ARF

Music from ARF has kinda pushed the Disney music a side by a little!!!! Kylee on June 2nd was in a Kindergarten/1st grade performance called ARF. Each class dressed up as a different dog and they put on a little musical/play. It was absolutely darling and the songs were so clever.

Kylee's class dressed up as darling poodles and of course she was the cutest one in the bunch :)!!!!!!!

Our little Kylee refused having a speaking part and when I asked her why she replied, "You'd be scared too having to speak in front of all those people." I guess I can't blame her but as parents we worry about how shy/nervous she is when we feel she is so talented and want her to be exposed to as many things as possible:) This little situation got worse as she also let us know that she didn't want us inviting anyone to come see her...it would make her too nervous. When she found out Grandma would still be in town for it that through her over the top. I tried several things to explain how this is just fun, a great experience, there are tons of you singing, you know every song and to just chill out. What seemed to do the trick is when I kinda frustratedly explained, guess what, "Almost everyone there isn't coming to see YOU!" Their eyes will be on the person they know. Wow, the lightbulb went off and we became excited...and had a great time getting ready...with big smiles through the entire thing. You could tell she loved being a part of such a cool performance and was happy to have her little cheering section. She did amazing and we loved watching our little girl!

The music teacher at her school is wonderful and we are glad we got to go to Baker -Butler this year. The kids sounded terrific! Kylee felt special and sang great.

Kylee, Mrs. Welborn her teacher and a good friend in her class Lara. I find myself singing these songs all the time but that is probably because Lexi gets them stuck in my head. After seeing the performance only twice and listening to Ky at times practice she has picked almost every single one up and is the cutest thing singing them. She got into each performance as she clapped, danced in the aisle and even sang along a little. She greeted Ky with the biggest hug and had a blast waving to her from the audience.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The following week I joined in the fun helping out at Field Day. I love how excited these young kids get for everything. Kylee has had a wonderful year of kindergarten and an amazing teacher that she connected with right from the start who we will deeply miss. My worry for all day kindergarten was put to rest as once we adjusted she was excited for school most days. I can't believe how much she has grown and matured over the year. She is so excited to not be called, "a little kindergartener" anymore by the older kids. Bring on first grade. She is nervous to change schools and have to meet new friends as she made so many great ones here but that is what I keep reminding her. You did it here and can do it again. I hope she can handle more work as when asked what her favorite part of the day is....she replies, "RECESS!"

She also finished up another year of GYMNASTICS and is thrilled to have another trophy....long awaited all year. She thought it was pretty neat that everything ended around the same time. I explained that is so everyone can enjoy Summer...so bring on our first true Summer break! Alexis is exstatic having her home every morning. I'm loving the time together and cuddling in bed as we get a break from rushing to be ready by 7:20. However, I'm already running out of ideas for entertainment as this girl has always wanted something constantly going on.

Memorial Day and Random May

We made it back in time for Kylee's last kindergarten field trip of the year and we were both happy that I got to tag along on it. I have loved volunteering in her classroom every other week and being a part of different events...and she has LOVED having me there...may this continue when she is older as well. I do worry at times with how much she wants me around making our moves and adjustments even more difficult. I still can't believe how shy she is in most situations cause it is just not the girl we see at home or with friends. However, for now I will just continue loving being loved. We had a good time at Camp Albemarle on scavenger hunts, painting, going down by the river eating and being together. I LOVE this girl!

Alexis loves this girl too or should I say Kylee loves Alexis...well it goes both ways! I need to do a blog on their personalities soon and the crazy sister relationship/manipulation that is forming! A common phrase heard in our home lately is "SLEEP IN CHOTHERS BEDS" as we cater to Lexi's cute voice and now we all say the same thing instead of, sleep in each others beds. These girls beg to sleep together but rarely ever can fall asleep. They enjoy their so called "chit chat time" We love it too and are so happy they have each other. One night they actually succeeded and we got this image in Ky's bed.

Don't mind Lexi's chin, that is the leftover scar from the stitches she got the last night of our Disney trip walking home from the pool. She was in the dreaded flip flops with her arms tucked in her towel and my concerned thought didn't come fast enough. As I was walking to her to unwrap the towel I watched her fall. It made for an extra memorable last night with Skylar and her in the ER and Ky and I packing and cleaning up the place. It could of been way worse and we didn't let it ruin our great memories. Lexi was a trooper and even fell asleep during the procedure probably due to lack of sleep during the week and the peace she got once she left my frantic worried side that never stays calm in these situations. Thank goodness for Skylar's help.

Our first weekend back Sky and I headed down to the Virginia Beach area AGAIN trying to make some final decisions and concluded we are just going to rent a nice home for the first year till we have time to figure everything out and get to know the area. We are thankful Skylar's Mom was able to come and stay with the girls. Then our next weekend we had our neighbors kids helping make it a crazy party at the Alsop's house. This was a sleepover all the girls had been waiting for. I'm impressed they all even had princess sleeping bags leaving no one feeling left out. The kids had a blast as you can see and it has been such a blessing having such a fun family to hang out with only 2 doors down.

We kicked off Summer right with a hot Memorial Day weekend making us want to get in the water. As I remember from being a kid the pools would always open this weekend and we were often freezing or waiting for things to warm up....this has not been the case in Virginia and the heat is still going strong. It has been in the upper 80's or mostly 90's since. We had a fun weekend with my parents who were good sports tagging along with us to a new splash park with our neighbors and then later a great ward picnic that included some more swimming. If I haven't mentioned before we have loved our ward for our 1 year in Charlottesville and have the best neighborhood filled with kids for the girls to play with that we will sooooo miss. Kylee drops in on our neighbors all the time and they have provided hours of her kind of perfect entertainment.

Lexi got so cold but refused to get out as she didn't want to miss out on anything. Once she gave in you can tell how nice the double towel and snuggle from Grandma felt...this was definitely enjoyed by both and a moment I'm glad I captured.

Disney Part II

After those long exciting days we still found time to chill at the pool and were sure thankful for our few earlier days after Epcot and Animal Kingdom to recover a little.
I love that despite how much time may have passed cousins know how to pick up right where they left off. Uncle Skylar had them all laughing hysterically as they wondered who was going to get thrown in next.
Lexi has learned to trust Daddy and became comfortable in her floaties. She loved paddling around all on her own but was willing to let Kylee be her own personal swimming instructor at times. As usual Skylar and I loved watching them be sisters together. These two as I mentioned before were inseparable and I was pretty impressed by even their surfing timing. I sure wish we lived closer and as always hated having to say good-bye but thanks guys for helping make the week even more fabulous and full of unforgettable memories. After Kevin's crew left we did fit in a day at Sea World which was a definite must especially with Kylee's love for dolphins. We had a fabulous time but do feel like it kinda got shafted. The kids were pooped and missing the cousins. They hung in there and had a good time but were ready to pack it up early and wanted time to hang out at the pool...both awesome things.We enjoyed the exhibits and seeing the shows which always touch your hearts. Each animal is truly magnificent and we can't wait to go back. The girls loved getting a chance to feed and touch the dolphins. Ky was shocked as she replied with, "Whoa, they are slimy!" She carried her souvenir dolphin around with her all day and can't wait to swim with them one day....we shall see! They had a great time hanging out by the tank with the baby dolphins and watched their own little show for awhile. The trip was fabulous and left us wanting more. The girls constantly ask to go back and are still talking about memories or little things they remember. When Alexis saw a picture of the temple the other day she asked, "Where are the fireworks" Gotta love that my little girl thinks a temple is Cinderella's castle and wants the firework show again. Ky has loved this and continues to show Lex her temple picture trying to explain...my solution, let's just go back.

Finally Our DISNEY Trip!!!!!

I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. There has been a ton going on but I first must recap our amazing Disney trip which was in the works for so long. Like I had remembered as a kid it was "Magical" and the girls loved this magic and being with some of their cousins. We had the hardest time leaving and really did enjoy every minute despite the HEAT!!!

To start off we had to make a scene which is always oh so fun. We sure got heads to turn with this one, all at my expense! I injured my foot a week before the trip...after many ice baths, hobbling around, praying and purchasing some super nice running shoes my foot came through for me. We were still hesitant the first day but didn't want to waste time with a wheel chair so for long distances and to start off down mainstreet this is how I was found. Most would just stare but one worker had the guts to say, "Now I've never seen that before!" The kicker was watching the kids walk along side.
We conquered a park a day and started with Magic Kingdom and then returned there at the end of the week to hit our highlights again. Kylee was all about hitting as many rides as she could with her cousin Easton and Lexi was all about seeing as many princesses and characters that she could while getting her arms around them. Kylee's all time favorite ride from the week if she had to choose was Splash Mountain which we successfully got her on several times thanks to fast pass and kid swap plus g-ma's help. Thank you Mom for always coming through. Lexi's favorite ride was "It's a Small World" which she is still found singing at home and finally has bumped Hershey Park out of her mind. Disney has become the talk. I just printed out pictures of her with each princess and character which she carries around with her everywhere in a little book.

"PRINCESS MANIA" We definitely got our princess fix and even enjoyed lunch with them. Kylee loved getting autographs and Lexi enjoyed twirling for each one of them and steeling as many hugs as possible. She literally almost knocked Mini over when she came charging in for that hug.

Sky and I were amazed at how well the kids did. We ended many days looking like this but when moving through the park they kept up and maintained their energy. Having family with us helped a ton and was a blast as it had been almost 2 years since we had seen my brother's family. The girls work before the trip paid off and Kylee was determined to get the souvenirs she wanted. As you can see they did. The heat did get to us all especially Alexis as we know how sensitive she is but as she would leave each building she would quickly say, "I sweaty, I need the spray bottle!" "I'm dripping sweat"...and proceed to spray herself down. We all laughed every time.

Pictures like these help put the ! on the statement, "This trip was totally worth it!!!!"

Kylee posing with her sidekick...TINK!

Lexi getting some classic one on one time from princess to princess.
Lexi and I laughing hysterically on Toy Story Mania...another favorite ride for all!

Kylee and Easton anxious to ride together and all of us thankful they were tall enough for almost everything.

Fully engaged and captivated by every show. They were all fabulous. This one is Beauty and the Beast and I loved it when Lexi shouted to the beast, "You meanie, I'll get you with my fan!" She then realized on her own, "now he's nice!"
Feeling like we were on Broadway several different times.

Special Cousin times, even with little Gracie.

It has been over a month and we still find Kylee singing Zippity Do Da, Lexi singing It's a Small World and the entire family breaking into "Celebrate a Dream Come True"...the song from one of the Parades. Lexi's favorite movie currently is clips we finally put on DVD from the trip...she begs for the "parade" and each time I watch it, it brings tears to my eyes as I just want to be back and not thinking about some of the day to day stresses. WAY TO GO DISNEY!!!!