Daddy's Day

Gracie made daddy all these cool gifts! Just had to share!!

Summer Days 3 - 5

Let me take you through Summer days 3 - 5... Top left picture is of Gracie she lost yet another TOOTH! She has a "pumpkin smile" now! Top middle: we are spending at least a half hour (more like an hour) a day reading! Top right: we have been spending a lot of time swimming in the pool or playing in the hose!  Middle right: Gracie designed the layout for daddy to put the pool in the back yard. Bottom left: We have also been doing a lot of drawing and writing too! Large right picture of Gracie: I just think this is adorable!! So far - So Good! I love these long summer days!

School's Out!! Summer Days 1 & 2

For the last day of School to celebrate we took you camping! We went to Camp Petosega and had a blast!

Saturday marked the "official" first day of Summer! So naturally we went to the beach!

My Sassy's this was the first time we've gone camping in over 2 years (last summer mommy had surgery). So, in the spirit of celebration daddy and I felt it appropriate to take you camping finally! The first day of camping (which was the last day of school) you rode your bikes, went for walks and played at the playground continuously for 4 hours! Then... right before dinner was done (which was hamburgers over the fire) it started to rain! So, after you ate and before it started to down pour... daddy braved the rain and roasted marshmallows so you each could have a smore! Then we played inside the camper! Mommy played Go Fish with you both for about an hour then we all got cozy about 8:30 and snuggled in for the night.

For the official first day of Summer Break we went to the beach! It was very warm... 86 degrees! There were lots of fairy houses that were made too! Along with bike rides, playground fun, making new friends (Elizabeth was her name - Elli for short) and more smores! The evening lasted a long time because we let you stay up and play dominoes! That was so much fun!! I love the cool fun things you both are learning the older you get! Daddy and I were impressed!

Day 2 of Summer Break was "come home and relax day"! (Daddy was so sweet and put up your blow up pool!) You both played in the icy cold pool water for about 2 hours... but since it is humid and 89 degrees; you both said it felt great!! My little Sassy's I have to tell you I hope that one day you find a man who is atleast half the man your daddy is! He is the most wonderful husband and father! Your daddy got the camper ready to go camping for you! As I said he sat in the rain and cooked our burger, roasted your marshmallows... he put up your pool... anything you or mommy asks for daddy does. He's an amazing man my little Sassy's and I hope you realize that!

Gracie's Kindergarten Memory Book

This is from Gracie's Memory Book that Mrs. Rogier put together over the year. Months: Sept-Dec

        Months: Feb-June A special book for Gracie... we appreciate Mrs. Rogier!

Daddy Moments

Oh my sweet Sassy Spalding's! Your daddy was telling me last night how every morning that he waits with you for the bus that you each take turns trying to "trick" the others (usually both of you trying to trick daddy) into believing the bus is coming... and when the person looks up you giggle non stop. My little pranksters taking right after daddy! He loves those moments with you... he treasures them and last night he told mommy "I cannot believe I'll have to wait the whole summer to do this again." Daddy loves you so much my Sassy's... so very much! xoxo (as does mommy!) xoxo

Sassy "S" Days...

Oh the weekend my Sassy's (the last weekend of the School year! Hence, "S" Days will no longer be significant because every day will feel like an "S" day.) was rainy and kind of boring... we just stayed in on Saturday (well mommy went to the hospital with Aunt Dody for a couple hours but was home by 5) and Daddy went out to his fireman friend's house so for dinner my Sassy's we had garlic shrimp over garlic noodles... that was pretty yummy!! You both really enjoyed that (so did Mommy). Here are some pictures from our super low key weekend!

Daddy fixed the "brick mold around the door". He's hard at work! (As always)

Sassy's being silly with the trucks!

Mommy's toes in the silly picture.

Sweet K-K chewing her hair!

Our blooms from the hanging baskets! We "dead headed" the baskets to create more blooms!

Things Daddy Does

My little Sassy's... it's 8 p.m. and I just wanted to tell you just how much your daddy loves you. Tomorrow it's supposed to rain and it's your field day at school. You will go to field day rain or shine, so mommy thought if it rains you should stay home with me. I think it would be better than sending you to play in the rain for the morning -- especially since it will be cold. Well, you both protested; you want to go to school because of field day and because in the afternoon Gracie's class will "eat the alphabet" (our letters to bring were T & V -- so we got Twizzlers & Vanilla wafers) and Kailee's class gets to walk to Kilwin's. Well, daddy couldn't stand seeing his little Sassy Spalding's want something... or to see you miss out... so he went out in search of a rain coat for Gracie and rain boots for Kailee... Kailee has a rain coat already and Gracie has rain boots. So, daddy left at 7 p.m., he's been to Walmart, Dunhams, MCSports, Kmart and now Meijer. He is determined to find his Sassy Spalding's the stuff they need. So far he has bought a pair of rain boots for Kailee and a pink rain poncho for Gracie. He's hopeful that these will work out well for both of you. You are both so grateful with anything we do for you, I cannot wait for you both to see what daddy has done for you in the morning. You are VERY loved my Sassy's... VERY VERY LOVED! xo

Will it Crack?

NO! The eggy survived the huge fall from the top of the school!! NO cracking of this egg! Woot woot!

Fore!

 Kailee has been taking golf lessons through the YMCA. Daddy and Kailee went for 4 Wednesdays! The last Wednesday was supposed to take place nearly a month ago, but rain, or scheduling conflicts got in the way... but finally they got their last lesson in at the driving range. Kailee you did a great job!! Daddy & Grandpa Lou took turns taking video since it was 45 degrees! Grandma Deb was there taking these pictures for Mommy since Mommy stayed home with Gracie and because of the knee healing. You have amazing skill Kailee, you should be so proud of yourself!! I cannot believe you never whined about being cold, you were not wearing gloves and never complained. You are such a sweet little Sassy!! I love you!! xoxo

Leggy feel better!

 This card was made with love by Gracie. 

It reads: Deary Mommy, I hope your leggy feels better.

This is so sweet!! Gracie you have been so worried about mommy's leg, I appreciate that. xoxo

The Conklins

We spent lunch time with the Conklin's today my Sassy Spalding's. It was lots of fun! Gracie got really brave and touched a frog! Then you hoolies went swimming which was adorable to watch! I love how nicely you all play together, it warms my heart.

Tomorrow's & Now's

The future feels so far away... that is until I close my eyes and see my tiny new baby girl laying on my chest... then the future feels all too now. Now is the future... it's our tomorrows that may never come so we must relish in the now's and the in-a-minute's. The other day my Sassy Spalding's a nice person who mommy went to school with passed away, he went to Heaven where Great Grandma just went. When you seen me  talking to Grandma Deb, you asked why? That was a good question... why? However, the answer is not easy sometimes we just don't know... so we have to believe it was just their tomorrow that God needed more than us. When you look back upon your life, when you think about your tomorrow's, I hope that you see & want great things. When you feel like tomorrow will never come, that's when I want you to call Daddy or I and we will tell you about the tomorrow's... we will hold you up and be your cheerleader. We will kiss away tears and whisper those sweet nothing's in your ears. You never have to worry my sweet Sassy Spalding's because we will prepare you, guide you and give you the beliefs that will make tomorrow's feel within reach. Tomorrow is a day... but never forget that your right now's are important too. Making the most of your day might be as simple as a snuggle, a kind word, or a smile at a stranger but every day has it's reasons worth living, reasons worth smiling, reasons worth keeping faith tomorrow will come.xoxo

I also want you to always rely upon one another. I want you to keep your sisterly love alive by making daily phone calls, by skyp'ing, by writing letters the "old fashioned" way. I want you to be close my Sassy Spalding's. I want you to be sisters who can call one another when you feel sad, when you feel like you just need a pick me up... I want you to be one another's pick-me-up's. You can do this, I know you will... I know I don't have to write it down but it was something worthy of writing because this is for you. I want you to have the words that I speak daily in written form just in case you decide "I never told you". I've told you my darling's... I've showed you my darling's... I want the choices you make as independent women to be one's that you will always be proud of. To be choices that if you decide you're not proud of you can call daddy or I or at least just one another. You need each other, you are the first besties you'll ever have... the most important besties. I hope you always remember that too. xoxo

Kailees Creativity

Little Bits of Lilly

Lilly & Kailee watching the birds.

 Sassy Spalding's while going through pictures this morning I discovered these from the other day... daddy took these pictures (when I'm not sure because mommy hasn't left the house in over a week). You both love Lilly Sue so much! Since Odie went to Heaven you both have been extra attached to Lil... Lil however does not love the extra attention. She's always been a bit of a loner... which from what the vet said is normal cat behavior. She comes to us when she wants lovin', she cries if she wants to play... the other day my Sassy Spalding's I was sitting in the chair icing my knee when all of a sudden I see this balloon floating closer and closer to me. Mommy froze because it freaked me out! I watched as it got closer and closer then as the balloon rounded the chair; I seen Lilly with the string in her mouth. When I made eye contact with her she made a cry-ish noise (one she makes when she want to show us something -- like her play mice or toy). She had went into your room and took that balloon and brought it to me. She is a silly, funny, smart cat! I'm so glad daddy caught this memory of you both with Lilly watching the birds (her most favorite thing to do). She will sit in the window for hours and watch the bird feeder. It's so fun to watch her "cackle" at the birds. Even when we try, we cannot imitate that sound. Right now she's laying in the blue bean bag sleeping. She's been curling up in them and snoozing away every day since I've been home from surgery. It's so cute!! I think we may have to get Lil her own bean bag!! (Maybe for her birthday?) xo

Lilly & Gracie watching the birds.

Clam-bulance

Tonight after dinner we were just getting ready for showers when we (Kailee, Gracie & Mommy) hear sirens. It wasn't the usual "fire truck" kind that we hear after daddy rushes from the house. This was different... then we see 4 police cars go by our house real fast... then we see an ambulance! Gracie says "Look mom, a clambulance!" (I think we've been watching too many episodes of Bubble Guppies because on that silly underwater sea cartoon they have a "clambulance".) Oh Gus-Gus I love you!!!! xo

Stegosaurus

Gracie had to do a dinosaur project and answer 5 questions:
1. My dinosaurs name is stegosaurus.
2. My dinosaur eats plants.
3. My dinosaur is medium. He is 29 1/2 feet long, as long as a big boat.
4. My dinosaur lived on land.
5. His brain is 1 inch long.
Gracie researched with mommy, crafted with daddy and was coached on how to present with Kailee. It was definitely a family affair. We think she did a magnificent job! What a fun kindergarten project!

Bird of Paradise

 Daddy had to perform surgery on the Bird of Paradise today... our honeymoon flower has been split now twice in 10 years! This plant is huge and gives the best and cutest flowers. Daddy has taken special care of this flower... now we have twice the love because we have 2 huge plants!!

Daddy also had a special little visitor watching!

Mommy's Girls

 I love you my Sassy Spalding's.

We enjoyed this hot day with a sprinkler, a camera and lots of laughter! I could do this type of day everyday! Days like today make mommy look forward to our long summer days together!! xo

Summer Days... what if's!

 We will definitely spend a few summer days doing this my Sassy's!!!

G decided she had to strike a pose.

While K kept on reading!

Cloud Shapes

There's a dolphin in the upper right hand corner.

We spent some of the afternoon admiring the clouds. Some have shapes, some are just pretty.

Sunshine rays through the clouds make for a beautiful sight from Heaven.

There's a crab in the middle on it's own.

Kailee said there's a horse running. Gracie said it's a fish looking the opposite way.

Great Grandparents saying hello.

This looks like a person laying down.

A turtle going after a fish!

The flying dragon!

Sunshine on a cloudy day.