VBS

We just finished our second year of VBS at our church and we had a blast. The theme this year was Operation Overboard, which was an underwater theme. I helped out all week and we came home beat! The girls had a full week of crafts, puppet shows, singing, praying, learning about God, water day and of course snacks.

It was fun to see how much they had grown compared to last year, participating with the hand movements in the program and no crying at drop off. Gracie even went down the big water slide. Lizzie climbed to the top but was too scared to go down. So, she came back down.

Also during the week, it was Pastor Dennis's birthday. Funny story, Gracie was asked by one of the ladies if she was going to sit by the birthday boy. So, the entire car ride over that's all she could talk about. Of course, we were the last ones there and both of the seats next to Dennis were taken. I said that Gracie wanted to sit by Dennis and sure enough, two people moved so Lizzie and Gracie could sit by Dennis. What a special and sweet group of people to work with!

Gracie at crafts

Lizzie at crafts

Learning all the fun songs

The girls and I

Gracie at the top of the water slide

Gone Fishin'

We spent this weekend in Oklahoma for my nephew's birthday and Father's Day. It was a fun weekend.

On Saturday, we took the girls to a fishing birthday party. It was the first time the girls had ever fished. Gracie really liked it but Lizzie was not as big a fan. Her attention span lasted about as long as mine. Gracie caught a stick and a fish. When she caught the stick, she was so funny and said "you can't eat stick for dinner". Lizzie mostly got her hook caught in the grass or other stuff.

Patiently waiting for daddy to get the hook on the line

Gracie fishing

Daddy casting Lizzie's line while she waits patiently

Catching "stick fish"

Fishing some more

Gracie's "catch"

On Sunday, it was Sammy's birthday and Father's Day. My cousins' came over for lunch and I got to hold baby Dawson while Kassidy played with all the kids. He is so big and cute.

My sweet daddy

The girls and their sweet daddy

My cousin, Chris, telling the girls all about Dawson

Eating Sammy's birthday brownies

The birthday boy with a mouth full of brownie

It was a really fun weekend and we are all exhausted. Wes and I stayed up late both nights talking with my parents.

Four Years Old!

Today, we celebrate the girls' fourth birthday! I can't believe how far we have come. We now have healthy, happy girls! They are at a fun but challenging age. The girls know so much and say so much that amazes me. On the other hand, they test me with their independence and will. Still, every day is an adventure and really fun.

We had the girls birthday party this past weekend. They spent the previous week at Grandma and Papa's having a blast. My friend Allison took great pictures of them for their party. Here are some of the pictures (there are a lot of them).

The birthday girls

The birthday cake

Anna, Isaac and EJ (some of the girls besties)

Sweet Cousins - Sam, Lizzie, Gracie, Sydney

Gracie hugging Reese with Riley (more besties)

Love this

Lizzie's turn

Sweet sister Laura and her family

Fun on the tire swing with Caroline

No, they are not 44. Its two 4s.

My mom, Elaine, and sister

Silly girls

Sweet Amy, momma to Reese and Riley

We are 4

Yummy Hello Kitty Cupcakes

Nana kisses

Everybody hanging out

It was a great party and on a beautiful summer day. The kids just played and played. It was one of the easiest parties ever and fun to have the family there.

Pool's Open

Lizzie and Gracie have been enjoying their kiddie pool lately. We have had a hot spring, so we have been out there a lot. The girls love to play with the hose by watering everything, including each other. They take turns so every few minutes, I hear "is it my turn yet, momma?".  It reminds me of when my sister and I were little. We loved the summer and playing in the water.

 

Getting ready to squirt each other

Downward dog in the pool to get her hair wet

We have been going to a preschool yoga class lately and the girls are really into it. They know the sun salutation and can do the whole thing. I will call it out and they will do all the poses. I think their favorite pose is downward dog and any variation. They will get in the pose and then kick one foot up and then the other. Hope they keep up the enjoyment. It makes me happy.

Memorial Day 2012

We spent our Memorial Day weekend in Oklahoma with family. On Saturday, we went to the Cowboy Hall of Fame's annual Chuck Wagon event. It was fun. We did a wagon ride, the girls did some crafts, rode a pony, ate some cowboy food and listen to cowboys singing. 

On the wagon

Wearing the bandanas that they decorated

Lizzie and Wes riding the pony

Gracie with Grandma

On Sunday, my aunt Betty and cousins' came over for lunch. I finally got to spend some time with baby Dawson. He was so cute!

The kids got to play in the water, go for a ride with Papa on the tractor and have so much fun. It was really fun!

Papa taking the kids for a ride in the tractor

Fun early birthday presents from Angie, Chris, Kassidy and Dawson

Sydney loved holding sweet baby Dawson

Today, Monday, we went to see Grandma and Grandpa Potter. Grandpa gave the girls a ride in his wheel barrow and the girls asked grandma a million questions about her flowers. It was a great weekend with lots of family fun. Our summer has begun!

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Today was the last day of school for Lizzie and Gracie. This was the first year of preschool for them and they loved it. They seemed so little when they started and now they are big girls. We watched they grow so much both physically and mentally. Next year will be their last preschool year and then it's on to kindergarten. Wow, time flies.

To show the differences, I thought I would show pictures of the first day of school vs. today.

Gracie

Lizzie

Daddy and his girls

 This one is from today, it was the best I got because they were in a hurry to get into the classroom.

Standing by their names

Something really nice that the teacher did is make a scrapbook for all the kids. It has pictures in it from the year. It was nice to see what they did and learned throughout the year. Now, we start our summer.

Duck Pond Field Trip

Today was field trip day at the girls preschool. The girls only have one more day of school this year. We arrived at school and then walked a few blocks to the duck pond.

Waiting at the church to start walking

 The girls girls walked like this with their little friend all the way to the park. It made it really hard for us all to fit on the sidewalk. Their teacher gave them all duck hats. The kids all loved them and put them on immediately.

At the park

 As soon as we got to the park, all the kids started running for the pond. The ducks all hightailed it to the other side of the pond. These ducks decided they weren't hungry enough to mess with these crazy kids in their yellow hats. The kids didn't care. They took their bread and threw it at them anyway. If there weren't any ducks, the kids threw the bread on the ground, water or each other.

This pond also has a wonderful playground. After the kids were done harassing the ducks, they moved on to play.

Apparently, preschoolers love to put the entire bottle in their mouth

 The kids stopped playing for a bit to have a snack. After snack, they ran back to the playground to play some more. While we were at the playground, I ran into one of my fellow twin mamas with her sweeties. So fun!

Snack time

Wes and I tag teamed this adventure. I had a meeting at work so he came to the park and walked back with the kids. We both enjoyed being with the girls. I did worry the entire time that the girls were going to fall into the water. The girls also loved running into two different directions.