Last day of preschool

I'm still wiping up the tears around here.  Yesterday was her end-of-year-party at school.   Come August we'll have a full blown kindergartner on our hands.  Obligatory first/last day photos.....

We'll be sad to see her leave her school behind (have no fear as Reese will be wreaking havoc in the halls this fall) - she learned a ton this year and enjoyed going....two keys to a successful year.  Now excuse me as I inventory my coffee and wine stash to help deal with this school-free time the kids call "summer vacation".  

Cheap fun

Two spray bottles + dad + a nice warm evening =

Visionary

This was on the board at Ryan's school.....there were vets, construction workers, doctors, drivers, but only one:

So either she's really digging the job I'm doing (sure!) or, knowing Ryan, she'd rather handle this 'mom' gig on her own terms.  Her platform:  veggie optional meals, extended bedtime, limitless iPad, free texting, easy access to scissors, new Barbie every time we cruise through the toy aisle at Target, permanent relocation to Grandma's house.  

The pool has opened for the season...

Interesting take on water shoes....Ryan never disappoints in the style department.  

Now accepting membership applications.  

Scenes from a picnic

Ryan's school picnic was last night.  The girls ran themselves wild.  It made for an easy bedtime.  And since I'm writing this on my phone, with two kids on my lap, my coffee getting colder by the second, we shall post a picture and be done.  Happy Thursday! 

 Do you all like my attempt to cover the bangs debacle with the yellow 80's headband? 

Tuesday love

I can hardly watch the news anymore....living in a bubble is looking so much better these days.  While my heart breaks for those in Oklahoma, I will be cuddling extra close to these three.....

iPhone, Instagram downloads

Monday morning (now afternoon) hodgepodge from the last week or two....
I had a play date on Sunday morning and what better way to attend a play date then without some of your kids:)  I took a napping Emerson and my large coffee to the park while Grant took Ryan and Reese downtown to play at his office.  Grant has a pretty killer office (complete with private gym) so the girls are always excited to head downtown with him.

 Reese opted to delay her nap yesterday and join her sister and Ameila for some fun outside....this is Reese's initial 'playing-in-the-sprinkler' look before she finally went in and got a swimsuit on.

You're all digging Ryan's new 'bangs' aren't you?  

 Trains and the girls don't mix...

 Cooling off in the fountain...

Ryan was testing out some new apps....

 Celebrating a good Target shopping experience.....three well behaved little ladies, one happy mom.

 'Buy some plants and veggies, get a little girl free' day at the Farmer's Market

 Emerson has had quite a few male callers lately....

Baby August is the one laying (kind of like road kill) in the background.  Did I just compare a precious baby (and male suitor nonetheless) as road kill?  Yes I did.  

 And now for Emerson, take it away girl!

That's enough for now....

Studious

One of these ladies loves sitting still, practicing her words, reading her books, playing teacher.  The other enjoys dancing in circles and singing at the top of her lungs.

 And yet another is content just hanging out....her only concern in life not being trampled by the singing sister.

And for all 5 of my Instagram followers, these pictures were clearly taken before Ryan opted to give herself a new hairdo....we'll get back to the bang-free days in about a year or two, no big deal.

Get comfy

The girls have beds, couches, chairs, did I say beds?  Lots of great options for reading and playing on their iPads.  Where do they choose to setup camp?  The front door.

Sports

While I don't necessarily see athletic scholarships in our future (except maybe a wrestling one for Reese?), sports are mandatory around here.  At least giving them a shot is.  Ryan had her first soccer lesson of the year after three rained out weekends.  Thankfully her bff Amelia (in pink) is playing along side her.

 Man down...

 At one point, Ryan and Amelia were completely oblivious to the 'game' going on and standing around a patch of dandelions discussing god knows what.  I don't have a picture of that sadly, but close your eyes and visualize two disinterested little girls, Ryan twirling one pigtail, backs to all the action, two moms on the sidelines pleading with them to pay attention.

 She volunteered to be goalie.  Mainly because there isn't much moving around required.  Awesome.  Time to rev up the exercise routine.

 Soccer with attitude.

 Apparently waiting for your turn is very taxing on the little frame....

We are officially parents.  Almost five years later, I can say with certainty we are parents.  I had to buy our first 'sport' chair on Amazon.  We've never really had a need for portable seats before.  Now with soccer and tennis, I giddily bought our first one.  And it came just in time as Grant threw his back out while in Belgium last week (and then had to fly home 9+ hours...in coach...with no good pain meds...the horror).  

 For Mother's Day we were out at my folks house and a little wiffle ball game ensued...strategy discussion or fighting over the bats?  You decide.

 The 'dugout'

 Grandma throws a mean curve ball and Emerson was batting .500 - impressive on both counts.

 Oh Reese.  She wanted ZERO help - "I do it myself thank you"

 If right-handed doesn't yield the results you want, try left.

Both my girls need a refresher course in baseball (and 'sportsmanship' in general)....neither dropped the bat after they got a hit and Ryan would run the bases, bat in hand, swinging at anyone trying to get her out.   Extreme softball, Ryan edition.

Tire love

Finally we had a weekend full of gorgeous weather....and what better way to celebrate then by flinging ourselves around on the good ole tire swing.