Schools out for Summer!

 Isabella's last day of school was last week.  She was sad to have school end for the year but looks forward to going to vacation bible school this summer and starting Pre-K in the fall.  Isabella has grown in many ways during her 1st year of pre-school.  She is learning her letters and enjoys practicing writing.  She loves to color and knows her primary and secondary colors.  My little social butterfly always greeted her teachers with a big smile in the morning when arriving at school.  I always enjoyed that big smile and hug that would greet me when I came to pick her up at the end of class.  This past year, Isabella attended school 2 days a week. Next year Isabella will go 4 days a week like the big kids!  My little girl is growing up so fast and I love her eagerness to learn.  

Last day of school

Sister Squeeze before class

Isabella and her 2 teachers

Isabella & Abby

Gavin & Sophia

Who is excited summer for summer?  Isabella!

BG & Family Fun

We made our first trip of the season to Busch Gardens and my dad accompanied us on the trip.  It was so much fun and I think we all had a blast!  Isabella has grown a lot since last year is a tall enough to do a lot of new rides!  She even went on her first roller coaster.  Since the weather was perfect we opted for a ride on the log flume.   Sophia was not sure what to expect and I held her tight for security.  However,  when we were splashed it ended up right in Sophia's face and clothes.  She looked sad that she was splashed and did not realize it was part of the ride. My poor darling was shivering when we got off the ride.  Once we found a nice sunny spot we began to dry off. We tried lots of new rides and are excited to go back again!

Isabella & Elmo

Sophia did not want to go near Elmo!

Isabella's 1st roller coaster ride!

Pop-pop crawling after Sophia

Sophia & PopPop on the sky ride

Isabella & Mommy on the sky ride

BIG log flume with little Bella & Sophia.

PopPop & Bella in the car behind Sophia & I

As you know we adopted a sweet cat we called Luna.  However, Luna developed a few bad habits we could not change and it seemed she was not happy with our little family.  Thus, we sent her back to the cattery.  The girls were sad to see the cat go but understood that we had to do what was right for the kitty.  The girls just wanted a pet so we ended up getting a fish and a snail as our new family pets.  The girls named the Betta fish "Nemo" and the snail "Larry".

Bye Luna, we will miss you!

Last weekend was the long awaited Lebanese food festival in Richmond. Yum!  I was thrilled to enjoy the tasty treats with my family that was in town visiting.  As if we were not spoiled enough by all the delicious food, we were spoiled with a date night for Will & I!  It has been a long time that Will & I have planned a date and actually did something (other than running to target).  We went to Cinebistro and enjoyed a movie with a spread of sugary desserts.  It was an AWESOME night out! Thank you to Eddie & Mary for giving us a great night out!

Ready for our night out

Hugs before heading out the door on our adult only evening!

The girls and thrilled to have alone time with G-Mom & PopPop

Mothers Day

Life is not measured in how many breaths we take, but by the moments that takes our breath away.

My grandmother always said she wanted another baby.  She replied "I think some people always want another baby whether they continue to have them or not....and other women just know when they are done"  My grandmother was never done.  She was the eternal mother always wanting to help, offer support or just listen.  Home cooked meals, a clean house and a beautiful garden were her forte.  She is like a mother to me.

Mothers Day weekend I was able to enjoy time with my Mom & Gram.  It was great to see Gram sitting up in a wheelchair, which I have only seen once in the past 3+ months since the stroke.   Even though Gram is still unable to eat, walk, or talk...she looked so much better that it took my breath away. 

Isabella & Sophia enjoyed seeing Grammie

My sister Gillian, my Mom and I enjoying the patio

Catching up with Pap on the patio

67+ years of marriage and look at the love!

Big Mama watches Little Mama

Giggle time!

Sophia with her great grandmother Gram

Isabella with her Great Grandmother on Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day!

Strawberries

Last week we went to a strawberry patch with friends.  This was a fun year with the girls since they really understood how to pick the berries.  Sophia seemed to enjoy eating them more than picking them to take home.  I loved the stain around the mouth the kids had from eating the juicy berries.  It was a fun filled morning that included a playground, hayride and a picnic lunch.  

Strawberry Picking 2012

Farmer Bell

Taking a bite...

....not sure their faces are a good reaction!

See Mommy!

I love strawberries!

Make a wish

Sophia is the sweetest berry in the patch

Ellie, Cora, Madelyn & Isabella

Sophia and I on a hay ride

The afternoon after picking berries we were enjoying them outside on our deck and Isabella said "Stop, we need to save some for Daddy, PopPop or anyone who might stop by!"  So thoughtful.

Hair Cut Adventure

Sophia- Before hair cut

Isabella- before hair cut

The girls have only had a handful of hair cuts in their short life.  In fact, Sophia has only had 2 hair cuts and Isabella about 4-5.  I was also due for a cut so we made it a Schaefer girl family event.  My friend Kristen ( who is also my hairdresser) opened her own salon so we headed over there for a morning of beauty.  Isabella was eager to go first and requested a super short hair cut like her friend Cora or Daddy.  Since that was not an option we decided on hair like Snow White.  Sophia wanted hers to match Bell . Somehow I think we all kinda match.  Here a few photos of our hair salon adventure...

Bella loved having her hair washed  in the chair

Sophia checking her self out in the mirror

Bella looking in the mirror at her new cut!

Cheese!

After being cooped up the salon the girls had pent up energy and HAD to run around a bit before going inside.  Thus, I snapped a few more photos. 

After hair cut!

New hair cuts!!

Cheese!

Muffins With Mom

Isabella's preschool hosted "Muffins with Mom" last Thursday.  Isabella made a super cute flower pot for me that was painted like a watermelon.  She also put her hand print on a poem for me.  I loved it!  It was nice to have special Mommy/Daughter time!

Muffins with Mom!

Isabella with her teachers

Later in the afternoon we played around the house.  Sophia loves playing with the wooden doll house which was mine as a little girl.  Its amazing how the doll house keeps the girls occupied.  Isabella loves playing dress up so we did a bit of that too.  Bella dressed up like a "rock star" so we had to have a little dance party!  Notice Sophia also wanted to be a rock star, but used the pretend hair dryer to sing.  I love my silly little girls.

Sophia with Mommy's old dollhouse

Rock stars!

A rock star needs lots of BLING!