Last Day of School

Today was Handley's last day of school.  She was thrilled about all of the exciting things that were going on today.  I can hardly believe another school year has passed.  I know that Handley has learned so much this year.  Her teachers expected a lot out of these 3 year olds from day one, but as a result I know that it helped to develop their responsibility for themselves and their independence.  Every time Handley does something at home she tells me, "I'm getting ready for the 4 year old class" and she is so right!  She's writing her name using lower case letters, color in the lines, cut out shapes, and starting to do simple addition problems.

On the left is a picture of her on the first day of school and the right is today, the last day of school. 

Harper and Handley on the first day of school

Harper and Handley on the last day of school

I planned an end of the year party for Handley's class and it was a luau theme.  The kids all got leis as they came in the room and started with lunch.  They were all happy to use little cocktail umbrellas and flamingo picks to eat their nuggets and fruit.  Handley asked if I had extras so that she and Harper could eat her dinner with them tonight too! After lunch the kids got to make their own ice cream sundaes.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to all of the kids with summer birthdays and then it was time for the games.  They put on "grass" skirts I made from ribbon and streamers and did the hula dance.  They also played hot potato using a small beach ball and did the limbo.  Limbo was definitely the favorite activity of the day. 

"All I can think about is food"

Handley is definitely going through a growth spurt.  For the past few weeks she has been eating A LOT.  Last night before bed she told me she was still hungry so I let her come downstairs and have a snack before heading back to bed.  Tonight she tried to pull the same thing over me.  Thinking she just wanted to stay up past bedtime I told her she should have eaten more dinner and that it would be breakfast time as soon as she woke up.  She wasn't thrilled with that answer, but seemed to be trying to go to sleep.  I did a few things around the house, took a shower, and went back to check in on the girls thinking they were both asleep.  Handley popped up as soon as I opened her door.  When I asked her why she wasn't asleep she answered, "All I can think about is food...I'm STARVING!!!"  I don't know why, but her answer just got me so tickled and I couldn't stop laughing.  I let her come downstairs and she ate a hand-full of crackers and a bowl of watermelon and a cheese stick. I wasn't sure if she would stop but after she finished her cheese she announced that she was done, was going to brush her teeth, and go back to bed.

Our week has been pretty uneventful so far, but it's about to get really busy.  Tomorrow is the last day of school and starts all of the end-of-the-year festivities.  Handley is so excited about summer and getting to stay home with Harper and I everyday.  We're pretty excited about it too!

Babies and Strawberry Picking

This weekend Robby ran the Warrior Dash with a few friends.  The warrior dash is a 5k that includes running through the mud, climbing over walls and doing all sorts of other crazy things.  They camped near the race on Friday night so the girls went up to the lake house the night before.  Handley and Harper were in HEAVEN because with us were two babies (Will, 7 months and Parker, 4 months).  They wanted to do everything they could to help with the babies including giving them toys, helping bathe them, putting them to sleep, etc.  I'm so thankful to Jen and Lizzi who were very willing to let them "help" in every way possible.  Every morning when Harper woke up she immediately asked to, "see the babies" and I'm just even more excited about the fact that they will have their own little brother to help with in just a few short months.  They also loved using the baby carriers and car seats for their own baby dolls.

Saturday morning we all went on a long walk and then made our way to a strawberry patch to pick berries.  I'd been searching for a place near our house to go and was coming up empty handed.  When I searched for a patch near our lake house I was happy to find one less than 10 minutes away!

The girls were excited for their first trip to pick strawberries and took their job very seriously.  They did a great job searching for the really red ones and were happy to fill up their baskets.

 As soon as we got back, the guys showed up all muddy, worn out, and wearing these crazy hats.

We spent the rest of the weekend on the boat enjoying the warm sunny weather and the company of great friends!

Water Fun, round 2

Last week, blogger was down for what felt like a long time so I wasn't able to post these pictures.  However, last Thursday we tested out our new pool and the girls had so much fun.  We invited over all of our neighborhood friends and made a pool party out of it with popsicles and water fun.  On Tuesday of last week Handley was LOVING the pool and Harper wanted to get in, but still seemed a little unsure.  Thursday though, Harper was LOVING it just as much and couldn't get enough.

After seeing the big girls pour water on each other's heads, Harper decided to try it with Dylan. Thankfully, he didn't mind and loves the water as much as Harper does.  

So ready for summer

Days like yesterday make me so ready for summer.  Tuesdays is one of the days Handley doesn't have school so it's the day we usually plan fun outings and field trips or just hang around the house.  We started off with a walk around the neighborhood so I could get some exercise and the high temperatures made me wish we could all change into our bathing suits and go swimming as soon as we got home.  One more week and that wish can come true.  Instead of hitting the pool, we made our way out to run a few errands before coming home for nap/rest time.

Yesterday afternoon our playgroup started out with the kids painting flower pots and planting wild flower seeds.

It quickly moved to the kids splashing around in the baby pool and sprinklers and the moms having to drag them out to go home for dinner.

They all had a blast and it was the perfect way to enjoy the hot afternoon.  We had a fantastic time and seeing how happy that little pool made my girls made me run out to Wal-Mart first thing this morning to purchase one of our own.  We have a tiny one, but I am thinking this one will accommodate more kids and might just be the best $10 I ever spent. :-)  We plan to test it out tomorrow afternoon...that is if I can get it blown up!

It took Harper a little while to warm up to the idea of the sprinkler, but before long she was running through it and squealing with excitement.

I can't wait to have afternoons like this all summer long!  Only one more week of school and then our "summer" officially begins! :-)

Mother's Day Weekend

Wouldn't you know I left home without my camera this weekend.  Thank goodness for camera phones!  Nothing was going to stop me from snapping away and capturing our fun weekend.  :-)

This weekend we spent 3 days at the lake house and it was the perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day.  Gigi and Papa were able to join us for most of the weekend, and that was such a treat for all of us. The girls were so sad to see them drive away this afternoon and even sadder when they realized we would be following their lead and leaving the lake for home.

Each morning we took a long walk and it became a bit of a nature walk.  The girls got to try honeysuckle (or as Handley would call it, honeysnukers), see a turtle, pick wild flowers and enjoy the nice fresh air while Robby and I got some exercise up and down the big hills near our house there.  The "honeysnukers" were definitely the highlight and Handley even asked if we could bring some home with us.

Flowers the girls picked for me and Gigi for Mother's Day

Afternoons were spent out on the boat, having picnic lunches, playing on the beaches, braving the cool water temperatures, and enjoying the sunshine.  Harper had fun collecting rocks in her bucket, building sandcastles and digging.  Handley could have spent hours playing in the sand, imagining she was a mermaid, and finding treasures.  She was in her own world and was happy as could be.

Handley even decided to try wake-boarding with Robby today and popped up on the first try.  It's like she never missed a beat from last summer.  We offered to let Harper try (knowing she wouldn't want to go) and she quickly said no.  However, she was proud as could be and clapped her little heart out for Handley, Robby, and Papa, who all took turns today.

Harper, bless her heart, was so tired from playing so hard that both days she had no problem snoozing on the boat.

I feel so blessed to be a mom to these two sweet girls and get excited thinking about adding one more little one to our family in just a few months!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!!!