Spring Pictures

Here are some of the spring pictures of the girls we had taken on Sunday. KK did not want to smile and about lost it towards the end. Oh well, we got what we got! These are not necessarily the photos we ordered. There were a bunch more that were a lot cuter, but I couldn't rotate them and post them here. In one photo you'll see KK's leg missing and then I had to include the last picture we took when we knew we were finished!

My Mady

My Mady is such a little sweetheart. I often get compliments at school at how well-behaved she is and is such a good listener and helper to her classmates. She loves her little sister more than anything and has really taken to playing with her and showing her how to do new things. She is also very strong-willed, especially when it comes to clothes. If it was up to her, she'd wear her sister's clothes everyday. She is my cuddler and snuggler and often lays on the couch with me at night for 30 minutes before she's ready for bed. She is also my little DWTS and Glee buddy and we love watching the dances and singing to the songs on Glee. She is a true swimmer and can jump in the deep-end and swim all the way to the other end. She starts her third round of swimming lessons in 3 weeks and is very excited that KK will be joining her. She loved taking ballet classes, but is even more excited about taking gymnastics classes now that she's 5.

She rides her bike like crazy and will soon learn without training wheels. She LOVES arts and crafts. We have to do them all the time! Her favorite is cutting paper and making cards for all her friends. She loves writing notes for them. I have to write it and then she will copy it onto her paper. Every card has to have a bow, too. I am excited for this summer and all the fun things we have planned and knowing it's my last summer of having my little girl before she heads off to Kindergarten.

We are officially growing Mady's hair out. I told her after the spring pictures we would let it grow out. We'll see what happens. Hopefully it will be cute!

Sea World

We love going to Sea World, even if it's hot outside you can find a show or attraction indoors to cool off. We decided to go this past weekend before it gets really hot and busy. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that the park was not crowded at all. We didn't have to wait for anything which is good with 4 kids and 4 adults! Mady LOVES the Dolphin Show and calls the girl in the pink costume the princess. So, we had to get Emily and Mady's picture taken with the princess. We had a great day and came back to Oviedo to enjoy a pool party and bbq. It was a great Saturday!

At the Penguin Exhibit. I didn't know KK's eyes were closed. This is my least favorite exhibit because it smells like fish!

At the fountain by Manta. They have a really cool aquarium beside Manta that is filled with stingrays and all kinds of fish.

We had to check out the Sesame Street show for KK. She loves Abbey! Always gotta sit on daddy's lap for a better view!

Here they are meeting the Dolphin Princess. She was so nice and let the girls come right up next to her.

After all the shows and seeing animals it was time to ride the rides. Here we are on the Swishy Fishies and the boat ride. Of course, Mady had to ride the Shamu Express!

Just Kaitlyn

Here is Kaitlyn at age 2 3/4. I can't believe her 3rd birthday is coming up at the end of the summer. I am so excited to have a "Cupcake" themed party for her and also to celebrate her birthday aboard the Disney Dream, but it's also so close to the end of summer that I am willing to wait! Here she is with her new haircut. She looks a lot older now I think. We're hoping to cut off the last bit of baby hair and that the new hair will grow in a bit thicker.

KK is such the opposite of Mady when she was this age. I know it's because she can't stand seeing her older sister do something she can't do. She completely dresses herself in the mornings including her shoes and socks, sleeps in her big girl bed and never gets out in the middle of the night, is completely potty trained and goes all by herself without even telling us. Loves riding her bike, although when she's done, she's done and has no problem leaving it on the sidewalk and walking home. She is starting "big girl" swimming lessons in 3 weeks and I know she'll be swimming by the end of the summer. Loves her baby dolls and I often find 2 or 3 tucked in with her at night. Loves Friendship Park and goes on all the high slides by herself and thinks it's funny. She is such a little brute, but also very girlie girl. She loves taking ballet lessons and playing dress-up, but can also boss Mady around like nobody's business!

Before the haircut. Look at those cute pig tails!

The after. Hoping her hair grows in thicker and not so fine! She looks so much older!

Mady's Field Day!

The day before spring break is always the Panther Pride Picnic and Field Day at Lawton. Jacob took the afternoon off and I sent my 6 remaining students to another classroom so I could spend time with Mady and her class. Mady's field day was after the picnic so she came over to my class and hung out with Jacob and me until it was time for field day to start. There were lots of activities for the students to participate in, and it was a lot of fun helping a bunch of pre-schoolers!

The panther came by to say hi during the picnic.

Waiting in Mady's classroom before field day.

First up, tug-o-war!

Scooter time! Jacob has some of these at our house, so Mady knew exactly what to do.

Water Relays! Mady loves getting wet!

Finding a marble in the pool of balls.

Another water relay.

Dizzy Bat ...
...and then you have to put a cup of water on your head!
Potato Sack Race!

Bouncy Ball. Good thing Jacob was there to help her get on the ball!

Bounce Away!

Spring Break 2011

Spring break has come and gone! We had a great break filled with lots of different activities. We started the break at the beach. We stayed in the condo for 5 nights and soaked up lots of sun. The ocean was a bit too cold, but the girls still loved splashing in the water. At the pool it was cool as well, but the girls didn't mind. We ate at our favorite restaurants, visited the Castillo de San Marcos for the first time and enjoyed the fabulous weather.

We love the beach! We spent every morning playing on the beach. The water was too cold to swim in, but the girls had a blast splashing in it!

Most of our swimming was done at the pool. The girls had a great time swimming after being at the beach. KK is going to freak in a couple of weeks when she starts swim lessons and I get rid of all the rings!

Our last night and we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Creekside. They always have live outdoor music and a big fire pit for the kids to roast marshmallows.

Our last day the girls wanted to go to the Castillo de San Marcos. I think they were expecting more of a princess castle instead of a fort!

We had to come home a day early so that Jacob and I could go to the dentist (why I made that appointment during spring break, I have no clue). The girls went to Mimi's and we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon without kids! The next day Mady and her bff went to Busch Gardens for the day. Jacob stayed home to paint the girls' new bedroom and my bff and I took the girls on a trip. KK stayed at Mimi's and we were off! While we were at Busch Gardens Mady also rode her first upside-down roller coaster. I was so proud of her and scared for her all at the same time! She is my little daredevil.

The girls love rides. Especially ones where they get to "drive".

This outdoor bounce house is huge. The girls could stay in it all day if we let them!

Can't leave Busch Gardens without riding Air Grover. And only the best seat will do! The front row!

The weekend of spring break ended with a fun birthday party at Michael's Arts and Crafts for Mady's friend Carly. We were sad spring break was coming to a close, but it means we are getting closer to summer!

Animal Kingdom

Since it's getting really close to summer and the hotter weather we decided to hurry up and visit Disney one last time before we say goodbye for a couple of months. We met Pocahontaas in the Conservation Station. Mady went right up to her, no problem. Kaitlyn went up, but needed some encouragement. When we saw Rafiki, KK didn't want anything to do with him, but Mady went right up to him and he took her around looking at animals, holding hands!

On the Safari ride the animals were out on display! There were four elephants, all females, playing in the water. It was so cute seeing the little baby!

While Jacob took KK on the little Tricerotops Spin ride, Mady and I went on the Dinosaur ride. It was pretty scary, but Mady didn't scream or cry one time! She really is a daredevil!

Before we left we did some pin trading and buying. KK got a new pink lanyard and a baby Pluto pin. She also traded a pin and got Snow White. Mady bought a new Alice in Wonderland pin. Check facebook for more photos!