pictures of, because they immediately scampered off and were 100% focused on getting as many tickets as they possibly could. I assure you, they were there and having fun! :)

Here are the pictures Marietta took and I stole off her blog. Don't sue me.

Claire and Maddie:





Emmie and Hallie:







Hayden:




These are just a few of the MANY pictures they took of themselves:





Searching for the very best prizes:



After Chuck E Cheese, we all came back to my house, and of course Marietta had a craft for the girls to do. We helped them all make tye-dye shirts, and they're all excited to get together and wear them next time they see each other.

I'm so lucky to have Marietta to talk to. We've only been friends for a couple of years, yet we can go months without chatting and we can be right back to comfortable in no time. She's the kind of friend that asks how you're doing and you can actually answer honestly. Love her. I'm just waiting for the moment that my girls realize I'm hopeless when it comes to all things craft-related and ask Marietta to adopt them.

Love you, Campbell girls!

My girls were lucky enough to spend time at their Aunt Jill's mom and dad's house this weekend. We don't get to see Uncle Mark and Aunt Jill often, but when we do the girls are always excited. They are great with the kids and we LOVE having the chance to catch up with them.

Both Mark and Jill recently had vision correction surgery and technically weren't even supposed to be in the pool. They were extra careful, but still broke the rules a tiny bit to spend time swimming with the girls. So sweet.

Amazingly enough, with coaxing from me, Dennis, Mark, Jill, and Jill's parents and brothers - each girl finally took a turn jumping off the diving board. I was so proud!

Thanks so much to the DeYoung family for inviting us to your home. We had so much fun!


Uncle Mark with the girls...



Daddy had to show them how it was done...



How cute are they?...



Kaiya...









Emmie is my most nervous kid in the water, but Aunt Jill finally got her to jump off the side instead of the diving board...





Aunt Jill walked her up and Daddy gently pulled her down. Finally a successful "jump" off the diving board! Yay, Emmie!...







Claire in her favorite star floatie...



Uncle Mark and Claire...







Claire and Hayden...





Love this look of joy on Hayden's face every time she jumps...





Hayden loved riding on these things...





Uncle Mark and Hayden...



Aunt Jill knew just what Hayden needed...

Dennis is going to be so excited that I am posting this picture! He came home from work exhausted, but like the good daddy he is, went and spent some time upstairs playing with the girls. Apparently he told Claire that he was really sleepy, and she put him to bed. I found him sound asleep on the floor about half an hour later.

I guess this is just what happens when you're daddy to a bunch of girls.



We love you, D!

This year, we decided to have friends over for a barbecue, then fireworks. Dennis and his friend down the street drove to Evanston together, and returned with boxes and boxes of fireworks. It was quite a night, and there are still plenty left over for the 24th!

Hayden before I chased her down with a paper towel. I swear, this kid still hasn't quite learned how to get all the food in her mouth...



THERE her cute face is...



Claire...



Emmie...





Kaiya...





Claire, Eli, Abi, Emmie...



Brady. Now that's a kid who knows how to smile for the camera...



Claire and Eli. Eli is either trying to kiss Claire's cheek, or showing off her gangster face...



Dennis turned into a 17 year old boy last night...



Jackson enjoying his dinner...



Hayden got a little nervous about how loud the fireworks were...



Crazy girls...



Lucy...







Hayden says "Boom!"...



Cute Claire...



And a little scared...



Gwen...



Emmie...



Kaiya with the boys (KC and Bridger)...



Oh good, Hayden figured out the drink dispenser...



Kaiya and Jacob...



Cute girls...



The aftermath...



The teenage boys responsible for it all...