my little flotation device

I subjected Peyton to torture (swim) lessons again this year.  We choose the Safe Start/ISR approach which is basically survival lessons.  While last year took 6 weeks since it was her first time in lessons this year took only two weeks (as expected).  It's amazing how much they remember even though it's been a full year since her last lessons.  She did amazing.  Did she cry?  Of course.  She was so exhausted in this video (since she was fully clothed) that she didn't have the energy to cry.

Friday Insta-Randoms

The frames to the left and right of the french doors have been hanging on the wall without pictures in them.  I finally had some printed.  They're big 16x20 prints.  I love them so much!

Hunter is doing some group swim lessons at the Y this month.  Working on some actual swim strokes.

Peyton is 4 lessons away from being done with her torture lessons.  She's doing awesome, but is full of complaints.  Words you'll hear her say during her lesson are "GET OUT", "hold you", "I did it, Mommy", and "I want a sticker".

Baby will learn to float, too.

These are in my fridge right now.

My favorite nerds.

Peyton and I got dressed up for a girls date with Robyn and Iris while all of our boys went to a professional soccer game.

hop scotchin'

One more month....

....until we can do this more often!  I'm ready for school to be out.  I'm ready for lazy days, playing in pool, and going to the beach.

{This picture has been printed on canvas and will hang in Dedi's condo with the one of Peyton in a bucket from last summer.  We also have one of Ashton.  Now just have to get one of Ethan.}

Sweet Girl

It's still four months until this little spitfire turns three, but I swear her personality turned three over the last couple of weeks.  She has half a dozen baby dolls and has never ever played with them.  We have the baby playpen, high chair, stroller, and potty chair.  She's never cared about any of it.  Until one day recently it all changed.  It was like a switch flipped and her mothering instinct kicked in.  I noticed her playing with a doll in the doll stroller and took a picture on my phone as I made a mental note of it.  That baby has rarely left her side since.  We take the baby everywhere.  She's been shopping with us, to Kindermusik, to see Mr. Richard, and to Hunter's soccer game.  The baby sleeps in her playpen next to Peyton's bed every night.  She is also dressing herself.  Hunter was nearly 4 before he was dressing himself so this is a bonus for me!  I will realize the house has been far too quite and find her in her room putting on new clothes....over and over again.  I look in the hamper to find TONS of clean clothes.  On a less cute note, her attitude and sass have also changed.  She's become a bit more opinionated, more independent (if that were even possible) and much quicker to melt down when she doesn't get her way.

 

Handsome Boy

I can't believe how close to starting Kindergarten he is.  He's so excited to go to 'the big school', but I think I'm just in denial.  I picked up the registration packet, but it's just sitting there.  I might be ignoring it as if maybe he won't have to go if I don't fill it out :)

Soccer Update

This soccer season has been fun.  Hunter is still really enjoying it.  He will most likely move up to the next age group in the fall so he'll just be turning 6 and playing with 6 and 7 year olds.  He won't be one of the best kids on the team anymore, but it's time for him to get into a little bit more structured age group.

Friends

This little shoot yielded lots of pictures.  I shared the ones we got of us with the kids.  Here are some of the kids together.  They really do love each other and have fun together.  Not 100% of the time of course, but most of the time.  Peyton wants to do everything he does and he is usually very patient with her.  These pictures definitely capture the bond they share.  I pray that they will always be friends.

Capturing Memories

For my birthday I requested that everyone get dressed up in our Easter outfits and go out and take some pictures.  I mostly wanted pictures of me with the kids since that rarely happens.  It was REALLY windy so I hated most of the pictures of me since it looks like I have no hair.  But there were two that ended up being okay and that's pretty much all I needed.  They are growing up so fast.  Having these pictures is a priceless gift.

{I made their bow ties}

Hunter took this picture!