SUMMER WATER PLAY

June 8, 2011

Summertime is here!! The kids and I enjoyed an afternoon of water toys and bubbles. You can't go wrong with that and it tires them out - which is always a plus for mommy! I love how you can see the pure joy in their faces. Such sweet, crazy kids!

Allison's face cracks me up ;-)

Ethan wasn't so sure.....

....but his sisters came to his rescue.

Chasing bubbles from the bubble machine!

no stopping him now!

Solo cups = cheap entertainment for hours!

Mommy is about to get wet!

Of course he was trying to drink the water. (and spitting it back out!)

LOVE!

Such a great picture, capturing tons of personality! What's up with Ethan's flying cup??!!!

CHEER CLINIC!

As part of our neighborhood library summer activities, they hosted a cheer clinic for 4-6 year olds. Emily had an absolute blast and did great. She has a photographic memory so she was able to learn the 3 cheers and 1 dance in under 45 minutes. Taking after her mommy!! Go Vestavia!!

look at that form! and she was LOUD!

Yell for Liberty Park!!

The 6th grade Liberty Park Middle School cheerleaders and their moderators with the campers.

Introducing Libby the Ballerina

Emily was given the ballet set for Libby for her birthday from her daddy. It was a surprise getting it because she had wanted it so bad at the store but I wouldn't let her have it. It was one of my purchases on The Magnificent Mile in Chicago a few weeks ago. Of course she wanted to get her ballet outfit on, and guess what??? It matched exactly!! Here are some cute pics of the ballerinas.

we had to do her hair in the "veil" style to match Libby Lou's.

FATHER'S DAY

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband and terrific daddy to our 3 crazies. We love you tons and are so grateful for everything you do for us. You're the best daddy in the whole world!!

Daddy and Emily

Daddy and Allison

Daddy and Ethan (doing boy things!)

Daddy and his kids (05.2010)

Daddy with his daughters on the beach. LOVE!! (8.2010)

I love you, Mark.

Happy 5th Birthday, Emily!

Today is my Emily's birthday. I can't believe she is 5 already and I can't believe I have a 5 year old. She is such a little lady. She is full of love towards her family. Allison is her best friend and she really knows how to push Ethan's buttons. She is growing up more everyday and is so ready to start "big" school in the fall. She is starting to be extra sassy and it just cracks me up. She definitely has her own opinions on what to wear and how to have her hair. I recall my own mother saying this about me and that payback is hell. Yep, I'm starting to understand this now. Emily is such a huge help to me during the day with wanting to be more involved in cooking, cleaning and caring for her siblings. She is such a blessing to Mark and I and we are so proud to be her parents. She goes for her 5 year old check up in July and she is not looking forward to getting the "5 year old booster shots." It helps that a lot of her friends have turned 5 already. Her pool party is next weekend so I'll have lots more to post then. Happy Birthday sweet girl, mommy loves you the whole world. You are so special; stay just the way you are.

AMERICAN GIRL

I took Emily to Atlanta for a girls weekend (early birthday). We left Friday afternoon and headed straight to the hotel. We went swimming and then had a late dinner and stayed up way too late due to excitement and anticipation of Saturday's events. We made it to American Girl right at 10 (opening). She picked out look-alike doll #22......can't go wrong with blonde hair and blue eyes. Next was time to shop for clothes (doll and girl) and accessories. I think she tried on about 7 different outfits but I made her narrow it down to 1 dress and 1 set of pajamas. I was also getting her gifts from Nana and Gia so we had to pick out those as well. Next up was the doll's hair appointment at 1230. Insane what some of the other mothers were allowing. I only let her get her hair done, no ear piercing, no manicure/pedicures, and no spa facials. Anyway, we then changed Emily and Libby into their matching dresses and headed to our reservation at the Bistro at 2pm. Then back to hotel for some much needed quiet time, 2 hours at the pool, dinner, painted our fingernails, and earlier bedtime. I had such a wonderful weekend with my biggest girl and we made memories together that will last a lifetime.

Aloha! Kanani is the doll of the year.

waiting patiently for Libby's hair appointment

The salon

Mrs. Lisa fixing Libby's hair

one of the other dolls enjoying a facial at the spa

the finished product. it was called "the veil"

Aloha, again.

"Look Mommy, we match the doll in the window!"

Mommy getting some Libby love.

American Girl Bistro. Libby loved her Treat Seat.

Sharing birthday cake ice cream for their 5th birthday!

Em demanded that Libby be strapped in a carseat on the ride back to the hotel.

Look at all this stuff! We got the American Girl Doll package through the hotel. When we got back to the room on Saturday, they had a doll bed with pillow and linens, a bag of candy, an eye mask for girl, and a doll beach set (towel, flip-flops, sunglasses and magazine) all set out. Emily was in heaven!!

I'm (almost) 5!!!

quiet time in matching pj's

I took this before I went to bed. I had to move Libby to her own bed so she wouldn't get smushed! Sweet dreams, little girls!

Happy 5th birthday, Emily! Mommy loves you so much!