Our Summer Vacation....

So I always wanted to take a family vacation to the beach and this summer WE DID IT!!  We spent a week in Destin, Florida.  It was beautiful.  White sand and crystal blue water -- made for a great week.  We had so much as family -- Aida and Christopher loved the beach and the pool and we build a gazillion sand castles, we caught fish and hermit crabs, ate tons of great seafood and really enjoyed our week together.  The water was so great for all of us - I hope we go back many, many more times.  Here are some pictures of all of us on the beach.  The kids were so happy -- nobody wanted to leave.  It was the best ending to a great summer.  Memories I never want to forget -- I wish I could just bottle them up and keep them this age forever -- they are so much fun.  

 

 

The best vacation ever....

Meet The Teacher!

 



I can not believe its already time to meet the teachers!  Where has the summer gone?  It flew by because we were having so much fun.  Last night was meet the teacher night at Aida's school.  She was excited and nervous to see what this year had in store.  Our First Grade teacher is awesome...I know Aida is going to learn so much this year.  I cant believe what a big girl she has become. 



 

 Here she is before the event....looking sassy

 

 Playing with her little brother and yes that is chocolate on his face -- Christopher is always eating something...

 With Daddy as the nerves begin to set in..

 

 Aida and her new teacher...

 

 

You can tell by this picture she is a little stressed...in deep thought.  Daddy was helping her get her mind off of all the new. 

 

After meet the teacher we took the kids for their favorite Sonic drink and then school supply shopping.  Aida enjoyed picking out all of her 1st grade supplies. So proud of our big girl!

 

 

 

 



Kindergarten Graduation....

It's impossible to believe that this year has flown by.  Kindergarten is over and Aida is officially in 1st Grade!  I couldn't be more proud of her.  Aida LOVES school...she loved her teacher Ms. Paris who engaged her and inspired her to love learning.  It makes me misty eyed just thinking about how she started the year and where she is now.  This year my baby transformed into a beautiful, self-confident, big kid and we are so proud.  Aida is fortunate enough to have her birthday on the last day of school too - so what's a girl to do but to throw a party!  Those pics are coming but here are some pics of her super fun last day of kindergarten...a memory I want to remember forever. 

 

 

 

Eating her favorite breakfast in the world. Waffle or pancakes with chocolate chips and syrup...SWEET!

 

 

Getting her Kindergarten Graduation Certificate from Ms. Paris

 

 

The love Ms. Paris has for her students is evident in everything she does.

 

 

Christopher loves Ms. Paris too!

 

 

My 6 year old beauty...

 

 

So during the ceremony Christopher just made himself right at home with Ms. Paris...He will be so disappointed if he doesn't have her in kindergarten.

 

 

The Class to remember....so precious

 

 

Aida and one of her buddies...

 

High Fives...

 

 

Walking Home....

 

 

The best day filled with so many memories I want to remember forever....we are so proud of you Aida and can't wait to see what fun next year brings...

 

 



Dance Recital 2013!

This weekend was Aida's dance recital.  We were so proud of her.  This year in Jazz she worked hard and learned a lot.  I learned a lot too -- like figuring out at the end of the year that she was in a competition class -- when these kids are in kindergarten!  Seriously, I was really late to the party on that one but now that I know we are much more prepared for next year.  Here are Aida's super improvements over last year --

 

1. No crying before she went on stage. 

 

 

2. She didn't tell me her costume was "disgusting" this year -- and to "throw it in the trash" when she was done.  This year she actually "liked" her costume.  It was super cute.

 

 

3. Understanding the concept of "doing your best" at something.  We had to talk about this every week - before AND after class.

 

 

4. Acknowledging her nervousness before the recital and even on the first day of dance class. She had to work hard not to get overwhelmed by the people in the audience on recital day.  The secret weapon for nerves....I told Aida to imagine an audience full of "Uncle Michael's in their under wear"  At first she said "EWWE" and then she thought it was really funny.   For those of you that know my brother you will see the humor in this too...

 

5. Wanting to come back and try ballet next year.

 

 

Aida -- we were all so proud of you this weekend.  You were a beautiful, tiny dancer. 



 

 

 

We Love You Aida -- Mommy, Daddy and Christopher!

The pool is officially open!

Memorial Day weekend marks the first true sign of summer! Time to clean up the winters work on our flower beds, and plant new flowers that will hopefully stand the Texas heat for more than 4 weeks!

We have been working hard to make our backyard a retreat we can really enjoy with the kids and our friends this summer--here are some pictures of our latest work! Y'all come over and sit by the fire or under the pergola and have some tea (or something stronger) we would love to see all our friends for a swim date this summer!

Monday's Focus on Health!

Today has already been a day that feels three days long--todays update is my focus on health.  

Here are the things I am focused on health wise this summer...

1.  Following my trainers diet.  This easier said than done.  

2. Doing 30 mins of Cardio 5 days a week.  

3. Taking a multi-vitamin everyday.

4.  Doing one detox.

5. Drinking 64 oz of water a day.

6. Getting a mammogram (my first).

These might seem basic but I have been working on getting stronger and building muscle for a year now.. and I have gotten stronger, I do see a difference in my body, but I'm still not where I want to be... so my journey to commit to my health for my family and myself continues. 

What is your number one health tip? leave me a comment here! 

Field Day!!!!

Today was Aida's very first Field Day!  She was soooo excited.  She played all the fun games that you think of with field day...bean bag toss, tug of war, soccer, water fights all the fun stuff!  Tonight she is fighting falling asleep because she is dying to get ice-cream.  Look at this super cute picture of her class...these kids are too cute!!!!

 

 

 

 

What were your favorite field day memories? 

Happy Friday!

Christina

The Start of Summer...

So the opening of the Pirate Ship snow cone stand signifies the real start of summer for our house.  Aida and now Christopher absolutely LOVE snow cones from the pirate ship.  This is part of our weekend summer routine, swim, eat, bathe and then go to the pirate ship in our PJ's just like the we did here.  This start of summer was extra special as Nana and Pops joined us for our first Pirate Ship visit of the season.  It was a great day....

 

 

After snow cones, everyone was tuckered out....all snuggled up watching movies in bed. 

Bring on Summer...This year is going to be a great one!

Aida's Spring Kindergarten Performance

Kindergarten has been so much fun and one of the best memories we will have of this year is when Ms. Paris Class got to perform their spring song in front of the whole school.  Daddy, Grandma, Mommy and Christopher all came to cheer Aida on.  It was such a fun day.  Here are some pictures of her in action.  

 

 

 

 

 

 Christopher sat right with Aidas class and watched the performance.  Here he is with one of Aida's besties....

Aida and Grandma....

 I snapped some pictures of Christopher while we were waiting on Aida...these are so telling of his larger than life personality. 

My too munchkins are growing up so fast.. It's hard to believe kindergarten is over in 5 weeks.  Better sign off before I get teary....