The last first day of elementary school for Avery and Emerson. The next first day where all three girls will be together at the same school will be in four years. We have been so fortunate to have all three girls at the same school for five years! I thought I might shed a tear or two at the bus stop, but nope!
Avery confident in her stylish jumper.
Emerson confident in her stylish dress.
Harper in her soccer shorts…wasn’t the planned outfit, but the one that she felt confident in.
All three of my girls!
The annual bus stop breakfast. My girls are always so excited for it, yet too nervous to truly eat much.
Wow, how the group has changed over the years!
The non-Oakton students joined the breakfast too!
The 6th graders – they think they are so cool!
The morning bus ride was a bit delayed due to a new first grade neighbor with the first day jitters. The afternoon bus ride was delayed as well due to a double back bus route. It was a long first day. The girls came off the bus happy and ready for day two!
All week there was minimal shoes and clothes wearing. Note for packing next year…LESS shoes and clothes! We wore bathing suits from morning to late afternoon alternating between beach and pool constantly. The beach was practically in our backyard so going inside to grab some snacks, go to the bathroom, and eat lunch was quick and easy.
Weather was good, except for the last day which was a washout. Water was calm and warm, and I even got in the water twice…and more than just to pee…legitimately got in the water.
The kids played in the sand burying Sophia.
They boogey boarded and played paddle ball.
We collected shells. We found quite a few big olive shells!
They had pool contests using the boogey boards to see who was the last man standing.
They lounged around the house and had too much screen time.
Justin and I walked and worked out a lot. We took a family walk only once to the pier.
We didn’t even go on the pier this year!
We ate in every meal!
We did venture out for ice cream twice at the local ice cream shop Bada Bing.
We celebrated Harper’s birthday once more!
The first night we did a poolside barbeque which was a huge hit, why we have not done one previously, I don’t know!
The grown-ups indulged in a seafood boil.
The rain stopped for a very brief hour at 6:00 p.m. Friday so we ran outside to take some group shots.
My girls…getting to be so grown up!
After being stuck inside all day, we were in a silly mood!
The rain continued to hold out long enough for the kids to jump in the pool one more time!
It was our third year staying in the house Conched Out, so we pretty much nailed down the menu for the nights we took out (pizza, barbeque, and seafood boil) as well as the responsibilities of each family. We shared delicious meals, laughter, poop stories, dad jokes, and most of all our continued friendship.
Harper’s birthday celebration started two weeks before her actual birthday. To celebrate, she opted for a sleepover with Liza. Liza came at 4:00 and they spent nearly 24 hours together not getting bored once and keeping themselves fully occupied.
There was present opening, which included some twinning.
Mac and cheese eating from Pot Belly’s.
Followed by a trip to the new Tysons Boro movie theatre to watch Minions: The Rise of Gru, where the girls enjoyed a jumbo popcorn while layed out on reclining seats.
Their bellies were full, but not too full for Jenny’s icecream!
The girls chattered and slumbered.
Enjoyed a blueberry and chocolate chip pancake breakfast.
Followed by a morning of more playing a more fun!
The celebration continued Saturday evening with tickets to see Toy Story with music performed by The National Symphony Orchestra. Harper invited Grandma to join so the three of us had a girl’s night. The weather was perfect.
The food delicious!
The freebies were ever so present starting with a ride to the front in a golf cart! Harper won a pop-it. I won a tote bag.
Grandma and I sat in the rented cushion chairs and wow, I will never not rent those again!
Smiles…wide smiles…from ear to ear…were present all night long. My girl was so incredibly happy, living her absolute best life.
We celebrated her birthday dinner the 11th at Pazzo with Grandma and Grandpa. Since we would be packing Friday for the beach, we decided to do dinner Thursday evening.
Friday morning was present opening, followed by a day spent with Papa and Grandma visiting Grandma Adele and bowling. She had a great time, but after she got home and Justin and I were still packing and finishing up work, it was clear she didn’t feel like it was her birthday and we cared about it. She was moody!
With no food in the house, I was hoping she would pick take-out, but she wanted to go out….Bear Branch it was, followed by apple pie and ice cream at home and a wonderful cuddle reading her birthday letter.
Her 9th birthday celebration went on for days; however, it became clear to us that unless Harper celebrates on her actual birthday, all those things are somehow forgotten!
Happy 9th birthday Harper!! Hope you know how much you are loved.
One of the things Avery and Emerson dislike the most about being about a twin is sharing a birthday. Totally valid…completely understandable! Therefore, I told them they could have their own parties this year and each pick a day to celebrate with the family. Ironically, they decided on a joint party…Watermine Waterpark was what they both wanted!
Although they had a combined party, that was actually fairly small due to a lot of their friends being out of town, we had an extended birthday celebration over four days!
Thursday morning started out with gifts…and all their gifts. They wanted to open everything at once! Gifts were not extravagant and yet they were so appreciated, especially the ones from each other and Harper. Harper had soccer camp from 9-3 so I took Avery and Emerson out for breakfast at Simply Social Coffee shop just the three of us.
A quick stop on the way to my parents’ house allowed us to pick up some edible parting gifts for the birthday party (Swedish Fish and gum). They spent the afternoon celebrating with my parents at Bowlero bowling and playing arcade games, followed by lunch at Wildfire, and finally some swimming, which Harper also joined in for the swim.
My parents brought the girls back home at 5:00 and we sang happy birthday and indulged in birthday cupcakes and tarts.
We opted to go out to eat to celebrate on Friday due to Emerson having softball practice Thursday as well as the girls being “fooded” out from going out to breakfast, lunch, and having so many desserts.
Friday evening, we celebrated with my parents at Matchbox, singing to them once again!
Saturday was their birthday party. The weather was great and the girls had a fantastic time. The only complaint that I heard was that the party wasn’t long enough! Not a bad complaint to hear! Justin and I sat at the Funbrella during the party and it was honestly the easiest most stress free party I have ever entertained.
We were all zonked Saturday evening from spending all day in the sun. We did some vegging on the couch and I even fell asleep for an hour.
The celebration continued into Sunday as one of Avery and Emerson’s gifts were tickets to see ABBA at Wolftrap. The show was sold out. We tailgated by eating CAVA in the van and then danced in our seats to a great show where the energy was contagious.
Perhaps sharing a birthday is all the reason to extend the celebration into four great days!
