Swim Lessons

Kate had swim lessons last week and we chose to go with Mr. Kem again this year because she learned so much last summer. These 5 days did not disappoint. She started by freshening up on her skills from last year and then moved onto bigger and better - learning the crawl stroke (freestyle) and the backstroke. And she could actually do it and do it well, although her left arm was a bit lazy at times! On the last 2 days he also did some "pool accident" drills with her - dumping her off a raft and putting it over her head for her to swim out from under and crawl up on and having her just swim with one arm floatie on in the event that one would fall off while swimming. While I would hate for her to really have to use these techniques, I am thrilled that she knows them and would hopefully use them in an emergency. It was a great swimming week!

Ice Cream Social

Kate and Caroline celebrated with a joint birthday party on Monday at Marble Slab with their friends. It was a super fun, super easy party. Marble Slab was so nice to let us sort of take over their store and we had ice cream, cupcakes, and lots of fun running up and down the Riverwalk. Everyone seemed to have a good time and the birthday girls did for sure so the party was a success!

Yummy cupcakes from Icing on the Top

with ice cream cones that matched the invitations

Party favors - ice cream bowls with sprinkles inside

Make a wish!

No way could I get a bunch of kiddos to pose

at once!

Having a ball!

Birthday Girl

This precious girl is 4 today! These last four years have blown by and it's bittersweet to see Kate getting so big and "grown up" on us.

Kate - we love you so much! You have brought us so much joy and we feel so blessed that God chose us to be your mommy and daddy! You are such a kind, compassionate, and loyal little girl. You also have a sassy and dramatic side too. Maybe that's a phase?! You are super observant and don't miss a thing - that's like your daddy! But mostly you are just happy and love to giggle, play dress up, and "hang out with mommy." (for now anyway!)

Happy birthday sweet girl! I hope this year is your best yet!

Baby Face

Kate had her first dance recital yesterday and her class danced to "Baby Face." Kate had been looking forward to dancing on the "big stage" for weeks and she and her friends did not disappoint! Here are lots of pictures and a video of the dance...enjoy!

Her "official" portrait!:)

Dress rehearsal

Posing with sister (who didn't get to go because

the recital was during nap time and also because

she would have been a bit of a nuisance!)

With her dancing friends, Caroline and Caroline

"I got the cutest little baby face!"

The big ending

Her friend, Kate Foster, danced with a different class

Enjoying a post-performance ballerina cupcake

PopPop couldn't find her at first but with Mimi's assistance, he spots her!:)

Last Day of School

The girls had their last day of school a week ago today. It's always such a bittersweet day. I'm excited to have a schedule-free summer and enjoy playing together but they love school, their teachers, and their friends. Although I'm pretty sure I have a harder time with the last day than Kate and Maggie do!:)

This year was a little tougher for me because it was Kate's last year at Asbury before she heads to her "big girl" school next year. She's been at Asbury for 3 years, has had the best teachers each year, made lots of great friends, and plus it's our home church so she thinks she's kinda a "big deal" around there because she knows so many people and they know her!! The good news for me is that Mags is headed back again next year and baby #3 will also be at Asbury at some point so we're not finished there yet.

Kate's class had a little party the Friday before school got out complete with a couple of songs, popsicles, and bubbles...inside because the weather wasn't cooperating. It was fun to see how much they've learned over the course of the year and also see the great friendships they've formed.

Kate with Miss Beth

Loving on Miss Sue

With her friends: Caroline, Kylan, Addi, Nick, and Landon

Summer birthday celebration...Kate is convinced that she

is now 4 since they sang "Happy birthday" to her!:)

Maggie's class didn't have a party but she did get to eat doughnuts on the last day so that was fun. And of course she has no clue that we're on summer vacation...she wakes up some mornings asking about Miss Alma and Miss Veronica. Mags also had a great year. She is counting to 10 and working on her ABC's. It's hard to believe that she's old enough to know that kind of stuff!

Miss Alma and Mags

Miss Veronica was Maggie's favorite!

Happy last day of school!

This was the first day of school...my how they've grown up!

Gold Medal Cutie

Kate had her gymnastics performance for the moms and dads last week and she did great! She loved showing off her "skills." She's been telling me about the rope climb and how she "goes high but not up to the bell." She was brave, worked really hard, and climbed higher than I would have thought. My personal favorite was the pull-ups using a band...reminds me of my Cross fit days (although she's better at it than I was!). The piece de resistance was the medal presentation. This year's medal was pink with glitter so it was definitely some exciting stuff!

Oh and during all of this, Maggie was having a "moment" and I was holding her hand to take her out in the hall when she dead-weighted me thus popping her elbow out of socket. Needless to say, Mags and I had to hustle to the doctor's office while Kate finished up but daddy got some great pictures and video. And Maggie is fine...in fact, it had already popped back in by the time we saw the doctor. Seriously?!

Look at those pointed toes!

With her teacher, Miss Tiffany

The beginning of the melt-down

The medal presentation of both Kate and her

BFF, Caroline

Rainy Day Fun

Last weekend was a washout so we spent Saturday morning bowling. Kate bowled last summer and liked it and this was Maggie's first time. Both girls had fun but it was 1 game and done. The Butler girls have short attention spans!:)