Happy Birthday America

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This weekend was July 4 weekend.  We went into the weekend have less “things” and commitments to do than normal and it felt so wonderful to be able to truly not rush through every event and enjoy the ordinary moments.  In between the few “things” we did do, we watched the girls put on dance performances in “The Pit”, spent time doing flashcards, played on the swing set, swam in Papa and Grandma’s pool, went for a walk/bike ride in the neighborhood, and watched High School Musical.  While the 4th was actually on Monday, the girls also wore their 4th of July dresses on Saturday.  Justin hadn’t taken his camera out in awhile so he wiped the dust off and attempted to take a few pictures of the girls before we headed to the gym Saturday morning._MG_2891 _MG_2931_MG_2894_MG_2935_MG_2920_MG_2886_MG_2915

Monday, July 4, turned out to be a total wash out, even the neighborhood parade and fireworks were cancelled. While it was a little disappointing not to have the normal 4th of July activities, it was really nice to be able to enjoy and not rush through the simple activities 

That Time We Saw Paul Simon But Didn’t See Paul Simon

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Justin and I have come to the realization that if we don’t see certain musicians that are on tour now, we may never get the chance again as some of these musicians are getting up there in age and have been touring for decades and decades.  Anyway, so we jumped on the chance to see Paul Simon at Wolftrap.  I’m not the biggest Paul Simon fan..in fact, I probably only know a handful of his songs well, but again I wanted to be able to say I saw Paul Simon in concert.  So we dropped the girls off at my parents and headed to Wolftrap.  It was misting so we decided to tailgate in the minivan for one beer before we headed into the show.  I have been to Wolftrap dozens of times and although I like to get there early, the truth is it is usually pretty easy to squeeze into a spot for just two people.  Well not tonight…waiting in the rain out in the car was a big mistake!  It was packed!  We found a spot high up on the hill and this was our view!  

So we decided to take some selflies! 

And we moved a little closer some songs so that we could actually “see” Paul Simon…okay, see the stage….sort of…

Cheers Paul!  

We decided to enjoy the show by laying underneath the stars…except we were literally in the last row by the fence that we were underneath the trees!  

All kidding aside, we had a good time and I’m sure we will remember this show and the time we went to “see” Paul Simon. 

My Tiny Dancers

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My tiny dancers had their second dance recital today.  I was quite nervous leading up to it but my nerves started to ease a little after the dress rehearsal on Thursday.  Both Avery and Emerson did great and I was able to get their hair and make-up done relatively easily. I recorded the rehearsal since no photos or recording is allowed during the actual performance.  They did great at both the rehearsal and the actual performance.  I was beaming with joy…I couldn’t be more proud of both them.  They remembered their routine and the song and Avery especially was singing quite loudly during the performance.  At the end of the performance, awards were given for perfect attendance.  Of all the dancers, only two students received such award….one was Avery and she received her award on stage!  Emerson received an award for excellent attendance.  Seriously, I couldn’t be more proud of my tiny dancers!!

ONLY panties…

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We potty trained Harper over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in January.  By the end of the weekend, I think it is fair to say that she was potty trained.  Granted she still needed to be reminded to go; she wasn’t pooping in the potty; she wore pull ups for car rides, public places, naps, and night time.  Fast forward to May and while we had long stopped putting her in a pull up for car rides and public places, she was still wearing one at naptime and night time.  She would continually wake up dry though so just last week, I decided that we would try panties at night.  We are going on our fifth night now with no accidents.  I’m so proud of her.  So Harper now sleeps in panties….only panties!  Avery stopped sleeping in pajamas months ago and now Harper wants to be just like Avery and wear only panties to bed just like her big sister.  Here is my little cutie patootie.  Seriously I love that litle tuchas!  I could (and do) just squeeze it all the time!  

Okay mom, will you take my picture already!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For many “the most wonderful time of the year” is the Christmas season.  But for me, the most wonderful time or even weekend of the year is Memorial Day weekend!  I have always loved that weekend!  It’s the unofficial start of summer….ideas and plans for the entire summer are just coming to fusion.  It’s three days away from the office…and usually three days of fun, sun, and friends!  And of course for those in Vienna, there is Viva Vienna!  I loved Viva Vienna as a kid, reminisced about how much I enjoyed it as a kid in my 20’s and now in my 30’s love going again as my kids LOVE Viva Vienna.  For them Viva Vienna means rides and soft serve ice cream! 

This  year Harper was finally able to go on rides (other than the choo- choo train).  The height requirement was 36 inches and truth be told, she is probably only 35 but while most ride attendants measured her, they all let her go on the rides.  Avery and Emerson have each developed a knowledge of the types of rides they like and the ones that they don’t.  Avery doesn’t like “bumpy” rides and Emerson doesn’t like “boring” rides so they refrain from those respectively. 
 
The weather was perfect…hot and humid, but what is Memorial Day without hot and humid weather!  We went twice…Saturday and Monday and the girls had a great time each day.  Memorial Day Weekend is simply my “most wonderful time of the year”!

“Oh The Places You Will Go”

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My first born babies graduated from pre-school today!  It’s hard to believe….the past two years at VPC Pre-school have just flown bye.  The girls were in separate classes this year allowing them to develop and grow as individuals.  Both girls had a really successful year.  Emerson has really come out of her shell.  She enjoys playing with other children and having her own friends.  She knows most the letters in the alphabet and can write her own first name and last name. She likes to do artwork and puzzles and enjoys doing beginner math!  Avery loves doing art work and her drawings and paintings are already surpassing my level of skill.  She knows all her letters and can write her first and last name (although sometimes still backwards). She likes to do puzzles and loves imaginative play.  

The last day of the school the girls had their end of the year concert.  They had been rehearsing their songs at home some and while they knew all the songs, I was a little nervous that they would have some stage fright.  The girls stood next to each other center stage and they were awesome…they were loud, knew their words, and had good accompanying hand and body movements.  Seriously, I was so proud of them….they did awesome.  And we have it documented forever!  (Last week Justin and I bought a video camera….as much as we love photographs, I wanted to have their little voices and funny sayings and special moments on video.  My long term goal is to put together a video highlight each year so that the videos are actually watched in years to come).
 
Justin took video of “concert” and I was supposed to take a few pictures, but where I was sitting, I could barely see Avery and Emerson so taking pictures were out of the question for me, but Justin managed to get one while he was also taking video. 
I also had them pose for theit obligatory last day of school picture in the same spot as their first day of school at VPC two years ago.  Avery was ever so slightly more into it than Emerson…this was the best we could get.
 
While VPC has been great and we are sad that Avery and Emerson’s time there is up, we are excited about them starting kindergarten and excited that Harper will be at VPC for the next two years!  
 
Happy Pre-school graduation day Avery and Emerson!  “Oh the places you will go!”

Life Recently

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Life recently has been busy…..Emerson has been sick on and off the last few weeks.  I traveled for work last week to Tennessee.  Harper has been sick running a fever the last few days.  Appointments and schedules have been non-stop the last few weeks between medical, vision, and grooming appointments; school related meetings; and extra-curricular activities (ballet, gymnastics, and swimming).  Weekends have been busy but overall a good mix of pleasure and play.  Work has been very busy and because of all my appointments I have been going to during the day, I have been working late at night many nights.  My schedule and the girls schedule will continue to be just as crazy through May.  While it is busy, I really am trying to enjoy the little moments because I know they won’t be little forever.