Pomp and Circumstance

I tend to find myself amazed at the parenting milestones I never had time to think of when I was pregnant with these two kiddos; everyone anticipates their baby's first teeth, first words or first steps, but what about the first time your kid back-talks, accurately uses sarcasm or goes potty without anyone's personal assistance? If we're in Bailey's world right now it's more about first nose bleeds (yes, that's plural), losing fingernails and learning to jump with her feet off the ground. It just never stops--these curve balls that no one told me to be ready for. The teeth, the words, the first unstable little steps? I was totally ready for all that, so imagine my surprise when I suddenly found myself attending Audrey's first preschool 'graduation'.

This year we chose to join a preschool homeschooling co-op that my friend Brittany was spearheading. It turned out to be a great fit for Audrey's first 'school' experience and I was so happily involved that it took me by surprise when the end of May was upon us and class was over. I must say, this was the best graduation I've been to yet--eating tacos and drinking Corona while watching the kids play is my ideal graduation party. Somebody remember that in fifteen years.


These guys: Hannah, Bailey and Pax were my little buddies during the school year. I helped watch the littles so the bigger kids had a better chance of concentrating on their work. It was amazing to watch these guys grow over the year; when we started they were babies, now they're looking like a gang of rough 'n tumble toddlers. Look out! These three will get ya!

After the graduation festivities the night before, we woke up early Saturday morning and did our first hike up Badger Mountain. They've just opened a new trail that spans the eastern portion of the mountain and offers views of the north and south that weren't accessible before. It was a cool, beautiful day for a hike; Audrey rode on John's back in the Kielty carrier and I hoofed it with Bailey in the Ergo. Being in better shape than I was last year after just having a baby was nice. This time we made it to the summit and the girls shared a banana. These two are becoming great friends. I just love watching their little bond grow and I hope it keeps getting stronger. Someone asked us on the way down if they were twins (this happens a lot...people are incredibly unobservant) but I kind of hope that's how the girls will feel, living in each other's pockets.

This coming weekend is an exciting one for us. John and I will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary with our first trip sans kiddos. We're leaving for Leavenworth, WA on Friday and are spending the weekend in a really cute Bed and Breakfast. Keep your prayers with the girls and, more importantly, their Grandparents and Auntie who are in charge of them for the weekend. I'm hoping some of that good behavior I keep trying to instill in my children will shine through and that it'll be a great opportunity for some incredible Grandparent spoilage. Don't worry about John and me--we'll miss those cute kids, but I think we'll be able to make it through the weekend just fine.