Welcome, Summer!

We have an arched ceiling that greets anyone who enters our home, and for the last year it has not gone for more than a week without being decorated. My girls ask what will go up next as soon as I take decorations down. It sorta looks like we are always having a party... I guess we are celebrating the little things. 
It was super easy to make. I cut out the banner shape from scrapbook paper, and wrote the "summertime" letters myself using a Sharpie marker. The beach balls at the end made the girls squeal. For the felt garland, I sewed together shapes that were in a Modern Kids art box from Target that I picked up on clearance a while back. I bought two, so there's a ton left over for other crafts.

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Another Week Down

 

 

 



 Lilly spent a week at a day camp for Fullerton Girl Scouts this summer. The theme was mazes, maps and mysteries of Ancient Egypt. She really loved the crafts, songs, and spending time with her friends. I volunteered for two of the days and enjoyed watching the girls navigate their way through conflicts and decision making. I love being able to be apart of these special moments in our children's lives. All three of them are so awesome and different. Being able to enjoy them one on one is something Dan and I try to do as often as possible.
While Lilly was away all day, Iris got to go to Color Me Mine for the first time with her friend, Jessa. She loved painting and wanted to do everything by herself. The next day, we took my mom down to Fashion Island. The littles love looking at the fountains and chasing the fish. We ate yummy pastries and did a little shopping before Lilly got home. Our evenings were finished off at the CSUF pool where the kids take swimming lessons for two straight weeks. Summer is the ultimate reward for being teachers and we plan on enjoying every minute of it

 

Sew Crafty Saturday: Summertime Crafting

iris rainbow looming,

lilly charting,

artsy gift wrap and signage...

for father's day ...

'cuz we have the best daddy!

creating quilt blocks with the boy,

and a mini doll house

for iris.

 

monogram books by dan.

Around here, Everyone crafts!



 



Wee-Ones Wednesday: So Long Preschool

 

 

 

 

Iris' turn in the spotlight came two weeks after Lilly's since her preschool got out in June. She was chosen to represent Ireland for her end of the year play, greeting the audience with a traditional Irish "hello." She sang her heart out and her dances and hand motions were spot on. She really loves preforming and we were so proud!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very next morning Iris graduated from Pre-K with all the pomp and circumstance of a high school graduation. There were gifts, leis, flowers, and balloons everywhere. We went out to lunch with her friend, Adam, afterwards and I'm pretty sure she was on cloud nine!



Wee-Ones Wednesday: So Long First Grade

 

 

Sadly, first grade came to a close for Lilly in an few action packed final weeks. First, she was awarded an overall outstanding academic award, which did not surprise us in the least! She loves school, reading and learning. What did surprise us was the PE award she received. It was for best in class; she didn't get that love of sweat from me!

 

 

Lilly's class performed a song about the good ol' USA at the school's year end talent show. Iris was so proud of her big sis!

  

 

Lilly was so proud to show us all of her fine work at Open House!

 

I was able to volunteer at Lilly's end of the year picnic in the park. I feel so blessed to be able to work part time so that I can be there for some of the exciting events at school. Lilly has matured so much this year. Her face has changed as she's lost more teeth. She's become more helpful and responsible. It seems like she grew a foot, and she needs all new summer clothes. It feels like yesterday was her first day of preschool, and I believe it when mothers tell me how fast time flies. But for now, she is still my little girl and I cherish every moment she reaches for my hand.