Ears are pierced!

Peach and Brownie have been wanting/scared of getting their ears pierced. Well, the day finally came--a Monday off of school before Auntie started her new job is all it took.

Auntie was going to take them to Lawrence for a lunch out, ear piercing, and a stroll on KU's campus. They let me join in for the fun day. I was so grateful because I never get to sneak away with my older babies since they're in school and in so many activities.

The girls picked Free State Brewery for lunch. Mmmm... we all love FSB!

Across the street is a Claire's. After studying the various studs, the girls settled on their pair.

Brownie went first, and she only cried right when it happened and only for a few minutes.

 Before the ear-piercing.

 

During the piercing.

 And right after she got them done. You can see her half smile and a little tears in her eyes, but she really did great!

 Then Peach did hers, and she only cried for a short time, too.

 Here's Peach being silly right before she got her ears pierced.

 And during.

And here she is right after (yes, she had makeup on because Aunite had some fun before the special day started). 


I was so proud of them! And so was Aunite.

We walked up and down the Mass street and happened upon a little candy shop! It was adorable. I got truffles and the kids had some cotton candy!

We had a really fun Girls Day, and we continued on to campus.

 This "love" sign was so cool--so we had to pose with Auntie.

 Auntie and the girls with Memorial Stadium behind them.

We had fun showing them the football stadium.

 Memorial Stadium

 Mama and the girls in front of Memorial Stadium.

I also got to show them where I worked (one my many jobs) for three of my four undergrad years.

 These are my "Future Jayhawks!"

 We had such an awesome day. After we visited the bookstore, we headed home so we could make it to the night's activities. In a couple days, it will be six weeks since they got them pierced. And yes, they are already eying some new earrings.  I will always treasure this special day!

The End of the School Year

The pictures don't flow well here, but you get the idea. I don't have time to make it perfect right now, so this is better than nothing!

May has suddenly turned into the busiest month of the year. All four of my school-aged kiddos had some fun end of the school year activities--field days, special lunches, bring this or wear that, Mother's Day tea, ice cream socials, field trips, not to mention that I already volunteer at the elementary school once a week. So yeah, it seemed like I spent about as much time at school in May as my kiddos did. HAHA!

The last day of preschool for Boushka was the Monday of the same week everybody else's school ended. I totally forgot that I wanted to have them hold a chalkboard that said "last day of preschool," so this was the next best thing.

 Yes, she had to wear the tights with her dress. She said so--that's why!!

 Just some cuteness.

 Boushka had a special last day where she got to invite family to her school midway through the morning. They we'd all get to have ice cream and play games. We had a nice time together.

 This little Bug had several special days at the end of the school year. She had a field trip and sack lunch at the park that Daddy got to attend, a race car day, a pajama day, and so much more fun. She also had a day where she was supposed to wear all of her "VIP" badges from the year to see which student had the most. This girl is lucky that she has two big sisters who saved all of their VIP badges--this means she got to cheat a little. HAHA! It's all in good fun.

 

Bug also had an ice cream social at the end of the year. 

 And in early May her class held a special Mother's Day Tea. This was my third one to attend, and it was so lovely. She made some special projects, and we also got to enjoy some cookies and lemonade. We made some wonderful memories.


My older, elementary school kids also had some end of the year specials. The talent show was one of them. Peach and a friend choreographed their own gymnastics routine to "Good Feeling." It was so awesome. They looked great out there on the mats.

 

So proud of these two girls. The crowd roared and cheered when they were done!

On the last day of school, Peach had an ice cream party. I got to help out. I love helping out at the school--it makes me feel more involved. And I adore seeing the kids in a different environment where other adults are in charge and they're around their friends. Good insight!

 Cute end of school pics were taken after school ended--oops!

Here's my Bug before the Mother's Day Tea. Brownie let her wear her special Easter dress--such sweethearts.

 This is the placemat where she guessed my age!

 The special project she made me--this is a shoe she wore years ago. Now it's a treasure I can keep forever.

 Our "tea" and cookies.

 The little cutie also made me a bonnet. So creative!

 I love her bunches!!

 Boushka's last day of school--going under the parachute.

 Climbing the slide.

 Playing with the shaving gel art.
And painting with water!

And Bugsy's last day with her ice cream.

 With mama.

 Her turn at the parachute.

These kids are super awesome and great friends.

Field Day for the elementary kids. Tug of war is taken seriously!

All classes got to play. Here is Brownie getting some hugs from her BFF!

More Field Day pics. This is the station I worked--it was soccer but you had to wear this doughnut around your waist. It was funny watching the kids try their hand (or foot) at it.

I got to eat lunch with the girls on Field Day, and then I got to hang out on the playground with them. And I sure do learn a lot when I'm on the playground!

First and last day of school for Bug 2013

 First and last day for Boushka 2013

 First and last day of school for Peach 2013

 First and last day of school for Brownie 2013