Rock Stars

Our dance recital experience was a little different this year because it was Sydney's first year and we got to see Abby in a ballet and tap performance. Plus, it's becoming a little more routine for me so I was not as stressed this year. I guess the third year's a charm.

The dance recital theme was Rock Star. Sydney danced to Rock Around the Clock with her poodle skirt on then and Abby danced to Daydream Believer and Old Time Rock N Roll. Kate Burns was in Abby's class and we were able to sit with Molly and Ryan, and Emily McGowan (there to watch Kate) so that was fun.

Both girls did a great job. Sydney "killed it", to borrow words from Matt Kelley, and seemed to enjoy every moment. Abby was so concerned with doing every single step that she almost lost it...twice...but my sweet little rule-follower did every step and we were so proud of her. So proud of them both.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was after the recital we visited with the Kelleys (Tess was in the recital, too), Emily McGowan, the Burns and Lee Anne and Morgan Cavin. Plus Mama and Gran were there again this year so we were able to keep our tradition of getting Spill the Beans ice cream afterwards.

Here are some pictures from the big night:

Kindergarten Graduation

Since Abby was not going to be able to have a Kindergarten Graduation celebration at a school we decided we needed to celebrate "finishing well". We threw a small Kindergarten Graduation Celebration at our house. We invited two of Abby's friends, Ella and Kate, and their families. We had the graduates walk in the room in a line to Pomp and Circumstance with little mortar board hats on, we presented them with certificates and then we told each of them how proud we are of them for finishing well. We topped off the evening with appetizers for dinner and a cookie cake. The girls really seemed to enjoy themselves.

Trip to Daytona

Memorial Day weekend we took the kids down to Daytona Beach to visit my dad.

The drive down and back wasn't terrible, but we did do it both ways without a radio. We borrowed a DVD player from a friend and the power adapter blew out our accessory outlets and our radio. I am not a good car trip person so I had to drive most of the way to keep from being bored. Stephen was happy to not drive for once! The 7-1/2 hour drive took us 10 hrs. both ways but that is to be expected with small kids and small bladders! My only complaint regarding the trip is the lack of Chick-Fil-A's off I-95. I kept hoping for Chick-Fil-A playground stops but we settled for McDonald's.

Once in Daytona, we had dinner at my dad's condo and my half-brother, Scott, Scott's fiancee, Laura, my half-sister, Caroline, and Caroline's daughter, Halle, were able to meet us there. It was nice to visit with all of them.

My dad let us stay in a timeshare he had for free. The kids really enjoyed the pool and walks on the beach. We had lots of free time to play.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

Brody and I people watching:


Our shoes:



My boys in the kid pool:


Sydney enjoying the pool:


Stephen and Brody again:


After dinner enjoying the view:


The whole Hill family (minus Brian):


One of my favorite pics of Grandpa Hill and Brody:


My half-sister, Caroline, her baby in utero and my niece, Halle:


My half-brother, Scott, and his fiancee, Laura:


Abby eating at Grandpa Hill's (photography by Sydney):


Brody smiling for Sydney:


Grandpa Hill and Sydney:


My dad, the kids and I after dinner our last night:

Last Day of Enrich

To celebrate the last day of our Enrich home school co-op, we rented a snow cone machine and had a picnic together. The girls really enjoyed the snow cones.

These are two pictures my sweet friend, Lee Anne, sent us:

Once Upon A Time...

Once upon a time there was a little girl riding her bike. And she didn't have any food. And God gave her manna and she was thankful. And then he gave her groceries, and then she got a mom, then she got a car and actually the dad was at work. And then she went on a bike ride and came back home in time for dinner. And then she went to bed. She was thankful to go to bed because she was really tired that day. The End.

By Abby Fowler, age 6

Uno, Dos, Tres, CUATRO

It's finally here. Her fourth birthday. This birthday has been SO anticipated. It was planned down to which color of sprinkles would sit atop her chocolate iced Funfetti cupcakes with Care Bears on top. A big Care Bear candle on top...but Wish Bear could be at the bottom. And her guest list has been made for months. Of course it's included a few too many so I had to use the recurring guests on the list to make the final list. I still follow the "your age plus one" guest list rule. (For those of you who do not know me, I've never met a rule I didn't like.)

I cannot believe Sydney is FOUR. It seems a little too grown up. Four years seems too long. I was in high school four years, college four years, and only worked after college for four years.

Sydney is still so stinkin' cute and so much fun. I don't think we would laugh if she weren't here. (Okay, Stephen makes us laugh, too, but that's where she gets it!) And she is so tenderhearted. She loves to hug and tell you that she loves you. She loves to ride her bike...fast...and doesn't know how to use the brakes. She can outrun any of us. She climbs on top of the Corolla (when we're not looking) and tries to slide down the back window. She and Brody play hard, but she plays girly things with Abby. Sydney is so much fun to watch when she's excited. She is just one of those children who reminds you how much fun life can really be.

Here are some pictures from her special day:

Sydney with her much anticipated cupcake

Reese was so eager to sit in the Gift Giver chair

Abby and Stephen giving Sydney her camera

Mary Grace (our sweet neighbor) and her Little Pony gift

Sweet Tess and her fun coloring/painting gifts

Dayleah and the sweet card she made

Haley, waiting so patiently while Sydney figured out how to open the beautifully wrapped gift

Macy and her cuteness, and the much loved Baby Elephant

t

And the much anticipated cupcakes