Cinderhythm Dress Rehearsal

Today the girls had their dress rehearsal.  It literally was spaced out just perfectly so that when we got there around 11:00 for Harper's dance, there wouldn't be enough time to get back home before Handley's other two dances this afternoon and evening.  SO, we just made a day of it.  I've been sick so I know that if I had been feeling better it would have been even more fun for me. The girls had a ball though and can't wait for this weekend's big shows!  Gigi and Papa were so sweet to watch Hudson today so that he wouldn't have to be there all day.  

The show is a Cinderella theme and I've been told by numerous people that their studio really puts on a great production. I could tell just by the way the dress rehearsal was run today that they have it down to a science.  Harper's class is Cinderella and she looked precious in her costume and I was so proud of her for getting up on stage and dancing her very best.  She seemed to be having a great time and was probably most excited about getting to wear make-up and her costume.

After she danced we met up with my cousin, Bryn, who works right where we were and went to lunch with her during one of the breaks we had.  She also come over for one of our other breaks and took the girls for milkshakes while I ran some stuff to my car.  She was so sweet to keep walking over to where we were and we loved getting to hang out with her today!

For Handley's ballet dance they portray Lucifer, the cat, and she was SO excited about dancing on the stage in her costume.  Her jazz was next and they are the "Glass Slipper Girls."  It is a super fast dance, but it's so cute and lots of fun.

It took us an hour and 1/2 to get back to Gigi and Papa's in the rush hour traffic this evening.  Not a great way to end the day, but the girls were exhausted and both ended up taking a little nap on the way.  Now it's time to pack everything up and pray I get all of their costume pieces to the new house over the next few days.  Tomorrow I will officially start moving things in!

Memorial Day at the Lake

This was our first weekend at the lake this season and we had all been looking forward to it!  The kids put on their bathing suits as soon as we got back from the grocery store and they were ready to go.  When I saw them out on the deck in their suits, eating watermelon and with the lake in the background, I knew our summer had officially begun!

We spent lot of time on the boat and had great weather all weekend.   We had some great friends with us, too, which always makes for a fun weekend.

Handley had been saying for a while now that she just knew she was going to be able to wakeboard by herself this summer and she was right.  The first time she tried it she popped up like an old pro and did such a great job.  We were so proud of her and she was thrilled that she finally has the hang of it now!

I'm sure before I know it Robby will be teaching her all sorts of tricks, just like he does. 

We love grilling out at night and relaxing at the house after a long day on the water, but it's also fun to visit one of our favorite restaurants while we are there, too.  We go by boat and it's right on the water.

The food and the atmosphere are great, but the best part about it is this:

There is a huge grassy lawn right beside the patio we like to sit on and it is perfect for the kids.  They run and play and have a grand time while the adults can enjoy themselves and have a pretty relaxing dinner, too.

At dinner I wanted a picture of all of us and Robby asked who would take it.  I got out my phone and Handley said, "It's called a selfie, Daddy."  Oh my...what a sign of the times.

Handley's Last Day of School

Wednesday was Handley's last day of school.  She was excited and sad at the same time.  She said she would miss her friends and teachers over the summer, but she was ready for the pool, the beach, and fun in the sun.

She had a fantastic first year at the elementary school and I'm so impressed by all that she learned this year.  Her reading and writing skills grew leaps and bounds and she just really grew up this year, too. As you can tell from both her first day and last day pictures, she loves wearing her hair in a ponytail just about everyday these days.

I honestly can't believe we survived this school year.  Living so far away and commuting each day while trying to get the house build was rough.  Thankfully, Robby was able to take Handley the majority of the time and I think both of them really enjoyed their mornings together.

I know I dreaded the days Robby was out of town because it usually meant me taking all of the kids bright and early.  It was hard on all of us and this year has certainly been one of the most stressful ones I think any of us have experienced.  I don't usually like to wish time away, but I can say with certainty that I am very glad this school year is behind us.  And now, I can't believe that I'll have two kids in elementary school next year!

We celebrated the end of school with a pool party at one of our new neighbors' houses.  She had lunch for everyone, balloons, fun water toys, bubbles and it was the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of summer!  Now we are about to head off to the lake to rest and relax before the craziness of our move begins next week.

Handley's Awards!

With only 3 days left of school, Handley's class has lots of fun things planned for this week.  Today was "Read Me" day where they kids had to wear shirts with lots of words and they went on a scavenger hunt to find words that began with every letter in the alphabet.  Handley was so excited because not only did she have a cheerleading shirt with tons of words on it, but it also meant she got to wear a tshirt and athletic shorts to school.  This might not seem like a big deal, but most kids in her school wear this "uniform" most everyday, and I make her reserve that look for the weekends.  Today was also her end of the year party and awards ceremony.  Her teachers had a great presentation and each award flashed up on their smart board and even had sound effects.  It was super cute.  They gave fun awards out to each student...anything from best comedian, most athletic, super speller, etc.  Handley's award was the "Future College Cheerleader" award and she was so excited about it!  It fits her perfectly since she was just telling me yesterday that is what she wants to be in college.  :-)

After the fun awards were over they present the class citizenship award.  This award is given to one boy and one girl in each class and is voted on by the students themselves.  Handley and another classmate both received the same amount of votes for the girls and so they both were presented with the citizenship award.  I was SO proud of her and when I got to give her a hug she whispered, "I can't believe I won!" She certainly felt very happy and very loved/respected by her classmates.  I'm proud of her for being someone her classmates respect because I always stress to her how important it is to be kind, helpful and respectful of everyone.

After the awards the kids enjoyed ice cream sundaes and watched their class slideshow.  Then it was time to head outdoors for the games.  They all loved the sponge relay game, limbo, beach ball toss and I think their favorite was water balloons!  It was a great way to end the party.

End of the Soccer Season

This morning was the end of the spring soccer season. I loved watching Harper this season, but I'm glad we get a little break now.  Her game was bright and early this morning and with these unseasonably cool days we've been having it was quite chilly this morning.  It didn't seem to slow her down though because she scored the first goal of the game and came close to scoring a few other times.

After looking back through my pictures this was definitely my favorite!

It shows her determination and drive to get to the ball.  She went through a little spell where she just sort of ran with the crowd during the games, but now she is back to being really into it and really competitive in a good way.  She has fun and really loves playing.

Since it was the last game they had a pizza party to celebrate the end of the season and their coaches passed out the trophies.  Harper was so excited to get her trophy and the poor thing dropped it as we were leaving and broke part of it.  I reassured her it was fixable and it's currently drying from the glue repair.

Harper's Last Day of School

Friday was Harper's last day of school. She has had very mixed emotions.  She is excited about going to Kindergarten and being able to be at the elementary school with Handley, but she is also going to miss her school and her sweet friends she made this year.  On several occasions she has told me she was really going to miss her teachers and keeps asking if we could go back and visit them next year.

Harper's first and last day of school pictures!

Her party was on Friday and the chilly temperatures here put a damper on our beach themed party, but the kids didn't mind and still had fun eating outdoors, making ice cream sundaes, and playing games with their friends.

At the beginning of this school year we didn't know anyone at this preschool.  It was a big step for all of us to be starting somewhere new with no familiar faces.  However, my prayers were answered when we got wonderful teaches and the kids met wonderful new friends.  Harper's teachers were so great and she is more than prepared for Kindergarten thanks to them.  When she said goodbye to her sweet friend, Katelyn, I had a hard time holding back tears.  I loved watching their friendship develop this years and while we will still plan playdates and see each other at VBS this summer, a part of me is sad they won't be seeing each other everyday at school.

Harper's Preschool Graduation

Harper came home from school on Thursday with a very special treat.  For over a month now her class has been doing a writing board competition.  Each morning when they got to school they had to write boards with all of their letters (and numbers, too...I think).  As a class, if they got to 50 board they got popsicles, 100 boards and they earned ice cream, etc. Her teachers also awarded the top girl and top boy with a prize and she was the top girl!  She got a  gift card to a frozen yogurt shop so we went that afternoon.

That evening we did a quick change and got ready for her preschool graduation.  All of the kids sang a few songs, received their diplomas, and then we enjoyed a nice reception with punch and cookies.

Harper is near the top in the middle...waving at us after she found us in the big crowd.  

Walking up to get her diploma 

We are so proud of our little graduate!

Hudson's Last Day of School

Thursday was Hudson's last day of 2 year old preschool.  He didn't really seem to understand that it was has last day of school, but he was happy that I would be there for his party and he kept telling me he wanted to go to summer (because he knows summer means swimming, and the beach and lots of fun).  

Here is is first and last day of school pictures! 

He's come such a long way this school year!   I had fun thinking back to the beginning of the year and how I had to pick him up early every day for close to a month because he would just cry and cry.  

2nd Day of school and NOT loving it at all

Now he cries on the days he doesn't go to school because he wants to be there!  I'm so thankful to his sweet teachers, Ms. Janet and Ms. Johanna, who went the extra mile this year to help him learn to love school.  There is a strong chance he might have them next year for the 3 day, 3 year old class and I couldn't be happier. 

He had fun at his beach themed party, but towards the middle I think he was getting tired because he started being really whiny and didn't want to share anything with his friends.  Several of the other kids were melting down too and his teachers kept saying that the kids never do this when the moms aren't in there and I totally believe it.  I did get him to pose for a picture with his teachers, but he was not at all interested in smiling for me. 

I'm so happy he had such a wonderful first year of school and it's amazing to me the leaps and bounds he has grown up this year.  While I think it is fun to see the progress he has made, I still wish I could just freeze him at this age right now!

Wedding Weekend and Mother's Day

This weekend we were in North Carolina for my cousin, Rhett's, wedding.  Robby had a meeting along the way on Thursday, so I just kept the kids out of school Thursday and Friday and we tagged along with him before heading to my parents' house later that night.  It made for longer in the car, but everyone was so good and excited to be heading to Mimi and Dadaw's house.

While Robby was doing business, the kids had fun playing in a grassy area, hunting for all sorts of nature, climbing trees and playing simon says.

Friday morning we went to the beach and had the best time.  It was surprisingly easy with the kids and it gives me high hopes for our beach trip later this summer.  The girls loved playing in the waves and rolling in the sand.  Hudson had fun with his bucket and shovel and running around.  It was a relaxing day!

Then we were off to the rehearsal dinner that evening.  It was at an outdoor covered lodge and had the most beautiful backdrop.  My Aunt Julie planned every detail to perfection and we all had a great time. The kids loved running around with the other children that were there.

Saturday while the guys played golf the girls and kids went back to the beach.  This time we spent most of our day at the pool and the kids had equally as much fun.  Hudson was so sad when it was time to leave and it just makes me so ready for summer to be here.

The wedding was a perfect mix of outdoor elegance.  It was in a meadow and it fit the bride and groom perfectly.  The kids tore up the dance floor at the reception and we all had fun dancing the night away.
 

Sunday morning when we woke up Hudson asked if we were going back to the beach/pool again and when he heard the news that we weren't he started crying.  I felt the same way!  I would have loved to have had another day there, but instead, we started the long trek back.

As soon as we got home and unloaded, Robby took the kids on a secret mission.  They came back with a surprise for me...wine, sour patch kids, and card and the best looking bouquet of flowers they could find at 5:00 PM at Publix on Mother's Day.  They were all so excited though and it was so very sweet of them.  The kids all got busy making pictures for me next and they just kept showing me all sorts of sweet little things they were making for me.

I was so happy to get to see my mom on Mother's Day!  I love her so much and I have learned so much about how to be a mom from her.  I would give just about anything to have her live close-by, but since that isn't the case, I cherish every second when we are visiting there.  We were missing Gigi on this Mother's Day,  but will definitely celebrate with her when she gets back from her trip.

I'm so thankful for the three that make me a mom.  I love them with every ounce of my being and as these years are flying by I'm realizing more and more how grateful I am to be their mother.  I really try to cherish each day with them because I am already wishing I could turn back time.  If I had the option to go back to the day Handley was born I would start this entire journey over again in a heartbeat.