Memorial Day 2015

Our annual Memorial Day cookout at Uncle Jerry and Aunt Carrell's house is always something we look forward to around here.  Brenlee and Hadley love to be together when they get a chance to; Brenlee has such a fun personality and smiles all the time.  I love catching up with my great aunts and uncles and extended cousins, as well.  My Grandaddy Hughes is one of 7 kids and six of the seven are still living, which is just amazing.  The Hughes family is a huge extended family.

We had quite the rainy Memorial Day this year, which meant moving the food and tables in to the garage.  It certainly didn't hurt the assortment of tasty foods available, though.  

My mom bought a nifty bubble maker from Wal-Mart that totally reminded me of Willy Wonka when the girl floated to the top of the room with all the bubbles and had to burp to get back down.  I have never seen so many bubbles in my life.  Glad we didn't have a bunch of burping kids running around, though.  Sheesh.

The kids loved exploring in the yard, riding tricycles, playing basketball, and popping bubbles.  Brenlee and Hadley also had quite the riveting game of air hockey downstairs in the basement.  Talk about a blast from the past when I went downstairs and saw the two of them playing that game.  Do you know how many times Beth and I played air hockey at that very table.  I love that Hadley gets to create those same experiences that I did.  Oh how I love being with family and carrying on those sweet traditions.

Smothers Park

Smothers Park, in Owensboro, is our favorite park of all time.  The individuals who designed this kid friendly park were geniuses.  We kicked off Memorial Day weekend, and summer break in general,  with a visit to Smothers, after we left church one Sunday.  Our church is 30 minutes closer to the park , so we figured that would be a good use of time and make the drive a little shorter.  Plus, this was the weekend that the sprinkler park opened for the season.  So the kids got to cool off in the sprinklers and have a blast on the Lazy Dayz Playground.

Loading a cooler with drinks and snacks was a good idea since Canaan stays hungry all the time.  If I had a nickel for every time he followed me around saying, "I hung-ee," I would be a rich woman I tell you.  

The park overlooks the Ohio River, so we watched barges come and go during our breaks from the sprinklers and playground.  Smothers is so large that it is easy to lose a little one running from one thing to the next.  It's seriously sensory overload once you get there.  Justin and I needed cell phones to call one another and find out where each other was.  The kids ran wild.

Smothers was a great kick off to Summer and Memorial Day weekend.  I can hardly wait for all the fun we will have this summer with these two kiddos.  I know we will do some of our yearly family traditions, plus make new ones as well.  School's out, for summer!

Preschool Graduation

My how time flies.  It seems like pre-school registration was just the other day and here we are at graduation.  Highland's Pre-School department has been working on their special program for weeks now and Hadley has given us plenty of private concert previews along the way.  The music teacher, Mr. Shepherd, played the guitar while the kids sang along to some super cute tunes.

Pete the Cat was my favorite song, mainly because of Hadley's super animated hand movements and southern drawl when she said, "Goodness No."  Each graduate was given his or her certificate at the end of the program.

I know I have mentioned this before, but we couldn't be more pleased with Hadley's growth and development academically and socially this year.  I just can't say enough about how awesome Highland's Pre-School program has been for our girl in getting her ready for kindergarten especially.  

We are so thankful that Hadley got to know and be best buddies with Aubree.  For Aubree's birthday, Hadley spent the entire day with her even going to Sunday morning church with her. Hadley also had her first sleepover ever at Aubree's house this year. We are thankful for that sweet girl.

Hadley's teachers couldn't have been more perfect for her.  Ms. Brittney was on maternity leave the last month of school but managed to make it back for her class's graduation.  These ladies took care of Hadley, loved on her, and challenged her as well.  

Granna and Grandad made it to Hadley's graduation and then she went home with them after all the festivities of the morning.  I think that was all the celebration she needed.

Well, Pre-School Graduation has been another milestone for us.  We are loving watching our baby girl, our first-born, grow into the young lady God would have her to be.  We are here to cheer her on and guide her every step of the way!  Happy Graduation sweet Hadley!  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

Mother's Day 2015

 Mother's Day 2015 was a blessed one, for sure, getting to spend the day with my two kiddos.  Hadley and I sported our new matching dresses for the occasion and I wore the new necklace that Justin and the kid's gave me that morning.  Such a sweet gesture and I loved it so much.  But Mother's Day is definitely not about the tangible gifts, it's a sweet reminder of the gift of being a mama.  This past year has been tough in some regards.  The desire of my heart is to have another child and I experienced two miscarriages, four months apart.  It's easy to ask, "Why, God?"  Do you think I'm a terrible mom and that's why I miscarried not once but twice?  I know the answer to that question is no, but sometimes my own fears and insecurities get in the way.  The truth is, I have no idea if we will be blessed with another child.  And if we are not, that is God's perfect plan for our family.  I have to trust and find comfort in that.  He knows what is best for me far greater than I ever could.  But this I know for sure....I love the two littles that I have been blessed with so incredibly much.  God gave me these two, and I am so very thankful for their lives.  And that, my friends, makes it the happiest Mother's Day of all.

Dream a Little Dream

Since this year's dance recital was not our first rodeo, we were more prepared for what to expect.  Dress rehearsal the Monday before, recitals on Saturday and Sunday, bun making, flower buying, arriving 30 minutes early to get ready after already spending at least that long at home getting the entire costume together, toys packed to keep kids (dancers and non-dancers mind you) occupied during the two and a half hour long recital, meeting up with family members watching the dancer, and getting the camera ready to capture the three minute routine.  I am really not exaggerating either. But when you get to see your favorite dancer all dolled up, looking like a prima ballerina, all that prep work and exhaustion totally melts away.  Well, mostly melts away ;)

Hadley's hard work all year long led up to her big recital weekend.  Her class danced to "Dream a Little Dream" which was so sweet and innocent; perfect for five year olds.  

After a fabulous performance both days, we headed outside for family photos.  Hadley had a total of 4 bouquets of flowers by the end of the performance weekend.  I felt slightly like I was in a funeral home when I got them all arranged in containers at home; but they were beautiful nonetheless.

We love our amazing grands and that they come near and far to support and encourage Hadley as she grows.

Year 2 at Miss Adrienne's is now officially a wrap and we couldn't be prouder of our girl.  She seems to be leaning toward taking tap next year, but we'll see how she feels once summer is over.  For now we are taking a little break from those weekly dance lessons before gearing up for next season.  I better "dream a little dream" on my break while I can!