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 

Zooriously Fun Times

Spring is rapidly turning into summer and at the

girls' request we headed off to the zoo!

Josie and Clara Rose had a great time

climbing this tree.

Our timing was just right to watch the elephants

getting a bath!

The girls and I tried out a "Winds of Africa" machine.

I should have given the camera to Wim for pictures.

Next time.

It was very windy!

Clara Rose posing with one of her faves!

It was feeding time for the penguins

Everyone was feeling the onset of the

afternoon heat toward the end of our zoo visit.

Back at home, we broke out the slip-n-slide!

A refreshing way to cool off!

Topped off with ice-cream cones!

Mother's Day Outing

Our schedule was fairly hectic over Mother's Day weekend.

All four of the kids had things going on with activities.

So I decided to keep things low key-- but fun all the same.

Saturday we did our annual event of me picking out my usual greenery for around the yard, Wim is still working on getting everything planted.

The girls picked out some nice flower to plant for their mom's in China.

Sunday, after the girls' Chinese class, we headed off to a fun recreation area that is

near their teacher's home for an afternoon picnic and lot of play time!

It was a beautiful day!

Josie and Clara Rose had a great time playing on the beach

and splashing a bit in the lake.

It was warm enough, I should have brough our swim suits! 

I had a great time playing with them and watching them have fun playing.

Later in the afternoon we decided to leave the beach area and explore some of the

trails through the woods and in other areas around the lake. 

Josie and Clara Rose were excited beyond belief to go mountain climbing! 

They discovered all kinds of really cool stuff! 

Josie enjoyed being the trail leader and really took charge of the responsibility! 

Near the end of our hike they discovered this lovely Lady Slipper Orchid! 

All three of us were quite happy to have found such a lovely

flower for Mother's Day.