Mini Photo Shoot...

Several weeks ago, one of my best friends, Christy Bounds with JC Bounds Photograpy, did a mini shoot of the kids.  Of course, I could order every single picture she took, but here a few of my favorites.  I'm most excited because her family is going to the beach with us in September and she is going to take the beach pictures of my family that I have always wanted...hopefully the kids will cooperate!  In these pictures, Anna Lauren is 5 and Cooper is 19 months.

Just a Summer Saturday...

It's Memorial Day weekend and even though we are a bit jealous that many of our friends are at the beach or doing something else really fun, we are making the best of just a laid back long weekend to do some of the things we enjoy at home.  Today we ended up doing several fun things and the kids seemed to really enjoy their day...

The kids started their day by watching the air conditioner man fix our air...thankfully, we have home warranty so this didn't require any money, and we are much cooler than we have been the past few weeks.

After Daddy finished cutting the grass, we headed to Newk's for lunch and then the splash pad. Cooper seemed to really enjoy the splash pad...

I mean...does it get any sweeter than this?

After everyone napped, we headed to the pool...Cooper is at the "in between" age...he is not thrilled about his float...he wants freedom.  Honestly, he makes me a nervous wreck...he has no fear...will just walk right into the water, go under, and come up laughing. 

And every second we were not doing something else, we were in the back yard watching our neighbors build a new fence...the kids LOVED watching them and cannot wait to watch again tomorrow.

The Little Man...

For the most part, the blog revolves around Anna Lauren because she is the oldest and has the most activities...BUT...there is a little man that lives at our house who we adore just as much as her!

Cooper is 19 months old now...he is for sure "all boy" and although he and his sister are equally active, he does things she never imagined doing.  For example, he put his jacket in the toilet and swished it around with the plunger...and that is just one of his many tricks that scream "all boy".  He says a few words but communicates very well...if he wants something to eat, he goes to the pantry...if he wants something to drink, he goes to the fridge...and so on.  However, he is babbling much more so we are thinking more words are coming sooner rather than later.  Thankfully he still sleeps and eats great. 

At school we are in the biting phase...he bites as much as he gets bitten.  I walked into daycare the other day to find him in the office on the time out bench...my oh my...didn't know that started so soon.  Needless to say, we've tried it a couple times at home but don't think he quite gets it yet.    Other than biting and pulling hair (what got him sent to time out the other day) he does great and school and seems to enjoy playing with his friends.  I have been told he will fight a little girl for a "girl" toy...guess that is what happens when you are use to your sister's girl toys.

Today we went for our first "official" summer swim, and he LOVED the water...yay!  I did manage to snap a few pictures of him.  He was having so much fun just watching the bigger kids swim.

Graduation Day...

Whoa...what a day!  Pre-school graduation ~ a day full of tears and a day full of excitement!

Matt and I have been looking forward to this day as much as Anna Lauren...she is so excited about kindergarten, and we are so excited for her and the new journey she is about to begin.  But...we get to her program and the tears start flowing...yes, even Daddy.  Craziness!  However, we decided our tears are due to the fact that we have LOVED Ridgecrest and it has been the perfect fit for Anna Lauren for five years.  Not only is it school, but it is our church.  There is comfort in that for many reasons.  And even more important to us, she and Cooper are together...we enjoy them getting to ride together in the mornings and afternoons.  Next year we will have to divide and conquer and that is going to be hard on a Daddy and Mommy who like all their eggs in the same nest.  We will all adjust but it hit us hard today...and...it hit us unexpectedly.

But...besides Daddy and Mommy being a bit on the emotional side, we had a super fun day and enjoyed celebrating Anna Lauren's graduation.  What a special day we'll always remember!

Here she goes...I'm Anna Lauren Calvert, I'm 5 years old, I want to be a gymnast when I grow up...

Singing her little heart out and not missing a motion...

Getting her diploma...

And the BIG surprise of the day...this "special, special" friend (Emmy) came to her graduation!

Anna Lauren and Ms. Theresa...this lady has worked her to death, but she has taught her so much!

Anna Lauren and Ms. Melissa...Ms. Melissa was her assistant teacher for most of the year, and she came back for graduation.  Anna Lauren was so excited to see her!

Anna Lauren and Ms. Polly...the music teacher she LOVES!  However, she was not happy I was making her stop to take a picture.  If you cannot tell!

 MeMe, Anna Lauren, and Poppie...

Ashton, Nanna, and Anna Lauren...

Mommy, Anna Lauren, and Daddy...Cooper was enjoying lunch and nap time with his friends!

So proud of the cookie cake she picked out herself...that was our dessert after lunch at McAlister's (her choice).

Got to love Kroger...I said "graduate" and they put "graduates"...it was yummy so all was good and Anna Lauren was proud of the cake she picked out herself.

The test...from the beginning of this school year, we told Anna Lauren when she could write her whole name we would buy her a new bike.  Well, she has had Anna Lauren down pat for a while but Calvert has been giving her some trouble.  With no help she wrote it today, so she is the proud owner of a new bike.

Showing off her new helmet...

And we ended the "special" day by going to the trail for a bike ride...she LOVES her new bike!  She even had to go back out for another ride after dinner.  Anna Lauren, we are so proud of you and all you have learned this year.  We look forward to going on the kindergarten journey with you!

Last Ballet Recital...

Last night was Anna Lauren's last ballet recital...at least for now.  She has done ballet the last two years through school and although she still wanted to dance, she had to choose one thing for next year and she chose tumble/cheer. 

Recital night is always exciting for her...she loves the bun, make-up, her fan club, stage, and flowers at the end!

All ready for her recital...

Let's just say these ballet shoes have been danced in for sure...love these sweet little shoes and tights!

She knew she would have a grandparent fan club...but...Ashton was a last minute surprise!  She was so excited to have him come for the night.

Ashton LOVES pictures...he kept posing for me...sweet boy!

Anna Lauren and Nanna...

Jasyme (neighbor) walked over to give her a hug before we left...

Jordan, Katie Grace, Holli Grace, and Anna Lauren...

LOVE her never ending smiles when dancing on the stage...

Sweet friends...been together for most of their life...all going to different schools...

Cooper was so excited about giving his sister flowers...

Anna Lauren and Poppie...

Anna Lauren and MeMe...

Our dancing star!

So hard these days to get a picture of them together...but...I love this sweet Cooper smile!

This family has walked every step of the way with us the past 5 years...Guy, Holli Grace, and Regina.  We are all going to be lost next year...thankfully, Regina and I work together...that will help!

 
You know...the family picture attempt...ha ha!

Holli Grace and Anna Lauren...yes, they started daycare 1 week apart at 3 months old.  And they've never been separated...let's just say...they'll miss each other!

I was trying to get a good picture of them together...I think it is safe to say Holli Grace was DONE taking pictures!