15 years

Where did 15 years go? How did that happen? When did that happen? It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating our 7 year wedding anniversary.

Family selfie 

Here's what 15 year of wedded bliss looks like!

I wasn't looking to celebrate this anniversary in any formal or fancy way, and honestly was okay with not celebrating it at all, but Aaron really wanted to do something. It was his idea to celebrate it together as a family, and I really liked the idea. Why not bring the girls along to let them celebrate our marriage with us?! I commended Aaron on this being one of his Top Five ideas ever; he said Top Fifty.

Aaron took care of all of the arrangements. He booked the hotel about 40 miles from home but near to the place we wanted to eat dinner - Dave and Busters. (I was so excited to take the girls there for their first time! All they knew was that it was bigger and better than Chuck E Cheese and that had them excited!) Our plan was to leave in early afternoon on Saturday, go straight to Dave and Busters for dinner and games, and then head to the hotel for a night of swimming. We had a blast.

The girls were ecstatic. They talked about the "vacation" all week long. How sweet and innocent that traveling an hour from home for one night was such an exciting vacation for them. They loved getting packed up, traveling in the car (if only for such a short distance) and sleeping in the hotel. Their excitement was contagious and so we were ALL READY for quality family time!

 Winning tickets, playing games

 Khloe's favorite game by far is skee ball (she is a mini me!) but she is HORRIBLE at it (not a mini me); balls fly everywhere. Aaron's favorite game is Galaga/Ms. Pacman (which we couldn't pull him away from) and Kayla's is all of them.

Fruit Ninja supersized

 This game - which was not a game at all, it was more like a ride - was a riot.... as you can tell. A sign on the ride read "Hold on tight at all times". It was a riot to watch them laugh uncontrollably gripping on for dear life, and a riot for them to ride it. They loved it, especially Khloe. I think she's going to like roller coasters. What do you think? 

What a memorable 15 year celebration! 

Kayla asked if we can celebrate our 16 year wedding anniversary next year doing the same thing. :)

A new graduate

 Way to go Kayla! You worked hard for this Level 4 graduation! The last few weeks you had JUST ONE MORE skill to master, but the back handspring alluded you. Today was your LAST gymnastics class for the summer and we encouraged you all week to really focus on accomplishing this skill and try EXTRA hard and YOU DID IT! You did a back handspring, got your sticker and graduated to Level 5! We were so happy and you worked so hard that we celebrated with your choice of a treat! I asked you where you wanted to go and before you could open your mouth Khloe yelled with her fists pumped in the air "Yay! Tim Horton's! We get donuts!" Well, you decided on Dairy Queen instead!

My masterpiece

"A mother's greatest masterpiece are her children" which is why I was so excited to spend Mother's Day with my girls! It was a wonderful day that made me feel so blessed to have Aaron and my girls in my life!

 My angels that gave me the MOST important job I will ever have -  MOM!

Mother's Day was one of the first warmest days we've had so far this year. It was refreshing to feel 80 degree sun on our skin! So of course my choice of what I wanted to do as a family was to simply enjoy the outdoors together. We went out to lunch and sat outdoors (my request) and then went to a new park to play (the girls request). It was a PERFECT day! Thank you for making me feel so special and so loved!

Future water scientists

 One of my favorite days at Michigamme each year - Career Day! It's like grown-up show-n-tell, and I love show-n-tell. It never gets old letting kids try on my waders and letting kids experiment with my water pollution model. Kayla was in awe and so proud to have me there and that made me feel good to be there for her.

 It was so fun to spend the morning with the entire 1st grade. (Probably because I get to have fun for a few hours and then leave them with Mrs. Raymo. Ha!). First graders are great because they hang on every word you say, they have cute stories of their own to share, and they all want to be JUST LIKE YOU. 

 Mrs. Raymo's class

 My future water caretakers - influencing young minds is powerful!

 And then the class presented me with this special certificate and treat bag. Thank you Michigamme first graders!

Butterfly house

A spontaneous field trip opportunity came up for Kayla's class to visit the butterfly house at Birchwood Mall. The kids had fun - Oh yes, and Khloe too - rotating stations between the butterfly house, a craft area and story time. I love it when Khloe can participate too! She LOVES it!

Khloe at the craft station... using scissors so you know she's in heaven

Marissa, Addison, Danica, Kayla and Madison are all great friends!

Khloe wanted to cuddle with Kayla during story time. It was so cute! Kayla was eating it up!

I had to laugh when I noticed Madison had her arm around Khloe too. Those girls love Khloe and can't keep their hands off her! Khloe had A LOT of help and love today!

I just love seeing Kayla so proud to take such good care of her little sister.

Next field trip - the Detroit Zoo!

29

Just 29 more days to go!

And then NO MORE SCHOOL!

 Ha! Khloe had to hold something tall too (a swiffer!)

Favorite-ism's

Khloe: Mom, you're being stubborn. (Hmmmm, I wonder if she hears that word too often??? Ha!!!)

Khloe, laying in bed at night, talking VERY LOUDLY to her baby doll: I WANT IT TO BE SUMMERTIME RIGHT NOW!!! (Yup, us too)

The girls eating a snack in the backseat of my truck:
Me: Girls, be careful, try not to make a mess.
Khloe: No worries Mom. Kuh-luh will keep an eye on me. No worries.

Khloe's favorite word is "super". She uses it whenever and however she can. For instance:
I super love that.
I am super starvin'.
Your hair looks super pretty.
I missed you super much. 
We have to super hurry!
And my favorite, asking to stay outside a little bit longer: Can I super play outside? 

Khloe: Mom, do you have Wrecking Ball song? Can you play it?
Me: No, I don't think I have that song honey.
Khloe: Well Missa do!
(Perfect. My 3 year old is asking for Miley Cyrus songs. Ugh)

 Every night we go in and check on the girls before we head off to bed and give them each little kisses on the cheek. This night exceptionally cracked us up at how they were sleeping! 

Kayla is sleeping straight up. Literally. Her pillows are piled so high!

And Khloe didn't get put to sleep with a blanket on her pillow, or a purse, or a ring on her finger, or chapstick in her hand. It wasn't until the camera flashed that we could see ALL the red chapstick on her lips (and face). 

 Here's something neat to try:
Hang a shelf in your child's room and tell them to put their favorite treasures on it. 

Here's what you get! It's now my favorite thing in her room.

The entertainment never ends!