a bit more

of my weekend projects.
I did plant a few container gardens again this year, and we did a major overhall around the front porch.
The shrubs were removed last fall (some are just now noticing that) the rocks were removed last month. That left us with quite an area and quite a mess. Still not sure if I'm completely sold on how it looks right now, but it is certainly a huge improvement from before. Why is it with any home project what starts out as a simple idea turns into a nightmare. Removing those bushes was definately a needed move, and yet it seems that it opened up a lot more need to do items added to my list.

this weekend

I spent cleaning up the yard and planting.
Some are repeats from last year. I loved how the wagon looked last year so that was a definite repeat.
I added a new bird bath and few new solar lights on the west side of the house, now that the trees and bushes are starting to bud it's looking quite cozy there. The birdfeeders are the view out the daycare window, the kids love watching the birds and this set up seems to be drawing in quite a variety, although they would be thrilled with blackbirds or sparrows. :)

a few more....

it's starting to come together

planting a garden

since Dennis moved we haven't had access to a garden spot. Until yesterday, my dad helped us clear an area and tilled it for us.
It's a rather small garden by most standards but just perfect for us. Rosie was excited to plant the flowers she picked out. Of course she then picked the flowers. Guessing she didn't quite get the concept of what planting entails. :)

Happy Birthday Yahaira

She is 4.
So much to say, so much I've said.
On this day that celebrate's her birth once again I find myself wondering at the gift she has been to me.
What an amazing journey we have shared. Daily she reminds me of the wonder, joy, and beauty that life is.
Daily I am blessed to be her mom.

opening gifts...

Just a few pics from Saturday's birthday party.
To say she had a fun day would certainly be an understatement....

dance video

a little view of her performance today...it is not

the best quality, dark and fuzzy. But, you'll get

the idea. She did look adorable. (she is the fourth

one in from the left)

Dance Recital...

Her first recital. She seemed unconcerned by the fact that "this" was the day.
Until she took the stage then she paused and wondered just what "this" was all about.
She looked adorable.
It was a wonderful performance by each level. So fun to watch, so amazing to see how they have developed over the year.
I packed a bag for Rosie, filled with things to keep her busy, just in case, she didn't move, watching the stage the entire time. I think she was picturing herself up there dancing like the big girls.

dance recital...family pics

Yahaira and her dance teacher.
Who she absolutely loved!
Her teacher's enthusiasm and energy made every week something Yahaira looked forward to.

the trick will be

finding this picture when she graduates from College.

Applebee's

the staff singing happy birthday to Yahaira...she was super excited by the sundae she received as a birthday treat.

hanging out...

the part of the weekend we didn't spend doing graduation or birthday things.

Yahaira's 4th Birthday...

Was on Saturday, so we celebrated with the Piercy's at the hotel. She was most excited to spend her birthday with Beckie and of course the sucker Linette gave her was a tremendous hit, as you can see it is in almost every picture of her. Hard to believe she is 4, hard to imagine a life without her.

pool fun

this has become our favorite hotel in the Fargo/Moorhead area. The kids love the pool and water slides. Every moment possible this is where they were, from early in the morning to late into the evening...(there were no bedtimes this weekend) So many giggles and laughter...

the first

She was our first child, the first grandchild on my side, the first niece, the first on almost everything. Sunday she became the first to graduate from college. No one in our families has graduated from college....she is the first.
As I walked across the campus on Sunday I found myself saying out loud "It feels like we just brought her here" and yet those 4 years passed in a mere blink. She approached this milestone with calmness and maturity. Actually the entire weekend was a relaxing, wonderful experience. So unlike her graduation from high school. Now that could only be described as frantic chaos. Mix in some major attitude by the soon to be graduate and it's simply amazing anyone survived. I think when your child graduates from high school you as a parent are as vested in the process as they are...you are the one guiding and nagging that they stay on course. So as much as it is their moment, parents also get a pat on the back for helping them reach this point.
From the moment they are born we are beginning to let them go. Sometimes it's easier than others. With each big step, with each new moment we take another step back, College is when you get to step back and see just what an amazing kid you have...
and amaze us she did. This is her moment to shine, she worked for this, stuck with it thru the ups and downs and earned this moment completely. Watching her walk across the stage and accept her diploma was overwhelming. I was filled with complete pride at what she had accomplished...to realize she is an adult, (when perhaps the mom in me will always remember the little girl,) a pretty amazing one at that. As is so her as she walked by where we were sitting she glanced up and grinned and did her little wave, the sparkle in her eyes so similar to other times when she was little and would see us and pause giving us a grin and wave before she resumed what she was doing. I can't wait to see what she does next....