Fun with Cousins!

A few weeks ago, the girls and I headed off for

a fun play date with their cousins at Topiary garden.

Bucking broncos!

Josie leading the girls through a maze.

Cousin Nate was well ahead of the game

detouring wild elephant bushes.

Everyone posing with a big

Teddy-Bush!

None of us were sure what to make

of the these scarecrows.

Enjoying a little rest.

Treking through a mini

bamboo forest.

Cousin Emily pointing out the location.

Silly time--

Clara Rose stole Cousin Nate's hat.

Photo Op-- courtesy of Clara Rose.

After the garden we headed off to

a nearby farm where we could feed some goats.

Because, what could be more fun than feeding some goats?

What a pretty afternoon!

Next we were off for some more play time

at a playground.

Cousin Nate giving instructions.

Josie was a fast learner.

Clara Rose took a bit longer, but finally got it.

Cousin Emily, in the backround wasn't interested!

It was a super fun day for all the kiddos as well as the moms!

Something about Daisies . . .

The daisy patch is back this year!

I love Daisies!

Something about Daisies--

makes me smile.

The girls love them as well-- and them in the middle of Daisies-- well,

BEAUTIFUL!

Josie the morning of her Pre-K Graduation.

Happy Graduation!

With much pomp and circumstance . . .

Josie graduated from Pre-K this week!

She was very excited and proud of herself

(we are all so very proud of her!).

Here she is sitting during the graduation program.

Her class performed FIVE songs!

They did a really wonderful job singing and dancing!

Josie acting while singing to one of the songs about glasses.

Josie with her diploma.

Clara Rose posing with her Big Sis, The Graduate!

It was Josie's idea for her and Clara Rose to wear matching dresses--

something they do occasionally and according to their preference.

After-party #1

Doughnuts, cookies and lemonade at  the school.

After-Party #2

I played hooky from work and took the girls to a new playground that

opened at the zoo.

There were lots of fun activities-- a pond to dip nets and collect fish, boats, etc.

A musical area to experiement with instruments and sounds.

A ginnormouse treehouse with these

super cool kalidescope leaves!

A tent/fort area to run around a play.

I think Josie had a really good time here---

What do you think?

We visted the animals at the zoo as well--

along the way the girls posed for a picture on this

dog statue.

After-party #3-- The Carousel

We went for a few spins on a carousel,

Josie picked a giant bunny to ride.

Clara Rose riding a pretty pony of her choosing.

After-party #4

Another playground with fun bars to slide down.

It was a great day capped off with pizza and M&M cookies for dessert!

Sweet 16

We had a momentus occasion this past week-- a milestone.

Gabrielle turned Sweet 16!

The larger family came over to celebrate.

It was a lovely weekend day and

the kids had a great time running

around the yard playing. 

Gabrielle making her birthday wish. 

Everyone enjoying the delicious cake! 

Always the silly one! 

Rare footage of the ever so reclusive Xavier. 

I think Wim turned off the WiFi.

Later in the week-- another smaller

Birthday party for Miss Jeeeg.

Mmmm, Tiramisu! 

Josie and Clara Rose were excited

to give her all the presents. 

Even more exciting than that . . .

Wim and Gabrielle took the morning off from work and school

to go get Gabrielle's Driver's Permit! 

WOW!!!!!

She looks so grown-up!

Of course, she is grown up-- growing up . . .

Wow!

She did a great job and humored me

with all the pictures and a

few movies of her driving. 

There they go---- 

At least for now we know she isn't going to far--

Wim's in the passenger seat.

:-D