The End Has Come...

Last week was such a whirlwind, but I finally feel like life has settled a bit.  Thursday marked the end of school for the girls. They both have had FABULOUS school years and have grown so much - academically, physically, and emotionally.

Here is a first day and last day of school picture of Quinn...

And before and after pictures of Sullivan...

And the two of them together....

The bus stop gang on the last day of school...which coincidentally was 'hat day'.

Cole (4th), Quinn (4th), Sullivan (1st) and Jack (2nd)

Both Quinn and Sullivan had the BEST teachers this year.  Words can not even express how blessed we have been to get teachers that are passionate, nurturing, engaged, and down right amazing!  Sullivan and Quinn were sad to say goodbye to their teachers this year, and I have to admit that I was sad too.  

Quinn and Mr. Stage

Mrs. Carrell, Sullivan, and Mrs. Knutson

Our hearts are forever grateful for Mr. Stage, Mrs. Carrell, and Mrs. Knutson...!  

Our Young Author...

Sullivan's class participated in a young author's open house one night last week. Each student in kindergarten and first grade was responsible for writing and illustrating their own book and then showcasing it at the open house.

Sullivan's class wrote informational texts about animals...

As you can see, Sullivan chose to write about rabbits.  She researched and studies them for quite some time, in order to become a rabbit expert.

Let's look at that cute cover up close...

What a cute, chubby bunny!

Sadly, Ryan wasn't able to attend the open house, but us ladies enjoyed all the good reads.  Sullivan was able to read her book to us...

And read some of her classmates' books...

I am mad at myself because I didn't take any pictures of the inside of her book, and she hasn't been allowed to bring it home yet.  But when we get it back, I will try to update the blog.  Her book definitely doesn't lack voice.  Her writing makes me smile!

The young author's open house was a great way to spend an evening - surrounded by good books, great company, and one amazing, phenomenal author!

Kid at Heart...

Last night, Sullivan had an unfortunate encounter with the pavement while riding her bike on our walk.  And sadly, it happened at the furthest away spot on our walk. Having scraped her knee and leg pretty well, she was insistent she wasn't getting back on the bike.

So what is Ryan to do when there is an empty bike without its rider?!

Ride it, of course!

Such a kid at heart.

The sight of Ryan riding Sullivan's bike brought a smile to her face and almost made her forget the injury to her leg!

Hanging with the Dolphins

This past weekend, Quinn had the opportunity to cross something off her bucket list!  She has forever wanted to swim with or interact up close and personal with dolphins.  And thanks to her dear Auntie, Uncle, and cousins, her dream came true last weekend!

They gifted Quinn an in-water dolphin experience through the Indianapolis Zoo for her birthday.  The experience consisted of a behind the scenes information session, front row seats to the dolphin show, and in-water time with a dolphins.

Quinn and Kimo...

Before Quinn got in the water... super excited and anxious!

The following pictures, sadly, are not the best.  They were in the large pool and we were not able to get up super close. But being in the large pool offered for a better experience for the dolphin and participants, and that's all that matters!

Quinn getting the dolphin to flip his tail up...

Giving the dolphin a hug...

Watching the dolphin leap out of the water - what an incredible view!

Quinn rewarding the dolphin with a fish snack.  

She didn't much care for all the fish guts on her hand!

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Quinn - and one that she will forever remember!  Her love of dolphins only increased after this experience and she is already trying to find ways to interact with them again soon! A huge thanks to Auntie, Uncle, Judson, Crew and Elsa for making Quinn's dream come true!

Quinn's Birthday Party

Quinn celebrated her 10th birthday today with her friends...

Like her sister, Quinn wanted to go paint pottery for her party.  So that we did!

These girls are wonderful - they all get along so well and have the best time together.  So many smiles and laughs filled the studio today. 

Here is Quinn's creation...

After painting, we headed back to our house for some ice cream cake..

The girls laughed and giggled and shared stories while they ate.  Sadly, the time flew right by and the party was over.  They could have easily played for hours and hours more!  

Happy Birthday, Quinn!

Mother's Day and Heroism...

The title might suggest that being a mother is a feat of heroism in and of itself.  And while that might be true, Mother's Day was filled with heroism in a very different way.

The girls' school has been studying Malala - the youngest ever Nobel laureate and and advocate for education for women.  If you Google her, you will most likely recognize her.  The kids discussed her heroism and how she has affected so many people's lives.  As a culminating activity to this unit of study, Sullivan's class was asked to choose a hero in their life.  Once their hero was chosen, they needed to create a project (of their choosing) at home to honor their hero.

Sullivan came home from school, task in hand, and knew instantly who her hero was.  She chose Grandpa Dar as her hero, because he served in the army and he had to be brave to do that.

Her project was due the day after Mother's Day, so we spent a good chunk of Mother's Day working on the project.  She contemplated what project she wanted to do, and landed on doing a memory quilt.

Here she is with the final product - as proud of can be and rightfully so!

The rest of Mother's Day was very relaxing and peaceful.  We went for a walk, spent time outdoors, and planted the girls' flower pots!

Earlier in the day, this little cutie was PUMPED to make me breakfast in bed! 

She plotted and planned the night before about what to make and bounced right out of bed on Sunday morning to get the breakfast started.  The breakfast of her making?!  Two delicious slices of cinnamon toast.

Ryan said that she was thrilled beyond belief while making it and was so proud to feed me breakfast in bed.  I was so honored and so thankful that she did that for me!  Then the girls brought their own breakfasts up to our room and we together had a picnic! It was perfect and I loved every minute of it!

All in all, it was a wonderful Mother's Day - the perfect way to spend the day with my family!

Track Star...

Quinn joined the track team at school a couple of months ago.  They have been practicing a couple of times a week, in preparation of the year-end track meet that was held this week.

They practiced all the events that make up the track meet, and were given two different heats to run at the meet itself.

Quinn was picked to run the 100 meter race and the 800 meter medley (running the 100 meter leg).  You can see her lined up above - she has a grey shirt on (two behind the girl in the red shirt)!

She did an amazing job and ran her little heart out.  I happened to be sitting next to a friend of mine, who commented that Quinn "ran the whole time with a huge smile on her face!" And that she did!

Here she is with her good friends before the meet..

Here she is with her good friend, Madelyn, after the track meet!

They had the best time at the meet and we are so proud of Quinn for giving it her all and trying something new!