Preschool Graduation

It's official! Grace graduated from her amazing preschool and is moving on to Kindergarten. I have to admit I was a little bit concerned about Grace starting preschool last September.  She had never been away from home for so long.  And she didn't know anyone at her new preschool. 

Thankfully Grace was quick to make friends and to say that she loved the structure that preschool provided would be a huge understatement.  I am so thankful that so many of Grace's friends are going to the same elementary school including her best friends. 

Grace singing their songs at graduation.

Getting her diploma!

One of the great things about the preschool is that they have small class sizes and a great teacher to child ratio!  Grace adored her teachers.  She is a little bummed that she will have to get on the bus before we bring Lydia to school next year so she won't have the chance to see her old teachers.  (I'm not too worried though.  We happen to see her teacher at Target from time to time).

Grace and her amazing teachers.

Grace and her best friend

My little graduate

Grace and her pal, Grace  Grace is excited that she will get to ride the bus to school everyday with her sweet friend.

Soccer Lip

It took me a little bit to figure out why Lydia's lower lip was red for part of the spring. Then I figured it out as I was looking through pictures one night. She bites her lower lip while she plays soccer. I think only soccer. Soccer season has passed and so has the red lower lip. Apparently t-ball isn't nearly as stressful!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!! The girls showered me with super sweet gifts! Top secret gifts that had to be hidden and rehidden often to ensure that they weren't discovered before Mother's Day! Paul took the girls to the store in morning to make a cake for Grandma Pedersen and a big cookie for me! Thanks girls & Paul! You always make me feel so special!

After School Fun

What do you do when school gets done and the kids haven't spent enough time with their pals? Have a play date to enjoy the gorgeous weather!! I love that all three of my girls have such great pals to hang out with all the time. I love that most of Grace's pals from school are going to go to kindergarten with her at the same elementary school!

Grace swinging!! 

Popsicles!!

My cutie!

Ella is always unphased by all the older kids! 

Happy Morning!

On a random spring morning when I was moving winter clothes to the basement and getting the summer wardrobes in line, the girls discovered the most AMAZING things ever! Sparkly bright tutus skirts! They decided that they needed to wear them right now!! Who cares that it was old outside. They wanted a photoshoot.

... well everyone but Ella who clearly wasn't buying this crazy idea of her sisters.

But then, Ella's favorite friend stopped in for a visit!!  She sure does love her partner in crime!

Spring Soccer

Grace and Lydia are both in soccer this spring. Paul, Ella and I have cheered from the sidelines in all kinds of weather. After a cold soccer season last year, I was not going to sign up for another year of cold Saturday mornings outside. But then after a warm winter and summer, I caved. Low and behold, soccer season started and a week into the season, we were again sitting on the sidelines in sleet and freezing 30 degree temperatures. Brrr!! It's all worth it to watch my soccer stars!!

Grace!!

Lydia and Grandpa Rudy

Grace and her best friend B.

Lydia watching from the sidelines.

Great stop Lydia!

We have been enjoying some great spring weather this year!  I have been busy keeping up with these crazy kids!! 

Grace talking to her friends.

Ella swinging upside down.

Ella has moved way beyond the baby swing this year.  She is trying to keep up with her older sisters.

April wrap up

A normal day entails lots of reading.  Grace has always enjoyed reading books, but now that she is reading books on her own, she will go off on her own to read by herself.  Many times her sisters like to hang out with her.  It's not uncommon to find these three cuties curled up on the sofa in the pjs morning reading a stack of books! 

Lots to read today!

We went to the Dells over spring break.  Ella didn't like that I made her sit in the tube with a bottom.  She would have preferred to just jump on in and try to swim by herself. 

Happy Easter - continued

Grace trying to get an egg!  JUMP!!

Whoa!  This baskets heavy!

Happy Easter Mom and Dad!  (Don't they look like they've had too much sugar)!!

Add Grandma and Grandpa's house

Paul and his favorite girls.  :)

Run!!!  Eggs!!

Easter

Easter was a busy flurry of activities as usual. We had egg hunts in the village and at the area YMCA. We also celebrated with many of the girls friends with a HUGE egg hunt at the house. Hundreds and hundreds of eggs. Then we wrapped up the week long celebration with Easter at our house, Grandma Linda and Grandpa Rudy's, and the Murphys!

Ella found an egg!!  Now what?!

My little bunnies! 

Chillin' with the bunny.

Eggs?  Where?

Grace and Maggie went for the eggs up high.

Ella liked to follow her friend Grace.

Dance Recital

Whoa! For the first time all three girls were in dance. Three costumes, three heads of hair, three pairs of tights, three pairs of ballet shoes and lots of glitter, bobby pins, hair spray... All three girls did amazing on stage. I have to admit, I had some concerns about Ella. She isn't usually a camera or spotlight loving child. She hid on her birthday when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She's in a parent-child class and her dance teacher wanted the moms to go on stage with the girls. The moms vetoed that suggestion. We were determined to NOT be on stage.

Pre-show hugs

Ella dancing to the Jungle Book

Grace dancing to Beauty and the Beast

Lydia dancing to Cinderella with her best friends.  (Cassie, Lydia, Breanna and Stephanie).  

Happy Spring

Spring has never started so nicely! On the first day of spring this year, we have temperatures in the 80s!! A welcome sight after any winter, even a mild one like we've had this year. It's been recorded that we've had the warmest spring and winter on record. I'm glad that we've been able to enjoy so much of the amazing weather.

Ella being silly.

Swimming on the first day of spring.

Watch out!  Ella's driving.

Circus Day

Yep, we're still behind.  I have hopes of catching up soon.  However, our summer seems to be in full swing and we've been busy spending lots of time outside.  It doesn't help that the little down time that we've seemed to get while Ella napped is diminishing as Ella is ready to give up my daily hour or two of quiet less noise. 

Lydia riding the ponies next to Haley.

Grace and Uncle Mike

Lydia looking up at the elephants. 

Tigers!!

Elephant