Who says you need toys to have fun?

We hosted a shower for Karen Ford at my mom's house this weekend. She is marrying my cousin Adam. One of the gifts came in a large UPS box filled with peanuts. Of course, my kids thought it was the most fun ever. Even my cousin Bayley got in and had a ball. The weekend was filled with family and fun. Not only did we have the bridal shower, but we went to another friend of the family (maybe cousin)'s graduation party and then stopped by Mema and Papa's for a visit. The girls were wiped out by the end of the day from all the attention, love and playing.

Renaissance Festival

Once again we headed to Triune, TN for the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. It is quite fun. The girls dressed up in their princess clothes. For those who have never been, it is all outside with booths setup as though you were going through a marketplace or festival of the times. Lots of people come dressed up and the organizers are all in authentic clothes. The queen strolls through the grounds with her lady in waiting. There are fairies and gypsies. Today there was an international jousting competition. The girls enjoyed making candles, getting face-painting, and swinging on a man-powered seat spinning seat thing. They met the queen and her court and had a great time.

Warner Park and visiting the grandparents

We all were fortunate to get to spend the weekend with Granddad Tom and Thelma from Bethesda, MD. The girls enjoyed hanging out with them and taking them to their favorite places. We spent Saturday morning forging the creek at Warner Park. The girls loved splashing in the water. They even uncovered a crawfish under a rock. The morning finished with a trip to Red Caboose Park where they ran themselves tired. Our neighborhood pool has also opened, so we ventured there in the afternoon. Thelma was the bravest, spending the most time with Katelyn in the chilly big pool.

Pre-School Celebration

At Katelyn's school, they don't have a preschool graduation (Thank goodness). I am opposed to four year olds wearing a cap and gown anytime before high school graduation. If you do everything at 4 what's left? They sang a few very cute songs about what they do in school and saying goodbye to friends. Some of the songs were in Hebrew, so I am not sure what they were saying but i am sure it was nice :) It was a very sweet program, followed by an ice cream social. We have had an awesome experience at the JCC. Katelyn has spent the last three years there and has grown so much under their love and guidance. We will miss the folks in room 7. Hopefully, we can relive it all with Ellie over the next two years.

Last gymnastics

We have decided to forgo all summer kids activities so we won't have to be on the run so much. Tonight was the kids' last night of gymnastics. Katelyn is getting quite good at hanging upside down on the bar. They had a good time and will miss their new friends, but there is always fall.

Spilled the beans

We finally told Katelyn and Ellie about baby-to-be. We were waiting a little while in case something happened, but I am at 13 weeks and am lower risk now. They were very excited. They both want a little sister. Ellie wants to name her Cantaloupe and call her Canty. Don't ask me where she got that name. Ellie also said she can sleep in her bed with her and she will hold on to her so she doesn't fall out. Very sweet, but unlikely.

We are planning to move Ellie in with Katelyn this summer and having Katelyn move to the top bunk. They both seem to like the idea although I am quite sure they don't realize the implications of it all. I've been feeling pretty good lately, just a little tired. I don't feel all that pregnant yet, so I am sure the realization of how our lives will be changing again will hit me soon. I'm just hoping and praying for another easy pregnancy with the end result of a healthy baby girl or boy. I will keep you all posted.

More Mud

Katelyn finished out her soccer season this weekend with three goals. She played her best game of the season and was determined to go after the ball. Once again it was a mudfest with the girls slopping through puddles both midfield and in the goals. They loved it though. Katelyn was soaked all the way through to her underwear with mud.

Ellie has also been mastering new skills. Unbeknownst to us, she learned how to pump her legs and swing herself and she likes to go HIGH. What a big little girl she has become. There is hardly any baby left in her.

Soccer mudfest

Despite the rain and mud, Katelyn plowed through her soccer game. It drizzled a bit and the girls were covered in mud, but they had a ball. That is until Ellie fell on her butt in the mud. I never realized how much of a girly girl I have. She was very unhappy to be dirty. Katelyn's team, although they did not win, had fun running around in the mud. Some of the girls had too much fun and forgot to go after the ball. Katelyn scored the last goal of the game and was very proud of herself.

Mother's Day Early

I have been pleasantly surprised to have Mother's day all week this week. On Tuesday, Katelyn had a Mother's Day brunch in her class. She showed me all around to all of her stations. We ate and she presented me with a beautiful vase that she had decorated herself with a flower in it. I am so glad I made it. With it being a crazy week at work, it is often tempting to miss these events. Not only would I have been the only mom not there, bad mommy, but I would have missed out on how proud she was of her creation and how much she wanted to show off her classroom.

Today was Ellie's Mother's Day Breakfast. She presented me with a cute little bag with a flower on one side and her handprints on the other. Those little fingers which are growing so fast. We had a nice little breakfast with the other moms and visited a few before I had to go back to work. it was a very nice gesture that the classrooms made for us. As busy as things get, I need to remember to always take those mom moments because they won't be little forever.

Rain, Rain, go away

It has been raining in Nashville for almost three days. I should have taken a picture yesterday, but unfortunately did not think of it. My kids got decked out in their rain attire (boots and raincoats) and went looking for worms to put in their garden. Alan took them down to the river area and they returned with a bucket of squirmy worms which made a new home in the garden. Ellie looked quite pleased with herself for her catch. Yuck.

Derby Weekend

In trying to keep with the tradition of Derby festivities, we decided to have a little Derby gathering at our house on Saturday, primarily with neighborhood folks. The kids had a great time playing with their friends and hitting the horse pinata and the adults enjoyed mint juleps and derby pies. Although it was a wet weekend, we were fortunate to catch a break during the afternoon and were able to get out and do bubbles, corn hole and tee ball. We still have a TON of candy left, so if you need help giving your kids a sugar high, let me know. We were also blessed by a visit from my cousin Allison this weekend who helped out and spent the day on Friday loving on my kids and allowing them to play hookie from school.