peacock

memorial day weekend

We had a weekend full of dance classes and birthday parties, but squeezed in a little time in Boulder and had some friends over for a cookout. 
I picked the girls up from dance and surprised them with a trip to 7-11 for slurpees. I even let them get coke slurpees. I may be setting the bar too high these days. 
Movie night. Malificent, popcorn and cream sodas…and stuffies. Lots of stuffies and snuggles. 

Mountain pie at Beau Jo’s. Yum, yum, yum!
Water balloon fight with friends:

last day of school

The school year ended with a talent show. I was so proud of the girls for signing up and trying out for the show. They did their tap dance and were absolutely fantastic. It took a lot of courage to get up there and perform in front of their peers. I had a blast watching them and everyone else who participated. The show was about 2 hours and then it was time to say goodbye to school friends and say hello to summer! 
Rocking the stage: 
Goodbye 2nd and 3rd grade!
We jumped right into summer.  I don’t think it’s bad to be bored — in fact, I think its quite good. Some of our best moments come from boredom and imagination. 
I like to be busy though and I like to set goals. The girls and I love to create our summer bucket list (although I’m certain it gives the husband a great deal of anxiety). We created our list of places to go and things to do this summer and we got right to it. 
The girls enjoyed the freedom of summer and road bikes and hung out while waiting for their dad to get home from work. 
We took off for the aquarium where we had a snack and explored the exhibits. It was super crowded so I’m glad we snuck this one in early this summer. I’m sure we’ll back though – we have our season passes and these girls are suckers for a mermaid. 

crazy hair day

The last day of 2nd and 3rd grade and this is how I send them off into the world: 

The girls fully embraced crazy, hair day. They did this to themselves (minus the upside down braid in Annabelle’s hair – I may have had a small part in that).

They teased their hair and sure made a mess of it. 
And they absolutely loved it. They thought it was hilarious! 

pink and blue day

The last week of school has arrived! The girls couldn’t be more excited for summer. To keep their interest there seems to something fun planned everyday this week. We’re doing our best to keep up and enjoy the adventure!
Each class picked a color and the girls picked their close. Gwyneth’s class chose Blue and Annabelle’s class chose Pink. 
Annabelle was pink from head to toe
Gwyneth wanted to be “fancy”
Gwyneth’s class wrote books and today they shared them with the class. 
Her teacher planned a little party for the writers and invited all the parents.
Gwyneth was so brave and sweet and gave her book summary to the group. She’s so stinkin’ cute. 
She’s made some great friends at her new school. She has plenty of girl friends but when my camera comes out all the boys seem to gather around her. Oh boy!
Look at that face!
She received the “Skittles” award for her colorful ideas. 
I surprised Annabelle and took her out for lunch. I told her she could go anywhere….anywhere that she wanted. She chose Jack in the Box. I fear we may have failed this child. I don’t know where we went wrong. 

school birthday: gwyneth

Here’s how this went down…
Me:     “Miss G, we are celebrating your birthday with your class this week at school. Would you like me to make cupcakes?” 
G:       “ooooo, how about popsicles?”
Me:      “I can make popsicles, but I can bake a really mean cupcake!”
G:         “what are those popsicles from the store called that are the different colors?”
Me:       “You know, I’ve hosted hundred of cupcake wars parties and made thousands of cupcakes. Some may even call me a professional cupcake maker! I could make chocolate, chocolate with extra chocolate just like the way you like them…”
G:         “Bomb pops! Let’s get bomb pops! My friends will think those are The BOMB!” 
Me:        ” uh ……   “
G:          walks away laughing hysterically at her superb sense of humor. 
Her friend, Dylan loved this picture because he said it looked like he was eating her head. 
That’s a lot of boys around that little girl. 
Yep, her celebration was “The Bomb”. 
My little baker may not appreciate cupcakes, but she sure does like bread. Tonight she made a blueberry loaf. Yum!

spring party: 2nd grade

And so it begins…
The end of the school year is drawing near. There is an event/celebration on the calendar every day until the last day of school. Let the partying begin! 
Today was the 2nd grade spring party. All the classes have their parties on different days which is helpful because I don’t have to split my time between the girls’ classes. 
2nd graders got tattoos, had snacks, got chalk coloring in their hair and did some karaoke. Great party for a great group of kids. 
This was the best picture I could get of them all together. 

bread

The only word to adequately describe our relationship with bread around here is “OBSESSED”.  Since I received my bread machine for mother’s day we have made loaf, after loaf, after loaf. I’ve been experimenting with beer breads, but the girls love the fruity breads – banana, blueberry, and next up we are attempting strawberry. 
Gwyneth recently read Two Of Everything which is based on Chinese Folklore. It’s a cute story about a couple who find a magic pot buried in their yard. Everything placed in the magic pot is doubled including food and money; everything good and everything bad. The lesson quickly learned is whether everything in life should really be doubled? 
I asked if maybe there was a such thing as too much bread? I’ve never seen such a look of disdain. Gwyneth is certain there is no such thing as too much bread (I don’t think she learned the lesson from Two Of Everything.) No matter how much we make, we could always double it….and we should double our cabinets to store it in also. And if there is too much and we can’t eat it all we will give it away before it goes bad and then make more bread. There is no conceivable reason to NOT have a loaf of bread baking at all times. 
Like I said…Bread = OBSESSION! The girl likes bread. 
My baking assistants

I promised myself a long, long time ago that there were two things I would do as a mom. I would bake and I would sew. I’m not sure if I’m good at either; I know I’m not the best, but I have learned. I can put a button on a shirt, badges on a vest, and even make a pattern if needed. I can bake from scratch now and thanks to these handy gadgets (thank you bread maker and fancy mixers) we are practicing a lot more often.

My girls will grow up knowing how to do these things too. They bake right along side me, they frost cupcakes with me, they sew their own doll dresses. They already know so much more than me. I wonder what will be on their list of things to learn to do…

Tonight was Gwyneth’s troop’s last girl scout meeting of the year. Their service project was to collect hats for the Children’s Hospital.

mothers day

I was truly spoiled today. I have a wonderful family and they pulled out all the stops for me. We had a lazy morning around the house which was perfect. We snuggled up together on the couch and they brought me my absolute favorite breakfast: bagel with lox, capers, tomato and cream cheese. 
The girls gave me hand massages, back massages, foot massages, and brushed my hair. I received a bread maker, which I have always wanted and can’t wait to use. Gwyneth told me I could make her as much bread as I wanted. She’s such a giver! The girls each made me several gifts and I also received a plant that I truly hope I can keep alive. 
We spent the day at the opening of our friend’s photography studio. They had snacks and beverages and he took some lovely photos of the girls. We’ve been friends for years and years and years and we’re so thankful to still have opportunities to get together and play. 
The new studio is near B’s mom’s resting place which now has a new plaque. We stopped by to see it and wish her a happy mother’s day. 
The girls were so, so kind and offered to take me to Dave and Busters so I could “have a beer with daddy and watch them play games”. I tell ya, GIVERS! They certainly know the way to my heart. B tried to convince them that a Morton’s night was a better choice, but they were certain I would have more fun drinking beer and watching them play. 
We finally made it home after a long, fun-filled day just in time for dessert. B and Gwyneth had picked out a deliciously perfect, key lime pie for me. They know me so well. 
So thankful for this wonderful little family of mine…
Me and my lovely ladies.

We are a family of tricksters. We asked Annabelle how the pie smelled and when she leaned in we may have given her a little push. This girl loves a practical joke and she has the best laugh. When something tickles her she laughs with her whole body. Her face turns bright red and her whole body shakes. It’s contagious and you have to laugh with her. She laughs loud, and long, and it’s over the top. I adore her and her laugh!

The King of the Tricksters and his little protegee. 

chocolate

Gwyneth’s class has been reading some classic Chocolate books: Superfudge, Chocolate Touch, etc. Their teach organized a trip for them to the Science Museum to visit the Chocolate exhibit. I took the morning off work to spend with Gwyneth and her classmates.

They are a really lovely group of kids. Just a special touch of silly, smart, and sassy. They seem to get along well, especially the girls. The boys rough house, but I have zero knowledge of raising boys so that seems about right to me.

We took the tour of the exhibit and then enjoyed hot chocolate and a hershey kiss. They played in the kids learning zone and then we had a picnic lunch outside. It was a beautiful day and a great opportunity to be with my baby girl (yeah, she’s in 2nd grade, but she’ll always be my baby girl).