...was so creative and fun. Lucy was lucky enough to be invited to

Tess' Old-Fashioned Party.

Wendy did a fabulous job and went all out like always.

The party started with what else then

{Pin the tail on the donkey}.

Then the kids were off to hear the story of Little Red Ridding Hood. I will be honest, I am horrible when it come to remembering these stories and nursery rymes that I was taught twenty something years ago. So Lucy has not heard most of them , especially Little Red. Wendy read the book as I snapped some pictures of the kids listening. From the looks of this picture...

Cade hadn't heard the story either!

After the story, the kids were given one of these

for a picnic outside. I over heard one of the little girls say..."when are we going wolf hunting?!"

On to some games, presents and cupcakes.

As the kids left they each received cute gift bags. The girls got a handmade hair bow, Childrens book and old-fashioned candy.

What a party! I hopeLucy doesn't expect that kind of party out of me when she is 5!

Happy Birthday Tessa! We love our little monkey.

Lucy has taken the {plunge}...

I have really wanted Lucy to take swim lessons the last couple of summers, but I didn't exactly want to have to get in the pool with her every day for her not to listen to me. So when we found out Brad was doing swim lessons...we jumped all over it.

Lucy has made great improvement just in the past 3 days. I think it totally helps that I am not there for her to hide behind or hang on to. She will actually jump off the side of the pool, attempt to dunk her head under water and when it comes to the monkey walk...well we are still working on that. I am so proud of her. We might have to do a few rounds of lessons this summer!

My favorite part...Lucy's squishy bum!

A little "Pizazz"!

Tayden invited us to her dance recital on Saturday night. Lucy was looking forward to it all week. She kept telling me that Tayden had lots of "dance moves" to show her on Saturday night.

And that she did!

Look at that face. Tayden did a great job and remembered all of her "dance moves!"

The proud brother and cousin.

I have got to get Lucy back into dance class. Great job Tayden...until next year!

Happy, Happy Birthday Grandma Hansen!

We took Grandma Hansen out to Olive Garden and then back to her house for Ice Cream Cake. I had really great intentions of making her a wonderful cake and visiting her at school, but I was so sick all day. We had a fun night and enjoyed each others company on her beautiful back patio. Happy Birthday Grandma, we love you.

Mother's Day

Lucy and Eric woke me up to the smell of a great breakfast. It is always wonderful seeing your child get so excited over a day dedicated to you.

Eric started a tradition 3 years ago on my first Mother's Day. Instead of getting flowers that die after a couple of days, he gets me flowers for the yard. So the week of Mother's Day, I usually have beautiful blooming flowers that remind me of the past years. The first year he got me bright orange lillies (which this year the squirrel enjoyed every bloom before they opened), the second year I picked out 3 rose topiaries...

and this year he filled my flower box full of potato vine and rapid wave petunias.

This picture was taken in the 108 degree heat, but they have been so beautiful for the past 2 months.

After doing our usual holiday visits to the Grandma's we attended church. Eric and I decided we would host Mother's Day dinner for our Mothers and Grandmother. Eric thought since the Mom's enjoy crab so much...that is what was going to be on the menu. Everyone brought something and made it easy on me. I am pretty sure he thought of his own enjoyment as well! The table did look elegant and pretty, but I didn't get a picture of it.

Well, here it is...the one and only picture taken!

It was a very enjoyable day, and I am so glad I have the opportunity to be a Mother and to have such great Mothers in my life.