May Days

May has come and almost gone just as fast as all the other months. Bridget's first school year is winding down, Ross is sort of/kind of walking, and between the two of them they are wearing me out more than I ever could have imagined! Ross is handful to say the least! He has to be busy all day and by busy I don't mean sitting nicely playing with blocks and cars. I mean scaling the couch, climbing step stools, raiding cabinets and pantries that forget to get locked up, or fighting with Bridget. He's a little brute and is most definitely the instigator. Bridget is fair and patient with him and fortuneatly she forgets quickly when he gets a little too rough and tough with her. They are a true brother sister team who will fight and make up a million times in one day!

Here's the little guy in action...

He loves to fly around the house with his walking toys-which finally led up to those first steps!

Caught ya!

I got our walkin' man in action! (I'm not sure what's going on with his hair here...)

My sweet girl is getting so big and I feel like I say this ALL the time, but it's true. She is sweet as pie and I'm so proud of her for being such a good little preschooler. I had my first parent/teacher conference (as a parent!) and couldn't have been more pleased. Her teacher said she is sweet and kind and little shy and is going to grow up to be a great student. We are excited for summer break, but we'll be ready for the 3 year old/3 days a week class in the Fall!

Last week was her Spring concert at school. Here she is walking up to the stage before she spotted us!

She's the best!

Why does she look 7 here?!?!

My two loves...Bibby & Bubby!

30 Days and Counting...

5 days down, only 25 more to go until we are swimming in our very own pool! For the past year or so we have been considering building a pool and as the warmer spring weather approached we decided to go ahead and move forward. For the past few weeks we have been anxiously awaiting for the project to get underway and this past Wednesday it finally did. The company we went with guarantees you'll be swimming in 30 days. And after watching them work for the past few days, I can see we can count on it!

On Wednesday the first of many great big trucks came plowing through the yard. Ross just so happens to be a bit obsessed with trucks these days so it has been pure entertainment for us all. Watching them rip up our beautiful green backyard was strange, but within a few hours I couldn't believe my eyes.

Bye Bye Big Backyard

Hello Summer Fun!

(And we all know us Floridians will actually get to enjoy our pool well into the fall

and then again by early Spring!)

It's a fun process to watch and I get more excited each day watching them work and make progress. By Saturday morning the pool had a cement shell and we could walk around in it.

Our days are looking a lot like this...

And when the work day is done, she just can't resist the big dirt pile.

The days are getting hotter and hotter and for once I'm not complaining about it. If you're looking for us this summer, we'll be poolside!

Family and Friends

Between family and friends, our weekend calendar seems to fill up before we know it. I love when a party invitation comes in the mail. Another birthday to celebrate...a new baby on the way...an annual family party. I hang them up and we get excited and buy presents and plan party outfits.

Last Saturday we had back to back parties. One for our friend Sammy's 3rd birthday and then it was straight to my parents for their annual Kentucky Derby Party...(which Bridget later described as a party where you eat and drink beer. True enough.)

Sammy's mommy planned the perfect party at the ice cream parlor. What wasn't their to love? There was coloring, princess crowns and ice cream cups with all the toppings to make the biggest and best sundae. Bridget loved hanging out with all the other girls and she LOVED the ice cream. She ate every single bite and was so proud of herself for doing so!

Happy Birthday Sammy! We were so happy to celebrate with you!

We then headed over to my parents for their Kentucky Derby Party. It was great, as usual! Yummy food, lots of old friends and neighbors to catch up with and a little friendly betting...we won $2 which we let Bridget have for a trip to the Dollar Store. I didn't take many pictures due to a certain someone who is STILL not walking and enjoys being held by his mommy all the time (although he has been teasing us this week with a few steps here and there!). I did get a great picture of the two prettiest girls there though.

Caroline spent most of last week with us and her and Bridget bonded big time. Bridget wanted to spend every second with her and is still asking when she will be back.

After all this fun, Monday morning was a lazy one where we stayed in pajamas later than usual and played on the floor with sleepy eyes and bed head.

Pick me up, lady!

This weekend holds another birthday celebration...but a grown-up, mommies only one! Can't wait to celebrate once again!

My Favorite Girl and Favorite Guy

We always love company. Especially when it comes in the form of a really cool aunt. My sister, Caroline, has been staying with us all week and it's a treat for all of us. Having an extra hand 24/7 is the best! I would have 4 more kids if I could have a full-time Caroline!

One thing I really wanted to do while she was hear was take the kids to Koreshan State Park, which is just down the street from us, for a "photo shoot". I kept jokingly referring to it as a photo shoot even though it's really just me with my camera. But I knew having Caroline there to help make the kids laugh and smile would be essential!

The park is perfect for pictures and I can only imagine what a real photographer could capture out there. But I'm pretty darn happy with the 462 images that I took:) Don't worry, I narrowed that down to only 92 favorites to keep! Caroline is pretty good with the camera too and took some great shots of me with my favorite girl and favorite guy!

The park is full of historical houses, giant trees and rickety old bridges.

There was actually a real photographer out there last night taking some senior pictures. I was tempted to ask her if she wouldn't mind just taking a few of my kids! She recognized Bridget too from seeing her on Kelle Hampton's photography website. I told Bridget she was famous!

I have never been involved in a photo shoot that didn't involve a bribe midway through to keep it going. Blow Pops for everyone!

MUAH! Love you Caroline!