Zoo Trip! (Finally)

We finally made it to the zoo. We've been being to go forever and we just hadn't gotten to it. It was my birthday and I had wanted to go blueberry picking but the patch was closed. The zoo was a blast though and I'm so happy we went!

We went with the rides package on our membership this year so we rode the tram for the first time. 

Kevin can get Anna to do some pretty silly things sometimes. 

We'd brought a picnic so we ate lunch looking at the giraffes and zebras. We'd barely finished our food when it started to downpour. We ran for cover by the restrooms. Eventually it slowed to a sprinkle and we could head back to the front of the zoo. It was pretty fun getting caught in the rain!

The carousel was also included so we took it for a spin a couple of times. 

A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the long weekend in Topeka. On Saturday we were at Kevin's parent's house celebrating with the Barnes family. A favorite activity at these gatherings is volleyball. It gets a little too competitive for me so I don't usually play. 

I had fun watching the game and the kids play outside. We lucked out with a really nice day. 

Me and Michelle

Serena and Jaime 

Aunt Connie and Patti working on the bubbles. 

We brought the bouncy house with us and the girls had a blast. They were definitely a little crazy!

This picture is wonderful for so many reasons. 

Jane sure loves Butter. 

On Sunday afternoon we went over at my parent's house and stayed the night. The neighbors were out of town and Mom was asked to harvest anything ready. The girls loved going over and checking out the impressive garden. 

 There wasn't a ton ready but they did get to pick some snap peas and we saw a couple of lizards. 

Anna sporting her patriotic gear.  

We put the bouncy house up again and even Seth came out to get in on the action. 

I managed to grab this photo of Anna and Seth together. Seth is such a sweetheart and really loves his cousins even if he doesn't always show it. 

A little later we went to Auburn for a family dinner but I didn't take many pictures. We had a great weekend with family though!

Swim and May Fun!

I'm almost caught up with May and here are a few pictures from my phone. 

Anna and Jane had some bonus swim lessons through McCracken's Gymnastics and Swim School. We've done Activity School there for the last couple of years and every summer they do swim lessons. To prepare their instructors they have "practice lessons" and invite kids to volunteer. It's a great deal...3 free hour long swim lessons, the kids have a blast, and there are popsicles afterward. 

Jane started Young Explorer's with Anna and she did great. Since she wasn't quite 3 I had to get special permission to enroll her but they were very accommodating. I thought she'd do fine with Anna there and she did. After the first class we went to the park with our friend Ruby. 

After Anna finished preschool we decided not to enroll her in Activity School over the summer. We've taken her a few times as a walk-in but it's been nice having some one on one time with her. For our first day we went to Prairie Fire Museum for Little Explorer's. It was only a 30 minute class and we arrived early so we explored the beautiful area outside the museum before they opened. During the class, Anna had a great time learning about Ants in the class and we enjoyed the dinosaur bones they had on exhibit. Included in the class was admission to the Discovery Room. We had to go get Jane but then we came back to check it out. 

There was so much to see and Anna and Jane had a blast. They had the chance to put together a praying mantis. It was extra cool because Anna and I had found one while we were exploring the plants outside the museum. We want to go back to check out the full dinosaur exhibit before they switch over to space in September!

Anna did a summer camp, Oopy Goopy (2 hours a day of getting super messy).  Jane and I had to keep busy of course. It was a little rainy one day so we spent the morning at Target. 

Coffee and Juice!

We wandered around the toy section so we could give birthday gift ideas to family members. 

It was a fun month!

Anna's first dance recital

We started Anna in dance in January through Lenexa Community Center. It is a pretty low key dance class (which I'm happy about for this age). The rehearsal was Wednesday mornings and there was an Open Gym I could take Jane to or a park at the end of the parking lot during nice weather. Anna also loved her teacher Miss Tauna. They had a Spring Recital that Anna took part in and we were all pretty excited about it. 

We even had some special guests drive in for the recital!

The tap number was to the Sesame Street Theme Song. 

It was mostly singing and little tapping but it was absolutely adorable. The girls looked stunning in their costumes. 

The ballet number was to Trolls and was also adorable. There were marks on the stage for the girls to stand on and they obviously stressed this to the kids. Anna is the rule follower and found a spot on the stage and stopped. Unfortunately it was not "her" spot and she stopped early causing a bunch of adorably dressed little girls to run into Anna. It was hilarious. 

Eventually all the girls were in their proper places. 

The dance was darling and Anna forgot half of the dance moves. I loved all of it. So proud of my little girl for getting on stage for the first time and giving it her all. 

Post-recital flowers!

I was recording so I don't have any recital pictures but there was a Daddy-Daughter Dance that was amazing.

An attempt at a family picture. 

We were so happy Grandma, Grandpa, Hailie, and Seth were able to come!

Jane wanted to dance so much and loved all the pretty costumes. She is looking forward to the day when she gets to be on stage too. 

Parents weren't allowed backstage so I didn't get to take pictures of Anna in all of her costumes. Once we got home I had to do a mini photo shoot to capture her and all of her cuteness. 

The tap costume was so incredibly adorable.  

Anna apparently knows how cute she is in it.

Finally we put on her Trolls costume again. My camera died so I didn't get as many pictures but I loved this costume as well. 

It was a fun evening and I'm so happy we took part in the recital. Dance was a positive experience and I look forward to when we put both Anna and Jane in dance!

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend got off to a fantastic start. I was out running errands Friday evening and came home to this fabulous sign from Kevin and the girls. 

I loved all of it but Anna's little people holding up the "O" is probably my favorite part. 

I tried to get a picture with the girls but they weren't in a cooperative mood. 

On that Saturday we drove into Topeka to celebrate with the Kent side of the family. Jane was tired and crashed on the way there.. 

We went to Kiku's for dinner and had so much fun. 

I should have taken a picture of Kevin with his Mom but he was sitting next to his Dad so I have a picture of that instead. 

Anna was nervous when the chef was lighting things on fire. 

Checking out the Koi pond outside the restaurant. 

Back at the house the girls had a blast playing dress up with some of the new outfits Grandma bought. 

Queen Anna!

Princess Jane!

Uncle Joe was in town and Anna and Jane had fun dressing him up in bows. 

We went to The Farm for lunch and had a lovely time. 

Aunt Laura, Grandmom, and Dad

It usually takes Jane a long time to warm up and I caught her in a great mood. I'll cherish this picture with the girls and their Great Grandma forever. 

After lunch we went to my Mom and Dad's to hang out. It was a beautiful evening to be outside. 

The girls had fun moving rocks around the yard. 

Teamwork is key. 

Me with my little beauties. 

I sure love this face. 

Seth had his MarioKart out and we had to play a few rounds. It wasn't easy playing with a toddler in my lap but I managed to do alright. 

I don't often get a photo with my Mom and I was happy we took the time to get this one. I love my Mama!