Graduation 2013

 Just because we homeschool, doesn't mean we get left out of life's big milestones!!  Kindergarten graduation had to take place!  I found my college cap and gown and we had a ceremony, complete with diplomas and awards!  My graduating Kindergarten class consisted of Mr. Harper Banks!

 He completed his Kindergarten year in record speed and was at the top of his class!

 His teacher was proud of him!

 Carly Riffle was an extraordinary 2nd grader.  There was no Kindergarten graduation 2 years ago due to school renovations/moving, so they celebrated the completion of 2nd grade.

 Teacher's Pet

 This child was just super awesome all year!  She rocked 2nd grade!

 Another teacher pet!

 The ceremony was finished with a reading of Oh the Places You'll Go.  

The rising preschool class!

Dance Recital

 Dance recital prep started with the hair the night before.  Sleeping with curlers are so fun!!

 And the posing was out of control that night!  There was something in those curlers that empowered their inner dancer!!  They were pumped!

 Finley was so cute for her first time on the stage!!  At first I thought she had no clue what she was doing on the stage, but then I realized she was just one step ahead of everyone.  She was so excited to be on that stage.....I love her smile on this picture.  I loved her enthusiasm!  Dancing is definitely her sport!

 Too cute!

 As soon as it was time for them to get off the stage, she had her hands all over McKinley trying to scoot her off stage.  It was so funny!

 Make up, Check!

 Chloe is in the front and Carly is in the back.  Tap!!

 Jazz

 My dancing queens!  This makes my heart sing!

 I couldn't stop taking pictures of her!  She was glowing with happiness!

 My girls!

 I mean, look at these cheeks!!

 She couldn't get enough of herself either!

 Beautiful girls!  

Jazz dancers!

And the costume will forever rot on the child!!  She hasn't taken it off since the recital!  

The Littles

 Because sometimes when you are sleeping, you need a pocket!!

Big bruiser always looks like she has been in a fight!  This time she ran into a table!

Carly and Chloe are 8!

 This is getting absurd!  I don't want them to be 8!  I don't want them to grow up!  These two are just amazing.  I love their friendship.  I love just hanging out with them.  They have such sweet personalities and they are so fun to be with.  They are growing up to be such great little ladies.  I am very proud of my girls and I love them so much!  

 Gotta love when you match your Great-Grandmother!

Birthday party!!  They had their first big girl sleepover with 5 friends!  They were more than excited about this party!  They ran around the entire night for the most part and jumped in the trampoline.  I loved all their giggles.  Matt and I really didn't have much to do for the party, except bring them in every hour and feed them!  The especially like the ice cream bar at the end of the evening!

 Cup cake time!

 Presents!

 Carly and her friend Emma!  They love Emma so much, even though she is 3 years older than them, they love to be with her.  This is the only friend picture I have since all the others are in motion, they were just blurs!!

 We got them all socks to wear that night with their pjs.  They were so cute!

 It's not a birthday without their infamous birthday hats!

 My Carly is 8!

 My Chloe is 8!

Their Grandparent party was the night after their sleepover, so everyone was pretty docile.  Grandpa didn't mind snuggling with the little ones! 

Oma and Harper had a good laugh at the new movie!

I love celebrating another year with my girls.  They are going to do great things - God has some great plans for them - I just know it!

Strawberry Picking

 We had a very slow warm up this spring, so in true Riffle form, we pick the hottest day of the year to go strawberry picking!!  Oh well, the kids still had fun and Matt Riffle was able to bring home $35 in strawberries - remind me next time to NOT let him be in charge of the amount of strawberries one family needs!!!

 Grandpas favorite thing to do is pick strawberries too.  We are not allowed to go picking without him - per the children!!

 Carly and Harper discussing how things are going on their rows!!!

 Daddy supervisor!  Finley did really good picking,  Channing did too, until she would fall and dump her entire bucket!

 Mmmmm....juicy!

 She loved running up and down the aisles.  And then falling down in them too!  She was covered in dirt!

 Ok...since it was so hot, the kids decided to bring their umbrellas to shade them from the horrendous rays.  It was also windy that day.  As you can see, Finley had some issues with her umbrella!  Yes, I was in tears at this point as the child was screaming from the strawberry patch as the wind inverted her umbrella!  It was hilarious!

 We found some shade to rest!

 Group picture with the super cool purple umbrella - I was still laughing!

Strawberry picking with Grandpa is the best!!

Mother's Day

 Am I not just super blessed?!  I get to be their Mommy!  I love all my sweet babies and I am so thankful that God gave me each one so that we can teach each other!  I have learned so much through them!  I love my kids!

 My Mommy - she is just plain wonderful.

And I had to get a picture in with Grandpa!  ~ Can you spot Chloe :)