Springtime 2021

E&S officially turned six, and we enjoyed the Springtime and the end of their Kindergarten year.  

coloring cuties

we went for a walk and took our new binoculars 

they're finally getting big and strong enough for the playset in our neighborhood

licking the brownie mix spoon!

spring rice krispie treats for Easter

cousins ready for an Easter egg hunt

sweet bunny babies

Easter at Grandma Georgia's

the girls made these fun oatmeal face masks at school, so we made sure to dress the part

I decided at the beginning of the year I wanted to harness being at home and having more time and study for an HR certification.  It was an intense 12-week class leading up to the exam itself.  The classes were 3 hours on Monday nights, and I also spent quite a bit of time during the week studying.  Daniel and I knew it meant I would have to focus on me/studying and he would step up with the ladies, but we were all-in.  Daniel found fun things for the three of them on Monday evenings to keep the house quiet.  First night: neighborhood playground and a picnic dinner.

Oh, and spoiler alert: I PASSED!!!  And not only did I pass, but I freaking killed it.  My professor told me he hadn't seen scores that high.  It was SO much work... lots and lots of memorization, becoming familiar with unfamiliar terms/legalities, but I'm really, really proud of myself.

my whole wide world

passed by the bathroom and found Sydney helping Ella with her hair

I just love her

Another year has passed, and another April 16th anniversary is upon us.  I think time has made it a little bit easier on one hand, but having children in school has made my heart ache a little bit more.  Since we opted for a private K program, I knew we were able to escape the public school days of having intruder drills and tough conversations for one more year.  The weather was slated to be gorgeous on this 14th anniversary, and I needed sunshine and happiness.  I decided to bottle up their sweet innocence, grab the girls mid-afternoon, and go out on a "Hokie Day" adventure to the zoo.

Hokie day complete with cute Hokie hair

I know having tough conversations can be really important, but I need one more year of ignorance.

feeding giraffes

and when you need all the happiness, momma says yes to huge ice cream cones

And on the way home, they asked for me to put down the windows.  I peeked out and saw Sydney's hand waving in the wind, and Ella asked me to play "the best day of my life", thinking about the irony of that song on that day.  I thanked my lucky stars that they don't yet know the heartbreak of what the world can throw at you. It made me tear up, knowing how a tragedy can impact someone so greatly, and being sure to honor those lives lost by soaking up what I have now.

The azaleas at Kim & Jeff's house are GORGEOUS

helping Daddy get the candyland game pieces ready for the birthday party

hanging with our gal pal faves, Amelia and Evelyn

growing up, I used to LOVE sitting on my mom's bed and she would cover me up with warm laundry fresh out of the dryer.

trying out new swimsuits from Nana & Papa

playing in the rain

Loved looking up to see Sydney measuring herself on the growth chart.  Look at her cute little belly!

Ella learned how to ride a bike with no training wheels!
Update, April 2022: she still struggles with riding her bike because "some people just aren't meant to ride bikes".  She could do ANYTHING she puts her mind to, and this just isn't one of those things.

hanging out with Daisy

I really do love how their little minds & imaginations work

Sydney's class went to the zoo for a field trip!  I was the lucky parent to accompany her.  Feeding the birds is her FAVORITE part.

I took a break from studying to take the girls to Red Robin for hamburgers and milkshakes

E&S got a sushi maker for their birthday.... this was our first pass at it, and it was DELICIOUS

ready for swim practice!

This is more my dream than their dream, but I've always wanted kiddos to swim on a swim team like I did.  We didn't do it last year because of COVID.  We joined Chester Pool this year, and also the swim team.  It made for such a fun summer!!  To nobody's surprise, Sydney did great and continued to improve all summer long.  She even won a coach's award at the end of the year!  Ella was, by far, the slowest kid out there.  Her times actually got slower than faster.  The whole pool deck would cheer for her, and the lifeguards stayed on high alert because she looked like she was drowning.  It was pretty hilarious.  But she stuck with it!  We're so proud of them both.

Spring pictures - look how sweet!

When it was Ella's turn for a field trip, she was lucky to have Daddy be her chaperone!

snacks for dinner

love this sweet lap of mine... filled up with two little girls and Ella is so sweetly loving on Syd

springtime morning on the porch swing doing some bird watching

....it was a little chilly!

Aunt Kelly made us cute new pajamas, complete with a sleep mask

we checked out a new state park

it was a fun adventure!

she was FRIGID but had such a fun time swimming!

new chairs on the porch meant a Saturday morning coloring out there

The girls' Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Evers, is also passionate about art.  She put together the most wonderful end-of-year Art Show, where the classes were able to put their pieces on display.  What a highlight of the year!  They were SO PROUD of their work.

they dressed themselves up for the occasion 

and even picked a fancy dress for me

Sydney next to her self-portrait (blue paper) she did in the beginning, at the middle, and then the end of the year

And Ella next to hers (pink paper)

with Sydney's bestie, Britton, and Ms. Evers

what an amazing Kindergarten teacher and the most wonderful school year!

And that's a wrap!  Last day of Kindergarten for these double cuties.  First grade and public school - here we come!

On their last day, a bunch of parents got together with water balloons, water guns, and popsicles and AMBUSHED the kindergarteners to celebrate the last day.  It was Daniel's idea and it was AMAZING.  We had SOOOO much fun, lots of giggles and good memories.  We worked together with Debbie and the teachers to make it happen and it was the best ever.  I know it'll be a tradition each year, and I can't wait.  What a fun ending to the best Kindergarten year, one that was in the middle of a pandemic and we were, thankfully, able to make it the very best.

Daniel had the best time.  It was awesome

Kindergarten report cards