Did you miss us?

It has been over 2 months since my last post. I can't believe that much time has gone by since Easter. I am going to play catch up in this post then hopefully I will be able to get back to more frequent updates. Here is what we have been up to (at  least what I can remember anyway).

So long to soccer
Ava and Macy finished up their soccer season and had an end-of-the season picnic at the park. All four of us really enjoyed their first soccer season and can't wait for next Spring! (They offer fall soccer but let's be honest. What is more important? Razorback game days or 4 year old soccer game days).

pre-game warm up

 post game donut celebration

 Ava getting her trophy from Coach Katie

 Macy getting her trophy

 They were so proud of their trophies, medals, and certificates

 Taking a swing at the pinata

 This picture cracks me up. After the pinata broke, all of the kids piled on the candy and starting grabbing everything they could. Ava and Macy are strangely shy and non-aggressive around other kids, especially a big group of kids. Macy stood off to the side until she thought she could get in there safely. If only they were this patient and non-confrontational with each other at home!!

 Surprisingly, she did come away with some loot.

Hello to Summer
Ava, Macy, and I wrapped up another school year. They finished up their 3-year old preschool year and will be heading to the big time Pre-K in August. Can't even begin to think about kindergarten. I get teary every time I really start thinking about it.  For now, we are enjoying our summer at home together. The girls are taking swim lessons, they are finishing up their TOT basketball class, we are making trips to the library, the movies and the swimming pool. Of course, we are doing lots of playing at home too. One thing I have noticed since being here with them all day is how much they pretend play. They are constantly using their imaginations. They do this at the pool, in the car, at Walmart, outside, and at home. They love to pretend they are cats, dogs, lions, mommies, daddies, the ice cream truck man, wicked witches, giants, etc. Some of the things they come up with make me laugh. The other day, I was downstairs getting dressed and they were running around acting crazy (as usual). When I asked what they were doing, Macy said, "We're playing T-Rex and Baby Jesus capture the wicked witch." Okay..... interesting trio of characters there. 

First day of swim lessons

 This was the first day of summer. I was downstairs and they were playing very quietly upstairs (the quietness should have been my first clue they were up to something). They piled all of these toys on their couch. They said they were fireman and this was their firetruck.

Tracing each other with sidewalk chalk. Yes, they are wearing their dance costumes from last year. It's summer. You can wear what you want.

NYC
Ben and I took a  trip to New York. He was there for work at the beginning of the week so it worked out that I could meet him up there for the weekend. We had nice (kid-free!) dinners, saw all the sites, went to see Rock of Ages on Broadway, and slept in (might have been the best part!). It was a very nice get away weekend. We took some pictures of sites but have zero pictures of us with the sites. Gigi and Papa came to take care of the girls. They went to the park, the splash pad, the pool, the movies, the mall, Gatti town, and probably other places that I don't even know about. Of course, Ava and Macy loved every second of it!

 Carnival at Central Park.

The new world trade center building.

 riding a motorcycle with Papa at Gatti Town

 mini-bowling

Reunited again

Girls Weekend
I had my annual girls weekend with my college friends last weekend. I hosted it at my house this year and as always we had a blast. We hit the pool to relax, went to a fondue restaurant for something different, and went to a comedy show. So fun to see those girls and just be together. Ben took Ava and Macy to The Nalley's house. Eddie and Ben took care of all four girls for the weekend and other than the girls coming home with about a bazillion mosquito bites everyone survived and did just fine without me.

That pretty much sums up the high points of the last couple of months.  Stay tuned for a separate post with some exciting news! Everyone that reads this blog already knows the exciting news but I want it to be in a post all its own.