Mickey on My Mind

We may still be a few days away from Disney World, but I am already seeing "Hidden Mickeys" everywhere I look...

like my laptop power cord.

The lazy days of summer have already begun for some...how cute is Mallory coloring on the back porch?

{Please ignore the unswept porch. I am waiting until the last possible moment to sweep before the girls' party Saturday because Cody and Tanner track in so much grass and dirt.}

But, I'm still staying quite busy at work {just two more days}, not packing, making the girls' hair bows for Disney {yes, of course we need new hair bows for Disney!},...

slip~covering a chair {like I really have time for that this week; someone please tell me: what was I thinking?},...

tying lots of orange polka-dot ribbon on party favors, not packing,...

 celebrating Memorial Day and my birthday by the pool, and pretty much avoiding packing at all cost.

Now, why won't they let me pour water over their heads in the bathtub?

Things are already busy around here, and the next few days are going to be crazy as we get ready for the girls' party Saturday and then leave for Disney Monday, so if I don't get back here this week with more pictures, just stay tuned. There's sure to be plenty of fun times to share with you very soon!

School's Out for Summer

Last Tuesday was the final day of Anna Claire and Mallory's first year of playschool. Of course, they were their happy little selves that day while I was a little on the emotional side realizing what a milestone it was for the girls to have come to end of a wonderful first year of "school." It can't get much better than having Mrs. Lori and Mrs. Trista as your very first play school teachers!

To celebrate the end of the year they had a picnic on the playground, and it was sooo crowded. A few weeks ago Mrs. Lori sent home a note that each child needed a parent present because all the Tuesday/Thursday classes would be out here. I asked her if I could just be the one parent for Anna Claire and Mallory and she said sure. Well, let me tell you that next year I will have help! It was so hard keeping track of both of them among all the kids and adults. I don't think we've ever "let them loose" in a crowd that large before that I was exhausted by the time it was over. They had a blast, however!

After running around and playing for a while it was time to sit down and sing some songs of which Mallory was taking no part...which is so not her. That girl loves an audience, but I don't think she was feeling well that morning {and she was already upset with me because I wouldn't let her have a cake pop}. Speaking of which...

One of our contributions to the picnic was cake pops. Mrs. Trista made cake pops for the moms at our Mother's Day tea, but the little ones loved them most, so I decided I'd give them a try. At first I was a little worried when I googled "how to make cake pops" and saw these, but after a little more searching I lowered my expectations and found that cake pops were definitely within my range of baking "expertise." It's a multi-step process you've got to have time for {mom baked the cake for me while I was at work, so that part was already done}, but they were so much easier to make than I thought they'd be, and I will certainly be making these again. {fyi ~ devising a way to display and transport the pops was, without a doubt, the hardest part!}

In addition to the slide show Mrs. Lori gave us for Mother's Day, she made each child their own photo album filled with all the pictures she's taken of them throughout the year. This is such a gift, and I can't wait to scan in some never-before-seen pics of Anna Claire and Mallory to share with you. So. Darn. Cute.

I Scream, You Scream,

…we all scream for ice cream!

Last week, the girls had an ice cream party/water day at play school. We sent in the M&Ms and sprinkles and it looks like the girls just couldn’t get enough.

Look at these bathing beauties on their beach towels. I think this is too cute!

Anna Claire said she didn’t really enjoy the water party because the “boys were a little wild.” She is not a big fan of loud, raucous behavior nor is she particularly fond of having water splashed in her face, so I can totally see her sitting on the sidelines while the others splashed and screamed and got soaked.

They're Future's So Bright...

...They've Gotta Wear Shades!

These pictures have been on the door of the girls' classroom the last couple of weeks, and I'm so happy Mrs. Lori sent them home with the girls. So silly!

Happy {belated} Birthday, Dylan!

Dylan's third {!} birthday was last month and his party was last weekend at the playground. Here's the birthday boy licking frosting off McQueen.

 And, where else would Anna Claire and Mallory be but right by Dylan's side.

 Anna Claire spent most of the party on the swings.

 Mallory couldn't get enough of the rock wall.

Everyone had such a great time and now I'm wondering why I didn't book the playground for the girls' party in a few weeks.

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a fabulous Mother’s Day this past weekend, and I hope you did, too!

In addition to a gorgeous Swedish Ivy basket for the back porch, Walter bought one of those recordable cards from Hallmark and recorded the girls saying “Happy Mother’s Day!” I could hear them from behind closed doors and I think it took about 37 tries for them to get it just right. It was hilarious eavesdropping!

Last week the girls had a cute little Mother’s Day tea at playschool. I got all kinds of surcies handmade by the girls as well as an amazing slide show of all the pictures Mrs. Lori has taken of the class throughout the school year. I’ve got to find a way to share that here. It is too cute!

Watching herself on TV {slide show}. She gave herself a front~row seat...



It's O-fish-al!

I finally ordered the girls' birthday party invitations! Oh, how I stress about silly things like party themes.

The end of the school year, the girls' third birthday, as well as the day we leave for Disney all fall within a four~day window...and that has me a little on edge.

But you have a fintastic day; I'll catch ya' later! ;-)

She Dressed Herself

Anna Claire couldn't decide if she should have worn this to the Royal Wedding last week or to the Derby today. Since we didn't get invited to either, she paraded around the house for a while quite pleased with her "look."

I think that's the last of the spring break pictures I wanted to share...finally!

Keepin' Cool

Over spring break, we pulled out the sprinkler and pool to help keep cool. These girls love playing in the water!

Take a close look at their swim suits. I am so happy Anna Claire and Mallory are potty trained and I don't have to spend a fortune on swimmies this summer, but the seats of their swim suits are awfully baggy! Too cute!

Strawberry Pickin'

Over Spring Break the girls and I went with Granny to our local strawberry field {which happens to be just down the road from Granny and Papa’s} to pick some strawberries. The girls were quite helpful once they understood they should leave the green ones and only pick the big red ones {and there were some BIG red ones!}. We filled two baskets in no time, so we decided to fill two more!

Anna Claire and Mallory kept looking for mice and bears…

We love this book and I highly recommend it {whether you’re going strawberry picking or not} as well as anything by Audrey and Don Wood. {Quick as a Cricket and The Napping House are also big hits.}