Last day of Pre-Pre-Preschool

No I am not stuttering, but I am not sure what to call it.  Grace went to a Mother's Day Out program this past year.  She seemed to really enjoy it and really learned a lot!  She was in the Toddler and 2s room - all kids who were turning 2 this past year.  She will be in the 2 yr old room in the fall.

This was Grace on the first day on Aug 23rd.

And on her last day - May 17th

My goodness she was just a baby last fall and she looks like a little girl now.  I will probably say that same thing the next few years, but the change is amazing.  She will start up the summer session next week.  It is fun picking her up from school and asking about her day.  Her typical response was that she ate lunch, took a nap and played on the slide or swings.  Also Jackie seems to be her best friend.  She will mention Parker or Ella or Lanie, but Jackie is always the first.    I hope they are in the same class next year.  It is so cute when I drop Grace off and she runs to Jackie and one or the other will say 'Hi Jackie' or 'Hi Grace'!  

My little toddler!  Love you!

Birthdays and Baby Showers

A few days after Mother's day was my birthday.  I have a love hate relationship with my birthday now.  I love the presents and celebration, but am not loving the number anymore.  Keith's parents came into town to visit us and we all went out for dinner for my birthday.  I picked a local fancy pizza place - Fireside Pies -  of all places, but it was family friendly, near by and had great cocktails!  I really enjoyed it.  Great food and company.

Cake! - Grace sure was eyeing the cake - haha!

Some one loves her Cake! 

A couple of days after my birthday I helped host a baby shower for a good friend of mine.  She is having a boy and her colors are orange and turquoise for the nursery so we incorporated that into the theme.  I think it turned out super cute and we all had a great time!

Favors

Table before the food.  Those are stenciled burb clothes on the window. 

I made a diaper bike for my gift and for a centerpiece.  I think he turned out so cute!!

Blue Liam cocktail - though it looks more green in this picture.

Here is another more detailed picture of the bike.  It had a bottle for the headlight, 2 bibs, 2 flannel blankets, pair of socks, Pacifier, teether, 74 newborn diapers, etc.

I also made finger sandwiches.  Grace helped!

I have a couple more May posts - I said we were busy.  Thanks again to my in laws for coming in town to visit.  We had a great time and can't wait to go to Michigan this summer and see everyone. 

You called that Spring??

This winter was mild by all accounts.  No snow or ice to really speak of.  I don't even think we hardly ever even wore our coats this year except the week we went to Colorado skiing.  So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when April showed up with temperatures in the 90s.    We spend most afternoons outside enjoying popsicles and baby pools.  The pools in our neighborhood opened on April 1st, but this weekend will probably be the first weekend we try them out.  I don't really care for super chilly pool water :)

Popsicles on the Patio

I was super excited to be picked as a Copperone Mom.  We've already used so much sunscreen and it is only May so I know that I'll have lots of opportunities to try the new products that Coppertone sent me as well as handing out the samples.  Too bad the hat they sent didn't fit Grace.  She really liked it, but I doubt it would have fit her even as a newborn.  

Argh Matey!  I couldn't resist when I saw this baby pool.  Grace has taken to pirates so it was pretty appropriate.  

A little Sword fighting.  

May was a busy month for us.  Of course we started out with Mother's day.   Brunch has started out as our tradition so after early church we went out for Brunch.  Afterwards I headed out to a movie by myself.  It was nice to have a little me time and movies are a rarity these days.  I saw Hunger Games.  It was pretty good.  I think I am Team Peeta after seeing the movie.  I read all 3 books in a week over Christmas so I was looking forward to seeing the movie.  

Grace fell asleep on the way to brunch but didn't drop her book.  

Beautiful Girl before Brunch

 Thanks to Keith and Grace for a great Mother's day.   

Easter

We had a great Easter this year.  Grace is old enough to enjoy the Easter Egg hunts so we decided to attend 2.  One was in our neighborhood.  It is amazing how many kids live here and how fast they can pick up all of the eggs.  We knew from experience last year to get there early and expect it to be over less than 5 minutes after it starts.  Her age had more candy and stuffed animals on the ground than actual eggs, but she still loved it.   There were so many kids that I got caught up watching Grace grab eggs that I forgot to take pictures of the actual egg hunt.

Ready for the hunt with daddy.  

After the Hunt, she wanted to go and see the ducks.  She was quacking at them.  

Our church hosted our second egg hunt.  It was on Saturday before Easter.  They have a huge festival with bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, egg hunt, crafts, fire truck, face painting etc.  

Setting up the petting zoo - ducks, turtles, bunnies, chickens, goats, etc.  Grace pointed them all out to me including the sounds that they make.  

The Pony ride was a huge hit.  We tried to get her to ride the pony when we went to the Stockyards, but she said no.  This day she was so excited and loved it. She wanted to pet and ride at the same time.  

Excuse the screaming - someone decided that pony rides and a 6 month old were a great idea - not!

Grace wanted to go and sit with the rest of the kids.  She wouldn't get any closer though.

Picking up our 6 eggs that we were allowed.  

Sitting with Daddy looking at the Firetruck and Firemen.

At lunch after the hunt with friends.  

Easter Morning opening her easter basket - new bibs, sippy cups, watering can, gardening tools, Annie's fruit bunnies, Minnie Mouse sticker sets, and mini M&Ms.  

After church, we met the Woy's for Easter brunch.  I forgot to take a picture of Grace before her nap since it was pouring outside.  This was after and she wanted nothing to do with a picture.   This dress was Aunt Holly's when she was 4 - vintage easter dress.  

We had a great Easter.  I love asking Grace what she did last weekend and hearing her reply - 'Riding a Pony'

Fort Worth Stockards

Every time my family comes into town we try and see some Dallas Fort Worth site, attraction, touristy, etc place.  We've been to the Fair, the arboretum, ICE exhibit and now this time we decided to see the Fort Worth Stockyards.

It turned out to be a beautiful day after a few cold and rainy days so it was perfect for walking around.   I am glad that we've done this since it is an institution here and I think that Grace enjoyed seeing the horses.  

These are just some of the pictures that we took during the day.  I look forward to our next adventure!

Walking off into the sunset