Elaina's ponytails

Elaina has been trying to figure out how to do ponytails in her own hair. She's been practicing really hard and I got a few pictures of my favorites:

More Water Fun

Elaina's dance studio had a family swim party at Adamson's Lagoon. Isaac was just a couple weeks old and so he and I couldn't go, but my Mom and Mike took the girls and had a great time! These girls love the water.















Our neighbor invited the girls over several times this summer to swim in their blow up pool with their grand daughters, Myla & Jaylan. The four girls are great friends and have so much fun together:

Smiley Isaac

Isaac is the so smiley! I can't get enough of his adorable grins. I love the way his face lights up and he bats his eyes, and his whole body jumps with excitement when he notices you smiling at him, and he smiles back. It's like he can't contain his excitement at seeing someone loving him. I could stare and smile at him all day!

Don't you just love that adorable little face?

1st Grade!

Elaina was so excited to start first grade...can you tell?

Her teacher is Ms. Rogers, and she loves her! She has a couple friends from kindergarten in her class, even some kids that were in different classes last year but she knew from the playground. And being the social butterfly that she is, she's already made lots of new friends in her class. It's going to be a great year!

Sisters

These two are the best of friends. They love to be together and play so well together. I'm so grateful for that!

Elaina is so patient with Erin. I wish I had been like that when I was younger. I remember being so impatient and bossy with Heather. Elaina sees Erin as an equal and as a playmate rather than a nuisance or a tag along. She speaks kindly to her and actually gets her opinions about how/what they should play. She definitely has her "big sister" bossy moments too (of course), but for the most part she is great with her.

New pajamas from Nana

Erin had a hard time before Isaac was born and became very attached to me. She would cling to me and start to cry a bit when I would drop her off at friends' houses in the month before he was born. I worried that she would have a hard time adjusting to the new baby, but thankfully Isaac was born the day before summer break started for Elaina. She was so excited to have her sister home that she had no problems adjusting to the new baby! Because of this Elaina was a life saver during the first three months. Erin will be very sad to not have her big sister around every day, but thank goodness she adores her little brother and will enjoy his company while Elaina is off at school

The day after Isaac was born our sweet neighbor came over with a gift for Isaac and also brought the girls these pots where the grass grows like hair. She is always so thoughtful. They are so cute! The girls have had fun watering the grass and trimming the hair: the perfect (simple) project for them to do with a new baby around

Erin adores Elaina.

They love to read their Tag books together

Eating a snack at the pool. Elaina is trying to avoid using her loose tooth while she eats. She is so dramatic, and I love her for it!

Being goofy

They love playing games together

Elaina is always instigating some sort of craft project, and Erin happily complies!

Pretty Mommy

This is Erin the day of her birthday party, wearing a brand new outfit that our neighbor gave her. And notice the clip on earrings? She said to me, "I look like a pretty Mommy!"

Swimming Lessons

The girls had fun doing swimming lessons this year. I'm grateful to my Mom who took them each day for 2 weeks. I came a several times to watch, but with Isaac being just a couple weeks old it was nice to not have him sit in the hot sun every day, and to have someone help get them ready each morning. They both did really well in their lessons this year and love the water!

Erin is pointing out her owies

Erin

Erin jumping off the diving board

Elaina off the diving board

Elaina going off the diving board again

Happy Non-birthday Mom!

We were excited to be able to celebrate my Mom's birthday (May 23rd) with her while she was here. The girls were especially excited when they realized that she was going to be at our house on her birthday. Elaina is a party planner and started making plans for the big day.

Unfortunately the morning of her birthday Isaac was sent back into the hospital and it was just a stressful day. Luckily we hadn't told the girls yet that it was that day, so my Mom suggested we just not say anything to the girls and celebrate on a totally separate day instead. I appreciate her sacrificing her special day for me.

So we woke up on May 30th (a week later when Isaac was better) and told the girls "today is Nana's birthday!" They treated her like a queen all day on her non-birthday and we loved having her here with us to celebrate

Hanging up her Happy Birthday Banner

Homemade gifts are the best! Erin is explaining the picture she colored

Elaina made her an activity book with mazes and coloring pages. She is so creative!

And my Mom even let me off the hook, and was ok with a store bought cake! Actually I think I probably sent her to the store to get her own birthday cake! How sad is that!?!

She had some helpers to blow out the candles. Thanks for letting us share your birthday and your non-birthday with you Mom!