Rain or Shine

We had big plans for today, the weather forecast promised sunshine and warmth. We woke up to overcast skies and
intermittent sprinkling. Our plans included friends and the beach. To think I almost let a few clouds and some droplets (not to mention dishes and laundry) keep us from this - a beach we've never explored before, that we practically had to ourselves and the
company of good friends. What was I thinking?! Last time I checked we aren't susceptible to melting in the rain and my Girls won't
remember the dishes piled in the sink or the dirty laundry overflowing the basket. But this, this they'll remember. I vow not to let the weather or the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of my house disrupt our plans for this summer. {I don't like housework anyway!} I'd much rather watch my Girl scramble along huge driftwood logs...
and wave to passing train conductors who reward the wildly waving arms with a tug of his whistle.
I'd much rather watch Lil Sister pull a wagon along the shoreline in search of rocks and shells to fill it with.
Hello summer - and days spent at the beach, rain or shine!

Birthday Fun

Today is doubly special because it is the birthday of two of our favorite little friends. Both had parties this weekend that were a blast. Miss A celebrated by treating five of her friends to princess paraphernalia and pampering at the nail salon. The lovely ladies at the nail salon wasted no time in giving each girl the princess treatment. Rose-shaped suckers were handed out, colors were selected and then the painting began! This party was highly anticipated by Lil Sis who was extremely
excited to get her nails done, so much so that you'd think I'd never ever painted hers before - which is not the case. One
morning last week as we were walking back home from the bus stop she even threw herself to the sidewalk upon
learning that the party wasn't on that particular day and that she'd have to wait a few more days until Saturday.
The wait was clearly well worth it! She loved having her nails done and was absorbed by observing every step of the process. While there were six little girls getting beautified, there were just as many Mommas having every bit as much fun watching the delight that played across the girls' faces.

This is the other Birthday Girl. You may know her. She's a familiar face on this blog. Today she is six.
Yesterday we celebrated at a party complete with a photo backdrop and these fun props.
Aaaargh...meow?

Love this one!
Even the biggest kids couldn't resist the photo op.

Happy Birthday Girls!

School's Out 4 Summer!

Well kindergarten is officially in the books for this Girl! The picture on the right was taken on the first day of school and the one on the left is from this morning, the last day of school. We are so proud of the Girl for all of the things that she learned this year, especially the way she has flourished in reading - it is so cool!

Summer Solstice

What fantastic luck that the longest day of the year (yesterday) also happened to be our warmest. Hello summer!
As such, we high-tailed it to the nearest splash park after school and lunch. Lil Sister was timid at first but it didn't take long before she
was zipping from one sprinkler to the next. As for the Girl, today she preferred to linger in this spray of water.
Baby Miss wasn't quite sure what to make of it all...
and in the end sucking on her swim shirt proved to be way more interesting.












The playground adjacent to the splash pad boasts some pretty fabulous toys, topping Little Sister's list was the
teeter-totters. None of the other parks near our house have these. Whenever I lost sight of her in the sprinkler area I knew right where to look - yep, over there on the teeter-totters. I practically had to pry her away when it was time to leave.

Water Carnival

Today the Girl's school held a water carnival to celebrate the end of the school year. They had games, a dunk tank, bouncy houses,

summer-inspired treats,

face painting and temporary tattoos and...
this - a giant waterslide coated with baby shampoo and a constant cascade of water being sprayed from two fire hoses.

Happy Father's Day

This morning during Sunday school the Girl came up with the great idea of inviting friends (who also happen to live just three doors down and go to the same church as us) over to make a cake for Father's Day.
I let them do everything, including cracking the eggs.
This was Miss E's first attempt and resulted in...
this. Ha, ha!

Little Sister slept through most of it but was excited with the final product.
We opted for cake balls instead of cake. {We were introduced to these scrumptious morsels when a sweet friend made them for my birthday.} They were a hit with the Dads! Happy Father's Day J - I couldn't have chosen a better man to build a family with!!!

Parade

Tonight was the parade. The only one in our town for the entire year and it's a big deal around these parts. So big that
people start setting chairs out to claim prime sidewalk real estate on Friday morning. So big that it nearly becomes an all day event with parking lot tailgating happening long before the parade starts. It is well worth the wait, just to see the thrill and excitement on the kids' faces.

For some it is all just a little too much.
And this cracks me up. Can you see the Girl peeking out from her hiding spot? She is not a fan of clowns (neither is her Dad) and upon
sighting them she headed for cover.

Don't cha' just love the cold-weather gear? Mid-June and we're still wearing hats!
Always a good time!!