Happy Birthday Abria!

Wasn't I just blogging about Abria's birth?

This Wednesday Abria turns 4, and we kicked off the celebrations with a birthday party on Saturday for her friends. Our house was full of little girls (and one little boy who didn't seem to mind at all). At this age, parties seem easy: we made a few crafts, ate some cupcakes and ice-cream, played a game....and then it is all over. Abria seemed a little overwhelmed by it all at first. Everyone went upstairs to play and she stayed downstairs to cuddle with me and hang out with the other parents. However, once the crafts/cake/games got going, she got right in the swing of things. In fact, she was overjoyed with being the first child to win a prize (imagine that!). Happy Birthday Abria, you are wonderful, happy and delightful child.

First Day of Camp!

Unfortunatley we were running late and so I didn't get a great picture-not even centered! However, Alette was a bundle of excitement to begin a week of camp at a local YMCA. She was a little nervous once we got there and saw all the other kids, but was confident enough not to want me to stick around. I had a much harder time! I guess it is the curse of being a homeschooling mom, I am so used to having my kids with me all the time that it felt weird to leave her in the care of strangers. Needless to say, I worried and thought about her all day. She has had a great time and has come home everyday full of stories and exhausted. Perfect! I've been reminded that my children are in God's hands and although my job is to nurture, challenge, teach, and protect, ultimately, He is in control.

Ironically, the week is much more tiring with only one child at home! Normally the girls and I spend some portion of the day either in 'school' or out together. Obviously there is a lot of interaction, but I've realized that if Abria doesn't have Alette to talk to, I am her only receptive audience. I've had my ears yakked off this week!

Summertime!

Our good friends, the DiMarcs, have opened their pool and thus summer has begun! It was a cool, cloudy day and the water was COLD but both girls were eager to go to their first swim day. I made it very clear that I was not going to participate (at least actively in the water) but would give all sorts of encouragement from the sidelines. They spent nearly 3 hours in and out of the water, I honestly thought they would chicken out once they felt the temperature. We are looking forward to many more hours with our friends.

Away she goes....

Sort of! Alette outgrew her bike that had the training wheels, and desperately wanted a new bike. I refused to put training wheels on a new bike. Andy has taken her out a couple of times to a local park to learn. She's fallen a lot, but thankfully is always willing to get back on. Part of the struggle is she is scared of going 'too fast' and thus cannot get enough speed to balance smoothly. Ironically, I'm the cyclist in the family and yet cannot help her. Andy is way more patient. I tend to get annoyed and start to nag instead of encourage. I figure my turn will come when she needs to learn how to ride in a paceline or use clipless pedals.

The Wedding of the Century

Yes, I realize that many people, including some dear friends and relatives, have gotten married this century. However, for my girls, this was Auntie Laura's wedding and that meant they were flower girls! Like other parents, I took a million pictures of the kids and only a few of the happy couple. It was a wonderful weekend-Laura looked gorgeous, the weather was fantastic, and the kids had lots and lots of play time together. Happy kids means happy parents.

The cousins were inseperable.

Passing the time between pictures and the ceremony by catching bugs.

When it came to the actual ceremony, the girls took their role very, very seriously. As you can see, Alette got a little tired of waiting for Abria.

Homeschoolers' Day Out

Abria is captivated by the story.

Alette and McKenna figure out how to make the balance work.

Alette and her group work at a center.

Abria works on the balance. Every Wednesday, we join up with other families for our church's homeschool co-op. It's a great chance to hang out with other kids and moms, and to take some great classes.

Sunday Afternoon

Nothing says spring like an afternoon in the park!