Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day Weekend. Before pictures, I have to praise my husband. Ryan is such an amazing father. I couldn't have asked for a better one and I am so pleased he is there for our kids for EVERYTHING like my dad was for me. I have the best father and could go on and on about all the things he did that made me feel so loved. So with that kind of love from my father, I have always hoped for the same for my kids. They are his priority. He is extremely hands on. He never tires of their repetitive stories, in fact he probably asks them to repeat them because he enjoys it that much. He takes the time to explain things to them. He wakes up very early to work out each morning so that doesn't interfere with his time with them after work. He would ditch any event to hang out with them, but when he can't, he has something planned with them as soon as he gets back. I love being a mother, but I love it even more with such a great partner on our team.

For Father's Day weekend, we headed to SPI. The kids were awesome. Not one melt down. We were able to hang out with a big group of friends and their families one night and the rest of the time it was the 5 of us non-stop. We had beautiful weather to celebrate a beautiful holiday.

SOLIS KIDS

Fireworks At Shenna's

Helena & Dan

Shenna & Felicia

JUSTIN BIEBER MANIA

ALWAYS COOL - TYLER

Soccer camp! Dance Camp! Asa completed one of 2 camps he will take this summer for soccer. This was the MYSA ran one, some skills and drills, but more fun than anything. He will take a Dynamo camp next month and that will be much more intense and prepare him for next season! Helena attended a Princess Dance Camp full of ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap and tumbling. It was a new school I had been wanting to check out and I/we really liked it! She was pretty disappointed when it was over, so we signed up for another one in August.

The kids also had their first ever SLEEPOVER with the Williams. Asa & Tyler spent the night with Brock & Gunnar and Emerson came over and slept at our house with Helena. Very impromptu, but everyone did great!

Our annual trip to Florida this year was so good! It has been stressful and chaotic in the past and was definitely harder when the kids were younger. This is our 5th trip! The stats - it's a road trip (although one year I flew with Helena when she was a few months old); there is lots of fishing; lots of blueberries; and lots of family time. Ryan's grandmother lives right outside Pensacola in a town called Milton. We stay with her and she has a one 2 acre pond and another 1 acre pond - reason why there is so much fishing. It is a very laid back trip. I was happy we took it immediately after school was out. We all needed the down time and time away from schedules, obligations, and commitments. Here are a few pics of the fishing. There are hardly many pictures, because we were just too LAID BACK!

If you know Helena, then you know Reese. Reese is her BFF. They spend lots of time together and constantly talk about one another. Helena asked every day if it was the day of the party for at least 2 weeks. Reese's tea party was this past week and Helena had a blast. She may have overstayed her welcome by staying late and watching Reese open her gifts.

Reese had an all girls' tea party and now is 4, which is also very exciting to Helena. Now all she can talk about is when she turns 4. I have several pics from the party to post. I am also going to post a few pictures from the MANY I have of these two friends over the years. The have enjoyed being in a playgroup together, many trips to the beach, school, camps, ballet, and just anytime the mommies get together.

Sarah took a picture of each little girl and her mom. I thought this was a wonderful idea and it was amazing to see how much all the girls look like their moms. I am enjoying having a little girl so much and sharing the experience with other friends and their little girls.

Helena & Reese

Ready to make hats!

Making hats


Helena & Salome


Making Frames


Singing Happy Birthday!


Reese, Helena & Daddy Reese

The latest pose Helena makes for pictures. Very frustrating, but still my cutie! This started during the recital. She is taking this chin up thing a bit too seriously.



First moments 2008



Beach 2009



Winter 2009

Spring 2010

Clowning Around

Water fun

Pool 2010

Beach 2010

Buying first ballet shoes.

At the start of last week, I was excited that we had no afternoon activities and that every afternoon after school would be spent relaxing and not rushing. Monday was the only day we did that! I wasn't disappointed, because we ended up doing a lot of unexpected FUN stuff the rest of the week. Girls movie night to see Water for Elephants; signed up kids and got them tested for Kumon - which was actually fun to them, Asa's end of the season t-ball party; dinner with Marc & Felicia, and celebrating Ryan's bday.
Wednesday was Ryan's bday. The big 33! I made a sea bass with a miso soy glaze. We had a very relaxing night in. He is not big on celebrating his birthday, but one of these years I plan on having a big party. It will have to be a surprise since he is totally against it.
I am a total mess today, because I had big plans of getting a lot done today for the kinder memory books that are due Thursday, finishing my CLE, and helping Ryan with anything trial, but stuff kept coming up! And now at 7:31 PM, I feel very behind. Here's to somehow getting it all done by Thursday.

Random pics from last week. Will post memory books next week!

SCHOOL PICNIC

Helena & Zoe

HELENA & REESE

MY CLOWN ASA

LANEY AFTER A SWIM

LANEY TAKING CARE OF HER BABY

HELENA & FINN