Grandma Makes Me Smile!

Grandma Barbara and Uncle Kenny are staying with us for three days this week:

.Tal and Uncle Kenny are replacing some rotted siding in the front and back of our house 

(and then going to the Rolling Stones concert tomorrow night):

Grandma Barbara and the girls like to sit in our front yard and watch Tal and Uncle Kenny work:

 Savannah and Hadley are soaking up every minute with Grandma Barbara:

  

Savannah and Hadley like to hang out with Tal after he is done working outside:

Savannah's Last Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Savannah's last day of Kindergarten! 

Savannah outside her classroom

Savannah in front of her Kindergarten timeline

Savannah and Mommy

Savannah and her friend Caleb (who will be in her 1st grade class, too!)

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Savannah had a great year with her teachers Ms. Hunter and Mr. Wilson. Ms. Hunter is kind and nurturing, as well as a good classroom manager (three qualities that Savannah needs in a teacher).

Ms. Hunter and Savannah

Mr. Wilson is hilarious! He kept Savannah laughing this year with his funny jokes!

Savannah and Mr. Wilson

Savannah completed a memory book to help her remember her kindergarten year:

Translation:

My favorite color: pink and purple

My favorite after school activity: jumping on the trampoline

My favorite food: pizza

My favorite animal: mouse

My favorite sport: basketball

My favorite TV show: Lazy Town

Savannah has had a wonderful year in Kindergarten, but our entire family is ready for a break. (No homework and no bag lunches for a month!) Savannah has 4 weeks off from school before she starts 1st grade on July 27. She is looking forward to spending 10 days with Grandma Barbara...followed by a week with Grandma Judy.  She can't wait to stay up late, wake up late, and go swimming! Happy Summer!

Zoo Trip

File this post under "better late than never." On May 8, the girls and I took a day trip to the NC Zoo with our dear friend Emily and her boys Xavier and Felix. It was a full day that included 5 hours in the car and 3.5 hours of walking around. We did a lot of walking, but we saw a few animals, including the birds, flamingos, and and dinosaurs. Best of all, the girls and I enjoyed spending time with our special friends!

4 kids...and 4 carseats!

I was thrilled that all of us were able to ride together in our Ford Expedition!

Emily and Felix

Savannah and Xavier played while we waited in line 

to get on the tram to go to another part of the zoo:

Dinosaur Exhibit

Hadley (7 months)

It was interesting to see the dinosaur robotics:

Felix

Hadley

Before we headed home, we the carousel:

Savannah

Lunch with Grandma

Tomorrow is Savannah's last day of Kindergarten. Today Grandma Barbara (and Uncle Kenny) drove 3 hours to surprise Savannah with lunch from McDonald's. Savannah started squealing and jumping up and down when she saw Grandma walk into the cafeteria. Fortunately, I had a break in my schedule, so I was able to lunch with them, too.

Sweet Sisters (Most of the Time)

Savannah (6) and Hadley (8 months)

Daddy's girl

Hadley (8 months) and Tal

Father's Day Weekend

Happy Father's Day to our favorite dad!

Yesterday our family celebrated Father's Day at Fall Lake, which is 20 minutes from our house:

When we arrived, we ate a picnic on the beach:

Here's Hadley gnawing on a carrot:

Then,we spent 2 hours swimming in the lake:

The water was refreshing on a hot day!

Hadley took a nap in the shade after playing in the lake:

Today we celebrated Father's Day by going to church:

Hadley slept through church:

After church, our family ate lunch at Olive Garden:

Some of the reasons why we love Daddy!

Savannah drew this picture of Daddy:

Translation:

My dad is 41 years old.

My dad weighs 140 pounds.

My dad was born in Salter Path.

My dad's favorite color is blue.

Translation:

My dad's job is computers.

The first thing my dad does in the morning is take a shower.

My dad laughs when I say funny words.

My dad's favorite food is meatballs.

I love my dad because I love when he takes me for ice cream.

Translation:

The important thing about my dad is that we ride in his car when he gets home and takes me for a ride for a surprise. Then we go home to put on our pajamas. But the important thing about my dad is the car ride.

Being a dad is a 24/7 job. 

The girls and I are thankful that Tal works so hard to love and take care of us!