Who plans to start potty-training on Memorial Day?

The short answer -- me. I am apparently someone who had no idea that Memorial Day was on Monday but had been planning for weeks to start potty training with Lydia on our first week off for summer break.

So, despite learning that Monday was a holiday for everyone else, we started potty training on Monday. The past three days have been spent at home (with the exception of swim lessons and swim diapers in the afternoons) with Lydia in training pants and her never making it to the potty on time.

Granted, one time today she did walk to the potty on her own once she realized what was happening, but it has been a long and discouraging three days.

My goal is to make it through Friday, and then to reassess. She has seemed ready for months but this was the first full week we've really had to commit to it. Oh, and last Friday, after realizing she hadn't heard Lydia for a few seconds longer than was good, the sitter found L sitting on her training potty going poo (too bad she hadn't made it there in time). So, you see, she really seems ready.

Let's just hope we all survive until Friday.

- ashley

Yay for S-U-M-M-E-R !!

For a few weeks now, we could feel summer creeping in. I don't know who was more excited, me or the girls :)

Last Thursday was EB's last day of Kindergarten, and her Daisy troop celebrated with a party that afternoon at Liberty Lagoon (a really cool, Baton Rouge city water park. Not too big -- just the right size for these two)

Unfortunately, Graham had to head out of town to a conference that afternoon but was able to surprise EB at lunch at school before he caught his flight. That night, the girls continued to celebrate with new shirts from Nona ...

I had been telling the girls all week that summer officially started when I got home from work on Friday. So, after playing with our sitter Beverly for the day, the girls and I headed out for our first ever visit to Counter Culture Frozen Yogurt. It did not disappoint!

Many people told me to get the Humphrey Yogart (frozen yogurt, honey, granola, and fruit). EB takes after her Aunt FeFe and got chocolate-chocolate (chocolate frozen yogurt with M&Ms, sprinkles, and gummy bears) and Lydia got "pink" (strawberry frozen yogurt with sprinkles and gummies, one guess as to who she copied for those toppings ideas)

My girls on our first official "summer" outing ...

I absentmindedly called the girls crazy what I was looking at this picture. EB was so bummed and disappointed with my word choice about her in the photo. When I asked her what I should have said to describe her. she earnestly replied, "Beautiful." Oh my.

On our way home, we stopped by the local garden nursery on the hunt for a fun sprinkler but instead came home with a bunch of flowers and plants that supposedly repel mosquitos for the back patio ...

I was pretty proud of how our summer officially started even though we never did play the "Summer" video from Frozen on the TV like I had planned ;)

Last days of Kindergarten!

Earlier this week, on the last Monday of Kindergarten, we got to see EB's final awards ceremony where they presented Certificates of Participation.

All names were called and all the kids got to walk across the stage and receive their certificates.

So cool!

EB and Ava...

On Wednesday, they had Splash Day, and all week Ashley and Lydia got to be there to "help."

All of EB' classmates LOOOOOOOVE Lydia...

and Lydia LOOOOOVES being part of her sister's life at school.

We can tell EB really loved school. She plays school, claims to have homework, and draws countless pictures for Mrs. Clare and her classmates.

Last day of Kindergarten ...

The Mary Poppins of Kindergarten teachers ...

We could not be more thankful and grateful for the experience EB has had this year with Ms. Clare and all her classes at WHAM. First grade here we come!!

our crazy SuperHeroes

Here they come to save the day!

Shirtless, of course ...

One of the most important things a superhero can have is a good pose for the camera, showing the strength and powers that are emanating from her hands.

Then the girls each got to take a photo ..

and look at them.

And take more.

Superheros also sometimes pose like ballerinas.

Lydia's last days

Lydia finished school last week. On her last day, she celebrated by sleeping an extra 30 minutes over dismissal time. Neither Ashley nor I can bring ourselves to waking her up when she is asleep at school. We just sit around and wait (and take pictures.)

Her Butterfly class teachers, Kathy and Paula...

That afternoon, the girls celebrated at the park near EB's school...

And Lydia had a special playdate the next day with her bestie, Eleanor.

EB has been telling Lydia all week that she is now ready for PreK. Ashley might be ready for that by the time August gets here.

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, Ashley was surprised in bed by two dancing foxes (a performance to "What does the fox say?") and handmade cards.

At church, EB made a "Mom's favorite things" card and predicted that we would go out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. So, we did. That afternoon we chilled at the house and awaited EB's Spring Choir Program at church where she sang and received her guild pin!

The "big kids" did a performance of Daniel and the Lion's Den with a REAL LION (well, an adult in a lion costume). Lydia was mesmerized, and she was quite proud of her sissy ... we are too!

For her first year in choir, she received a Choristers pin with a ruby stone ...

Here are pics that CC sent of how she spent her Mother's Day ...

We all had a really good day.