Kindergarten...CHECK!

Wasn't it was JUST September,

and my lil' lady was STARTING Kindergarten?

 

A year of learning has flown by.

Hazel GRADUATED last night.

 

She and WE couldn't be prouder.

 

 This lady GLOWED during the commencement,

and the following end of year school program.

(Her family seated in the second row BEAMED too.)

 Miss Kirsten will ALWAYS hold a special place in Hazel's heart.

(Ours too.)

 "When you are a mirror..."

 Making sure all her friends are lined up and ready to go.

 A mom made all the Kinders special cupcakes.

 Someone may have wanted to eat her cupcake,

instead of wait for more pictures!

 She loved getting flowers from Nana & Papa.

So VERY proud of you Miss Hazel.

***

1st Grade...here she comes!

Garner Park

This past weekend,

something incredible took place in the Garner backyard.

 

We grew a park!

 

 Holden helped Daddy scoop the bark.

 Henley joined too.

 Such a happy helper.

 Holden was all business as he moved the mulch.

 Enjoying the fruits of their labor.

(Holden learned QUICKLY to scale the structure!)

 Ahhh...the serenity.

 My swinging superstar showed us her stuff!

 Happy Kids = Happy Life!

She swings so high she can touch the apple tree!

***

Thanks to Craigslist for the great play structure find.

Thanks to DADDY for his muscle and sweat!

***

Hope all our friends can come play at Garner Park!

Good Morning Duckie & Elephant

Interesting series of dress-up fun this morning...

 

Holden was not too keen on being dressed like a Duck.

Henley saw the attention Holden received dressed like a (sad) Duck.

Henley donned the Duck when relieved Holden was taken out of it.

Hazel saw the attention Henley received as a (happy) Duck.

Hazel asked if she could try it next. 

(The size TWELVE month outfit.)

Mommy suggests she wriggle into the Elephant instead.

(The size 2T outfit.)

Hazel gets a killer wedgie as she stuffs her 5 1/2 year self into Ellie.

Holden LOVES seeing sister Hazel in the Elephant.

Hazel pries her body out of the Elephant.

Holden enthusiastically motions to be put in the Elephant.

He does not want to take it off...

Especially when older brother Henley wants to give it a spin.

 

Oh...

and then mommy squeezed into the Duck and went to work.

Sorry, no pictures.



Mother's Day

 

Another Mother's Day spent at the BEACH.

 

I just wish the kids had given me my own shovel! 

This lady dances her day away,

she pauses her digging to strike a pose.

This lil' guy thinks balls are amazing.

Hey WIND, give me back my ball!

(It was blustery, and the wind kept pulling his ball off course.)

A momentous occasion...

she wrote her name in the sand by herself.

Fun on the dunes.

This guy's wheels ALWAYS turning.

 

After a few mishaps,

Holden learned to CLOSE his eyes when throwing sand.

Silly and beautiful Hazel-bug.

Is it just me...

or does Grandpa Bruce look a little scary?

HA!

My three amigos.

(No personality with this bunch!)

The big smiles came out when Grandma Roberta

SHOOK her booty for the kids.

***

Happy Mother's Day

A glimpse inside my humble home...

 

I have been a woman inspired (at times obsessed)

 in the past few months to turn my house

into my HOME.

A home that reflects the family that LIVES here.

Live we surely do.

A tiny space, but a space that is all ours.

Here's a peek...

 Most recent project - paper mached lit branches.

 I pruned our dogwood a few weeks ago,
then trimmed off dead leaves and extra branches.
Taped three branches together,
taped LED lighted string (2) to branches.
Paper mached paper grocery bag to branches.
I love it.
(Thrifted vase)

 Living room art/photo gallery.
I wanted CHEERFUL!

"Smoochie Smooch" corner

 Evolving picture ledges.

 Thrifted mirrored frames circle my FAVORITE picture.

Bella corner...sigh.
Miss her!



Summer came early....

Time to water plants and KIDS already?

Okay...

My watering skills need some honing.

Here's to hoping this sunshine sticks around a bit longer!!!