Camping

In the middle of June, we had our annual neighborhood camping trip.  Last year, I stayed home with Elyana since she was so young. This year, we felt brave enough to take a one-year-old camping.  What were we thinking?  We had lots of fun, but it was very difficult to keep Elyana entertained and contained when all she wanted to do was crawl around in the dirt!

 

We brought the super yard so Elyana would have somewhere to be contained and play with her toys.  She would play for a few minutes, then yell and whine so someone would pick her up.

 

Ayden had a blast swimming in the lake!

Elyana didn't get to go in the lake (because Mom & Dad didn't want to take her in), but she played in the shade with whatever she could find....water bottle, goggles, towels...

This is quite possible by favorite picture from the weekend!  She had been playing with the goggles for a while and was so proud of herself when she finally got them on her head!

 Meals are always a messy time for us, but while camping, they are even messier

Before

After

The dads with some of the kids...Steve B. & Zachary, Steve C., Ken & Ayden

Ayden with his best buddy Zack

Jessica was a huge help in keeping Elyana entertained, especially while we were packing up.  She's going to be our go-to babysitter in a couple years!

The kids were constantly hovered around Elyana in her GoPod

 We made a few trips to the playground.  Elyana thought it was fun to swing while still attached to mommy and the rest of the kids had a blast on the tire swing.  Ayden had a little too much fun on the tire swing on the last day and got a little motion sick. It turned in to car-sickness when we made our way home.  No fun!

Zack, Ayden & Carter

A family picture on the last day. 
I think next year, I want a family picture on the first day when everyone is still somewhat clean!

End of Kindergarten

Even though it's almost time for school to start again, we're going back a couple of months to the end of Kindergarten for Ayden.

All four classes ended the year with a performance of songs they learned throughout the year followed by snacks in the park next to the school.

 

Ayden with his buddy Joey, not flipping off the camera, and having a little snack with his future prom date Joey's sister, Sophia.

Miscellaneous May

Ayden got the game ball at one of his baseball games!

Elyana learned how to do a "fishy face"

We enjoyed some beautful weather with a picnic at the park and some kite flying

Ayden's class performed the play "The Three Nanny Goats Gruff"!  He had the very important part of Narrarator #1 and spent over a month memorizing his lines.  Of course, because he has such a great memory, he had the entire play memorized!

 

About a 1/2 hour before we had to be at the school, he started complaining (and crying) about his ear and throat hurting.  I gave him some Motrin and we were on our way. 

He definitely was not acting like himself, but he did a good job and remembered all of his lines!  When we took him to the Dr. the next day, he did indeed have an ear infection.

Ayden with his teacher, Mrs. Kracke

 

with his biggest fan!

 Elyana did a great job through the play - in the video, you can hear her yelling Ayden's name!

Mother's Day

We had a nice "Mother's Day Eve" dinner with Matthew, Dominique, & Violet and my mom and Frank.  We ate a relaxing, delicious dinner and had fun playing with the babies!

Grandma with her grandkids

On Mother's Day, I woke up to a yummy breakfast and we had a great low-key day:  swimming, relaxing, and went out for Chinese food

She's ready to swim!

She loves her floaty...

...and her brother!

I Love My Kids!!!

Elyana's First Birthday Party

We had so much fun planning Elyana's First Birthday.  I went with a flower theme in dark pink, purple, orange, and yellow. Thanks to Pinterest, I found lots of cute decorations to make.  We liked some of them so much, they stayed up for a couple of weeks!

 

The birthday girl didn't really know what all the excitement was about, but she sure looked cute!

CAKE!!

And a little clean up mid-party

Violet got to enjoy a cupcake too!!

After an outfit change, she was ready for presents!

 

Uncle Matthew and Aunt Dominique gave Elyana an "anywhere chair" - She loved it, and so did Violet & Ayden!