Labor Day Laughs

We road tripped two hours to my sister Haley’s house last weekend to celebrate Labor Day.

On Saturday night we undoubtedly ended up at Haley and Jimmy’s pub, where Gracie happily rocked her SIU t-shirt dress that Haley made all my girls back in April.

Adie (aka Preggy: due in March with baby #2) and Hales are all smiles at Pinch Penny Pub.

Sophie at the Pub, also sporting a t-shirt dress that I made her out of Daddy’s old tees, chugged some Sprite.
(This is definitely my girls’ favorite treat that they get once in a blue moon when we dine at restaurants!)

Me and my sister Maggie’s fiancé, Austin.
Self taken photo. Standard.

On Sunday, the boys golfed.

And the girls walked across the street from Haley’s house to a park.
I love the easy access park situation.
Almost as much as I love the hand holding situation.

Gracie loved this green slide.
And I loved the fact that she wouldn’t take off these sweet shades.

Little Meade was all smiles.

And speaking of smiles, here is my favorite picture of the day.
Haley’s daughter Ella and my Sophie, posing at the park.

Tyler bravely tried out the green slide.

Then a race.

And another race. 

As we re-entered Haley’s gigantic front yard, Mimo raced all the girls (non-strollered kids) to the front porch.

It was hilarious.
Run girls, run!

An after race shot of the girls on the front porch.

A close up of the “girls club” in action.

I hope you that all of you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend that was full of laughs as well!

Happiness Is…

Experiencing life.
And living the best life you possibly can.
You only have one shot at raising your children. 
There are no do-overs.

Just one shot to teach them the importance of being kind, polite and thoughtful.
Just one shot to show them that life can always be beautiful.
Just one shot to be the best Mom you can be.
One shot to be present in their lives.

At the Haus of Girls, we never stop experiencing new things.
”Always on the Go” has been our family motto lately.
And I love it.
The fact that my girls get to experience life.
Real life. 
OUR crazy fun chaotic life.

Recently filled with the such things as… trips to Michigan, Aunt Maggie’s college softball games, helping Daddy do landscaping over and Nana and Papa’s house, riding scooters,  sidewalk chalk drawing competitions, dance class once a week, Mia’s softball practice and games, trips to Nana and Papa’s lake house, jet skiing, boat rides, swimming, fireworks, restaurants with Mimo and Grandpa, Sophie beginning her second year of preschool, Mia starting first grade, slumber parties at Mimo and Grandpa’s where they fished and roasted marshmallows, trips to my sister Haley’s house aka: Neverland Ranch, walks at the park, playing on playgrounds, train rides, Spirit Squad for the first time for Mia, bonfires, horse back riding, family get-togethers every week, and of course, block parties.

Block parties with horses.
Even better.

Maggie and Steve checking him out with the girls.

I love this town.

The girls watching the live band.
(Sophie’s fab skirt? I made with some stellar fabric from WALMART. Yes Walmart has cute fabric. Just sayin’.)

And a shot of Mia with her best friend, Maggie.
Bots so cute in their stripes.

We had the best summer with you Maggie and can’t wait until you visit us in October!

Have a happy fun-filled weekend!

 

A Day of Firsts

 

Sophie started her second year of Preschool yesterday.

Last year, when she turned three, she went twice a week.
But this year, she’s in the big girl Pre-K four year old class, and will be going three times a week. 
I still can’t believe it.

It’s amazing to me how fast the past few years have gone by.
She’s gotten to be such a big girl.
So big, in fact, that her cute blonde hair is long enough (after falling out at age two) to finally fit in “Dorothy braids.“

Posing at school.

The backpack shot.
One of my all time faves.

And yesterday was another first.
The girls’ first day of dance class!

I must admit that I was a bit sad that they would be in different classes this year. (Especially when Sophie cried a few tears at the thought of not being in her big sister’s class.)
But they put my concerns at ease when they both came out of their individual classes smiling ear to ear looking forward to another fun year with their friends that they have made at the dance studio over the past few years.

Showing off their tap shoes and leotards.

Honestly, what is more adorable than those two items?
Shiny black tap shoes and perfect pink leotards. Love.

I hope that you all have a toe tapping fun Thursday!

A Sassy Silhouette Guess Who

Can you guess who this adorable silhouette belongs to?

Hint: She’s two and loves to sing and dance all day long.

You got it!
Gracie Marie.

Last week, while having one of our typical dance parties to Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus, it quickly turned into a sassy silhouette photo shoot.
So random. But I highly recommend trying this.

Those pigtails?
The cutest.
And the fact that she definitely has Steve’s ears?
Even better.
And clearly documented forever in silhouette proof.

a simple list

Mia came home from school last week with an assignment that she had completed during school that day.

 

  
This is what it asked her to do.

 

And here are her three places.
Hollywood, number one of course, the Zoo and the bowling alley.
I love it.
She is my tiny clone, as I would gladly go to any of these three places on any given day. 

I loved seeing this little list, printed in her cute handwriting, and couldn’t stop smiling.
I can only hope that she will get to experience at least one of her “dream field trip” locations this year. 
So far, according to Mia, first grade rocks, but I’m pretty sure a trip to Hollywood would make it her most memorable year ever.

Happy Tuesday!

I Had the Best Day With You Today

If only I could have written this song that is playing.
To my parents.
If only I was as talented as Taylor Swift.

But the words, even though they are from a child’s perspective, are truly what I feel on a daily basis.

I Had the Best Day With You Today……

There’s nothing better than a celebratory photo shoot while chomping on potty treats.

I am soaking in every minute with you little Gracie, before you, my baby, start your journey into school, next year.
And, by the way, I had the best day with you, today.