Monday Must-Haves: This Tote

Have you ever felt like this? Yeah, and then the bags break. 

Photo Credit

I have the most amazing mulit-purpose tote that I use for grocery shopping, the beach, the pool, cleaning out my car, and many other ways. My kids like to use it for shade on a hot day after grocery shopping :) There are a few sizes to fit your family's needs - check it here! Low Country Bags

Summer Starts

The start to our old-fashioned summer has started! Down with technology and hello to family fun! Today we played a few yard games - of course we had to video because apparently the kids love the little videos of the kids playing with their toys and opening eggs or whatever they are doing so they want to video our stuff too. I would much rather it be us doing something fun then watching someone else play with their toys.

John is finishing up the play set for the kids and while he was building Heidi took the slide and pulled it over the trampoline. Such a smart and strong little cookie! It was a perfect idea and now I think we might need to buy a little slide just for the trampoline. They had such a good time on it!

Dirty little feet and faces - that is what summer is made for!

This is of the fight sessions. I'm not really sure where

this came from...

Spoon race - and you can see in the end that someone

does not like to lose.

Bear Crawl Race

Crab Race

Dance Time!

We were at two different studios this year for Heidi. One was ballet instruction only without a recital. Ballet is such a foundation for any sort of dance - perfect for sports as well. It is truly something you can carry with you forever. I do not know what the future holds with Heidi and dance or if she will decide to dance next year, but she is such a beautiful dancer that I hope she decides to stay with dance. Of course having grown up dancing I am a little biased! Heidi has such a pure and sweet heart and I can feel that on stage when she dances. I do love both dance studios we have chosen - they have such a talented group of ladies!

Friday we had a little observation for the ballet instruction only studio and Saturday Heidi had her recital. I was so proud of Heidi! So many changes to a few years ago when my friend Paula was shaking a box of nerds in the wings while Heidi danced in order to bribe her to stay on stage :) Sometimes she might not smile {she said she forgets sometimes} but she goes right on stage and is just such a shining ray of sunshine! It might have been the last time she dances on stage, but whatever she decides to pursue next I know she will be great!

What patient little brothersdo while big sisters

are dancing :) AND my"needing a pedicure foot"

Harrison wanted to make a "sad" face

for the camera...

How we store all of the costumes and accessories:

Your Bag Lady

After recital treats for two special kiddos - maybe 

their parents too :)

End of School

We have had such a busy May! I am so thankful that lazy days without schedule are upon us. This summer is going to be full of pool days, crafts, fun times outdoors, the beach, and whatever else we want to enjoy! Heidi finished Kindergarten last week and it was such a bittersweet moment. This school has loved on Heidi for the last 4 years and I know we will never find another like it. The kids in the class truly cared for each other, they prayed when one of their classmates was sick, and have grown up together. Next year they will be going their separate ways.

The kiddos had a class picnic indoors {because the weather has been rainy off and on during the week} and there were photo booth options set up for them to take pictures. At night we had the BIG graduation celebration for the Class of 2016. The graduates were so excited!! They were absolutely precious with their songs! The smiles were full of joy, pride, and a hint of nervousness as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. I didn't cry at all, which surprised me, but I might have eaten my feelings throughout the week with a box of fudge rounds. After the ceremony we headed out to eat dinner and ate with Heidi's BFF and their family. Harrison got a little pouty, but it was incredibly late for him and he gets a little moody when he needs to eat - don't we all??

The last day of school Heidi's class had a game day and all sorts of fun! Harrison's class had a fun pizza and party celebration with a slide show of pictures showing what they did throughout the year. It was amazing to see the growth of the kids! Harrison has grown leaps and bounds this year! He went from only saying a couple of words to now chatting our ears off with words we had no idea he even knew! Seriously zero to complete sentences. After school we headed to a pool party for Heidi's class. Such a fun time and thankful the weather held out for the kids to have one last time to hang out.

Here is a little look at the first and last days of school - such a change in these little guys! I love looking back on the pictures to see how much they have changed over the years. Time really does go so quickly. I cannot believe that 7 years ago I did not think I would ever even be able to have children after Hudson died and now they are almost 6 and 3. Everyday I am so thankful to God for these sweet blessings He has allowed me to watch over. I know that they are His, but I will be eternally thankful for my entire life that He chose me to be their Mama.