Sprinkler Fun

The girls have been enjoying putting the sprinkler under the trampoline lately. I tried to take some action shots of them.

Happy Birthday Ellie!

These are some photos from Ellie's party. We looked through our photo album and Ellie is wearing the same dress that Mikayla wore on her 4th birthday. Ellie invited two friends over. We all had some Dora birthday cake, decorated princess crowns, opened gifts, and let the kids play. One of her friends gave her a cowgirl hat and vest.


We gave her a ladybug pillow pet. Mikayla received one also. They both wanted some for Christmas. We got the small size which are perfect for traveling.

Father's Day

Today Mikayla whispered to me, "I love Mother's Day and Father's Day. I get to give you guys the toys I don't like playing with." Nice.

I Love It When My Kids Crack Me Up

Mikayla was wearing this fancy shirt this week. She complained that it make her itchy. I suggested we donate it to some people who could use it. She replied, "Mommy, why would the poor people want to itch?" Ha, good point I guess.

Ellie was running really hard today and came up to me panting. "Running makes my arms hurt," she said.

Our sad garden has produced one green bean and one raspberry. I wish I had a green thumb. The kids get so excited checking it everyday to see what's growing. Usually, it's more like checking it to see what's been eaten by chipmunks, slugs, or ants.

It is the first week of summer break and Ellie and I are fighting colds. I didn't mind it so much when we had rain for a week straight, but now that it's nice out, I'm ready to feel better and charge into summer. I'm also frustrated that my hand isn't fully healed from the carpel tunnel surgery. I tried to get a closer follow-up appointment, but they are booked until my appointment scheduled for July 12. Mostly, I'm missing riding my bike. Jogging is okay, but my knees don't really agree.

I'll end on a positive note and say I think we have Ellie potty trained. Whew! Just in time for her to turn 4!

A Day With Monkey

Just as soon as I begin to think that Ellie has forgotten about Monkey, we have days like today when Monkey has to be a part of every moment. So, here are some pictures of all the fun Monkey had with Ellie today:

A little potty lesson for Monkey evidently...


Swinging with Monkey


How is Monkey staying on? (I know, Monkey weirdly makes me think of Jesus. What if the Romans had invented clothes pins?)


Hanging out on Monkey's favorite, the trapeze bar


Monkey makes Ellie one happy girl

Last Day of Preschool

It was bittersweet when I picked up Ellie from preschool. I know she'll miss it a lot and I will miss the time I had to myself. Here are some pictures from her last day:

Digging in the sandbox


Her three incredible teachers: Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Sakitab, and Ms. Miller


It was bring your tricycle to school day. Elyana rode her bike back to the van and just like that, her first school year is over. I can't believe one more year and both my girls will be at the Elementary School!



It was also the day of Mikayla's 1st Grade Music Program. It was hard to videotape it with the hand just out of stitches and keep Ellie in her seat with the other.

End of the Year Teacher Gift Ideas

This afternoon I realized that tomorrow is Ellie's last day of school and I needed to get something for her three preschool teachers. So I turned to the Internet and found this great website: http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/holidays/giftsforteachers.htm. I used the idea of buying some inexpensive pots and plants, letting Ellie decorate the pots, and making a sign for them. I made the sign on the computer, added the stamp, colored in the stamp with markers, clear contact papered the sign, stuck it to a Popsicle stick, and added the ribbon. I think they turned out really cute. Ellie is so excited for tomorrow. She's eager to give her teachers their gifts and she gets to take her tricycle to school for a tricycle rodeo/tricycle car wash. She keeps climbing in the van or waiting by the garage door asking me if it's time for school yet. She had me put the trike in the van this afternoon so we wouldn't forget it.




Tomorrow afternoon is Mikayla's 1st Grade Music Program. I will videotape it for sure, especially because Nate now has strep throat. I'm praying that the girls can stay healthy and not get it. I'm going crazy with the Lysol even though if they will come down with it, they've probably already been exposed.

Mikayla and I are excited for our first monthly mother/daughter sleepover Friday night. We'll probably do our nails, watch a movie, and talk. My goal is to really use these sleepovers once a month to develop a stronger relationship and communication before the preteen years hit us. Likewise, Nate will begin father/daughter date nights. In a few weeks he'll take Kayla to a Rochester Honkers baseball game and dinner.