Hadley's Dance Pictures

Last week Hadley had pictures for her dance recital. OH MY GOODNESS!! This was craziness! We arrived at the studio about 30 minutes early because I wanted to make sure she was ready on time. Well, the pictures were running late (which I found out was normal) and we ended up waiting an hour and half for our pictures. We were scheduled for 5:45 and didn't get out of there until after 7:00. And, we were the third group to go. I can't imagine what time the last group got out of there. Hadley loved getting her costume on. She even got to put on a little make-up.

Trying to wait patiently.

Hearts, Monkeys and Snakes!

We made our annual trip to the Art Fair in downtown Springfield. We walked around and saw lots of fun art, ate lunch and then went to the Children's tent. This is becoming my favorite part of the day! Hadley and Brooke went in with their helper and came out with three beautiful treasures. We decided Kami would sit this one out until next year. Nana and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa had given the girls money to use at the fair. Thank you!!

Hadley chose a cute little coin purse,

and two beautiful balloon pictures. She did really well this year. They both will go nicely in their room.

Brookie chose a clay monkey pin, a clay snake, and picture with a bunch of things that start with the letter D. It's a cute picture but would have been better if it were the the letter B. But, it's not my choice :)

Party, PARTY, PAR-TAY!!!

Saturday, May 21st was one BUSY day for our family! We had three parties scheduled for the same day. We woke up early Saturday morning and hit the ground running!

The first party was for two of Hadley's school friends. Jayda and Talon are twins and they had their party at Mid-State Gymnastics. We have been to a few parties here and Hadley always has a good time. They have the bounce house, a big slide and a blow up obstacle course. All of the kids had a blast!

After the first party, Brian and Brooke met us on the west side of Springfield and we headed to New Berlin for the second party. Jacob Hunt, one of my favorite students in my very first class, graduated from 8th grade! I can't believe my first class will be in high school next year! Jacob's mom is KK who watched Hadley for three years.

Jacob and Mrs. Tweryon

Brian, Brooke, KK and Hadley

After Jacob's party, we headed back to Rochester for Uncle Brad's surprise 30th birthday party. I am still shocked that none of us ruined the surprise! We didn't tell Hadley or Brooke because we knew they would blow it. Devin had the party at Bill and Patti's and we all had a great time. Brad and his friend pulled into the driveway and we were all waiting there to yell surprise. He was definitely surprised and Devin was relieved and could enjoy the party. Brian and I could never pull off a surprise party for each other :) Happy Birthday, Brad! Welcome to the 30's club!

Addalyn, Brooke and Ellie enjoying some chips on the deck

Happy Retirement, Aunt Mary!

On May 19th, my Mom, the three girls and I headed to Sycamore, Illinois for my Aunt Mary's Retirement party. She didn't know we were coming so she was pretty surprised and excited to see the girls walk into her office. Her staff had been very supportive of our family when Brooke was born. They sent gift cards to help with gas and groceries and we were very thankful. It was so fun to show them how Brooke has come (and not just in pictures). The party started at 3:30 so we didn't leave until around 11:00 in the morning. Before we hit Bloomington, I was seriously contemplating turning around!!! We had decided to put Kami and Hadley in the way back so Brooke and Hadley would be separated -- they had been pretty crabby with each other all morning. Well, that seating arrangement was a mistake!! Kami was screaming "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" from the back seat. She threw every snack I gave her, dropped her milk on the floor and lost all three of the pacifiers I had brought. I was just a little frustrated :) After she calmed down, the rest of the trip was pretty smooth.

Aunt Mary with the girls

Before the party started, we went to the school's library. They had a lizard, turtles and fish, oh my! They enjoyed that a lot!

I could not get Kami to look at the camera for anything! There was way too much going on!

Kisses for Kami!

Aunt Mary and her son Rob

We took a break from the party and headed outside to swing.

Congratulations again, Aunt Mary. Your school won't be the same without you next year. You touched many lives as a teacher and a principal. Enjoy your retirement!

Our Little Leopard

The morning after Brooke's sleep study, Brian, Brooke and I rushed home to Rochester so we wouldn't miss Hadley in her end of the year program at school. They did a Noah's Ark play and Hadley was a leopard. It was such a cute play and we were just glad she didn't miss this one, because she had missed her Christmas play because she had the flu. They sang a few songs, made us all chuckle and received a certificate from their teachers. After the play we had cookies and punch and then I went home to take a nap :)

Waiting not so patiently for the program to start. They were all soooo excited!

Walking over to get her certificate from Mrs. Monari

They all look so interested, don't they?

Hadley had a great year at preschool and also had a great group of teachers. She will go back in the fall for this class again because she won't start Kindergarten for another year.

Hadley's Field Trip to the Springfield Zoo

On May 4th, we took a trip to Henson Robinson Zoo for Hadley's school field trip. Thank goodness the sun was shining that day, because it was a little chilly! Before we left to meet her class at the zoo, the girls were playing so nicely in Kami's room. When I walked in there I was informed that their babies were having a sleep study done and I needed to be quiet. What a bunch a goof balls I have!

Here a the pictures from the zoo. You won't see a lot of the animals because 1.) there weren't a lot out and about and 2.) It's hard work taking three kids to the zoo by yourself. I was busy trying to keep Kami happy because she didn't really want to be in her stroller.

I still don't understand why they let these peacocks just run around free! Between those and the geese, I had some very nervous girls. It doesn't help that I avoided them at all costs. Some of the kids were chasing them and that made me a nervous nelly!

We said the turtles were kissing each other.

Of course, Brooke's favorite animals were the monkeys. They were especially talkative this day.

The bear was out sunning himself/herself. A lot of the signs that tell you what the animals are were taken down for repairs, so we did a lot of guessing as to what the animals were. Obviously I knew this was a bear, but some of the others weren't so easy.

My girls wanted nothing to do with the goats! And, thankfully the food was gone so they couldn't try feeding them.

Hadley and some of her friends checking out the donkeys and horse.

Brooke wants to be just like the big kids...

Waiting patiently for the show to start

Brooke was eager to pet the chinchilla!

Hadley on the other hand, not quite as thrilled...

but, she gave it a shot.

After walking around the zoo for a bit, we met under the pavilion for lunch and the kids played on the playground. I think they would have been happy enough just playing all morning.

Did I mention that taking three kids anywhere by yourself is hard work?!? Well, it is! I don't worry about Hadley so much, but Kami wanted to do one thing and Brookie wanted to do another and they never want to do the same thing at the same time. Add water to that equation and Knight's Action Park this year is just a little crazy. I will get to that in another blog :)