Picking strawberries and turning 2

Even though it's the end of the picking season I decided to do some strawberry picking and we had a great time. This is how we started Alyssa's birthday and you can see as she is eating as she picks in the background. When we went to pay all Alyssa had was an empty container that she gave back to the lady very proudly and strawberry juice on her hands and mouth. Too cute!!!

This was Alyssa's favorite present. She is SO into babies. This one crawls, cries, gets up and giggles. She loves it and I can tell already this one is going to annoy me.

I will leave you with a photo of her cake which is actually a bunch of cupcakes with a ton of frosting on top. I still can't believe she is 2. Time has flown by so quickly!

Summer has officially begun

It was my first day off and I wasted no time getting to the beach. We met some friends and played all morning and had some snacks then headed home for lunch. It was a little cloudy but no rain and I'm so glad we did. This is what summer is all about for me...the beach. Alyssa hard at work.

I love this picture, it shows the pure joy of jumping and playing in the water with friends.

A simply wonderful day that made me happy.

Schools Out :)

Well...almost! I have half a day left and it's summer vacation for me! I can't even tell you how excited I am to not have to go to work and just spend some time with my favorite girls. I really don't know how I've been away from blogging this long and how time got away from me. I miss all my friends and even though I've been bad at posting comments, I've been thinking about you all. Life has just been so crazy and I've been overwhelmed with life in general.

Tomorrow will be Gillian's last day at daycare since she will start kindergarten in the fall as I think I've already mentioned (sniff, sniff). So along with the gift I bought for her daycare provider I asked her to do a two things. One was to paint a picture of Susan which is obviously the photo above. She actually has blond hair but I guess red was Gillian artistic interpretation. The second was to write her a letter. So she talked and I typed it. She said the sweetest things. I'm going to print it on some pretty paper and give it to her tomorrow. I typed it just as Gillian said it which I think makes it even cuter. My favorite things that she wanted to put in it were "I like when I give you hugs and kisses. You always listen when somethings wrong. I think that you are the greatest Susan ever and I love you." Hearing Gillian say all these good things about Susan makes me feel so good that this is the person that I entrust my babies with when I'm at work. She's the best!

My Tiny Dancer

My daughter had her dance recital this weekend and she could not have been any cuter! Watching her brought back dancing memories from my own childhood and seeing her on stage and loving it made me smile. She was a star and I couldn't be a prouder mama. I was thinking about not sending her back next year but after this I'm not sure that is an option. She's getting to be such a big girl and although that I'm full of joy it also makes me feel a little (sniff, sniff) sad.

It all goes by quickly. Here are the five things that happened that make me feel like Gillian is becoming so mature and turning into a mini me. I hear myself so much in what she says.

1. Before the show she said that she thought she should relax for a little while so she wouldn't be tired at the dance recital.

2. On the way to Gillian's recital I left her tights at home so we had to turn around. She noticed I was upset and said it's okay momma no matter what you do I will always love you.

3. I bought her flowers and she said thank you that was so nice of you and daddy they are beautiful and smell so pretty.

4. I could see her on the stage getting the other girls to where they were supposed to be gently and taking the lead by modeling the dance for those her who were unsure. That made me really proud.

5. This has nothing to do with the show but last week I brought her to kindergarten orientation and I literally almost started crying on the way home.

I can't wait to spend the extra time with my girls. This summer vacation will certainly be something to treasure. Twelve days and counting!!!

Pony Party

Let me start by saying that this weekend we attended a wonderful birthday party and my girls had a great time. It was a friend from my mom's group, who was throwing a party for her son. There was a cowboy theme complete with pony rides, cowboy hats and bandannas. I know there will always be pictures and memories but will these little ones have any memories themselves? Don't get me wrong I will go to any of these over the top parties that people will be inviting me too but I have a hard time doing that myself. My girls' birthdays tend to be more of a backyard celebration but then I start to feel the pressure. Should I do more? This year Gillian will be turning 5 I may end up going for it. She's after me for a hula theme. I'm starting to think grass skirts, flowers, and the limbo. Oh no! Gillian's party may be heading for an over the top production as well. Either way it will be fun.

Look at that smile.! Like I said they loved it and I actually got on the horse and rode with Alyssa but nobody got a picture of that..luckily although it would have been funny.