Let The Summer Lists Begin

The "Summer Lists" have been drawn up and the calendar has been filled in.  I can't lie these kids have got us busy this summer, but in a totally fun and laid back kind of way.  I was super excited to get started right away this week.

Jack's first full week of summer vacation was spent at camp.  I know, I know, completely against everything about summer I preach, love, and look forward to.  But, knowing what a tough time this guy had coming out of school and smack dab into summer vacation last year, I knew I had to soften the transition for him.  

So, with that being said, we signed up for camp with five of Jack's best buddies from school.  It has worked liked magic.  He's still hanging with his school crew and he's experiencing the joys of summer....hiking, canoeing, swimming, and so much more.  He's been so busy he hasn't even had a chance to mourn school's end.  {Did I really just write that?...but, yes, he actually mourns school being out}

Meanwhile the girls and I have been  knocking a few "girly" or possibly "babyish"  things off their lists while Jack has been preoccupied.

I've either already caught the lazy summer bug or I have just forgotten how adorable my kids are everywhere we go, BUT....I have not had my camera with me at all this week.  I've grabbed a few phone pictures, but keep catching myself ooohing and ahhing over everything they do and wishing I had the real thing.

Like for example when Lucy donned a Snow White dress and magic wand to feed the ducks at Farmhouse In The City.  So picture worthy and sadly, I had even left my phone in the car.  Oh the shame!

However, I did snag a few of the girls and their buddy at the art studio.  And I can assure you I will be grabbing the camera from here forth.

 Looking forward to knocking a few more off our lists next week...with all three kiddos {and a camera}!

All American Weekend

We kicked off our summer and headed straight into Memorial Day Weekend.  I don't know what says summer and America more than baseball, ice cream, swimming, and biking.  Our weekend was filled with all of the above.  

We were totally digging the perfect temps and you could hardly find us inside for more than a quick meal or clothing change.  And although I wished I had lugged my camera around for the entirety of the weekend, it only made it out for a few special occasions.

The main one being Lucy's first Brave's Baseball game.   I'm thinking the hot dog, popcorn, and ice cream made it a huge success for her.  We even tottled her over to the Kid's Zone right before she could claim boredom.   All in all it was great fun...most especially for the bigs.

Lucy was all about the Tomahawk Chop.  She made sure we taught her the move and assisted her as necessary.  By game's end she had it down.

The Braves pulled out a win over the Brewers.  It was a great game with a tie that led us into extra innings.  We most definitely got our money's worth.  Even though half of the game was spent in the gift shop and Kid's zone.

Somehow we made it out of there with only a new baseball hat and two Braves bears...trust me they were working us for more.

We headed home with some very tired kids.  No worries from us though...school's out!  Woo hoo!

Clay and I were loving that Grandma invited the littles over for a sleep over later in the weekend.  We decided to take full advantage of it after countless minutes logged at the pool this weekend.  We headed downtown, enjoyed dinner and the weather roof top.

We followed it up the next day with bike rentals and a little cruising.  We got a kick out of Clay's giant tires...woah!  Apparently everyone else did too because we heard comments from everyone we whizzed past.

We managed to get in a full bike ride and a stop for lunch before the rain came in.  We were certainly enjoying our time sans kids but I couldn't help but think how my little trio might have enjoyed it as well.  I just can't seem to ever shake this "mommy" thing.

And as we close up our All American Memorial Day Weekend I'm only more excited for summer.  I could get used to this.

Farewell First Grade

Summer is officially here...I've finally got all three kiddos home with me...school's out!  As we've patiently counted down the days this week, Jack's last day of First grade is here!  

And although he is "excited and sad" I am nothing but, beyond thrilled!  We had a great year with an incredible teacher, fantastic buddies, and lots of learning, but I am really looking forward to slooowwwiiingg  waayyy down.

I headed to the bus stop for my last time with this little one by my side.  I can hardly believe she'll be on the big yellow next year.  I'm going to miss her sauntering along at Maggie speed while checking out every garden, flower bloom, and blade of grass along the way.  

Maggie and I were both anxious to see Jack this afternoon and even more so his disposition.  If you may recall last year I had the only kid get off the bus crying because school was over.  Crying!, for goodness sake!

We were both elated to see him with hands full and actually greet us with a smile.  "Happy Summer" we cheered!

The kids were greeted with popsicles and a slew of cheers and hugs.

There is no better way to welcome summer than with a chilled popsicle.

After what seemed like an endless party at the bus stop, Jack cheerfully {yes, cheerfully} jaunted home to read his end of the year signs in the yard.

This reader of mine whipped through them in no time and then celebrated with a victory dance. Second Grade here he comes!

He finally slowed down for me to ask which was his favorite sign...he chose this one.  It was a list of all his achievements this First Grade year.  I can't lie, I got a bit teary eyed putting this one together.

So proud of this boy!  And looking forward to a laid back/busy summer with him!

Summer and Sunshine here we come...

Graduation Girl

Now that I've finally dried up the tears {temporarily that is} I can finally share Maggie's Pre-School graduation.

I truly feel like I just walked in the pre-school doors with this little one. Maggie started at MBCPS when she was a wee 20 month old.  And here she is at graduation preparing for elementary school.  I know all too well how much I'm going to miss these days of innocence, coming home for lunch with Mommy, fun Fridays, 8:00 wake ups, smocked dresses, handmade artwork, and classroom drop off and pick up.

As much as I love watching Maggie grow and mature I equally can't stand letting go.  If you know my Maggie, you know why.  She is my love, my sugar, my precious angel.  I can't imagine my days without her sweet little self coloring in the kitchen, making lunches with me, and spending what can seem an eternity getting dressed and fixing her hair just so.

This little one stole my heart the day she was born and she has yet to let go.  I vow to memorize and embrace every precious moment with her this summer.

As you can imagine, Graduation night brought on a flood of tears and an empty tissue box.  I dropped Maggie off in her pre-school classroom for the very last time while our family headed to the sanctuary to grab seats.

As always, I know she is in loving hands with her teachers.

When I saw this little thing walk across the stage with her graduation cap I couldn't contain my smile.    She just looked so grown up and yet, way too little to be leaving pre-school.

I most definitely held my breathe as her name was called to receive her diploma.  Maggie has serious performance anxiety and although this wasn't performing, she had a lot of eyes on her.

She made it all the way through the ceremony with an ever so slight grin.  I was so proud because I know what a huge accomplishment that is for her.  Once the children returned to the choir loft her dear teacher made sure to sit right next to Maggie and hold her hand throughout the performance.

And although Maggie didn't sing one note, she made it through the entire show without a tear and facing the audience the entire time.  Again, another enormous accomplishment for her!

We returned to her classroom for cookies and hugs.  Maggie was all smiles and back in her comfort zone.  Ms. Meredith has held a special place in our hearts.  She was actually Maggie's teacher on her very first day of pre-school in the toddler's room and now Maggie's teacher on her very last day of pre-school in Pre-K.  It has been an incredible experience to share both special days with the same teacher.

And as much as Maggie loved the cookies in her classroom, her graduation gifts exceeded all her expectations.  Daddy showered her with a bouquet of flowers.  Flowers are most definitely the way to this girl's heart.

Lucy insisted on carrying the graduation gift from her and Jack.  I couldn't get over the cuteness of it being nearly as big as she was.  And if you want to know what Maggie has been wishing for...a Hide Away pet.  I had no idea what this was until I google searched it.  Let's just say it came with an "as seen on TV" tag on it.  She was mighty happy with it though.

My dearest Maggie, we are so proud of you!  I can hardly wait to see where you go and what you become.  But, no need to hurry...we love you just as you are!  Congratulations my precious princess.  What a special gift you are. xoxo

Pre-School Parties

We celebrated the close to a Pre-school year {the last for one of my girls} this Thursday.  I'm sure I say this every year, but wow, has this one flown by.  The bitter sweetness of it me hard this morning.  On the one hand I can't wait have to my kiddos home for the summer.  And on the other, how are we already finished with one girl's last year of pre-school and one girl's first year of pre-school?

With the end of the year comes all the hustle and, most importantly, the celebrating.  I was thrilled to put together gift's for the kid's teachers.  We have truly been graced with FABULOUS teachers this year.  I couldn't wait to show them how much they were appreciated.

I gave each teacher one of these...

With five teachers to buy for, I was mighty impressed with my ability to keep each gift at $16.  I found the platters and acrylic cups at Target in the clearance section.  I have no idea why.  But the cups were a mere $1.29 and the platters $1.49.  I snatched them up in a New York minute.

I grabbed the buckets from the Dollar Store and the napkins from Tuesday Morning.  I split one package of straws among all five teachers and tied them up with a ribbon.  And as for the vinyl monogram...I have a wonderful local lady who made them for nearly nothing since I was getting so many.  I'm hoping the teacher's can enjoy a relaxing summer with their drink of choice.

The celebrating continued with Maggie and Lucy's end of year parties.  With this being Maggie's last year of pre-school {what?!?!} I knew I had to be her party mom.  I had the absolute pleasure of planning with Eliza Kate's mommy.  A dear friend and past co-worker too.  I absolutely love party planning with her.

We went for the Ice Cream theme.  I was able to pull out my old stash from Lucy's 1st birthday party. It was a huge hit with the kids and it was fun to plan.

I found these great baskets at the Dollar Store in the perfect colors.  Maggie and I added a little ribbon and filled them with "ice cream" novelties.  We had ice cream punches, ice cream bubbles, and ice cream shaped lollipops.

Our table was filled with sweet and tasty toppings as we did the best to fight the wind.  The decor was scattering as we fervently tried to batten down the hatches.

Clearly the graduates didn't mind a bit.  They were literally screaming for ice cream and filling their bowls to the top.

We had a few fun games and activities around for the kids.  This was Maggie's face when she heard about the Ice Cream Relay Race.  Needless to say, she did not participate.

But, she did love the ice cream bubbles...

...the ice cream poppers...

...and attacking her teacher with them!

Eliza Kate and Maggie were nearly glued together the entire party.  We were so blessed to have such a dear friend in class this year.  I only hope we can get these little gals together once they head off to big kid school.

Lucy even joined us for the tail end of the party.  She immediately headed to the topping table and grabbed an entire bowl of strawberries.

Before that she could be found at her very own End Of The Year Party.  Because I was hosting Maggie's party, Daddy attended Lucy's.  She was more than thrilled and I don't even think she noticed my absence.  As for me, I was just dying to know what she was doing and who she was playing with.

Luckily I was able to grab a couple photos from a classmate's Mommy.  It looks to me that Lu had a beach-tastic time.  I promise I will be there next year baby girl...and every year after that!

So with the celebrating behind us, we prepared for Pre-School Graduation.  Boo hoo...bring on the tissues...