Memorial Day Weekend

Over Memorial Day, Nana came to visit and spend the long weekend with us.  We had very warm weather so we got the kiddie pool out for the first time this year.  Lily and Juliet played outside, splashed in the water, and ran about naked a bit.  It was lovely to grill out and eat outside - it felt like summer!  We made s'mores and Jules had her very first taste.  The next day we went to the farmer's market (Michael carried a sleepy girl on his shoulders) and then we had a fancy tea party with a pretty china tea set Nana brought.  Lily dressed for the occasion!

Preschool Graduation

Lily has graduated from the 3 year old program at her preschool!  Yes, they had a little ceremony with hats and diplomas even though she'll be back at a 4 year old preschool class in the fall, but it was cute.  Lily has learned a lot this year.  She now recognizes all of the letters and can write her name.  She likes to dictate notes for me to write down, like signs for the bathroom door saying to keep out of her secret lipstick place (she locks the door and practices putting on lip gloss).  Her teacher evaluations noted her stubbornness and said that she was most proficient in imaginative play.  Will she grow up to be a doctor, a chef, a world explorer?  Or maybe an actress.  She has a flair for melodrama.

Strawberry Festival

We recently went to a festival at a local farm to celebrate spring and strawberry season.  The girls had fun playing games, jumping in the moon bounce, and eating strawberry treats.  Then Lily went on a pony ride and we all went on a hay ride.  Lily was very excited about it and even wore her Strawberry Shortcake dress.  It was a nice way to celebrate the season!

Rainy Spring Days

Rainy days are meant for snuggling, reading and, of course, tea parties (with real tea and porcelain cups!)  

We don't mind being rained in.

Lily's Swimming Lessons

Lily has started taking swimming lessons and she loves it.  I thought she would be afraid to put her face in the water, but she has been pretty fearless.  She's in a Michael Phelps Swim School (he's from Baltimore) and her instructor is great with kids.  Lily is comfortable in the water and is eager to try whatever she's asked to do.  During the first lesson, they practiced blowing bubbles, kicking, floating, arm strokes, and even jumping in the pool.  She is the smallest one in her class and they call her "Little Lily".  She really looks forward to swimming days!  

Easter Egg Hunt

This year we had a beautiful day on Easter and the girls got to have a big Easter egg hunt in the backyard. We spent the afternoon outside, and then Lily and Juliet searched for the baskets the Easter bunny left them in the house. They had a lot of fun with it...and ate way too much candy!

New Swing Set

This week is Lily's Spring Break and we are thrilled to have put up a swing set a few days ago! We recently had a drainage system put in our backyard to control the flooding we get when it rains and now we have a great space for playing. The swing set also has a playhouse with little stools, window boxes, a chalkboard, and a phone. We just got a bucket swing to replace one of the regular swings so that Jules can enjoy swinging too. What fun the girls will have with this for years to come!