Memorial Lake Weekend

We broke in the lake this weekend.  Like for real!  We had friends coming and going, tubing galore, grilling, bunk bed slumber parties, and lots of fun.  It finally feels like a real lake get away.

Little guy got thrown into the mix right away.  I'm not even sure if he knows where he lives or which family is his.  Shelton, welcome to your busy crazy happy life!

I am so ridiculously excited about the memories we are going to make here.  It already feels like summers at my grandparent's lake house.  Best times ever!

The only difference in this modern day is the Cibula's lake house has a foam machine.  I have never seen such endless entertainment.  Its nuts.

And just like that they are bathed and clean...well kind of.

So if you want to know what we are up to this summer, hopefully it will be a lot more of this!

Last Day + A Surprise

Happy Summer Vacation ya'll!  Woo hoo!  I love the last day of school.  

So this last day is going to be one for the books.  Surprise!  We have a puppy!  Shhh...the kids don't know.  We are headed to the bust stop to SHOCK them!

The bus is coming.  The water guns are filled and the ice cream truck has arrived.  Could this last day celebration be any better?

Blast those summer kiddos!

Amidst the crazy water fight and the ice cream truck, our little pup went unnoticed for a few minutes. But, guess who spotted him first?  Maggie!  I'm thinking she is pretty happy!

Then Jack!  Who was equally as excited.

And last Lucy, who would not let our new furry friend out of her sight!

Last day of school + a surprise puppy= LOVE!

We welcomed Shelton to our family today all the way from Pennsylvania.  He is a 13 week old English Cream Retriever.  He weights a hearty 16lbs already and we are smitten with this fur ball!

My Graduate

So it's official...my last little one has graduated from Pre-School.  {sigh}

We attended Lucy's graduation this morning with a bittersweet taste.  So happy for this girl, basically because she is so ready, but at the same time struggling to let go.  They all grew up too fast, but this one has whizzed right through.  My sweet third charm is off to better and bigger things!  Omgosh,  am I about to be a empty nester? From 8:00-2:00 any way.

So the darling graduation consisted of a whole performance in which Lu was front and center.  She could be heard from across the room and it was music to my ears.  Adore this performer of mine.

Then the teachers read off a description of each child before announcing their names to receive their diploma.  I KNEW it was Lucy when I heard  this....

Nailed it!

Lucy spent an incredible last year of pre-school in these ladies care.  It warmed my heart that they knew her so well and have taught her so much.

Lucy was most definitely the star of the family today.  She couldn't be loved more.  Grandma and Mommy and Daddy showered her with love, kisses, hugs, and graduation gifts.

Congratulations Lucy!  You are off and I'm so excited to see you SOAR next year!

Future Eagle

Lucy, my baby, registered for Kindergarten today!  She is ecstatic and I am in complete denial.

I assure you I will be referring to her as a Pre-schooler from today all through the summer and until the minute she walks into that Kindergarten classroom.

She may be ready to SOAR, but she will always be my baby!

We Are OUT!

It's time to wrap up another baseball season {along with about a million other things}.  

Lucy played her last game of the season this past weekend and followed it up with an End Of Baseball party.  This little one was determined to get her trophy to add to her ever growing collection.  I can't believe it, but this may actually be the last baseball trophy we see at our house.

It looks like...We Are OUT!...for the season and forever.  Lucy had very mixed feeling about her career.  She loved it one minute {like the minutes she was up to bat or playing in-field} and also had minutes where she "never asked to sign up for this" {like when she was in the outfield or on the bench}.  

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her play and LOVE cheering her on from the bleachers, but I totally get it. Baseball is slow.  And this spit fire of mine likes to be on the move.

Oh but, hold it right there.  Just when I thought we were going to be hanging up our cleats, Lucy caught a glimpse of softball.  The girls are adorned in big bows, tie-dye knee socks, and the cutest team names ever....like "Tootsie Rolls" and such.  Way cuter than the A's and she can wear a BOW!

So maybe we are OUT for baseball and this {not so cute} uniform....but who knows, we may just be back on the field after all next season.

Oooh, and Daddy may get a hand at coaching Softball.  Firsts for all of us!

Until then, I'll adore these precious pictures of my Lu in her pink helmet and pink cleats rounding the bases.

And I can't get enough of this celebratory smile.  Nothing like ending the season with a party!

Congratulations Lucy on another great season of trying something new!  You ROCKED that uniform and your trophy is just as shiny and beautiful as you are!

I can't wait to see what this girl has us signing up for next!

First Communion

We all know May can get extremely hectic.  My calendar is buzzing with end of year parties, sports celebrations, birthdays, Mother's Day, recitals and graduations.  I completely love it and am completely exhausted at the same time.

So when Maggie's 1st Communion was scheduled for May, I can't lie, I winced.  But, now that we have been here and done that, I'm thinking the timing could have not been more perfect.  Maggie's holy day forced me {and the entire family} to s....l....o....w down.  It also reminded me of the beauty of our faith and the many blessings I have because of it.

Maggie's sincere spirituality and celebration of this day was absolutely magical.  Like the kind that creates tears of joy.  I just love when that happens.  Not to mention, I got to see my girl in a dress again!  {and that doesn't happen very often anymore}.

The photo quality is poor...my apologies.  Flashes were prohibited to avoid interfering with the professionals.  But, trust me, this sweetness was absolutely stunning.

What made the occasion even more special were the special guests.  I hope Maggie knows how blessed she is to have had her Grandma, Great Grandma and Grammy in attendance.  We had four generations of women from my side, pretty amazing.

As you can imagine, post ceremony, EVERYONE wanted a picture with Maggie.  And in every possible configuration you can imagine.  Here are a few of the Girl of the Hour with her adoring family.

Truly a beautiful occasion with lots of love.  We followed the Communion with a lovely brunch out and lots of gifts for my Magpie.   I'm thinking she felt pretty special....and very blessed.

Now time to pick up the pace...May Mayhem has arrived!