My Beautiful Girls!

Holden Beach (year 11!)

 It is my favorite two weeks of the year.  My best friends, favorite weather and nothing to do but enjoy my those I love.  It is my own slice of heaven.  The kids LOVE it too. 

Pond Study

The girls were itching to learn about something this spring and summer.  I was beat and didn't think I could pull off a space unit like last year.  Nor did I think we could travel all around to see monuments and other great American symbols.  They loved those units so much that they were happy to repeat them.  I needed something easy and close to home.  PONDS!!

Our study was pretty free form.  We already had tadpoles at home so we decided to investigate other living things in a pond.  Daddy dug up lots of pond muck.  It stinks!!  The girls sifted through it and found all sorts of interesting creatures.

We found. . .

snails

 beaver dams with snakes resting on top (zoom in)

lots of plant life

 

and algae.

This was just one night at one of our local ponds.  We went to many.  There were fish, birds, water striders, turtles and one very large and creepy spider!  YUCKY!!

We charted our findings and made little books.  It was low key but I find their learning continuing to pop up every time we visit a body of water.  What was more important is that it gave us something to do as a family that interested all six of us.  Well, almost all six of us.  Evelyn was more or less along for the ride. 

Seven!!

Happy Birthday to my bright shining, seven-year-olds!  I love you more than you know. 

Happy Father's Day (A little late)

To the best daddy we could have ever asked for.  If there was ever a dad meant to have four girls, well. . . really five (I probably add to the girl drama in the house from time to time), it was you!  We love you to the moon and back.

Piano Recital

Savannah and Lila had a piano recital at the end of the school year.  Lila had only been playing for a few months and was very excited.  Savannah was equally excited as she decided to tackle Fur Elise!

Lila did great!  Her song was well above her level but she didn't shy away from it.  She memorized it bit by bit and got it down.  I was very proud of her.  She was such a mature little girl!
Savannah had spent months on her song.  She knew it front to back, back to front.  Savannah was more than ready for her recital.  Sadly, it was one of those days.  She just got stuck.  Really stuck.  I could physically feel my heart breaking into pieces as she kept trying to dig herself out.  I was so disappointed for her.  I have heard her play this song flawlessly so many times that I am sick of Fur Elise.  It just wasn't meant to be.  I was proud that she held her head high and gave it her all even though the song was choppy.  She smiled and bowed like she was pleased.  However, she was a fountain of tears the minute we left.  Savannah wanted a re-do and sometimes life doesn't have one to offer.

Fourth Grader At Last!

Savannah is officially a 4th grader!  I surprised her with a special trip to Chuck E. Cheese after her last day of school.  We met friends there and everyone had a great time. 

Fourth Grade!?  Seriously. . . Stop the clock!!!

Last Day of Kindergarten

All dressed up for their performance at the 5th grade graduation. 

The last day of school was the a huge party for the twins.  When we drove up, the teachers looked like they were headed to a tropical island!  T. John was playing his guitar and singing.  Kids were dancing.  It was good ol' fashion, West Chester Friends fun.  To top it off, it was Jump Up Day!  Since the 5th graders don't come to school that day (they graduated the day before), all the other grades "jump up" to their new line!  Here is a quick video of my girls jumping into 1st grade!  I can't believe it. 




Dancing before school!

 First Graders!!!!!!

A special lunch with Mommy as First Graders!

Two Months Old and the Center of Attention

Evelyn is just the sweetest baby.  She would spend all day sleeping on your chest if you would let her.  In fact, the first two months of her life, she was sleeping on me more than anywhere else.  I perfected letting her sleep on top of me at night while at the same time ensuring she wouldn't slide off me and suffocate.  At two and a half months, we hit the jackpot and tried putting her to bed in the crib for the first time.  Someone likes her crib!  Evelyn also likes a tight swaddle and lots of things pushed up beside her.  I know, not safe.  I can tell you she survived it since she is actually 4 months going on 5 months old as I type this.  Here is a typical sleeping position.

  
The Big E is still the center of attention.  This is what I had to deal with when trying to get the girls out the door for school.  It's like pulling gum off the bottom of your sneaker.  It just doesn't come loose. 

Evelyn is discovering her voice and is making all sorts of cooing sounds.  The girls eat it up.  They even twist the sounds into words sometimes.  My favorite sound is her horse noise.  She makes the snorting sound of a horse many times a day.  It's quite cute.

They like to dress her up in all of her cute summer clothes.  Summer clothes are cuter than winter clothes!

 (please excuse the crazy hair.  They were fresh out of bed.

This baby has a smile that doesn't stop.  It is in full force now.  We love it.  I think the girls even feel it is a door to her soul.  The have the affirmation that she loves them and enjoys their silly faces in her face, constantly!