Swimming Lessons

Reese is almost done with her "Littles 3" swimming lessons, and she has already passed to advance to "Littles 4".   She can actually swim for awhile completely on her own.  The progress she has made in the past year is amazing. Reese LOVES swimming lessons and asks to stay in the pool after every half hour lessons.  She also really likes her teacher, Biz!

Here they are practicing their kicks!

The only issue she has is with her swim goggles.  She usually starts the lesson with them on, then takes them off because they are too tight, too loose, or any other issue she can come up with.  Reese would prefer Lovey wear her goggles instead.

Emmy enjoys swimming lessons too.  She plays with some new little friends she made, does tricks by the pool, and occasionally yells, "Good job, Reesie Pie!"

Alone Time

I found Emmy this afternoon laying in Reese's bed with her fairy reading a book.  So cute!  And made me realize she gets very little alone time, but she must have needed some today.

Homework

Reese's teacher has sent homework twice this year, and Reese thinks those are the greatest days ever.  I can only hope her enthusiasm for homework continues.

Friends

Reese has requested lots of play dates recently.  Emmy loves the play dates too, and runs after the big girls saying, "Here I come girls!"

Playing lasso the ponies.

Ellie taught us the "Ride Your Pony" song...

(gallop around the room)

Ride, ride, ride your pony.  

Ride, ride, ride your pony.  

Ride, ride, ride your pony. 

This is how it goes.  

(stop and shake front-to-front with a friend)

Front, front, front your pony.

(stop and shake side-to-side with a friend)

Side, side, side, your pony.

(stop and shake back-to-back with a friend)

Back, back, back your pony.

This is how it goes.

(repeat)

It's super fun when your friends bring some toys to play with, too.

Take a little break with Todd.

Painting

The little artists.

Ice Fishing

Reese and her friend Tessa are future ice fishing champs.  Well, actually, they just enjoyed the snacks and Reese SCREAMED when they caught a fish.  Ha!

Valentine's Week

We had a fun Valentine's week.  Reese celebrated at school on Wednesday and thought it was totally awesome that the friends all exchanged cards and treats.  The girls gave the neighbors Valentine's too.  My favorite is this one Reese made for Heather that says, "Heather you are nice and kind."

Unicorn, Alicorn, Pegasus Party

Reese requested a "Unicorn, Alicorn, Pegasus" party theme... impossible... so I had to get creative.  We decided to go to a horse farm and through a connection-of-a-connection, found an amazing place in Skyrock Farm.

Reese walked in, and her mouth dropped.

Then the kids all lined up to go see and ride the horses.

The birthday girl got to wear the only pink helmet -- this was a big deal.

The kids all met "Snowflake" a 29-year-old very nice pony.

And we met the barn cat named "Annoying."  Ha!

Each of the kids got to ride Snowflake around the indoor arena.  Of course the birthday girl got to go first.

Time to brush Snowflake.

And we turned Snowflake into an alicorn!!!

Back to the main building to ride the carousel.  This place was incredible!

The kids were starving after all that excitement.

I always have to capture a picture when these three are together -- all born on Sept 8th of the same year!

Cake time!

And finally, presents.

So clearly Tracy (our neighbor cake should-be professional) did not make this cake. Since I wasn't hosting at our house and not doing as many decorations, I decided I could tackle the cake.  While I was making it, Reese told me that she didn't really like it..  When I told her that I was sorry it wasn't as good as Tracy's cakes, but I was doing the best I could, she quickly changed her tune and told me, "It's fantastic."  And, although I borrowed my friend Ashly's cake making supplies, I found the entire process stressful.  Tracy can have her cake making duties back for all future parties.  One positive was I made the cake using a new product I'm working on -- Green Giant Veggie Blend-Ins.  The cake was made with spinach puree instead of oil.  It was delicious, moist, and the (and adults) had NO idea.  Find the recipe on veggieblendins.com and buy the product on Amazon.com.

A few decorations...