CHILD LABOR

Joey had to come to work with Mommy the week before school started. Here she is, painting freezer carts with Uncle Chris. She got paid a dollar a cart! And Uncle Chris says she did just as good as Mr. Lenny does!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

 Sam's first day at daycare was a week and a 1/2 before school started, so Mommy could go to work and get ready for back-to-school deliveries. 

(Jospehine took the lovely picture below.)

And here are my princesses on Joey's first day of school at the same school Mommy went to 25 years ago!

Yes, that is a Princess bookbag with an Avengers lunchbox.

KEYS LIFE

We really spent a lot of time in the Keys this summer. That's good!

 Joey helped Grandpa trim the coconut trees.

Grandpa sure does enjoy having the hammock downstairs. 

Chillin' like a Villain. 

 Daddy's co-pilot

A day in the keys just us!

 Floating behind Rodgriguez Key is always a stop!

 Such a beautiful day! 

 Which princess is in hiding there? I'll give you two guesses.

ANNE'S BEACH

Anne's Beach at low tide was simply made for children. 

Sam loved exploring the beach...

 the water...

but apparently sand doesn't taste to good.

A beautiful day for it too.

 Why does she stand like that? Is this modeling pose something she was born with?

 Sam thinks her tummy is her best side!

 Such a water baby! 

They could spend the whole day just playing in the sand-muck.

 Going off exploring.

MINI SEASON 13'

Out on the water before sunrise, waiting for official sunrise to start the show!

Back by 8:30 with a good haul, nap time before heading out again.

 Raquel tries her hand, catches her first lobster!

 Like bunny ears, but way cooler. 

 Say "Butter!"

 Joey and Raquel were good boat bitches in deed!

 What, Andy totally went lobstering dressed like that.

 Sitting in front of that many lobster, still can't smile right.

 Grandpa doesn't care who catches them, so long as they get caught!

 Thursday morning dawns on a weary crew. (Took me a month to be able to hear correctly out of my right ear.)

 Once she can see over the steering wheel, she will own the seas.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKIN' AT?

ALL SUMMER LONG

It seems like we were in the Keys every other weekend this summer!

We got to watch the firemen come down to the end of the street and draw water from the ocean. A practice drill.

Joey and I perched ourselves on the rocks and watched the whole thing.

 Lazy mornings, cinnamon roll icing cup already licked.

Strutting their stuff.

While we were out scouting for lobster, Grandpa and Daddy took the girls to Jacob's Aquatics. 

 Samantha LOVES the water. That is a cackle of delight. Her favorite water game is throw the baby.

 Joey shows her how to work the whole pirate ship.

WONDER WOMAN POWER

My two wonder women, feeling strong and powerful!

Sammy was so empowered, that she opened the french door to the patio all by herself for the first time.

 Being a super hero can be draining. 

Cuddling with Daddy while recharging.

BABY TOSSING

At Sam's first birthday party.

ZOO TRIP FOR SAM

I took the girls to the zoo on Sam's actual birthday, which was Tues, 7/16. 

 The last time Sam had been to the zoo was the day before she was born.

 Look Mom! I'm as high as an elephant's eye!

Joey comes to the zoo to play on the fake animals as much as too see the real ones.

 My budding photographer.

Feeding the Rhino.

 Sam was about as excited to see all the different varieties of cow and deer as her father. (That's what Mark calls most of the animals.) 

"Black Nosed Stork."

I'm pretty sure that is a black nosed Deere.

 Sam woke up for the petting zoo.  

 But decided it was more fun to pretend the brush was a phone than to actually brush the goats with it.

Merry-go-round. with Disney music.

That's how you kick it up a notch.

Splash zone. 

Not the only sisters in matching bathing suits. Just sayin'.

  Shoes are required. And they have a hall monitor on steroids enforcing all rules. 

 Can't think of a better way to cool down after a hot morning at the zoo! 

 Sam DID NOT like the way that guy looked. 

She crossed her arms and stared him down hard.

 Yes, that water is shooting directly into Sam's ear.

My instinct is to take a picture.

 Happy Birthday my big girl!