to remember

I want to remember how Layla cannot keep her hands off of any baby that she comes in contact with lately.  Seems like we've seen a surge of babies around us, and she strokes their faces, noses, eyes and probably drives the mother's crazy (in fact, I'm sure she does).

I want to remember how Ellery and Layla were sitting behind us in church- invited to hold the new baby in that row-  and how somehow the topic of freckles came up and as my girls each pointed to every freckle or mole they have, Ellery whispered to the new mother, "And I have one here on my leg, and it has a hair coming out of it."

I love how this morning, perhaps in a moment of nostalgia- McKay had the idea for all the kids to pretend they were my dogs, just like when they were little.  I named them all and McKay worked hard to put a fort-cage together for them to live in.  Ellery did tricks, Layla licked me and McKay crawled around on his hands and knees.  It made me smile, but also sad, to think how pretty soon he will be way too old and cool to do something like that.

I want to remember how McKay is trying out for some club soccer teams this week, and today it's all he wanted to talk about.  I know this boy, and I know that a hundred questions can only mean one thing:  he's nervous.  I think he's gonna do great, but I must admit, I'm nervous too.  This is a big step for us and our schedule.

I want to always remember how affectionate my little Layla is.  Almost too much so, but feeling those sweet little lips on mine, or all over my face, really, is just about one of the best feelings out there.  She loves to show her love through kisses and I don't mind, although I do have to draw the line at princess kisses.  You should only do those with a prince.  Another thing I always want to remember about her is how she shows affection by rubbing her hand on your neck.  She gently moves her hand up and down my neck, often with a compliment on how soft my skin is.  If she does this to you, you know you are loved by that girl.

I want to always remember McKay practicing for the 3rd grade talent show with his friends.  I never thought McKay had much rhythm...but he surprised me and was the leader of the choreography!

I want to remember how Ellery looks as she walks into my room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and hops in bed to snuggle right next to me.  She takes a long time to wake up in the morning, and is usually the last one up, so it's a treat when I get to snuggle her in bed like I did this morning.  She's been my best sleeper and snuggler all her life!

april in photos

A pretty good idea of how to eat raspberries.

Easter Egg Hunt 2015

Ellery giving Layla a foot rub.

One morning Layla and I said goodbye to Brian as he went on a run.  A few minutes later he walked back through the door with blood running down his leg.  He had tripped and fallen off the curb.  Layla was very concerned and helped him bandage himself up and off he went again.

A common way to spend our afternoons is taking the bike down to the church as this girl rides around and around.  She flies down the hill (usually with a helmet on) and screams "Whoooooooooo!'  the whole way down.  She is fearless and it scares me.

Ellery holding our neighbor's new baby, Reagan.  She couldn't get enough.

Grovecrest 5K

McKay ran with Granddad this year and they did awesome.  He pushed himself and of course Granddad was there to motivate him to push even harder.  

Ellery ran with Brian and she did great too!  We were so proud of them for working so hard.  They had trained with Brian the weeks leading up to the race and it was great to see them accomplish a goal.

The running crew, plus their number one fan.

Brian's truck is the preferred mode of transportation these days, especially if they can all jump in the back like this.  Look at my son's hair.

Layla and her cousins at the Dinosaur Museum.  We bought a pass to Thanksgiving Point and I think it will be nice for us to have somewhere fun to go during the day- especially next school year.

We celebrated Grandma and Granddad's 30th wedding anniversary.  We are sure happy those two got married and started such a wonderful family.  

We hiked up to the hot pots for family home evening one night.  It was awesome- all the kids did great.  Layla was especially impressive as she led the way and hiked at an incredible pace for a four year old.  We loved the hot pots and thankfully didn't see any questionable characters while we were up there.  We did have to sit in the water with some dogs, which was kinda gross.  Some of the pots were so hot that we nearly got burned.  

I got to go on a field trip with the first grade to the Bean Museum.  We had a good little group and they had fun roaming the museum.  I love being able to do this with my kids, at least once in awhile.  It's so fun to see them in their school environment.  We had lunch at a park afterwards.

mon-thurs

It's the end of May and school is nearly out.  I am counting down the days until summer because life is so crazy right now and I cannot wait for it to slow down, get a little lazy around here, and do many things around our house and yard that have had to be neglected.  Do what we want to do, instead of what we have to do.  It sounds nice.  But with that in mind, I've decided I want to record our happenings in a typical week this year.  Since McKay is trying out for a club soccer team and we are trying to figure out some more serious for Elle with gymnastics (she's so ready for more!) so I have a feeling that this schedule will look like a cake walk compared to next year.

MONDAY:  Laundry day, McKay Piano @ 5pm, FHE

TUESDAY: Layla Dance @ 4pm, Ellery Dance @ 5pm

WEDNESDAY:  McKay Scouts @ 4pm, McKay Soccer Practice @ 5pm, Ellery Gym @ 5:15 pm, Ellery Soccer Practice @ 6:30pm 

THURSDAY:  Layla Swim @ 11:30- Free Afternoon!  This is the day the kids can schedule play dates with non-neighborhood friends.

The weekend is filled with a couple soccer games each, and whatever else we have going on.