Pinktails

I was brushing Summer's hair yesterday morning and she asked "My two pinktails?" as we refer from the book, Pinkalicious. so here is Summer's "My two pinktails" debut. Barely held all the hair together into two rubber bands but we made it work and she felt beautiful.

Spunky Hair

We spent the entire morning at the pool today. With Summer in school it was just the two of us. Before we headed out of the door for swimming, he wanted to have his hair spunky. All I needed were some hairspray and water. The pictures of Forrest in the water playing with his toy truck were so, so cute. I packed snacks, water bottles, sunscreen lotion, and pool toys (which are a lot these days) and hoped that it wouldn't rain. It didn't. It was a perfect morning to be with my Forrest. We didn't pack up until after noon, and with snacks running low we headed back home for lunch. If it weren't for that, we would have stayed all day. I have lots more to share with you about my day with Forrest but I hear him calling my name. More tomorrow...

The Lake Party

Summer had a lake party this year. It was very casual and very fun. We had dinner, the huge water trampoline on the lake, and of course birthday cupcakes. Summer's main request was to have cupcakes with pink frosting and pink candles. The kids loved swimming in the lake and had so much fun. The party favors we handed out were the blue, green and pink floaties with each name on them for all of her friends. Summer is so fortunate to have such a sweet and fun group of friends. She had a big smile on her face the whole day. A super fun day for everyone. Happy birthday, Summer!

Summer turns 5!

Summer turned 5 on the 22nd. She had school that day so we had to have her party scheduled for the next day. She loved that idea because she was then able to celebrate for two full days. After picking up Summer from school we headed back home for a celebration. She got five daisies, one for each year of her life. I told her five things I loved about her. She specifically requested ravioli pasta with pesto sauce and salad, her very favorite meal, for dinner. She is loving all things pink so I made her a strawberry cake topped with what Summer calls "pink fairy dust".

After dinner and the cake we all watched "Princess and the Frog" movie. We were going to watch it on the screened porch but it got too hot so we moved to the living room. Summer was my first baby and I hold a special place in my heart for this sweet girl. Summer loves to be held, hugged and snuggled. She is the most affectionate in this family. At different times of the day she will just walk up to me and hug me and will say, "I love you, Mama". She loves to please and loves to have as she calls it, "Mommy time". She is an amazing older sister to Forrest and loves to take care of him. I often tell her that the best day of my life was _______. She then always smiles and says, "When I was born". I couldn't say it any better myself. I love you, Summer. Happy 5th Birthday.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Summer had her first day of Kindergarten today. Hooray! I can not believe it! This morning I took the kids to the pool for a swim. I checked my phone during break and there was the phone call we have been waiting for from the school. They finally had a spot for Summer and said to come in the school today. You should have seen the look on Summer's face when I signaled the kids to get out of the pool. I will never forget this moment. I got down on my knees, held onto Summer's arms, and quickly said... "You got in!" At that very moment was the second I witnessed my baby blossoming into a Kindergartner. Off we went back home to get Summer changed into her school uniform before driving to the school. Forrest was just as excited!

Summer's backpack is back-ordered until September. She only has one school uniform. as you can see we were totally unprepared for this day. We are making do with what have. She loves her dance bag. It is big enough to hold her notebook so we are using that as a makeshift backpack until the one arrives. Summer looked online with me for the perfect backpack, and finally settled on this cute pink one with blue hibiscuses. I think the tipping point was when she found out we could have her name embroidered on it in pink. Sold! I walked her to the door this morning with Forrest in tow. We all stood at her door as the kids sat in their desks coloring. It was so cute to see. Forrest could not stop waving to her and kept yelling, "Bye, Summer!"

I picked her up today and asked how her first day went and how she liked her teacher. She said, "I love it here, Mama!" So I guess today was a success. I am so happy that she is happy there. Such a simple thing, but that is all I want as a mom. Here is to a great school year!

My Forrest

This boy sure makes me laugh every day. How cute is this silly face. Forrest is still the happiest boy of all time. And trying to contain this busy body is not an easy task. As I was taking pictures of Summer in her ballet attire the other day out on our front porch, Forrest tried to get my attention with his animated expressions... I must admit, it worked like a charm. I love this boy so much. Only if I could freeze him at this age. I love, love, love having him around in our home. I am one lucky mama.

Center Stage

Today was the recital at Summer's ballet camp. Summer had one request this morning when she woke up... to bring flowers to her recital. After Forrest and I dropped off Summer at the camp, he and I took off for the florist. I let Forrest pick whatever he wanted to give to his big sister. He looked at the tall buckets of flowers for a while... then narrowed down to the one with the bright yellow sunflowers. Whenever I ask him to do something, he says, "Suuuure, of curse." It kills me every time. That's exactly what he said when I asked him if he wanted to pick flowers. So cute! He loved holding the sunflowers during the entire performance (he felt so proud as you can see) and giving Summer the batch at the end. It was so sweet and adorable. I love you Forrest. I had so much fun with you every morning this week.
Summer chose to wear this blue long gown from the basket of dress-up clothes for the performance. When we arrived, they had put full make-up on all the girls. Wow. I do not know how I am going to get her to wash her face tonight. When we got home Summer wanted to put her sunflowers in a pitcher on her bedroom dresser. I was happy to oblige. I hope Summer felt special and loved on her special morning.

Princess Ballet Camp

This week Summer is in "Princess Ballet Camp". She is in absolute HEAVEN. It is just one week long for a few hours a day but those few hours are pure happiness for her. I don't know what she loves more... the camp or getting ready each morning in her ballet gear. Each night we wash her leotard, tights and skirt and she carefully puts it all in her dance bag so she knows right where everything is in the morning. Tomorrow she, along with the other little girls, will dance for their moms and dads. Needless to say, I signed her up for the fall.

Little Brother

Here is my Summer brushing her little brother's hair after their bath last night. How darn cute is that. Forrest happily went along with it and I think he felt really special.

I love these two more than I ever imagined.

Love

I love you, Summer.

"The feeling you have for your child is so indescribably deep and consuming that it must qualify as one of the few transcendent experiences in your plain old ordinary life. It arrives spontaneously. It is miraculous and supreme and irrevocable. It makes all things possible."
Karen Maezen Miller

This is for my mom whose birthday is today. I love you, Mom.

Summer...

has officially begun.

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun filled 4th with family, friends and fireworks. The kids went to a tye dye party the other day and made their shirts. Summer recently made the banner (hung on the front door) at her every-other-sunday art class. We went to the lake for our tradition 4th of july cookout. They both had a blast last night. This has always been one of my favorite holidays and last night made me remember why.