So my cousin, Andrew is now a marine. And to say that we are proud of him would be a huge understatement.
My aunt and uncle threw a party for him this weekend before he heads off for more training. We will miss him a lot, but look forward to his letters. My cousin is quite the writer!
The kids enjoyed playing with Alison at the party. She's such a good sport. She'll make a fantastic mom one day.
#2
I have such a hard time getting natural expressions from my kids when I photograph them. I either get this:
Or this:
I was pleased with this one that Alison helped me capture. (I love Morgan's hand on Charlie's knee.)
This weekend also marked Taylor's kindergarten graduation. She was so excited about this- asking me to help her get ready hours before the ceremony. Personally, I think kindergarten graduation is a little hokey. Especially considering they aren't even changing schools. But I realize that it's not about me. Taylor doesn't think it's silly. She thought it was exciting and monumental. Therefore, it was. So I shared in her anticipation as we painted her nails and curled her hair (she decided she liked the straight look better!). I think this is part of the fun of having children. You get to relive a little bit of that childhood magic. Most will agree that children make Christmas so much more enchanting, but if you really pay attention, you'll see that there's much more magic than just what occurs on December 25th.
Aunt Julie, Grandmama, and Grandma came to share in her 'big moment'.
Can't find Taylor? She's behind the boy in the green and white stripes. Don't ask me why they put the smallest girl in school anywhere but the front row.
She hopped to the back row when they were handing out diplomas. My child's last name is alphabetically-challenged, landing her near the end of a long list of children.
After the ceremony, Taylor indulged me with a few pictures.
#3
The school threw a big family picnic after graduation complete with food, ice cream, face painting and bouncy houses.
My sister brought her kids to the event and I took advantage of the extra pair of hands to attempt another photo of all three kids.
Her kids cooperate so much better for photos. They always have. (I love Addison's feet in this one.)
Taylor requested a few more photos of her with the flowers that Grandmama gave her when we got home.
The next photo was just a rare moment when the kids were getting along. (They've been fighting like cats and dogs lately)
We just got our Just Dance wii game back from Jacob's and Charlie has since discovered it's appeal. Okay, so we all have (my sister, Julie and mom will thank me for not posting the photos I took of them playing!).
Tuesday was Taylor's last day of school. Yes, she graduated and then had to return for two more days the following week. Don't ask me why. Grace came home with her for a play date.
#5
We had an impromptu dinner with Grandma that night. Julie and my dad ended up joining us before heading to Louisville for a visit.
Grandpa relishes any opportunity for some one-on-one grandchild time. Morgan is really warming up to him, too!
My mom has quite the flower garden thanks, in part, to the kids' help!
Wednesday was our first official day of summer. It started a little rocky with the kid's fighting waking me up. But it got better. That night, we went to Daddy's soccer game.
Today was day two of summer and I'm exhausted! I took the children to walmart. I needed an oil change and some food before our camping trip next week. (More on that later!) I realize that my days of grocery shopping with just one baby who doesn't talk back are over. At least for a few months.
The kids were pretty good, though. They were thrilled when a woman giving free samples gave them all a mini drumstick (they are called Lil Drums).
#7
Charlie ate his from the bottom up.
After a very long trip at the store, followed by a very long rest, we decided to have a tea party outside.
This was prompted by my spontaneous decision to buy plastic stemware for the kids. My favorite blogger, Kelle Hampton, swears they turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary, and darn it if she's not right! Just holding them in her hands gave Taylor a slew of ideas for future fancy meals with friends.
Taylor informed us of proper tea party etiquette. Pinkies up!
Now Charlie did not share Taylor's enthusiasm for tea parties. In fact he protested saying "this is so girly!" But I guess he figured he'd endure it in exchange for some cookies. Oh, and he did follow her pinkies up rule.
Right before flexing his spider man muscles.
So that's it. I'll try to post more frequently. We've got a big camping trip coming up soon. And a visit from Aunt Julie. So no shortage of photo opportunities there!
[Wondering what the numbers under the pictures mean? Those are ones included in my 365 project]
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