Second week of August 2017 - saying goodbye to Montessori

I helped coordinate an event at work where we had the American Heart Association and an expert in heart health come and talk to us.  We learned hands-only CPR.  It was a really great event while shocking and scary to heart all the statistics.

To help Donna be more comfortable in her room, I went and bought her a desk and a chair and then Peter put it together (he was thrilled - can you tell?).

I went and read to Maxwell's preschool class during their library time for the last time.  :(  I've loved doing it once a month for the past two years and will really miss it.  I have a ton of respect for his teacher - it's not easy wrangling all these 3-5 year olds!

Pool style

Mr Chris spoiled her with a popsicle after swimming.

My cousin posted this picture of my Grandparent's house with such a nice thought.  She is so right on!  This room has changed very little in the last 25 years (how is that possible with so many little grandkids and great grandkids running around that everything has held up so well?!) and I love it and my grandparents so much!

He got to wear a big backpack to school.

My giggly little girl was helping water the tree...

...but quickly decided it was more fun to get other people wet,

including herself!

Once she was all wet, we put on her swim suit and her and Landen played in the pool (still with the hose).

Video - Emmalyn singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Maxwell's note to his preschool teacher on the last day of school.  This is the front of the envelope.

And his note inside.  

Last time driving him to preschool.  I have LOVED the quality time we've gotten together during the 15-20 minute drive to school in the mornings.  

(tickling himself for a good smile)

Last picture out in front of the school.  He's certainly grown since the first day.

Last time for him to sign in with his code.  He's been in charge of doing it himself for awhile now.  I stayed for a little bit so I could watch the kids participate in field day.

They had a field day. (It wasn't technically the last day of summer school but just the last day that Maxwell would go.  I wanted him to have a couple weeks "off" before he started Kinder.)  I took this picture because at many previous school parties he would refuse to walk along the beam because he was scared so I was super proud of him for doing it this time while trying to balance a frisbee on his head.

water/sponge relay

We love Ms. Cynthia so much!  She and I both teared up as I gave her a hug goodbye.  She has been a great teacher for him and he's thrived in her class.  I am already looking forward to Emmalyn having her as a teacher in a year.

His cubby

All these boys are going to Kinder at different schools - Dylan, Luckshya, Maxwell, and Joshua.

Diaper head shenanigans

She swapped her couture hat for some heels and a backpack (backpacks are a big staple of her wardrobe lately).

The kids and I hit up the farmer's market on Saturday

She's eyeing his sucker with a determined look on her face!

Then we had a birthday party for Emmalyn's neighborhood friend, Hudson, at a play place.  The cash register again was popular for both of them.

Giddyup!

Enjoying her cupcake

The wall was a big light brite toy - it entertained them for a long time. 

Our busy Saturday wasn't over yet.  We also went to the library for new books, (Maxwell has rocked the city's summer reading program) a few minutes on the computer, and to play with the new toy area.

Sweet little hand on that mouse.  Computer skills run in his genes.

And if this wasn't a busiest enough day?  We also fit in a haircut! Got to look studly for Kindergarten.

A few details that show his personality...  He's wearing an "in-n-out" pin on his shirt that Uncle Joe gave him.  He totally loves it.  He's also rocking his sweat band on his wrist.  He loves things on his wrist whether it's a bracelet, a watch, or his sweat band.

The kids wrapped up their night with their favorite babysitter, Bridgette, while Peter and I went out on a date.

Peter created this "Emmalyn" pancake on Sunday morning.  It's stuffed with Nutella. mmmm

The kids still have their weekly swimming lessons with Coach Katie and Coach Jada.  Maxwell's getting better thanks to the private lesson but Emmalyn is still hesitant to swim and wants me in the pool with her. 

3rd Week of May - Foodie Date Night

Playing Puppy Dog is a favorite past time

I had my big team meeting.  It went really well and for one of our activities we went to an escape room.  My group did not make it out in time - I hated failing!

Cute hair courtesy of Britt

Landen graduated from preschool and Emmalyn went to his graduation

Those curls!  I still can't believe she's got them (and I'm still not sure what to do with them!)

Peter and I went to an awards/celebration for top chefs in the DFW area because our close friend Tida was nominated for an award.  It was a pretty fancy event with some amazing food.

We tried lots of stuff but, despite eating sushi lately, Peter wouldn't eat these pieces of raw fish.  I had one and it tasted fine - not fishy!

We always love hanging with Tida and it was really fun to be able to cheer her on and support her.

Her gorgeous macarons

There was a booth where they were printing pictures onto cookies so we got ours made.

The group celebrating Tida

Emmalyn "tracing her hand"  (Yes, that's her birthday banner still up a month past her birthday.  Oh well.)

Playing our adjusted version of Yatzee.  Max wants to play all the time.

Cuddling with her dad

Found Emmalyn hiding in the corner with her ipad

Maxwell's friends from preschool Joshua and Lucas had a costume party and invited the kids.  They both had a great time (Emmalyn did not dress up).

They have the best yard and playground.  I'm totally jealous!

These faces are everything!

There were games, food, and extra costumes to wear!

Little miss bossy

A treasure map to find the treasure box!

She not only fits under the ottoman, she also fits under the bed! (Good thing she didn't look up at the wall, I just noticed there's a binky back there that must have fallen behind the bed.)

Trying out a puddle jumper

Playing in the pool with Owen and Avery

They jumped off the rock many, many time.

Well, that's doesn't look comfortable...

Emmalyn still says "Butthead" a lot.  We are trying to get her to say "silly goose" instead.  Timeout doesn't work to stop her because it doesn't bother her. She just sits there, no big deal.  Now we are trying another approach and instead ignoring it.  It's hard because I know she learned this word from Landon :(  She also has learned to say "I hate you" from him too.  Lovely.

The kids have had a few different babysitters lately and done great with it. They've had Bridgette one night, another night they stayed with Britt and went to sleep at her house (on a school night!) until we came to get them and then Mary Ann watched them for a bit one day.  It was the first time she's babysat them and she said they were perfect.  I'm really glad that they are easy going and we can leave them with a babysitter!