Friday Afternoon

It has been very hot lately, and while we did get rid of the above ground pool at the house, we still have our trusty blue baby pool. The ladies happily played in the pool for an hour while I did some gardening.

We then came inside and enjoyed the AC and a picnic dinner while watching Madagascar. It was a fantastic way to start the summer!

Last Day of School

Although the girls will continue to go to child care while I am in faculty meetings, Lucy had her official last day of school on Thursday.

Here are the girls just before we left for school on Thursday:

It's hard to believe how quickly this year has gone. It's even more difficult to think about the fact that in a year and three months Caroline will be starting school and wearing that same uniform. Time flies. How did I get to be the mother of a 3 year old and 5 year old?

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day we headed to a local parade. We got there too early, and it was very crowded so the girls weren't able to run around. The girls were troopers for the most part. When they got too restless we fed them Combos and let them play on our iPhones (A+ parenting right there).

She crushed this bag of Combos.

This guy loves parades. And Combos.

The horses were definitely a highlight.

And I found it funny that the street cleaner
had to follow the horses. Ya know,
because poop is funny.

Face Plant

Man. This morning was tough. It started out okay. I am in the process of grading exams but decided to treat myself to a haircut this morning (something that happens about 3 times a year). I dropped Lucy off without incident. I pulled into Caroline's school's parking lot. I got the bags and I unbuckled Caroline from her car seat. She got out of the seat and went to step down onto the pavement ... when her foot caught on the car and she faceplanted right onto the pavement.

When I say "faceplant" I mean her skull hit the pavement, and I heard it. And it was LOUD.

She cut up her chin and lip, and she had a GIANT welt on her head. It was not a good way to start the day.

As usual, Caroline's teachers were awesome and sent me this picture of my girl smiling in spite of her head wound:

It actually looks much better in this picture
than it did early this morning.

The day ended well, but man, did it have to take a golf ball sized lump on her head to make it happen?

Ice Cream

I absolutely love our local grocery store. It is a small chain with only 3 or 4 locations. They have limited products, but their dairy, bakery, produce, and meats are amazing. They have a petting zoo in the summer, a great lawn and garden center, lots of free samples, animatronic singing displays, and a cow named Clover that walks around the store greeting kids. Also, you get free ice cream when you spend $100. It's the best.

The other night Steve was away and I was looking for a way to kill some time after dinner. We headed to the grocery store and went to their outdoor frozen yogurt stand. As much as I might love the store, the girls might have me beat:

A Little Late

This is a little late, but a big thank you to Nana and Yoinkie for sending along Lucy's birthday gifts. For some reason my phone's picture wouldn't text this pic to you guys, but here is Lucy approximately 3 minutes after she opened the package. She LOVES this dress!

Hazelwood 5K

This weekend we headed to Marion after Lucy's birthday extravaganza. On Sunday morning we all got ready and took part in a local 5K that supports a women's shelter. It is an all female race, and it is actually the first road race I ever ran way back when Lucy was 1 year old.

The girls started by doing a kids fun run. It was much shorter than anticipated, but it ended with a bag of candy so everyone was pretty happy.

Caroline letting the announcer know she is 3 years old

It was sweet - Lucy ran with this girl the
whole way but slowed down at the end so that
this girl could beat her

Really excited about candy and flowers

Then it was the adults' turn. Cookie and Mrs. Cook and I all did the 5K and had an excellent cheering section.

Pre Race

Cheering on the runners at the finish line

On the home stretch

What a fun day!

Birthday Party, Take 2

This weekend Lucy had a birthday party with two classmates. One of her classmates was nice enough to host, and the party that her mother put on was pretty impressive. The kids all had a blast, and both of our girls were pooped by the end.

It was a Little Mermaid theme

The decorating was impressive

The birthday cake

The birthday girls

Who doesn't love a bouncy house or two?

Lucy and some friends

All of the girls sitting down for pizza

A photo opp FAIL

Blowing out the candles

The birthday girl enjoying some cake

Farewell to JTW

Last weekend was crazy for us. Steve had the girls alone Thursday through Sunday, and I was in Seattle to attend my grandfather's funeral. My grandfather, JTW, lived 96 amazing years. Although he was frustrated at the end by his limited independence, I think that we should all be as lucky to live so long and to be so mentally engaged and clear that late in life.

I know that I knew Grandpa in a limited capacity. I didn't know him as a young professional as many of his former patients shared at his rosary. I didn't know him as a father or uncle as many of my family members who attended the funeral did.

I knew my grandpa as an active retiree who loved his family, playing and watching tennis, and political banter. I remember him visiting the nuns in the local parish and attending church each weekend while Grandma sang in the choir. I remember him as a man who loved to chat with anyone that he came across and who always had a sense of humor no matter the situation. And finally, I remember him, along with Grandma, as being a person who made it financially possible for me to do things that expanded my horizons, including (but not limited to) attending college after high school.

Grandpa took care of everyone around him, and while he was unafraid to share his opinions, no one can deny that the man always had everyone's best interests in mind. He will be missed by many, but I think he is in a better place.

As was written in his obituary and spoken at his funeral, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Well done, indeed. I will miss you, G'pa.

Enjoying a drink on his 95th birthday

Soccer

There was an article circulating a while ago that Steve and I both read. I won't bore you with specifics, but authors interviewed athletes who overwhelmingly said that their parents saying, "I love to watch you play" was a hugely positive factor in their careers and their enjoyment of the game.

Steve and I were athletes back in our day, and unfortunately for our girls, are both fiercely competitive. That being said, we are both very aware that we should not force our own interests upon the girls. Lucy has expressed a desire to play soccer, and we have signed her up again this spring.

Each weekend she plays, and after every game we are very sure to send a message that will support her and make her feel good: we love to watch you play and it is the best part of our weekend.

Luckily, it isn't a lie: it really is so much fun to watch her play.

Strutting around the field

Playing with her guys

Being a wackadoo

She's already much cooler than I am

Hydrating

Very proud of herself after her game

Team photo

Being silly

Not many action shots this week. It's nice to take photos, but it's so much better to just watch and enjoy. Well done, Goose!