Summer

Our favorite time of the year! The house is about to get messy... The laundry is about to pile up... This summer we are enjoying our children and making as many memories as we can. Swimming, running, playing, fire pit nights, hiking mornings, picnics, Jimmie cone here we come!

Golf lessons

PThis Memorial Day weekend we went to a tangled birthday party for a little friend and we went to "the club" with Ema and Pa for a cook out. There was a moon bounce- which Claire was super excited about but was too scared to get on it, and fireworks- which we didn't stay for because Claire is terrified of them. We are hoping to get her used to them because summers at the club are going to be so fun when with fireworks! 

Claire got her first golf lesson with Pa... And she absolutely adored it. Daddy has big plans for Claire and the LPGA. 

The cheerleaders!

Princesses

Happy birthday to Lucy June! 

Claire was in her glory this weekend at Lucy June's princess birthday party. All of the girls dressed up, accessorized, played princess games, and ate cake and ice cream like princesses. The best part... The men getting involved with their daughters and grand daughters with the princess activities. It was so so sweet. We sure are lucky to have these special men in our lives! 

Old fashioned wood swing

Daddy made Claire a new old fashioned wooden swing today. It's low enough to the ground that she can climb onto it all by herself and she is learning how to pump herself to swing with no help. It is seriously magical. & it is right next to her brothers baby swing. This little spot is our new favorite hang out and I am envisioning us spending most of the summer out here.

Bathing these beauties in my parents tub... Reminiscing my own baths in the same tub.

Girlfriend

We have a little neighbor names Dassah. She is one year older than Claire and they are literally obsessed with each other. We recently got a screen door on our back door so we can enjoy the fresh air this summer and with the warm weather we have had the past week we have spent almost all day, everyday outside. So every time Claire is outside on our deck she now yells "DASSAH come up and play!" As 2 and 3 year olds go... The first 15-20 minutes they are happy and playing and sharing and then boom... "That's mine!" So for a short while, it's heaven. Then it's over. But they sure are cute during those first moments together.

This past weekend I was told my multiple people, "I have been checking your blogs and there have been no updates!" I am sorry. I have been neglecting them, as well as my big fancy camera. I haven't picked it up since Christmas. It is just so much easier to use my phone and now that I have a blogger app on my phone I will try really hard to keep it updated! I didn't even realize my Disney photos never loaded onto the blog! I will work on this :)
For now, here are a few from Jimmie cone last night!

Disney

We were SO blessed to be able to visit disney with our amazing family. Everyone pitched together and took care of all the kids and it worked out so perfectly. All of the kids were angels on the airplane rides to and from. Claire was in awe. It was magical. We can't wait to go back. For now we will dream of princesses and Minnie... And for sure we will be planning a princess birthday party for this girl.

Countdown

Ema and pa gave Claire this countdown calendar for Disney! Only 9 more wake ups!!!

Big helper

A letter to my girl

Dear sweet sweet Claire Jane,
You are two and a half years old and somehow I have more of a connection with you than I do with any adult my own age. You are my best friend. You make me so proud. Over the past 6 months you have blossomed into the most caring and empathetic little thing. You truly feel for others and it warms my heart. I can see your future holding something in which you help others.
The little things you do and say have your father and I in tears daily. The "if I have to tell you one more time mommy" and "I need some love" and "do you hear me daddy?" You are a hoot.
The past 2 years have been the best years of my existence. You have taught me more about life and what I should live for than any class or experience. With your hard head, stubbornness and free spirit, I have definitely learned to let things go, take my time, live in the moment, and slow down and listen. Because each day you ask me to tell you the same story, each day you ask to watch that same movie, each night you ask to read the same books, say the same prayers, kiss and hug me over and over again and ....you tell me you love me. Without prompting or asking, on your own, you throw your arms around my neck and tell me you love me "sooo much, mommy". I melt. I swoon. I'm madly in love with you, each and every little part of you. You filled a hole in my heart I never knew existed. You warmed my soul when I didn't even realize it was chilled. If I would have known I would feel this way about having a daughter, I would have had you sooner. I hope we can grow together and stay best friends forever.