Pictures from Memorial Day Weekend

Hello all! Well, we had a nice relaxing Memorial Day weekend spending time with family by the pool. Breckyn went swimming for the first time and it appeared she didn't enjoy it much. I think once she can sit up on her own and play with toys in the water she'll like it better. We went to Grandma Rhonda and Pepa's for the weekend and swam, bbq'd, and the guys played golf. The girls got to play with their cousins Zacharey, Phoebe, and Taylor all weekend and Ashlyn enjoyed that VERY much. I didn't really take too many pictures as I always forget, but I got some of us swimming and some video of the slip n slide.

I got Breckyn a sun hat that everyone thought was hilarious! I think it looks cute on her! Yes I know, it looks like a cross between a sun hat and a winter hat with ear flaps.



Breckyn and I played in the baby pool since the big pool was toooo cold! You better believe I slathered lots of sunblock on those chubby thighs of hers!








Cousin Taylor got to come swim with us and he really enjoyed the water!



For some reason I didn't get any pictures of Ashlyn swimming, however I got lots of video of her on the slip n slide for the first time. She was nervous to try it out, but she finally got it figured out after Zacharey showed her how it's done and a few tries. I couldn't help but laugh at the kids faces as they were coming down the slide! It was quite entertaining.




Here are some more pictures from the weekend (Daddy giving Breckyn some loves, Ashlyn washing my car--her new favorite hobby, and Breckyn in her new bouncer from aunt Kim--she loves it!). Also I added a picture of Lola in her new t-shirt we bought so she wouldn't shed as much...nope, doesn't help..she still gets hair everywhere!

Ashlyn's preschool graduation videos

Here is a video of Ashlyn's preschool graduation in which she's saying the days of the week and months of the year.


And here she is singing "Hickory Dickory Dock" and "Mary had a Little Lamb".

3rd Annual "Wings of Hope" Butterfly Festival

Today we went to my employer, Ozark Guidance, annual "Butterfly Festival". May is mental health month and I wanted Ronnie and the kids to join me during this event. I thought Ashlyn would enjoy the festivities and that Breckyn would enjoy being outside. It was a very nice afternoon, sunny and hot! I actually got a sunburn on my arms and couldn't believe it. Ashlyn enjoyed getting her face painted and bouncing in the inflatable castle. She even got a picture with the Naturals baseball team mascot "the sasquatch". Breckyn enjoyed looking at all the wonderful things around her. At 1:00 we gathered around a large group of people and at the count of 3 released our two little monarch butterflies along with everyone else's. It was beautiful to watch the butterflies fly up into the air together. It was fun to watch where the butterflies would go. One landed on Ashlyn's head and then flew away. Since the butterflies were hungry, many of them landed on the ground or on the flowers people were holding. It was definitely a good experience and I'm glad we could be there to support mental health.













The butterfly symbolizes the transformation of mental health from illness, to wellness, and hope for the future. The metamorphosis of a butterfly isn’t pretty. It’s hard, it’s long, and it’s a real struggle. But when it’s complete it’s a thing of beauty. We can learn an important lesson from the butterfly. If we don’t have struggles and challenges in our life, we will never grow strong and capable. If life has no difficulties, we will become weak and helpless. The metamorphosis symbolizes the mind, and the ability to change: It’s the art of transformation.

During the Week

Here are some moments I've captured throughout are past week. Ashlyn LOVES to put on my makeup. She always says she can't wait to be grown up so she can stay up late and put on makeup. So once in awhile I let her have at it and here's the end result. Check out the purple eyeshadow. Her favorite.



The other night Ashlyn came in the living room and announced, "Look, I'm a dog catcher!" She had Lola stuffed in one of her net bags. Poor Lola didn't know what to do!



We decided to have Breckyn try baby cereal for the first time the other evening. She didn't know what to think as she tried her first few bites, however she got use to it and did a really good job keeping in her mouth and swallowing it.

Ashlyn's Preschool Graduation

Ashlyn got invited by her previous preschool in Pittsburg (YMCA preschool) to participate in their graduation ceremony today. She was very excited about going and couldn't wait to see her teachers and friends. I don't think she got the whole concept of "graduation", however we talked about how she is now ready to start kindergarten because of all the things she learned in preschool. During the ceremony, the children said the pledge of allegiance, sang songs, said the ABC's, days of the week, and months of the year. Ashlyn was in a group with three other girls and sang the nursery rhymes, "Hickory Dickory Dock" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb". I couldn't believe how much she remembered as she didn't practice anything before the ceremony, but she was able to recite almost everything! She did a wonderful job and we are very proud of her. Here are some picture from her big day.

Before the ceremony

Walking into the ceremony

Got to sit by her old bf



Singing songs


She got her diploma!


I took some video of the graduation ceremony I will upload as soon as I can. Finally, here are a couple of pictures of the girls taking their first bath together. Ashlyn thought it was funny Breckyn was in the bathtub with her, but she washed her and was making her smile. I have a feeling the girls won't like that I showed these pictures when they're older. ;)

Look at those baby rolls!

Ashlyn's Summer Haircut

Today Ashlyn got her haircut at a local hair salon. I asked her if she wanted her hair shorter and she said did. The stylist was sort of a mean crotchey old lady, but I think she did a good job cutting Ashlyn's hair. Here's a before and after photo of Ashlyn's hair.



Breckyn 5 mo. update: And well..it's inevitable. Tonight Breckyn said "da-da" for the first time. I was hoping it would be "ma-ma" of course, but just like Ashlyn her first word is "da-da". Ronnie and I were both happy to hear her speak her first word, even though she probably doesn't understand what it means yet! Also, forgot to mention Breckyn got her first two teeth this past week! Her front bottom teeth showed up the other day and I wasn't surprised as Breckyn has been a little fussy lately.

Starting to notice more of my surroundings. I was intrigued by this leaf for several minutes.

I can now sit up with a little support!

Here I am with my "second mommy". She loves to hold and cuddle me.

More Pics of the Girls

My mom and Taylor came this weekend to visit while Ronnie was in Pittsburg playing in a golf tournament. The kids enjoyed playing together, we ate some fantastic food, and watched "How to Train Your Dragon". It was such a cute movie and Ashlyn and Taylor both liked it. My mom of course took some pictures of the kids, which I always love her to do..the kids, not so much. They were good sports that day, however.








I also found a couple of pictures on my mom's camera from a few months ago. I like the one of Ashlyn..she looks like she's thinking, "What are you making me do Grandma?"



Ashlyn had a doctor's appointment this past week. They did a kindergarten physical and updated her immunizations. She had to get 4 shots!! Surprisingly she wasn't crying about the shots before she got them. She did a wonderful job, even when I had to hold her down. Her current height and weight are 47 in. (almost 4 ft.!) and 44 lbs. She's definitely got her daddy's body type :) Breckyn's 6 mo. appointment is coming up at the end of May. I have a feeling she's grown quite a lot since her last appointment. We will see!