Swingset Excitement!

 We bought the girls this sweet swing set on clearance last fall.  We showed them a pic of it at Christmas, and told them when we got moved, we'd put it up.  Well, other house projects ended up taking priority over their swing set, and Sean was just able to get to it this week.  They were THRILLED.  I think the bronco (the red thing) is definitely their favorite.  The monkey bars are still a little high for Elise to reach, and Erin can't do much more besides slide and ride the bronco, but they'll definitely grow into it and it's awesome to have a place for them to play in our own backyard!

Elise's Preschool Graduation

Yes, you read that right.  This post is about Elise's preschool graduation.  It's mind-boggling to me, too.  I have probably said this a ton on this blog, but it is fitting here, too: Time flies when you're watching your babies grow.  

 

She went from this to preschool in about a year.  Maybe two.  I swear.  

Okay, her little sister is proof that I might have my timing off a little, but still.

Elise's cheese-face is getting to be notorious.  Miss Melissa even had a page in her memory book about it.  You tell the girl to smile for a pic, and she literally says cheese with the face in most of these pics.  It's super cute, but sometimes Mom wants a real smile.  Sigh.

Elise managed a real smile with her Daddy--probably because she was with him.  She thinks he hung the moon.

Graduation drew a good crowd for such a small class--and we took up a whole row.

Elise did so good to stop and smile for me on her way to the stage.

Elise only went to A Touch Above preschool for about 5 months, but we were thoroughly impressed.  Miss Melissa worked really hard to make graduation special for the kiddos and their families. 

She got a diploma, a memory book, a goody bag, and just all sorts of great stuff.  During learning time today (I work with Elise while Erin is napping), she practiced her letters on the dry-erase board that was part of her graduation gift from Miss Melissa.

Nothing like a photo-bomb from little sister...

This is Elise's self-portrait for graduation--it cracked me up that she gave herself brown hair, but I guess that's what she thinks she has!

Miss Melissa gave us an 8x10 of Elise in her graduation gown (in the pic above) and I love it.

We are so proud of our preschool graduate, and are really looking forward to her starting kindergarten in the fall.  So far, the two things she is most excited about include a new lunchbox and riding the bus.  These are both easy things for us to get excited about too!

As a bonus pic, here is Erin sitting still for a bit this morning.  The kid rarely does it, but when she relaxes, she relaxes RIGHT!

Elite HR Solutions, LLC

This little link makes my business feel so much more official: www.elitehrsolutionsllc.com.  Sean and a friend of ours worked hard to get my website up and running, and I am so thankful for their hard work.  Prayers would be appreciated for my brand new adventure with Elite HR Solutions, LLC!

No More Babies?

This week, Erin started climbing out of her crib.  We made the same decision for her as we did for Elise (granted, Erin started this about 3 mos earlier than Elise did, but we went ahead anyway): we didn't want her falling while climbing out of the crib, so it was toddler bed time.  It didn't really hit me what this meant until I sneaked in later that night to snap a few pics of the big girl in her big bed...no more babies.  My baby is too big for the baby britches: she is a big girl now.

 I immediately ran to Sean and after telling him our baby wasn't a baby anymore, I said "let's have another."  We've had this conversation a few times, and we have both decisively said "no" at different times.  But that night, he hesitated.  And it terrified me!  He did eventually say definitely not right now (which is smart, considering my new entrepreneurial endeavor isn't exactly raking in the money at this point), but it got me to thinking later: why did it terrify me?  Is it the sudden realization I've had while being home with the girls that full-time parenting is HARD?  Was it the fact that we are on a pretty tight budget as we wait for my business to start making money?  Or was it more complicated than any of those things, and a combination of all of them?  Probably.

But at any rate, it certainly was an event that made me stop for a minute and appreciate the two sweet babies I've had the pleasure to raise so far.  It also made me appreciate the other babies I've loved in my life (nephews, niece, family and friends' babies), and the babies yet to come that I'll love--whether they belong to family or friends...or I have one more of my own.

Easter 2014

As good as at got for a pic of the girls dressed up

 Easter 2014 was a good one.  The weather was gorgeous, and it was wonderful to celebrate our Risen Savior!  Sunday, Sean had to work, so it was just the girls and me.  We went to church with Nan, Pop, Mammy, and Link, then joined some more of the family for lunch at Nan and Pop's afterwards.

A Stevens family tradition: pinata!

Nan and Pop with their boys

Mom and I are rarely in pics, so I had to get one of us!

 I am not the smartest about blogging, so moving back a day, we celebrated Easter with MawMaw and PawPaw on Saturday at their house. 

MawMaw with her grandkids

I failed to get pictures of it, but the Easter Bunny visited the night before Easter.  He and Santa Claus both know that firefighters like to see their kids open their gifts, so they visit the night before if the firefighter dads have to work the holidays.  Highlights from Elise's basket included the movie Frozen and a Sleeping Beauty barbie.  Erin got a new baby and a Sesame Street touch phone.  

 

All in all it was a great Easter!

A New Reality

Elise getting her "baby fix" with Claire

 A few weeks ago, we made a BIG decision for our family: I quit my steady paying job in favor of starting my own business.  There were many reasons that went into making this decision, but the main ones were my desire to try something different, and the opportunity to spend more time with my kids.  Last week was my first full week at home (I took a week to just spend time with the kids before starting the new business--more on that on another post.)

Jack trying out the hose with Uncle Sean

My attempt at getting the 4 kids in one pic.

 It was a great adventure of a week.  I spent Monday and Wednesday just hanging with the girls.  Mom and I took them shopping for Easter dresses on Tuesday.  On Thursday I volunteered to watch my niece and nephew while Amanda ran some errands.  Friday, Amanda and I took the girls and Jack to see Uncle Sean at the station and to open swim at Doling Park.  

I was diligent in working with Elise each day on her letters and numbers so we could continue preparing for kindergarten this fall.  I also taught her to tie her shoes, which made both of us proud.  I am going to have to get on that wonderful online pin board to find some other ideas for educational activities that are appropriate for both a 5 year old and an almost-2 year old.  

The weekend brought with it Color Me Rad.  Cara and I participated for the second time this year.  Last year we were better prepared and it was way colder, so we were motivated to run most of it.  This year it was gorgeous, and neither of us had trained, so we just walked it.  It was a good time as always.  I didn't get a good "after" pic of us--the selfie we took didn't do justice to the color we were rocking!

 Sean volunteered for the event, and Hannah snapped this adorable picture of him "to the rescue", helping a kiddo with a skinned knee.  She texted me the pic while Cara and I were walking and it warmed my heart.  He makes me proud!

Catching Up

Ugly Sweaters on New Years Eve

 My dear sweet cousin (HI, CHAD!) pointed out to me that I hadn't updated the blog in a while.  We've been pretty busy, what with the holidays, moving, throwing an awesome Ugly Sweater NYE Party, continuing the remodel on the house, having wisdom teeth surgery, and making the crazy decision to start my own business.  I think that covers the highlights of the last 3 months...

This kid will crawl into anything.

 In February, we took the kids to the fire station to visit Sean.  Link had never been and I think it is safe to say he was thoroughly impressed.  Elise loved showing him around--even though Sean was traveling to a different station than his usual one that day, she acted like she owned the place.  True of most places she visits!

This is just a cute picture of Mammy with her grandkids--she and Link had stopped for a visit when Lacy was working one night.

My kids love licking the spoons/beaters after I make fruit dip.

Dress up with friends!

Aiden <3 br="">

At the end of March the Porters came to visit (the girls played dress up) and the Lees stopped by so Erin and Elise could meet Mr. Aiden. He was a sweetheart the whole time, except when Erin held him. That didn't make him too happy!

I will try to be better about blogging--don't want you to miss out on gems like the pic above, when Erin and her baby sat down on the rug in the kitchen for a snack!