Swim Team!

Last week the girls had their first swim meet and I was totally unprepared for the chaos that is a swim meet.  I honestly had no idea what to expect and I'll just say that things ran very differently than how I thought they would.  Because the girls had only had a few practices, I also felt like they were unprepared and didn't really understand all that was going on.  All these numbers and letters and code for the events they were swimming in felt like a foreign language to me and them.  They swam their hearts out, but didn't have any great finishes, to say the least.  I left there thinking there was no way we would be doing swim team again next year.  I have changed my tune though.

Last night was their second meet and what a difference a week makes!  We felt so much more prepared!  I knew how things would go, what to expect, and the girls and been practicing like crazy all week at their swim practices, but also at the pool on their own.

When we arrived I was able to get their events written on them arms (this helps them know when and what events they are swimming) and then it was time to "decorate" them.

Handley was so cute because last week I wouldn't let them write anything but their events on them because of the dance recital and I was worried it wouldn't come off.  She had asked if I could please write on her more this week so that is what we did!  Some kids go crazy with the Sharpie, but we kept ours in check. :-)

Handley swam so great in all of her events and came in first for the breast stroke.  She even got a late start because she is still getting used to diving when she hears the horn, but she caught up and won that race in a big way. This was her climbing out of the pool after that race. She was SO excited.

Harper also did awesome. She is super fast and helped her team win the freestyle relay and she also won her back stroke event.

Despite the girls swimming awesome, the rain moved in last night.  Let me just tell you, there is nothing like volunteering during the meet in the pouring down rain with Hudson in tow because he wanted nothing to do with Robby.  Fun times...or not.  But, seeing how awesome the girls did and how much fun they had made it all worth it.  It's sweet, sweet memories they are making.  They are spending so much time with friends they all cheer each other on so much.

Plus, the ribbons and donut party they had this morning is almost enough to make me forget the misery of being soaked last night.  Almost.  They have this little party each morning after the meets and the girls are always so excited to eat donuts and get their ribbons. They are really racking them up!

Rhythm Orphan Annie - Dance Recital Time!

Friday night was the big show!  The girls had been practicing and practicing for their recital and were so excited to finally have the big day arrive.  

We stopped for dinner on the way down there and then arrived just in time to get the girls all settled backstage in the dressing room. There we met up with all of their friends and the excitement from all of these cute girls was on overload!  

I didn't take any pictures during their performances because I was just so excited to watch and soak up every second.  They both danced their little hearts out and did such a great job!  

Gigi and Papa were there, along with Handley's best friend, Olivia. Both girls were so excited to have so many people watching them in the audience and they loved the beautiful flowers from Gigi and Papa! 

Hudson fell asleep after the girls performed and he was out until Robby got him home later that evening.

I stayed with the girls after intermission to let them watch a little more of the show and they were in awe of the older girls.  Each of them got a CD with a lot of the music from the show and when we got home Handley didn't want to go to bed because she was listening and dancing around in her room.

We're happy to have another year of dance in the books, but they are already excited about next year!

Rhythm Orphan Annie - Dress Rehearsal

We came home from a nice fun relaxing weekend at the lake and the next morning we hit the ground running with our crazy busy week.

The girls had their dance recital rehearsal on Tuesday.  We were there for three dances and they happened to just be spaced out enough to make it feel like we were there ALL day long.  The girls loved it though and I loved seeing them up on stage.  They were most excited about getting to wear makeup, but enjoyed their fun costumes, too.

I can't wait for the show tonight - I know they will do great!

Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake

As usual, we spent our first official weekend of summer at the lake.  It was tons of fun and we had lots of friends with us, too!  The weather was gorgeous and I think everyone had a great time.

Me and my mini-me enjoying time on the boat! 

Walker is getting braver each time he goes out and the water isn't as scary to him anymore.  What he loves is running up and down the beach and playing fetch over and over and over.

Robby got a paddle board recently and we are having so much fun with it!  

This was my first time trying it and it was awesome. I only paddled around for a second because the kids wanted a try, but I'm hooked.  

I was impressed by how well the girls were able to stay up and balance on their own.  They had been out with Robby before, but just as a passenger.  This time they actually got to really paddle on their own.

One night we went to dinner at our favorite, Lighthouse.  We go by boat, sit outside by the big grassy field, and the kids have a blast playing out there until their food arrives.  It works out great because then we get to have uninterrupted adult conversations.  It's a win-win!

On the way back home that night the girls were begging to jump in the lake with their clothes on.  Before we knew it, there were TONS of us in the water.  It as awesome and as we said all weekend, we were all making memories.  I hope these are the special memories my kids will remember from their childhood.

In other big news, Parker and Hudson had a sleepover together of the first time and we were shocked that they actually went to sleep and stayed asleep all night!  They were both so excited and it was so sweet.

Last Day of School

Last Thursday was the girls' last day of school.  They were both happy and sad about it being the last day and I cannot believe another school year is behind us!  

We wanted to celebrate the start to summer with a  big bang so the other parents and I planned to greet the kids with silly string and water balloons.  The kids didn't suspect anything and they were all so surprised when they hopped off the bus. 

They got out early on the last day so we went to grab lunch with Harper's friend at Chick-fil-a.  Then we had Hudson's last swim lesson.  I am so very proud of how well he did this year and I can't wait for us to start going to the pool everyday so we can keep practicing all that the has learned.  

We rounded out the afternoon with ice cream with Handley's friend and after that it was time to start packing and get ready for our first weekend at the lake, which was a much needed bit of relaxation after a busy week!  

End of the year Parties!

This week has been all sorts of fun for the girls.  Since it is the last week of school their classes have been wrapping up the school year with themed days, outdoor activities, and lots of fun.  We've been counting down at home!

On Monday some of the Kindergarten classes had planned outdoor centers.  There were snacks, bubbles, games and lots of giggles.

Then it started sprinkling as the fun was just getting started and then it started to thunder so we all had to come inside.  Shortly after that the bottom fell out and it was POURING.  But, some rain couldn't stop the Kindergarten fun because the sweet teachers set up what the could in the hallway and the kids still had a blast.

In fact, I am confident that they will remember scooting up and down the hallway more than they would if they just were just doing outside on the track.

Today was the 2nd grade end of the year party and the weather was gorgeous so Handley's class got to be outside for their party.  I made these cute little pudding cups (you can read all the details and instructions HERE on Magnolia Mamas).

After their snack we started playing games with balloons and then moved on to some relay races with beach balls.  The kids loved this the most and had the best time working together and cheering for their friends.  We ended with water balloons and the whole morning was just a blast!  

As happy and excited we are for summer, we are so very sad to be saying goodbye to the girls' teachers.  I honestly could not have asked for a better fit for both of them and I just feel so thankful that they both had amazing years this year.  They have both grown up and changed so much and in a really good way because of their teachers.  Ms. Gergel and Ms. Shingleton both gave me a gift for being their room mom this year (which was TOTALLY unnecessary), but so thoughtful and sweet of them.  I also got the sweetest notes from them that made me all teary and just solidified the fact that they are not only amazing teachers, but also amazing people.  Both girls have been talking about how much they will miss their teachers and I believe it because I feel the same way!  I love them both and can't thank them enough for all they did this year for my girls.