Summer Haircuts

The boys get their hairs cut often.  Every other month or so.  Us girls?  We are animals.  We only go about once a year.  Maybe even longer.  As summer approached, Kaitlyn kept asking if she could get her hair cut again.  I am fairly certain Heavenly Father is trying to continually reinforce the "pick your battles" theme in my life, and after getting the cut approved by hubby, we headed to our local hair cuttery.  Kaitlyn was first.  She wanted to go pretty short.  

Kari was second.  But she only wanted a trim.

Here is the final look, complete with Sunday dresses.

You can see the difference in the final length easier from the back.

Kari's hair reminds me a lot of mine.  Curly/wavy/  Somewhat hard to control.  But so long as you do something with it, it looks ok.  Sorry the lighting is bad :p

Kaitlyn likes to have her hair "done" so we straight ironed it for her debut.  She has also decided to grow out her bangs.

Its about time for me to go in for a trim as well....  I haven't decided if I want to do something crazy yet...

It's My Day!

Today is my birthday.  So, for my present, I am giving myself the day off :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Memorial Day Visitors

For Memorial Day a few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to have some visitors.  Nana and Pop stopped by for a day or two.  We always have lots of fun when they stop by.  Dylan is nice enough to share his bedroom when we have visitors.  We put an air mattress on his floor, and he gets to have a sleep over in one of his sisters room.  This time, he chose Kelsey's room.  You already know that Kelsey has been sleeping on the floor.  So, for Dylan to sleep on the floor wasn't a big stretch.  (Also, if you look closely, you can see a small mark on Dylan's chin)

They stayed up for hours.  After no naps.  They talked and played and had lots of fun.  When I went in to check on them, after they had finally got to sleep, I wasn't prepared for the cute scene that lay before me.  They fell asleep cuddling.

Also, whenever we have visitors, it is almost always about how many people we can fit into a small space.  Saturday morning I came upstairs and this is what I found on the love seat.  Traditionally, it should fit 2 people.  That morning, it fit 5 + 1 dog.

And later in the day, same thing.  We have to sit as close as possible, apparently, until they leave :)

And its not because we don't have any other seating options.  There is often a whole extra couch that is empty!

Skills and Thrills

The Saturday before school got out, the girls participated in a Skills and Thrills at Gymnastics.  It is as close as their skill level comes to an end of year recital.  They learn little routines and get to show us all the things they learned!

We started at the uneven bars.

Then headed over to the balance beam.

They even had music for the floor!

They had lots of fun this year and have really enjoyed having something in common (even if they didn't have the same coach).

We finished on the vault table.  This is the apparatus that has changed the most from when I was a child.

But both girls have a mean handstand flat back!

Then, we got to wait for our turn for the girls name to be called.

By this point, the littles were having a hard time sitting still and being quiet.  But I love that they were holding hands :)

I'm not sure Daddy was always the best example.  Put him on a padded, bouncy surface, and I am not sure he can contain himself.

Kaitlyn got a participation metal...

And a pose!

Kari also got a participation medal.

And a pose :)

Both girls asked to continue gymnastics next year, but for the summer we are taking a break.  We are going to do swimming lessons and maybe make a few trips.  But I did sign Kelsey up for her very first experience with gymnastics this summer.  She is super cute in her very own leotard!  She, unfortunately, had an accident on her first day (frustrating!) but I suspect we will get the hang of it soon enough :)  Stay tuned for cute little 3 year old leotard pictures :)

Last day of School 2015

By this post, my children have already been out of school for 2 weeks!!!  2 whole weeks of being home, doing hum drum things, being bored and tired of being with your siblings all day!  For reminders sake, this is what they looked like at the beginning of the school year, with their new hair cuts, and their new, back to school outfits.

Fast forward 9 months and Voila!

Longer hair.  Taller bodies.  No back packs.  And smiley faces!

I feel like Kari grew 3 inches this year and thinned out!

And her new glasses make her look so grown up!  (Love the photobomb)

Kaitlyn's hair has grown out quite a bit.  And her fashion sense hasn't wavered :)

She has learned to do some difficult things this year, including actually practicing and working at things she isn't naturally perfect at already.  Yay!

And this dude.  Silly little man that he is.  He has learned a ton!  He was least prepared of my other kindergartners.  (He didn't already know all his letters).  But he caught on, and is pretty good at math especially!

I love his genuine smiles!  Those are hard to catch on camera, but always great in person!

School is out for the summer!!!

Kari's End of Year Awards

Last, but certainly not least, was Kari!  Her award ceremony was the following day.  She balked a little bit at having to wear a dress to school.  But she was glad that she could wear sandals instead of having to wear her heels.  

She also let me do her hair kinda fancy, which is a big deal for her :)  And she specially changed her earring for the occasion too.  She still wears earring every day, but only changes them for special occasions.

Kari also got an award for All As!  

Again, thankfully for her, it didn't seem like a ton of work, but we are so pleased she works hard and stays on top of things.

This is her teacher.  This is the first year Kari has switched classrooms for different subjects, and she seemed to be ok with it.  I had the opportunity to be in her classroom a few times (waiting on field trips) and it was nice to see how much her teacher trusts her.

Also note how tall she is getting.  She is already past my shoulder....  *Sigh*

Lastly, Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!

Kaitlyn's End of Year Awards

Dylan's ceremony was in the morning.  And it was already decently warm.  Kaitlyn's was the same day, but didn't start until 1:30 in the afternoon.  Kill me now :p

The 2nd Grade didn't graduate, but they did have an awards ceremony.  They walked in, and of course sat in the back :)

Again, by this time, Kelsey and I have been sitting for 45 minutes, making sure we got a seat close to the front and by the fan.  It wasn't super bad because I brought her lunch to eat.  But, she DID need some extra entertainment.

Kaitlyn got an award for All A's!  

We are very proud of her!  It didn't seem like a lot of work for her, thankfully, but there was always homework to do or tests to be studied for.

And then she walked back to class :)  I kinda love this picture :)

Unlike her brother, Kaitlyn wanted to stay to the bitter end.  She went to school every day, by choice, and loved to hang out with her teacher and whatever friends were left.

And, in true Kaitlyn fashion, she wore fancy clothes, Sunday shoes, and her hair down (during the rest of the school year I didn't really let her for lice prevention purposes).  That's my girl!

Dylan's Kindergarten Graduation

I am not sure what the point of the last 2 weeks of school is.  The kids stop having homework and tests.  They watch movies and have award parties.  But they get mad at me if I take them out of school!  Anywho, the last week of school around here is graduations, award ceremonies and optional.  We also have an unairconditioned gym, so the ceremonies are hot, sweaty, and borderline uncomfortable.  But at least the kids have fun!

First up was Dylan and his graduation from Kindergarten.  He walked in making funny faces, but boy does he look handsome!

And then he sat in the back, because his last name starts with an S, and my children will always be hard to see.

Kelsey, of course, was with us through all of the ceremonies.  And daddy was able to take the time off work to come see them as well!  Put the two together, and they have lots of fun.

Dylan got to walk across the stage...

... and shake the principal's hand.

He then finished the ceremony with his teacher.  She gave him a medal, switched the side of his tassel and finish with a hug.  PS- I think I am going to love having this picture to compare in 12 years, and then hopefully again 4 years after that :)

I can't hear you!

Then it was back to the classroom!

For a few pictures.  Check out those baby blues!!!  And those dimples!  Be still my heart!

And one more picture with his fabulous teacher.  If you think you recognize her, you are right.  She also happens to be the teacher that Kari and Kaitlyn had for kindergarten.

Unlike his sisters in previous years, he was not at all interested in going back to school for the optional days.  I asked/convinced him to go, because I had some errands and doctors appointments to do, but...  He would have happily stayed home.