Sunshine Circle.

We have LOVED preschool this year!  The kids, Miss Tonia, and definitely the 10 AM start time.  We will miss everyone, but I know we will see some of them again--in Discovery summer school and Miss Tonia will even be Stella's teacher in the fall!

"Here Comes the Sun"

Today Presley wants to be a ballerina (it changes daily).

Skylar, Dean, Presley, Hannah, and Carson--"Friends til the End".

Elle and Presley.

 

Miss Tonia--always gives hugs!

Fun at "graduation"--singing songs, telling everyone what you want to be {a ballerina}, and lots of hugs!

Jellyfish.

Presley is definitely not spineless--but she sure makes a beautiful jellyfish!  After hair, makeup, and costume here she is at dress rehearsal today . . .

It has been hours since rehearsal and Presley is still humming the tune to her dance.  I am looking forward to actually watching (not behind the a lens) the performance tomorrow!

Ballerina.

Today Presley had her last ballet class of the semester.  The girls have all worked so hard on their upcoming "Finding Nemo" performance.  Presley's class will be jellyfish--think light, flowy, pink, and lots of arm wiggling.

Gabrielle, Presley, and Alex curtsy at the end of practice.

What a fun group of girls!  And Miss Trisha even painted their fingernails today!

More pictures to come after Friday's dress rehearsal!

Ladybug Picnic.

We all had so much fun on Stella's birthday!  The day started out with our tradition of going to Build-a-Bear for your third birthday, then lunch with grandma and grandpa at Five Guys (Stella picked this one--she and I think alike!).

Stella enjoyed every minute of getting her stuffed animal, Cinnamon the Bunny.  Stuffing her, washing her (Stella did this several times), picking out clothes and finally getting to actually take her home.

Putting a heart into Cinnamon.

A bath for Cinnamon.

Dressed and ready to go home with Stella.

After good naps for Stella and Presley we were ready for the party!  No picnic outside because the weather was cold and windy, but we still had a nice picnic inside--chicken salad sandwiches, strawberries, and lemonade.

Here are a few pictures of Stella . . . ok a lot of pictures.

Next came gifts, pinata fun, singing, and cake-pops with my dad's homemade raspberry ice cream.  Thank you all for making it such a fun day for Stella.


I have {almost} never seen Presley with such focus and aggression.

Truman with Gregg taking a swing.

Stella trying her hardest . . . Susan, my mother-in-law was the one who actually ended up breaking open the pinata!  Bug toys, mints, and smarties for all!

Blowing out the candle.

*Presley tried so hard to let this be Stella's day, but we did have a few melt-downs.  Presley even managed to con her sister into "giving" her the new toys and letting Stella have the old ones--Stella being so sweet said "yes".  I had to correct the situation which made Presley so angry because Stella had "agreed".  But so far today the girls are playing together and actually SHARING the new toys.

Insects.

I am noticing a trend . . . Stella's first birthday was BUMBLE BEE themed, her second birthday was BUTTERFLY themed, and this year she is having a LADYBUG picnic!  Tomorrow is the big day {3!} and here is a sneak peek!

Red and white checked picnic plates, ladybug tattoos, ladybug pinata, ladybug hair bows for all the girls, and ladybug mints!  Stella is so excited!

Gift.

This is one of those mother's day gifts that I probably can't keep for too long--so here is a picture of the present Presley made me at preschool.

For now it is on the counter--we will see how long it lasts!  I don't have the greenest thumb.

Mothers.

What a wonderful Mother's Day!  Time with my own kids, time with my mother, and time with Chris's mother and grandmother.

Funny faces with mom.

Matching sisters.

The girl cousins.

 

Grandma Jo, Carl and Susan, and Chris and Paul.

Mom and me.

Amazing to be so close to family!

Pinwheels.

It is finally May--and with some better weather, time sprucing up the yard, and sunscreen--and we all couldn't be happier!

Our plans for summer are to build a play fort out in the scrub oak for the girls, lots of time at the pool and a vacation to the beach (Charleston, SC!), summer Discovery school for Presley, and even a European get away for Chris and me (Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy, and Paris).

Perfectly busy!