Carlie graduated from pre-school!

My baby girl Carlie is now a *gasp* PRESCHOOL GRAD! It's so bittersweet. I cried and I laughed. She had a graduating class of 5! It was supposed to be 6 but one little boy didn't show up. What kind of parents wouldn't take their child to their preschool graduation? Especially after paying $22 for a cap and gown and after their son practiced skits for weeks??? Anywho, she was so adorable! My child who has never met a stranger was so shy! Almost all of the pictures we got were of her back because she didn't like everyone looking at her. They sang "I had a bad day" by the Chipmunks to their teacher because she was so sad they were leaving her for bigger and better things. Carlie even received an award for being the most creative. I'm going to sound like one of those bragging moms right now but I have to add this in. The other awards were for Friendliest, Most Artistic, Leadership, and biggest helper or something like that. The director explained why each child received that specific award. Friendliest was giving to a little boy who got along with everyone. They described the most artistic by saying that he would turn out to be a famous artist one day from his drawings. Leadership award was giving to the teachers son because he went from a follower to a leader this year. The biggest helper one was giving to a little girl that was described as being the mother of the group. When they got to Carlie's award, they described her as the most creative child they had ever had at the center. They said that she can sing a song or recite a story word for word after hearing it once. They went on and on about how special, creative, and smart she was. I felt so proud of her!

The graduates singing to their teacher

The grads walking in (Yes, to Pomp and Circumstance)

Carlie

Carlie getting her certificate

Turning their tassels

Carlie and her proud baby sister Jacelyn

Me and my big girl

Carlie and some of her fellow grads

Carlie and her teacher

Beach Vacation!

Sorry I've been MIA the last few weeks. We just got back from vacation last week. We had a blast, minus the lobster that I turned into. Every year I tell myself "This year you will come home tan". What actually happens is that I burn so badly that I blister and peel. Thankfully this year I protected my face so it just got a little red. My back and shoulders are a different story. Neither of the girls burned so that was great. Carlie turned into a brave little girl this year. The previous years that we have gone, she's been scared of the water and waves. This year she didn't seem phased by it at all. Jacelyn was a little scared of the water but she was fine if Daddy was holding her. She loved to run and play in the sand. We ate a ton of yummy seafood! There's nothing like waking up and eating a bowl of cereal while watching and listening to the ocean!

I love going this early in the year for so many reasons. First, the beach is almost empty. There aren't many people there until June. Second, it's not too hot and it's not too cold. The sand is perfect to walk on and the pool is warm enough to swim in. Third, the condo prices are cheap! lol.

Enjoy the MANY pictures below!

Jacelyn's 2nd birthday party!

Jacelyn's 2nd birthday party went pretty well. We had it at a local park. They had taken the rain chances out of the forecast but low and behold as soon as we go there we heard a rumble of thunder. We let the kids play for a little bit and then called everyone under the pavillion to get on with the party. As soon as she started opening presents it started pouring down rain. Thankfully there was no lightning and very little thunder. It was mainly just a rain shower. As soon as we were done with cake and ice cream the skies cleared and the children were able to play. We timed it perfectly. It was so hot that day so the showers that blew through were welcomed with open arms since it cooled everyone down.

Like everyone else, I also had some drama with the cake. I was planning on making a butterfly cake and butterfly cupcakes. Since we had just gotten home from vacation, I was too worn out to make them myself. I never thought about giving the bakery a call. Friday afternoon before her party on Saturday I called my normal bakery. They had too many cakes to make to fit hers in. My mom suggested the bakery in a local grocery store. I just called and told them that I needed a butterfly cake and Rick took in a napkin to match the colors. I'm surprised at how it turned out. The little sprinkles on it are even in the shape of a butterfly!

Here are some pictures of Jacelyn's special day!

The cake

Jacelyn, her friend Zoey, and my nephew

Opening presents

Jacelyn's butterfly crown!

The kids playing in the rain!

Blowing out the candle

Carlie Comments

While I was loading the girls into the car this morning, Carlie asked a very adorable question.

Carlie: "Mommy, what was your name when you were pregnant with me and Jacelyn?"
Me: "Mommy?"
Carlie: "Noooooo, it was Lara"
Me: "Oh, so my name changed when I became a mommy? My name wasn't Lara anymore, it's just Mommy now?"
Carlie: "Yep!"

Perfect little cute conversation just in time for Mother's Day.

Beautiful Randomness

Have you ever noticed how beautiful a grey, cloudy sky is when a whole opens up and lets a little light in? I wish I would have had my camera with me this morning. The sun rays that pierced through the clouds was amazing. Carlie even commented that it looked like Jesus was going to come out of it. lol

Girls Night Out!!!

Thanks to my wonderful friend Ashley, who volunteered to babysit BOTH girls, I get a night out!!! We were originally going to have a date night but since my wonderful husband decided to go play poker with his buddies last night, I get a night. I have no idea what we will be doing but I'm sure it will not involve diaper changes, wiping snotty noses, 5 year olds that talk back, or nagging husbands.....hopefully!

Mother's Day Banquet

One of the reasons that I love the girls' daycare is that they take time to make the parents feel special. They often have "Donuts with Dads, Muffins with Mom, Pancakes with so and so". They also have a take home dinner once a month that they personally cook. It is very reasonably priced at $7 for adults and $3 for children. They also do a Christmas Lunch where we can go eat turkey and dressing with our children. Today was the Mother's Day Banquet. I am so sad that I forgot my camera because it was so beautifully decorated. They served meatballs, shrimp in those neat little cups where the tail hangs out of the side, chocolate covered strawberries, mini quiche, a veggie tray, mini sandwiches, some sort of round chocolate eclair, tiny cheesecake squares and strawberry cheesecake squares, a cheese tray, and every sort of tea you could imagine. They also had name cards/place cards that had a number on the inside. There was a present that corresponded with your number. I got a neat wall hanging/picture, Carlie got a toy phone, and Jacelyn got a set of bracelets. My mom also attended as my nephews guest and she got a beautifully lilly plant. Oh yeah! I almost forgot. We also played a game where the director asked questions and whoever the question pertained to won a single red or peach rose. The questions were along the lines of, Who has the most kids? Who has the largest gap between kids? Who has the youngest child? Who has been married the longest? Who has been married the shortest? Who is the youngest mother? I won for the youngest mother!!! Woo Hoo. LOL.