Last Week of School (June 3 - 9)

I'm on a roll... Following my birthday weekend was the last full week of school before summer vacation. Had to snap this cute picture. It was such a chilly spring that the weather only just now warmed up to justify a nap clothed only in a diaper.

Later on thoroughly rested, Meghan's rocking on the horse at the playground after school pick-up.

On Saturday we took a walk during which Jack rode the 2-wheel scooter. It quickly became apparent that he's mastered the 2-wheel after all the practice he got Memorial day weekend at the Schaeffer's house, and maybe we needed to trade up from the 3-wheeled one he got for his birthday.

On Sunday we went over to the park to meet up with friends to celebrate the end of school. Here they are hanging out on the climbing rock.

They moved from the climbing rock to climbing a large hill. Jack ran up and down several times before wiping out in the video.

Happy Birthday to Me! (June 1 - 2)

Dedicated to Pop-pop & Gramby who always nudge me just enough to get me back on track after my blog hiatuses, this one's for you guys. Only about six weeks or so to catch up on this go-round.

After starting the weekend off right with the Spring Fling on Friday, we enjoyed the gorgeous start to the month of June with some back yard time. Here's Meghan being her usual stinker self with one of the kids' chairs.

June 2! After a delicious French toast breakfast cooked by Chef Brec, we took a morning walk to the park. Meghan and Jack has some fun going down the twisty slide.

On our walk back along the greenway we dined on some delicious mullberries. They were a good three weeks to perhaps a full month later this year than last because we definitely had them last year around Jack's birthday.

All piled into the BOB trying to get a picture.

Later on we got out the baby pool for its first use of the season. It was a hit, especially when combined in play with the new sink.

On the way out to dinner, Brec snapped this picture of the birthday girl with my three babies. I can't believe we got one of everyone looking and happy! It's a birthday miracle.

Beaseley's, where else for my birthday dinner?

Meghan enjoying a buffalo chicken wing (of course she is!).

What a great day and start to 35!

Spring Fling

One of our favorite events of the fall was the Fall Festival, so the Spring Fling, also put on by the elementary school, was much anticipated on the last day of May. It did not disappoint. The kids had a blast, and it was neat to see how much they've changed in the intervening six months between to the two events. The two big kids were much more independent and comfortable navigating the event with increased freedom. And rather than being happy in the Ergo for the entirety of the night, Meghan was eager to join in on the action with her big brother and sister. 

Jack & Clara on super slide

Jack on the super slide

Mommy & Meghan taking a turn

Clara truly does not take after her Mommy as she waited in line at least 15 minutes (maybe more!) to have her hair done up.

She was very proud of the result.

Next it was off to the service vehicles as she tried out a ride in the cop car

and in the cab of a fire truck with Meghan and Rosalind.

Last Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Clara's last day of kindergarten. Cliche as it sounds, it really does seem like it was just yesterday that we were preparing for her to head out to school for the very first time. How much she's grown since the first day of school last August. Maybe not so much in inches and pounds, but she's officially a member of the literate population and that counts for a lot in my book. 

And she has a her new dress from Nay-nay for the occasion.

They actually have a kindergarten graduation at her school. The children processed into the multi-purpose room, and each was called across the stage to receive a certificate for their completion of kindergarten. Then there was a small reception with cake! afterwards in the cafeteria.

Little sister in the audience waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin.

The procession of Ms. Shaw's class.

Clara!

Top row, facing sideways chatting with her neighbor.

The graduate! 

Eating cake with Rosalind.

Clara, Rosalind, & the beloved Miss Shaw whom we will sorely miss. What a wonderful first experience with school. Thanks, Miss Shaw for a fantastic year!

May Round-Up

Here are a few snapshots from the month of May before, after, and around Mother's day and Memorial day weekend.

While technically not in May, I thought this was too cute not to share. Jack poses with his birthday crown from preschool. He was the "Super Star" for the day on the 29th of April.

Nothing like morning cuddle time, no one seemed to understand that we were actually trying to accomplish a few more minutes of sleep.

Meghan discovered the baby cradle and likes to curl up in it with a book. Look at that Buddha belly!

Chef Jack at the morning cafe'. This was his and Meghan's go-to game post-breakfast.

Other big news for the month was that on May 20th Clara lost her first tooth!

Partners in crime!

Jack and his buddy Orson at the park.

Carrots from the farmer's market!

Nay-nay and Pop-pop traveled down to see us the first weekend in May, but we took nary a picture during their visit. However, we did work really hard making a garden out of a plot that had been recently cleared of ivy in the front yard. Here it is flourishing several weeks later.

Swing set tricks

Where does the time go?

Memorial Day Weekend

The week prior to Memorial day weekend can be summed up by this picture, rainy/stormy necessitating boots! The reason this was a problem, other than not wanting rain to spoil our holiday weekend, was that on Friday morning we were slated to host the end-of-the-year party for Jack's preschool class in our backyard. All week as we pulled out our rain boots, I anxiously watched the weather, and each day the chance of rain for Friday decreased. We were lucky enough to get clear skies and mid-70's, the perfect weather to host an outdoor play event.

Snack time at the boys table.

And the girls. (Sorry the pictures of the kids aren't a little better; I couldn't compete with cupcakes!)

Following the end of the party at noon, we had some down time during Meghan's nap during which I packed the car so that we could pick up Clara from school and head to our next adventure, Richmond for the weekend!

Jack had another "haircut de Delshade" on Saturday after which he was treated to a donut for his excellent behavior during the trim. Lookin' good!

Then we headed over to Gramby & Su-su's who watched the kids for me while I went with Nay-nay shopping for a dress to wear to Jay's wedding. Meghan took some time to rock "Baby Annabeth".

Then Gramby and Su-su took advantage of their child-laborers and got them outside raking the lawn!

The main event of the weekend was Sunday afternoon at the Schaeffers: Hal's 1st birthday party. He turned one on the 18th of May, it's hard to believe it.

It was quite the backyard soiree complete with Slip N' Slide, John Deere tractors, scooters, and bubbles.

Jack taking a ride with the ladies blowing bubbles in the "back-back".

Meghan enjoying her green cupcake with Nay-nay and her new baby doll.

The kids, Jack in particular, had the best time playing around on the driveway. 

Bubbles!