I tried to stop her . . . .

but she insisted on turning 12!

Her school friends gave her flowers -

Mom & Dad gave her rollerblades -

we celebrated over a chocolate cake!


maybe next year we can talk her into not getting any older!?

Home safely :)

She had a great time - of course :) She said it was awesome. She didn't say she missed us. sigh. she is growing up way too quickly!

(with her best friend "Jax")

She left for camp today . . .

Bella left for a 2 day school camp this morning - waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! I'm missing her - I don't like her being away! Today it has been raining and in the 60's - (first day of Autumn) and they are sleeping in tents! Matt called me just to say he doesn't like that it is raining with her at camp either. No way are we ready for our children to grow up!

and for Halloween Bella is: A CROC DRESSED UP AS MICHAEL JACKSON

Can you guess? If anyone guesses I will send you a stuffed Koala Bear!
ps - she is on the far right, in the green.
UPDATE! yes she is a crocodile but Not JUST a crocodile - any other guesses?

Witty girls.

A couple cute things that were said by the Witt girls.

Tia was trying to put her pajamas on however one leg was inside the other. Exasperated she says "I don't like this mermaid!"

Bella is getting ready for school pictures today and she says "I hope I'm not in the short row!" (what's the chance?)

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Poor Bella :(

After our trip two weeks ago where we made the grueling one hour climb to the top of Uluru (the world's largest monolith and an Aboriginal sacred site and Australia's most famous natural landmark). I had to take Isabella to the Dr.

Isabella complained quite a bit about her ankles and knee hurting during the climb (and had been complaining previous to this trip) but she made it to the top! When we got home she was really complaining so I took her to the Dr. and now she is not allowed to do gymnastics for 3 weeks! She has achilles injuries in both legs and a hurt knee on one side. This photo was taken right after the climb and I guess you can tell by the look on her face that she was unhappy - poor Bella :(
>

Does she look 11 to you??

nah, me neither. but she is. bummer huh?

home from camp!

After 3 days and 2 nights away at camp - we were very happy to see our sweet Belle. (Jonah went to camp this week too but had to come home early because of the rain - they were sleeping in tents. I didn't drop him off or pick him up so no photos at all from his adventure!)

Waikikiri

Isabella participated in something called Waikakiri (an Australian storytelling dance competition) and the Pymble Ladies College Juniour School team qualified for and competed in the State Finals last week! - here is a photo (Matt took it, and the light was terrible - that is the disclaimer :) you can however see that she was "born for the show"!

Isabella is slightly left of the middle and has the bright pink with orange outfit, one arm raised and pigtails with a green & white sock on one leg.

PLC Athletics Carnival

Pymble Ladies College Junior School held their Athletics Carnival on Friday. It was a beautiful day and I walked there pushing Tia in the stroller. It is always so much fun to go to these events which are so different than any school events I've attended in America. The photo below shows the field as you come in the main entrance to the College. You can see the beautiful chapel in the background. There are umbrellas set up along the side for the spectators.
Here is a photo of Isabella running in the class relay. Isabella is fairly fast so she usually ends up running in the class relays and the House Relay. There are three four houses in Junior School and Isabella's house is called Marden. The colors on the girls PE uniform identify the house they belong to. Isabella's class was third (out of four) and her House placed second in their race. Isabella had a fun time and Tia and I enjoyed watching her :)

home from camp . . .

can you tell she had a great time?!

Isabella goes to camp!

Isabella is at Year 4 Camp for two nights and 3 days. She was so excited to spend this time with all the other girls in Year 4. Mom & Dad are missing her - and we are surprised at how much easier life is with one less child, and she is our easy one! We miss our Sweet Belle and are looking forward to Friday afternoon when she is safely home again!

Isabella has the bright pink beanie on and is in front of the tree peeking out from between her two friends Lola & Jax.