Terry and Kayla drove down from Appleton a week ago Friday to shop with Abby, Bryn and Paige. They all left our house about 4pm and returned by 9 their arms tired from the loads of goodies. Terry and Maggie were quite generous with their allowance for the girls. The girls all said they felt rich and famous toting all their shopping bags through the mall. Jeff and I were treated to a fashion show upon their return. The girls were all so giggly - you could tell they really had fun together.

I spent most of the day last Sunday volunteering as a "floater" for my fellow artists from the Art Guild. It was our annual Art in the Park exhibit where the public can watch the artists work out in the open air. The day was simply gorgeous and I was happy to feel a part of it all just by giving the artists a break by sitting at their stations for a moment or running to get them food and drink. I hope in the next couple years to have my own station.

Our family was welcomed to the Taorminas for a "goodbye" supper for Abby and Bryn before they go off to college. We ordered pizza from a nearby place that Kristin and Carlo recently discovered. Lucy and Bella loved coaxing Paige to run and hide on them. Bella showed off all her new school supplies to us.

I took off work this past week from Wednesday on to focus on getting Abby, Bryn and Paige ready for school. Wednesday was Paige's high school registration day which began with getting her hair cut and styled beforehand. Bryn came along to school and guided Paige through the various registration lines and walked her schedule with her while I paid the big bucks. Thursday was pretty quiet as Bryn was busy getting last-minute time with friends in but by Friday morning we were all packed up and ready to go move her in to Carroll. The move was a breeze. We simply drove into the dorm parking lot and were met by a group of students who swooped in the van to unload everything. Jeff was then ushered to some offsite parking and golf carted back to the dorm while the rest of us watched another group of students carry Bryn's things up to her room. Bryn's roommate, Emily, was already there. We all helped unpack, put away, and assemble various things in Bryn's room. Abby was instrumental in the process. Bryn and Emily decided on bunking their beds into an L shape. The really looks quite nice and they have a magnificent view.

That evening, Paige went to the annual Corn Roast at the high school followed by the first home football game. Abby and Mark went mini golfing then back here to make banana boats in the outdoor fire pit. Jeff and I got to chat with them for quite a while. Now that they're both done working for the summer they can enjoy this next full week off before school.

Yesterday Paige attended tryouts for the local select softball team. She looked really good. She wants to play 2nd base or outfield. We've spent some extra time the past couple weeks driving her to various batting cages, to pitching lessons and encouraging her to just throw the ball around with friends. Paige was asked to come back Wednesday for further review. Go Paige! Then she got to go tubing with a couple friends and eventually they all ended up here for a sleepover.