A hot summer day

Mya had not been in the pool since last summer and really only sat in a baby float. We were encouraging Sophia to start swimming like a big girl a few days ago when Mya suddenly jumped into the pool (her face went under) and started swimming! She is our swimming prodigy!

 She turned two a few weeks ago.

Here are some cute pictures from the pool.

Sophia's first ballet recital

Sophia did such a great job on Saturday at her first recital. I kept welling up with emotion and thought I would cry a few times during the performance. I can only imagine what a mess I will be when she goes to Kindergarten. This recital was a year in the making and I thought it was pretty good considering she just turned four. She did say, however, that she never wants to do ballet again. I guess I am glad she did it for one year...
Sophia is the one in the middle.

She loved getting flowers like a grown up. Thank you to Marmee and Hannah for joining us.

Here is a picture of Garrett smiling during lunch. Thank you to Emily for making his very formal onesie with a tie!

A cute video

I am so lucky to live near Lisa and her kids. They have such a good time together. I am looking forward to Jason and Emily moving nearby. There will be 11 cousins on the Dowling side of the family as soon as Emily has her baby!

In this video is Eli, Penny, Sophia and Mya

Can you tell the difference?

Sophia

Mya   

Garrett

I am so amazed at how much my children look alike! What a blessing they are.

Mother's Day

I just love Mother's Day. It has a whole new meaning now that I have my own kids. Carl works so hard every year to make it special for me. This year was especially wonderful. I just wish I got to spend it with my own mother as well.
We went strawberry picking with some of the best moms I know, Sue and Lisa.

Mya couldn't wait to eat them!

Garrett just hung out with Marmee.

I decided to make strawberry preserves with what we took home. Please learn from my mistake and only store homemade preserves in a rinsed out pickle jar if you want a hint of pickle flavor.

Sophia turns 4 and Mya turns 2!

The girls had their party at a cute, little art house near my house. They painted and made crafts. I keep hoping that we will be able to have a party for them at our own house one day. They don't seem to mind the space issues that I struggle with.

I have heard so many times that kids grow up fast and that I should embrace each moment. I never thought it would be this fast. I can remember my own mother making me promise that I would never get any older and stay her little girl. I have started saying that to my own kids. I am trying to enjoy my time with them and to remember how blessed I am to be able to stay home. I am reminded of that Abba song "Slipping through my fingers." (It's a bit cheesy but sweet should you wish to look it up)

Easter!

The weather has been so beautiful here. I can't help but be glad I don't live in New Hampshire anymore. We can spend so much more time outside in the south.

We had an Easter egg hunt with the Hitchcock's and the Smith's. This is the first year Sophia was really excited about Easter. She knew what to expect and was serious about finding eggs.


Mya figured it out quickly!

We spent Easter with the Dowling's down on Pine Mountain. Hannah, Marmee and the girls decorated eggs.

Mya was not too pleased when I took her basket away.