Ice Cream + Summer = Awesome

Because of the Beyond Birth group I attended with Anna as a newborn, she has had a close-knit group of the same friends since she was a mere 3 weeks. It was there we met such wonderful moms, many of whom are still precious to us, 4 years later. 

But because little Eliza was the second child, she did not have that special alone time with mama in the beginning. We did not attend the Beyond Birth group and she has only 1 little buddy her age, a younger sister of Anna's oldest friend. 

But also because she is the little sister, she gets to hang out with the "big girls" which she just loves. And for the most part, they love doting on Eliza. 

 

How can you not?

Another reason why I love summer:

Last summer, I had an infant-in-arms and a little 3-year-old who I brought to our local swimming hole during those long, hot days. Both children needed their mama's arms while in the water, and while the hours spent there were refreshing and necessary to beat the heat, it was a challenge. 

This year, look what I have:

The infant, now a pig-tailed toddler, scooping up sand and squatting in the puddles along the shore.

My 4-year-old and her sweetest friend, snug in their Coast-Guard approved life-jackets, floating, playing, swimming, and giggling, without us, the mamas.

Not only do the big girls not need us, like they did last year, they don't want us. They're so secure and comfortable now, and thrilled to be out of arms-reach of us. Oh, what big girls. But do they really have to keep growing up?

Anna, and her sweet Percy

Lizie, and her little Lucy

Lucy, in better days, with a messy-mouthed Anna.

Remember this 3-year-old? This little girl who was overjoyed to start preschool? To use her new pink lunchbox, to have teachers, and to meet new children? Wasn't this day, the first day of Cloverdale, just yesterday?

Somehow a whole school has passed and my sweet girl just completed her first year of preschool. Yesterday the parents joined the children at school for a special Bike Parade, a potluck luncheon, a singing performance, and then for the ceremonious giving of certificates. We said congratulations to the "big kids" who will be attending kindergarten next year and goodbye to friends and teachers who we won't see until next September.

Ready for the bike parade! 

Sitting outside the circle of flowers, awaiting the pomp and circumstance. 

Receiving her memory book.

So proud!

Special good-bye hug for teacher Deb. . .

. . . teacher Dee. . .

. . . and most favorite and beloved teacher, Candace.

In three short months, my four-year-old will return in September and  be one of the "big kids" at school. As much as I want her to be little forever and ever, she is more than ready for this. Oh, my sweet girl, it's going  by so quickly!

Out of all the toys we own, this is what my girls like to play with. . .