Whirlwind

 Nearly two weeks down of summer vacation already. I won't lie. It's been rough at times and I've been called a whiner of a momma. I'm trying to catch myself and allow the Holy Spirit in me to replace the negative words with words of gratitude. It is fun to watch the girls do the things they enjoy.
Madison's new craft desk (a very belated birthday gift) has not been neat and tidy since this picture was taken. She's scrapbooking for the fair. She's also working on some sidewalk chalk games for kids, taking saxophone lessons, working toward reading 2014 pages this summer, working on 4-H Share the Fun skit, celebrated a best friends' birthday and attended 4-H Day Camp last Friday.
Breanne has a 3/4 finished wind chime hanging in segmented pieces in the sunroom, practicing every day for the past 2 weeks for her play The Elves and Shoemaker, is doing 4-H Share the Fun skit as well, playing soccer, assisted me in taking pictures at a wedding last weekend, is also reading toward 2014 pages this summer and continues to keep the neatest and most organized room in the house.
Aliya tries to spend as much time reading with momma as she can (her goal is 1000 pages), making an American Doll House for Caroline & friends, started T-ball last week and violin lessons. I pinch myself for not taking a picture of this last night: she came down from her bath, in pjs, bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her hair…so grown up!
All the girls have been swimming! However, this cool rain water, hardly lets the water temp rise, so Derrick and I have shied away from a refreshing dip. The first weekend in June, we went to celebrate my cousin Lee's wedding in Michigan. It was a long drive, but the girls thought it was awesome to have a whole cabin for just our family and swim in the lake. Derrick and I enjoyed a canoe paddle at dusk (mosquitos included…nothing cuter than wedding attire and bug spray).

On our way home we got to see Lake Michigan. Our new mini-goal is to see all five great lakes as a family.

We chuckled, when a wave capsized Breanne; she screamed and scrambled. Somehow, she's always the one to fall in the water!

Mother's Day with our middle

Poor Breanne! When she needed a photo of me and her for a Mother's Day project, we found none! She is well overdue. This impromptu turned out pretty well though.

As she matures, I'm seeing that of the three girls, she seems to be the best mix of Derrick and me. She is stubborn (well, that's both of us), very detailed and particular (Derrick), writes (me) and has a dramatic attitude (likely me.)
On Mother's Day, they told me to sleep in and they'd bring me breakfast in bed, but I ruined it and snuck out for "my own time" with coffee and the sunrise. After Bre and Aliya had waken, I was given the greatest gift: watching Breanne read Aliya the picture Bible. (Notice Breanne's sporting a coffee mug…totally me!)

 We spent the rest of Mother's Day with my family at my sister's. We got to stop and see Micah's headstone for the first time. He's always missed! Especially in this one.

 We missed it last Mother's Day, but this one turned out great…me and my mom. I really think we couldn't have enough pictures with the ones that we love…I should take that to heart with Breanne, huh?
Last weekend, we got to travel to Peoria to meet Evie, the first DeWilde cousin. So maybe she wasn't too impressed with us, but she surely wrapped us around her sweet little finger.

The girls totally fought over who got to hold Evie. I think the words I heard most were, "She's going to like you best!" Now read that with a whining, it's my turn tone. Totally cute…the first time. Then, well, not so much.

 

Welcome Evie…be nice to your mom and dad!

We all have "things"

One of Madi's "things," is art. She loves it! She was one of 5 students in 4th grade selected to exhibit in the District Art Show last week Thursday. Her self-portrait has a saying of her choosing, "It always seems impossible until it's done."

The initial trip to meet the 4-H pigs was less than thrilling for Breanne, but Madi couldn't wait to get up-close.

Braelyn also had no hesitations to scope out the herd with Madison, identifying who's whose…cousins…priceless!

Triple D

Daddy Daughter Dance

Videos to come…we hope!

Backlogging

"Take a picture Daddy, you may never see this again…all your girls on one ski hill."

Found these pictures on Derrick's phone…the last cold day in March…Aliya's first time downhill skiing. It was a memorable day of memories on the ski hill.

April in Madi's perspective

Madison here, keeping up the blog for mom. Mom and dad went to California. We stayed with grandma.

 Aliya singing with her class at CBS in early April.

 Aliya after her program. (See her singing above.)

 Painting pottery with cousins at our house.

Abagail with playdough.

Playdough!

Soccer!

Chole and Aliya and Abigail trample daddy after soccer.

Finding Easter presents!

Blowing out candles at birthday party.

Dance recital!

Up top in dance!

Dad and daughter dance!

Push ups!

Dad carrying me away; AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

After dad daughter dance (after recital).

Madison and Aliya.

Daddy and Breanne!

Piano recital!

Prize for the first one

 What a negligent mother am I! I have missed sharing significant highlights on our blog. Aliya is my sweet little baker, always thinking of surprising her sisters with sweet treats. On Valentine's Day, we made cupcakes while her sisters were in school, arranged them in the shape of a heart and hid them until dessert that evening. We set up a decoy (everyone thought Aliya was in trouble when I asked her to please come see me in the back room) and then this little peacock emerged, "Happy Valentine's Day!" Her sweet heart amazes me (not literally-the cupcakes-but her spirit and demeanor).

 Unfortunately, I overlooked the fun red frosting could be. Taylor (a girl after my own heart) asked for just a spoonful of frosting (except, I'd ask for ice-cream to go with it.) And then look at those lips! Gorgeous I tell you! Madison and her friends have been busy with dance competitions. Her MiniKix class placed 2nd at the first competition. It's so fun to watch her dance. Derrick treated her to a date at Pizza Ranch after competing and then they returned to watch the entire evening of performances…what a dad! (Though he'll admit, that's a lot of girlyness!)_

 Breanne is into being silly and rubber band looms lately. "Take a picture of me mom!" Her hair is getting soooo long!

And look what's different about our big girl Madison….look again. I'm not telling you. Prize to the first one to notice and post the answer in the comments. (And no, it's not that she's lost the Miss Piggy hair.)