{may in review}

The review posts are some of my favorites, because I get a review or our month in pictures--just little glimpses unto our regular, everyday life.  It's the best part!

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One morning we headed down to the bike path their plasma cars, and totally enjoyed a perfect morning.

The bike path goes by the transportation department, and we lucked out when a couple of big trucks arrived at the same time as we did.  The driver even told the boys where to stand to get the best view, and they didn't move a muscle.  

LOVE these three, and having them home with me. It's just not going to be the same without the boys here in the fall.  

We built the picnic table, and I just have to wait for the wood to dry out to paint it, since we used treated lumber.  It's already been used a million times, and the kids love to eat any meals they can out there!

I love this cute face!  Kate's my softball girl!

Caroline is obsessed with "buddah".  She continually gets into the fridge and takes chomps out of any butter she can find, and I'm always finding little bite marks in it.  Now I can't blame her about the butter, but plain?  

This is our Friday night all through May and June.  The boys have a game every Friday at 5:45pm, so we pack our food and eat while we watch them play.  There's a little park there too, and we are enjoying this little part of the summer!

This boy.  He loves hot dogs so much it's ridiculous.

Two pretty girls before school!  

{hawaii}

I was SO lucky to be able to go to Hawaii in the middle of May for a business trip with Silhouette.  It actually seems like a dream now, and it even felt surreal while I was there.  It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen--so relaxing and peaceful--it was a fabulous trip, and I'm so grateful I got to go!

At first I was a little nervous to go by myself, not because I'm scared to travel alone, but going to such  a wonderful place and not having anyone to explore with seemed strange. Fortunately I met the most awesome girls that were also there for Silhouette, and we ended up having such a great time together. Out of the five days I was gone, I only had to work for two hours.  :)  The rest of the time I just played!  I hiked Diamond Head, paddle boarded on Waikiki Beach, visited the Laie Temple, toured the North Shore in a jeep, ate at super yummy food trucks, tried a fresh coconut from a road stand, went to a luau, ate SO SO much food (and shave ice), and went to some of the most amazingly beautiful beaches.  It was a dream come true!

Stairs up to the top of Diamond Head, and view from the top!

Dole Plantation

On our way--exploring the North shore and beaches

Sigh.  Can't wait to go back!!!

{kate's first track meet, and a blue ribbon}

Kate had the awesome opportunity last week to participate in the elementary district track meet. She qualified in the long jump at her own school, and was able to compete against all the other schools.

It was held in the evening at the high school track, and she was SO excited to go, she was jumping all over the place!  When we got there, each school had their own color tee shirt, and all the kids were lined up by school on the bleachers, chanting their school names, and making quite the rumpus.  It was SO fun to hear and see the excitement of all the kids. She ran to be with her friends, and joined in the chanting.

Within 15 minutes, she was called down for her event, and we headed over to the long jump area.  They each got three tries, and the best one would be kept for scoring.  Kate did AWESOME.  I couldn't tell how far she was jumping, but she clearly was outstanding, and jumping farther than anyone else. On one of her jumps all the people around us went "whoaaaa", and I knew it was a good one.  I think that must have been THE one, because we soon found out that she took first place!  She jumped 10 feet 8 inches to win!

She got to stand on the winners' podium and get her picture taken with the other winners, and her cute little face was just glowing.  She was having the time of her life!

Way to go, Miss Kate!

{kindergarten, here they come!}

My boys are going to kindergarten!  *sob, sob*  I'm not kidding...I am NOT ready.  I'm really not.  I look back over the last five years, and I simply cannot believe that it's already time for them to go to school. I will absolutely miss them so much, and I don't know how the house will be without their laughter and rambunctiousness. Probably pretty boring.  :)

I know it will be "easier", but I don't care. It's hard for me to let go of my kids, because once they're gone, that's it.  They spend more time at school than they do at home, and their years at home with me are over.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had to be at home with all my kids, and the boys are no different.  They are absolutely delightful--full of mischief and craziness, yes, but with that brings a lot of fun. I will miss them terribly.

But...I'm excited for them too, because I know they will love kindergarten, learning, and making new friends.  Both of them will be challenged in their unique ways, but I know it will be good for them.  Kindergarten orientation was this past week, and it was a good look into what we can all expect starting in the fall.

A friend watched Caroline for me, so I could take the boys myself, which was perfect.  The boys stayed in the kindergarten classrooms and met the teachers, while all I was with all the parents in the gym for our own orientation with the principal and other administration.  Once we were both finished, we all headed to the cafeteria, where they were able to go through the lunch line, and even get cookies and milk! (Henry really loved that part. :) )  After we ate, we got to go for a ride on the school bus, which my boys have both been talking about forever, as they've watched the girls ride it everyday.  The bus driver told them all the rules, and Henry even got to be the example for "how to cross in front of the bus".  I think we'll need to teach that a couple more times!

It was a wonderful morning with my boys!

{a weekend hike}

The weather finally started cooperating, the the temperatures have been steadily rising over the last few weeks.  A couple of weekends ago we decided to take advantage of them and go up to one of our new favorite places--Letchworth State Park.  We packed a picnic lunch, and off we went!

We ate, played, hiked, laughed, and ate some more...it was a perfect day!

{violin recital}

A few weeks ago, Emma had her very first violin recital with her new teacher and studio. It was actually a group recital, which they do every spring.  She's taking the Suzuki method, and her teacher is quite simply the best music teacher I've ever seen. She is fantastic--technically excellent, kind but firm, and a professional violinist that has traveled the world several times over.  We are so lucky to have her!

Her students don't sound like typical violin students, especially considering their ages.  I was stunned but the level of talent when I heard them all play together--from the tiniest student to the college students.

Emma loves playing the violin, and she did really well during the performance.  It was an old historic building in the art district of downtown Buffalo, which is actually now a private high school.  It was the perfect place for such a wonderful recital!