Last Day of School...Summer so Far...

Is it too late to talk about the last day of school...that was almost 2 months ago?  No, ok then! 

Us girls went to the school talent show.  It's always fun to watch all the kids up on stage and meet some of the girls friends I don't know yet. 

Traditional last day of school pictures.  It's crazy how much these girls change from the first day of school.  So much taller, longer hair, longer legs, less teeth, more smiles since it's summer and so much more! 

Ginger is always by my side....we hung out all morning while the girls went to school for 1/2 day.  Ginger is the best dog!

The girls both had friends over the last day of school to hang out.  Addison and Sara became really good friends this year.  Sara is a Girl Scout friend as well. Lauren and Lindsay became friends in church class and then we moved into our neighborhood and were surprised to learn Lindsay lived there too.  What a great surprise!  

All the girls got their nails done! 

Then another kid ended up at our house!  Addison's friend Sydney came over to play and they girls did tons of science experiments! Addison loves science!  They had a blast that afternoon. 

We made a trip to Omaha for the weekend.  We had a blast hanging out with our cousins and exploring downtown Omaha! 

When did they get so grown up?  And when did Lauren get such long legs? 

The slides at the park were so much fun.  The girls went down them over and over and over again.  

And Mark caught them over and over and over again....because there was a huge mud puddle at the bottom of both slides.  But, that did not stop anybody from sliding down! 

We explored some random candy store with all kids of antiques and junk.  We had never seen anything like it before and spent a long time in the store just exploring.  

We walked around a gorgeous lake.  

Ginger puts up with everything from us.  She is such a good dog! 

Lauren got to hang out with her old friend Cassidy. These 2 always have fun together no matter what they are doing together.  And they can pick up right where they left off. They are great friends. 

We have hit the pool several times this summer.  We have a wonderful neighborhood pool that is a blast to hang out at all weekend.

Addison and I have spent the summer volunteering at Wayside Waifs.  Every Thursday evening we volunteer.  We fold laundry, make dog treats, read to the kittens, and give the dogs their evening snacks.  We love it! 

They line up and wait for their treats when they see us coming.  It is so sweet.  

And the puppies....all the puppies...love them! 

Several times this summer Addison has been able to snuggle with the kittens.  She loves that as well. 

Cute random selfies on my phone.  These 2 melt my heart. 

And a mom/dot shopping day.  It's always fun to run around with Lauren and shop!  

There is so much more to get caught up on but that is all for now!  

2nd Grade Field Trip to Powell Gardens

It was a gorgeous sunny day on the field trip.  We have never been to Powell Gardens, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chaperone.  Plus, Addison loved having me there so that was an added bonus.  

The art teacher was at the field trip and had the kids split into groups.  They were supposed to look at a flower and draw what they saw.  They were supposed to study the flower for a few minutes before they started drawing. 

Then we had free time to wander and explore the garden.  There were so many fruit trees.  Peaches, apples, berries, kiwi, and so much more.  There were several vegetable gardens as well.  Plus, gorgeous flowers beginning to bloom.  

There was a pirate ship to explore. 

And this huge silo to explore and stairs that went all the way to the top.  That was fun to climb up! 

They learned a lot about pollination.  They studied it this Spring in science class.  

They also got to plant their own seeds for a garden.  Addison got to plant a parsley seed.  It has already begun to sprout! 

The view from the top of the silo was beautiful.  Addison and Jenna saw each other a few times on the field trip, but not much as they were not in the same groups!

Addison asked me to take a picture of her posing on the fallen tree.  Love this girl and her willingness to pose for pictures for me! 

Addison and her buddy Sydney.  These two are twins!  They were born on the exact same day just a few hours apart.  Plus, Syd lives right down the street...they will be the best of friends for a while! 

Amazing field trip with these awesome 2nd graders.  Can't wait to go back and explore Powell Gardens again. 

Memorial Day Weekend

Summer has begun in our house!  School is out for Summer.  Yea!  I took Friday off since it was the first day of Summer (Lauren had 1/2 day school on Thursday,  her last day!)  

We went down and had lunch with Mark.  That is always fun...

That afternoon we decided to make cookies...

And build a fort in the living room.  That fort stayed up until Monday afternoon when we had some friends coming over.  The girls loved it and could not believe that Mommy could build such a good fort! HA! 

Saturday morning we headed to the Zoo.  We only went to Africa this time...we walked around the whole thing, which can take a while.  If you have been to the KC Zoo you know this!  

The lions were gorgeous.  

We love the Skyfari.  I love the look on Addison's face.  She is so sweet! 

We stopped to see the elephants before heading down to Africa.  

Lauren was the only one cooperative for family pictures.  Thank you Lauren.  

Addison decided to pose for a few...little diva indeed! 

Then everyone got really tired around 1:00.  Addison insisted on driving the monkey car before we left (she asks every single time) and she was so tired.  We headed out and went home and ALL took naps.  It was wonderful.  Mark and Lauren on the big couch in the living room, and Addison and I in my bed.  We all needed it for sure.  

Mark went golfing Sunday morning, and we did too!  We went to Paradise Park for a while in the afternoon.  

Addison wanted to wear her tennis shoes to make it easier to climb the rock wall.  

Lauren really wanted to help in the kitchen Sunday afternoon...so I decided to take her up on it.  Mark got  her a butter knife and put her to work cutting fruit...cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon...I love Summer and all the fresh fruit.  

Monday morning we headed out to the Legends to do some shopping, but it was pouring down rain.  So, we hung out in Cabelas  for about an hour.  

It is similar to the Bass Pro Shop, but probably better in terms of things and animals to entertain the kids!  

After about an hour we headed over the mall and went to Polo so Mark could get some new clothes.  It was cold, windy and rainy.  The girls and I were freezing!  We had lunch at Panera and by the time we were done eating the rain had stopped, but it was still pretty chilly.  So we headed to Gap and we all bought new jackets/sweatshirts.  They were having a great sale so it was worth it! 

This little one just fell asleep among the chaos at the Nike store.  It was crazy packed in there!  Lauren and Addison were such troopers as we dragged them from store to store (and only stores for Mark and I!)  After Nike, I stopped in Ann Taylor Loft and found some really cute Summer dresses.  We should be set for our summer vacation this summer.  We can't wait!  

We ended the weekend with a BBQ with friends.  Jenna's family came over for the night and we had a ton of fun.  Well, Addison and Jenna and Mark and I did.  Lauren was a little disappointed that Jenna did not have a big sister for Lauren to play with...but Lauren was a good sport and still had fun.  

So we are wrapping up gymnastics this week.  Dance is still for 3 more weeks until Recital.  But, in my mind summer has begun.  12 weeks of fun.  We have so much planned and I am taking so much time off.  I will only work 4 full weeks this summer.  All the other 8 weeks will include at least one vacation day (and many more for some weeks!)  I have not had a day off since Christmas vacation, so I am ready.  

Happy Summer Everyone!