We Scream For Ice Cream

Oh dear, I am missing so many blogging opportunities.  I'm having major issues with my computer and trying my hardest to remedy it.  However, I'm thinking the inevitable is on the horizon...a new computer.  Ugh!

So this post is about half complete.  I've finally given up and decide to publish it as is....missing photos and all.  Although, you won't miss what you can't see, right?

Here I am with our first summer outing-a day trip to Mayfield Dairy.  The visit was fun, but the company is what made it AMAZING! We had 11 kids and 4 adults.  We bombed Waffle House with our crew for a pre-dairy tour lunch.

From there we were off to Mayfield.  The giant cow at the entrance was a dead give away.  We are here...Ice cream please!

If a giant cow doesn't scream photo-op, I don't know what does!

While we waited for the next tour to begin, we all enjoyed ice cream in the cafe.  One free cone with each tour ticket.  And the flavor list was near endless, yet somehow this little one chose vanilla.

After a little ice cream licking and gift shop browsing it was tour time.  If I'm being honest, the tour was pretty lack luster.  Although, we did get to sport these incredible hair nets.

And this is just about where my pictures stop uploading.  Ugh!  Because what happens next is epic.

Okay, maybe not epic, but pretty fun.  Because we were on a "day trip" several miles from home, it called for Dollar General hopping.  Surely, you remember my love for the General.  Call me crazy, but Alison and I have found some great birthday party finds in those places.

We found it only appropriate to introduce Ginny and Rachel, our other mommy friends, to the tradition.  It's fair to say they are sold on our secret treasure hunt.

We ended our day with dinner on the road, which if you are calculating, that is a full day of road tripping, ice cream, meals, shopping, and good times.

Not a bad way to kick off summer!  {Now if I could only get this computer to cooperate to share more fun.}

Bus Stop Bombing

Today makes it official.... all three kids are out of school!  SUMMER BREAK!

I have spent the week bouncing from end of year party to party.  Jack's got rained out so we improvised with a hallway party.  Talk about rolling with the punches. And Maggie's resembled that of hurricane force winds, but at least we were able to use the outdoors.  The best laid plans....

Regardless, they all had an amazing time celebrating with friends and their awesome teachers.  More bittersweet goodbyes topped with an overwhelming anticipation for a BREAK!

Finally, by weeks end the weather was cooperating.  Us neighbor moms decided that called for a last day of school Bus Stop Bombing.  We loaded up wagons and buckets with water balloons and sweet ice cream treat.  And as that bus rolled up to our stop, the celebration began.

Run for your life!  Water balloons!

I'm not sure who had more fun the parents or the kids.  Definitely a new tradition that must live on!

We topped it of with the Walk Of Fame in our front yard.  Hard to believe how much these kiddos have accomplished in a year.

 How is it possible that I have a rising 4th grader and 2nd grader?!?!?

My littles wasted not time in preparing their Summer List.  I must admit, thankfully they are quite reasonable for the most part.  I'm off to fill up our calendar...we've got a lot to do in a few short months.

Hello SUMMER! 😎

Bug Off! It's Lucy's Last Day!

You certainly know by now, I adore a good theme.  So, when I volunteered for Lucy's end of year party, I knew exactly what we needed to do....BUGS!

Nothing says summer like good ol' bug catching fun, right?  The co-party moms and I came up with a few buggy games and some creepy crawly treats for the pre-schooler's celebration.  The kiddos had a blast... I mean squeals of excitement as only 4 year olds can produce...precious!

We had three activities planned....

I snatched up these bug containers at the Dollar Store and used my Cricut to put each child's name on them.  It made for a cute party favor.  Not to mention, the student's names in this class are beyond darling, it was so fun to print them up.

We hid bugs in the grass while the little entomologist went to work catching them.

We also played "Catch That Bug".  {insert several squeals here}  The kids partnered up with a "bug buddy".  One was the bug while the other was the catcher.  The "bug" wore a headband with antennas, that we had them make pre-game, and the other chased them around with a bottle of "bug spray".


All from the Dollar Store friends.  Cheapest fun ever.

We also played "Bounce The Bumble Bee".  Again, everything was from the Dollar Store.  The kids bounced a yellow balloon with bee details {added by a sharpie} back and forth with fly swatters. I'm thinking Lu's Bumble Bee popped by the time I was able to grab a picture.

Post games, we wound down for creepy crawly snacks, but not before a precious blessing.

Soon enough, it was literally time to "Bug Off".  The hardest part of these End Of Year Parties is the goodbyes.  Lucy was blessed with two INCREDIBLE teachers this year.  I could not have been happier.

However, what made this goodbye near impossible was that I was saying goodbye to our little yellow school too.  As crazy as this may sound, Lucy has requested to do her Pre-K year at different school. I swear...all Lucy's idea.

I fought it for a short while and then decided Lu and I should take a tour and give the idea a chance.  I fell in love with the sweet little neighborhood school on our visit.  Lucy was already in love because it is where all her neighborhood friends go.  It's a much closer drive for me and the majority of her class will be heading to the same elementary school...pretty much a no brainer.  But still a very emotional decision.

So just like that, I made my last drive after 8 years to the yellow school for this little bug party.  We said our goodbyes and I'm taking incredible memories with me from all three of my children attending.

Lucy bounced out of there without a problem, excitingly telling everyone about her new school for next year.  It seems one of us is better with change than the other.

From here, we are looking forward to an AWESOME Summer and new pre-school experiences to follow.  {sigh}

Kool Summer

Parties, Sunshine & Last Days, Oh My!

I've finally got two dance recitals under my belt and now we are ramping up for all that the close of the school year holds!

Bring on those parties, backpacks full of an entire desk, and of course, Happy Summer treats.

All three kiddos wanted to give out popsicles this year to wish their friends a "Kool" summer.  I made a pit stop by the Dollar Store and stocked up on Kool-Aid freezer pops.  I'm thinking I spent a whole $4 on this endeavor.  And didn't they turn out fun?

We wrapped them up with a cute little tag, wrote our names on the back, and they are ready for delivery.

I mean who doesn't love a Kool Pop come SuMmEr?  We are getting so close...I can smell the last day....Yippee!

Mother's Day Times 3

I count my blessings every day and most especially on Mother's Day.  I mean pinch me...I have three beautiful and growing children and I have my own Mom and Grandma to celebrate with.  It's truly an amazing gift.

Three children and three Mommas.  A fabulous Mother's Day times 3.

We celebrated our day watching Maggie dance her little tutu off and followed it with a delish Mother's Day brunch by the river.  I couldn't ask for much more than that.

Love this family of mine.

Happy Mother's Day to all those amazing mommas out there!

Blooming Ballerinas

April showers bring May flowers....and ballerinas!

May is turning into the month of ballet recitals {among about a million other things} for us.  I can hardly believe the end of everything is piling up on us.

This, however, was the sweetest ending to a full year of dance for Maggie.  First of all, she couldn't get anymore beautiful if she tried, right?

And second, Maggie performed on a stage for the first time in her life without tears!  Every. single. bit of that is true.  Yes, Maggie actually danced!  And yes, Maggie did not cry!

You think I might be just a little bit proud?  And completely shocked?

Maggie performed in two dances...one for tap and one for ballet.  She absolutely loved both and was beaming after the show.  You better believe I signed her up for another year before she had a chance to change her nervould little mind...this little Magpie is coming out of her shell.  Watch Out!

This dancer of ours had quite a cheering section.  No one wanted to miss Maggie's first stage performance.  She is a very loved little gal.

Adore this darling dancer!  We are so super extra over the top proud of you Maggie!  Keep on dancin' little one!