Mini-Vacation at the Lake

This one was of the few weekends out at the lake with just our immediate family. It was so fun! We had a fun and relaxing time just hanging out with one another. The new boat is amazing and Matt and I even got some wakeboarding in while Alivia and Will cheered us on. The older kids love to have Matt take them on the jet ski also.

Baby John seemed to be out of sorts this weekend, however. Maybe he is getting some new teeth? He cried non-stop (I am not exaggerating) until 11 pm on Friday night which was totally unnerving to me. The rest of the weekend went more smoothly, but he was definitely more whiney. He took long naps twice a day which helped. He has started full-on walking and I have to hold my breath as he careens around the house nearly smashing his face on every sharp corner imaginable. While we were down at the dock, I had to strap him into his stroller since I cannot take my eyes off him for even one second. Whew!

My sweet girl ready go board the jet ski with Daddy

Baby John strapped into the stroller

Will ready to join sister

Sandwiched on the jet ski

Baby John's first boat ride on the new boat

Alivia loves riding on the boat

Last Day as a Monkey at CPP

Preschool for Will has been a breeze this year. He was one of the oldest in the Monkey class which made him a natural leader. Plus, he was potty trained and incredibly verbal even at the beginning of the year which cut down on lots of frustration on everyone's part. I recall maybe one or two days when he let out a small whimper as I left. Otherwise, he sauntered into the class like he owned the place and charmed the pants off everyone.

Some of the moms are convinced that he will be President one day because of his self-assuredness and the funny fact that as moms come to pick up their kids, he calls out to the particular child (often using a nickname that he has made up). For example, a little girl named Sally, he calls out, "Sal-Pal, your mom is here!"

I definitely think he has my adorable, outgoing husband's personality. What a blessing!

For some reason, my normally very gregarious little boy absolutely refused to smile for this picture with his teachers, Ms. Bonnie and Ms. Nooshi. Stinker!

Preschool Graduation 2011

Alivia graduated from Covenant Presbyterian Preschool today! I don't think it has hit me yet because I have not shed a tear. It has been a good year but I think next year will be even more exciting as well begin our adventure at Veritas Academy. The graduation ceremony was sweet. All the kids were asked to say their full names and what they wanted to be when they grew up. Alivia said, "Alivia Claire Risinger. I want to be a doctor and a mom when I grow up." So sweet! Later she said that she wanted to also say "vet" but that Ms. Jean told her she could only pick two things.

What Happens in Vegas. . . Gets Posted on my Blog

Oh my goodness. . . where to start? I had a fantastic, fun, hilarious weekend with my best girlfriends from college. They can make me laugh like no other friends in my life. We know each other so well - now 20 years and counting! Red (Shreveport, LA), Anna (Denton, TX), Alison (Springfield, MO), Mandy (Austin) and I all met up in Vegas for a long weekend. We stayed in a great suite at the Venetian. The first full day was spent poolside at a private cabana at the hotel (I highly recommend it). The second day was spent shopping at a beautiful outdoor shopping center with a great lunch. Dinner that night was at the old downtown area of Vegas at Hugo's Cellar where we all enjoyed good conversation and great food and they enjoyed good alcoholic drinks (ha ha!). Our last meal together was at Olives Restaurant at the Bellagio.

I can still giggle about some of the jokes and comments that were made during the weekend. I love you girls! We are already trying to talk our hubbies (and kids) into letting us take another trip next year.

The group (minus Mandy)

Touring the Venetian

Funky Diner for breakfast

Poolside at the private Venetian cabana

We all loved the fedora that Red bought

Dinner at the Wynne

Livin' it up in old Downtown Vegas

My FAVORITE pic of the girls - I grabbed these matching sunglasses from a nearby vendor

Heading out to shop

Checking out H&M and feeling very very old

At the shopping center - looking so cute

Last night out - a look at the hotel suite

At Olives Restaurant with Red

Anna, Mandy and Alison

Last group shot of the trip

"The Art of Dressing Well"

My Prima Ballerina

Alivia's dance class from Dancer's Workshop performed on Saturday to Disney's "Art of Dressing Well." It was adorable to watch and since Alivia is one of the oldest in the class, she really knew the dance well and was quite the leader. It was fun to share the moment with cousin Avery and neighbor Katherine Dugan.

I snickered a few times watching my brother sit through the 2-hour production. I have to admit, towards the end they started looking pretty similar.

I thought the costumes were especially cute, and once we put a little makeup on them, they looked like angels. Alivia has really enjoyed her year at Dancer's Workship. Her teacher, Miss Robyn has been wonderful. At this point, we have signed up for another year of classes.

Alivia was thrilled when Mimi gave her a bouquet of flowers at the end of the show. She insisted that I put them in a vase on her bedside table.

OUCH!

Will was running as fast as his little legs would carry him and tripped over an uneven place on the sidewalk. He fell. HARD. I can still hear the sound of his head hitting the pavement. He recovered pretty quickly and I was so glad that he did not hurt his eyes or teeth.