Summer Schedule

1. Run/Play/Laugh
2. Get sunburned
3. Fall into bed to a dead sleep - WAY TOO LATE

Repeat.

Everyday.

We will need to reign in some of this fun very soon but for now we're sticking with it.

the pony tail

Its a momentous moment in every girl's life. 

The first pony tail!!

She wouldn't give me a good smile but here is the front.

It had been in a few hours so starting to fall out...but I still think its simply adorable. 

Oh goodness, the back of her head and that hair....its too much for me. 

so precious, please stay my baby. 

If I beg do you think it might help?!

School's Out!!!

Today was the last day of school!!!

Can you just feel that excitement?!?

Seriously, remember that when you were a kid...man if they could bottle that feeling up...!

We planned a School's Out Party for the big kids...

Tess had a very hard time waiting for them to get home. 

We had decorations, a water fight, friends, ice cream sundaes and these beautiful cookies. 

(btw, these cookies are a testament to the fact that people lie on Pinterest...

while they are pretty...they are disgusting...do not make them...however if you'd like to try them, stop on over, I have a double batch frozen in my freezer.)

I did a horrible, horrible job of documenting our time with pictures...I think this was the only one of the party. The girls worked so hard on this sign...and then the wind tore it apart. 

And yes, the rumors you are hearing are true...we are homeschooling next year. 

Couldn't be more excited or thrilled to have been called to this. 

I'll be back with posts on that but for now, my favorite person is waiting on the couch for me and 

I dont want to keep him waiting. 

pretty little soccer fan

If you can learn soccer skills by watching

 then this little peanut will be a superstar by the time its her turn.

Spring Soccer - Lauren Edition!

Lauren's soccer season is done. 

She really loved it. 

I'll admit I don't understand her level a whole bunch. 

I need to take a class or something before next season!

She doesn't let me fix her hair cute and put bows in it. 

But she works really hard. And makes us so proud. 

And she looks SO old. 

I dont know who that is...

Go Lauren!

Half time. 

Ah, there's my girl...

Lauren and her cheering section. 

Upclose

I am one lucky momma to be blessed by these five who call me 'mom'. 

They just take my breath away. 

Water!!!

The kids' favorite part was playing in the streams....

oh little baby legs...

The best way to get real, awesome smiles out of kids is to put them in water! 

Lauren, Im falling! 

 This water is so cold! 

There was lots of splashing and squealing! 

Watch me mommy!

fighting

There was a little fighting on Mother's Day...but it was pretty good natured fighting...

Jordan just wanted a picture of these two back to back...

That wasn't really going to happen. 

But I actually like this series of pictures anyway...its more realistic to see them like this! 

lookout

We found a lookout point and everyone took turns catching the views. 

Love him. 

She had fun just climbing in and around. 

Mother's Day pictures!

I really had the perfect Mother's Day...the kids and Jordan let me sleep in and then greeted me with breakfast in bed, gifts and homemade cards. 

Then we packed up and headed out for a day at Backbone State Park. 

We had a picnic lunch and then started hiking. 

This backcarrier worked perfectly for Tori...thanks Jody!

But after we let Lauren hike up to the cave with Tori we decided it might be safer for Jordan to 'wear' Tori. 

My favorite times with my kids are out in nature. 

Everyone is happy and there is almost no fighting! 

Peek-a-boo Tori! 

We climbed way up high to get to the cave. 

The cave really wasn't all that impressive but still pretty cool to explore. 

Sullivan likes to celebrate each hike!

Avery ALWAYS finds creatures. 

She will touch anything slimy, gross, crawly, creepy...no fear of animals, creatures or gross things. 

And she loves to freak the others out with her discoveries. 

I didnt take the camera along for our hike on the longer trail because I wasn't sure how hard the hiking would be...but I missed so many great pictures. Backbone is so great for hiking, we will definetly be going back! 

a quote from Miss Tess

After getting dressed complete with every accessory she owns today she said,

'Mom, this necklace makes my outfit look perfect. Ok, now when Judd comes here today, well, I think I might just freak out!'

She is so obsessed with him.

And so hilariously awesome to me.

Lauren's Day

Those amazing Mother's Day photos are still waiting to be shared...but first I had to share about Lauren's day today. 

We started the day bright and early at the 4th & 5th grade track meet. 

Lauren had a very fun cheering section...seriously, could anything be cuter? 

Aside from the cuteness she and Tess were actually hugely full of trouble throughout the morning. 

My pictures are awful because of them...blame them Lauren...my camera actually went flying off the stroller and onto the cement at one point. Awesome. 

So back to Lauren!

Here she is running the 100 m dash. 

And leading off the 4x100...which earned her a blue ribbon!

After school we rushed around getting things prepared for her State Fair.

All semester the 4th graders have been working on their state projects and today was the day to share with everyone!

She was so excited. 

Lauren's state was Louisiana. She chose to make a power point presentation. 

She worked very hard and was very proud of her work. 

She wanted to share something special about her state so we chose to make 

beigents...which are a French donut commonly served in New Orleans. 

We did a test run last week and luckily Mandy came over to help me because I came close to burning down the house with the super hot grease!

They turned out great and Lauren had kids swarming her table to steal these beauties. 

It was so fun to have a whole day just about Lauren. 

As I watched her at the track meet I saw the things in Lauren I love...her encouraging spirit with her friends and classmates, her energy towards cheering her teammates on, her love of fun and excitement, her special way of picking up a friend who is down, the way she makes the best out of every situation. 

She is a natural born nurturer, coach, friend, teacher. 

And this mom is just so proud of her girl tonight!