May

(Sheesh, I'm behind!)

May was so full and fun, and I really can't believe it went so quickly! I have misplaced my camera cord, so I'll have to upload more once I can get those pictures. Here are some of my favorite moments from May.

The girls and I spent a morning at the zoo early in the month. The girls wore their adventure hats.

Charlie loved her first trip! 

We spent mother's day with my family. The girls gave me a sweet little book of pictures and notes. This page is my favorite, because they are always "so hungry," so it's nice to know I'm apparently making progress in this department.

While in my hometown, we visited a farmstead where the girls got to feed goats, explore teepees and ride horses.

And we celebrated a certain someone's third birthday. I think it's safe to say she felt loved and special!

On her real birthday, we ate pancakes on the "kitchen" floor while she opened gifts. You gotta love the cloth diapers hanging in the background... Classy, I know.

Speaking of the kitchen, we made some major strides in the kitchen renovation; most visible are the kitchen cabinets! Caroline was actually very helpful. She somehow intuitively knew what tools or parts we would need next.

I sent my girlfriends a text that said, "Rejoice with me! I'm installing drawers!" It maybe should have also said, "Pray for me... I'm installing drawers." because the instructions have no words, just pictures. :)

We also worked to find a good school routine. Although we won't officially start kindergarten until the fall, I know it's important to begin to structure our days to fit in a dedicated school time. Routine has been so absent from our lives for so long that I confess I've struggled to do this; but we're making strides, and the girls are enjoying it!

My favorite part is our reading time; it brings back so many memories of my home schooling days. Plus, I get to reread so many great books!

Memorial Day weekend we started out at the farm, and the girls got to have several adventures:

Shooting guns (with my Uncle Jeff)

Even Charlie got in on the action! :) For those who might be concerned... the gun was not loaded.

Riding the four wheeler (with my Uncle Keith):

Elli and Cara took turns doing this for a loooong time.

After her first ride, my mom asked Cara if she was scared. Her response was, "No, I sooooo happy!"

My favorite part was probably exploring my grandma's garden. It's so inspiring!

Charlie continued to smile more and more for not only Daniel and I, but her sisters as well!

We took the girls' bunk beds down into individual beds, and they've loved it! This is one of the few pictures I have of their completed quilts, and I love the little pillows my mom made to match.

We took some sweet family pictures over Memorial Day weekend, and this candid one that my sis-in-love captured has just got to be one of my favorites!  (Thanks, Sara!)

I caught this sweet smile from my sleepy girl. :) Thank goodness for the iPhone, because there would not be nearly enough pictures of Charlie without it!

You know, I kind of thought the novelty of "Baby Charlie" would eventually wear off, but I'm beginning to rethink that. These two girls continue to adore their baby sis.

This picture just completely defines our crazy life right now: dishwashing , paint rolls drying, and toddler potty-training... all in one room.  I will be so thankful when our bathroom is simply a bathroom. :) This is also our first solo date night (thanks, Nonna), so obviously I'm pretty excited about that!

Charlie fell asleep while I was packing for our Memorial Day trip... she is such a content little baby.

Usually our Saturday mornings include two more little people populating our bed, but this particular morning we got to snuggle with her until she fell back asleep.  Love!

Charlie discovered her thumb this month, and oh.my.goodness. I melt every time. She is the sweetest little sweet-pea.