Memorial Day Pool Party

True to tradition my mom's family had a BBQ/pool party at my Uncle Bruce & Aunt Barbara's house.  It sounds like Cambrie and McKenzie had fun learning how to jump off the diving board and generally had fun splashing around with all the cousins.  Oh it looks like fun!

Lundstrom Park

I envy my Higham cousins in that they are able to get together all the time.  Luckily for us, every time they get together they invite my girls to tag along.  This particular day they all went to play at Lundstrom Park.  Cambrie and her cousin Ruby were born the same day, however you wouldn't be able to guess that since Ruby towers above her cousin.  I guess that's what happens when her parents are both over six feet tall huh? 

 

 

Kindergarten graduation

One of the bummers about the timing of our China trip was that I missed Cambrie Kindergarten graduation program.  I had been looking forward to seeing her on the last day of school to celebrate with her, but unfortunately it just couldn't happen.  So I left my mom with strict instructions to take pictures and record the performance so I didn't feel like I had missed too much.  After looking through all of the pictures and video, it looks like they had a successful performance. 

McKenzie waiting for the program to start.

I was surprised to see how many songs the kids performed, and I was glad to see that Cambrie knew them all pretty well.  It was so cute watching her sing up there with all of her friends! 

I can't believe she it going to be in first grade next year!  That means early mornings, packing lunches, and being gone all day.  Wow....how crazy!

Kit's birthday

It's amazing Kit looks as young as she does.  That doll has probably five birthdays every year.  This year Cambrie invited all of her stuffed animals to the party and they watched the party from their seats on the couch. 

From Cambrie: "They played "Don't Break the Ice" and "Chinese Checkers."  Kit loved to play the games, she was so cheerful.  When we were done and needed to clean up the animals we set them up biggest to smallest to make our job easier.  One of them said, "I love you Kit."  I made her lots of paper dollies, a jewelry box, and one little book with cool designs and patterns.  She got to wear her new clothes that Grandma made for her.  She loves her new clothes."  It sounds like a successful party!

 

Soccer season finale

While we were gone I asked my mom to take as many pictures as possible so I would know what the girls were up to.  The next few posts are going to be my interpretation of what happened while we were gone. 

Cambrie had her last soccer game.  That girl has really enjoyed her time on the soccer field.  Surprisingly I never heard her complain about her shin guards, socks, or cleats bothering her....she must really enjoy it.  She played with Brynlee and Ella on her team again and the three of them were a lot of fun to watch.  This season Cambrie started learning the importance of field position and began to practice strategically maneuvering instead of just following the flock of kids around the ball.  She scored a goal nearly every game and normally blocked quite a few shots also. 

She is already asking when the next season will begin. 

McKenzie was a trooper watching each of her sister's games.  She liked to sit in her hippo chair eating snacks, or running around like crazy with Brody and Aubrey.  She also enjoyed getting a share of the after-game treats. 

Instead of a medal, the girls received trophies this year for their participation.  Cambrie is loving her growing collection.

Zoo day

Cambrie came home early from school after field day which meant that the girls had the whole day to have fun.  My mom took them to the zoo, which is always a hit. 

Cambrie's narrative: "The seal is blank black and the sea lion has spots on its belly.  The seal jumped up and touched its nose to the yellow ball.  The seal had to jump up really high to touch its ball.  I tried to sit on the hippo as long as I could so that it could get colder because the hippos were hot!  I turned into a fly so I could see what the bear's body looked like.  He didn't growl the whole time we looked at him."

 

 

 

Mini Pedi

As a treat to Cambrie and myself before we left for our two week trip to China, I took her to get a pedicure.  I had found a half-price deal on Groupon and decided it would be a great little mommy-daughter treat.  The spa had M&M's that Cambrie could munch on while we waited and she thought it was a fun surprise.  The pedicure chair was so big that Cambrie had to sit on the very edge and dangle her toes into the water.  She giggled when they rubbed her legs and her toes because it tickled so much but she was a trooper and didn't pull her feet away.  While they were working their pedicure magic, Cambrie also enjoyed playing with the massage chair options.  Because of the way she had to sit, only her neck and upper back were being massaged but she thought it was fabulous.  She chose a teal nail polish and we had them paint white flowers on her toes with a gem center.  I loved seeing her enjoy herself so much and having such a great time. 

She is already asking when we can go back :)

 

NOW it is summer

Now it is summer.  We seemed to have skipped spring and jumped straight from blizzards to 90 degree weather.  My girls aren't complaining.  Today they played in the sprinklers and were in heaven.  Now they get Otter Pops and pool time and sunscreen. 

Yesterday while Cambrie was running through her rain tunnel, we found a quick moment to snap a picture with her garden signs.  We planted our garden earlier this week and decided it needed some color while we wait for everything to grow.  Cambrie made signs for all of our plants and did a fabulous job.  It probably wasn't very nice of me to make her smile while the sprinkler was coming straight at her, but I couldn't resist.

 

Mother's Day

This was one of the most relaxing Mother's Day I think I've ever had.  Jeremy made some delicious mango crepes for breakfast and I was able to sit down and just watch; no prep, no cooking, no cleaning...just enjoying the moment.  Getting the girls ready for church was simple with no complaining (yea!).  And then they gave me their Mother's Day gifts.  Jeremy had taken them to Shane Co. earlier in the week and they chose some beautiful jewelry for me.  Cambrie gave me a silver bracelet in a leaf design, and McKenzie gave me some wonderful earrings to match.  They did a fabulous job and I love my new jewelry. 

We were able to make it to church on time, and the girls behaved through all of sacrament meeting.  When we came home I got to take a seat while Jeremy prepared lunch for all of us.  Afterwards I was able to sit on the couch and just read as Jeremy kept the girls under control.  I didn't have to lift a finger all day and it was pure bliss.  Dinner was another moment of peace for me as it was prepared and magically appeared in front of me.  We were able to go on a family walk around the neighborhood and just enjoy the moment together as a family.  I am very thankful for my family and all that they do for me.  Not just today in all of their sweet gestures, but the happiness they bring into my life daily.  (Take this picture of McKenzie as an example.  She looks incredibly happy to be enjoying one of my Mother's Day chocolate strawberries and it was so wonderful to see how happy she was.) It really was a fabulous Mother's Day.

Bike riding beauties

The weather has warmed up and the girls are loving riding their bikes and scooters.  A friend had an extra Strider bike they are letting McKenzie borrow for a time.  McKenzie thinks it is the coolest thing ever because now she can ride a real bike like her sister.  The first day was a little rough as she learned how to glide and balance, but she has caught on quickly and cruises right along. 

Yesterday the girls were riding down the small slope of our driveway and I was able to see how good McKenzie is getting.  She is able to keep her feet lifted as she makes high-speed turns and glides for quite awhile. 

We all have to keep our eyes open however, as she isn't really good at avoiding obstacles yet....but we're working on it.