June Fun

June was a little more mellow than previous months and we actually had some time to stay home and relax/get stuff done around the house. We spent a lot of time in the pool and the kids are definitely improving! Clara swims all over and can do 10 "laps" back and forth across the pool. Emmett still uses his floaty but jumps off everything and loves to go underwater! We also made it to one swim meet, Reedley vs Kingsburg, and we got to watch Sophie and Clara's best friend Grace! Grace won back stroke and inspired Clara to swim more so she can be on the team next year!

We hit up the local children's museum and enjoyed a morning of fun. Both kids had a great time! They requested Red Robin for lunch, and of course, Clara requested to pick out an outfit at the mall (a girl after my own heart)!

Josh graduated from law school and we all went to his graduation. He has worked so hard for this and graduated at the top of his class! We're so proud of him and all the Milton's as this was a big sacrifice for all of them and so exciting to get to this point! The kids did great during the ceremony and loved the food afterwards! We can't wait to see what is in store for Josh!

Jack turned four and we had a blast at his party at a giant warehouse filled with bounce houses! Emmett wanted me to go with him on some of them and I was only happy to oblige! One of the slides was super fast and so fun! We're so glad we got to celebrate with Jack!

The kids and Dada went camping in the back yard. This was Emmett's first time and he was so excited! They both had a blast and now want to go real camping!

We watched the Engstrom girls one night and the kids had a blast! We walked to pizza, played in the park, and ended the night with Super Why! It's so fun to have awesome neighbors!

They gave all their meat to Emmett!

Sharing Clara's candy

We took care of Tios' dogs which was super fun! We also had lots of fun with cousins and friends as always! Throw in a fun day building at Home Depot and a birthday party for Spikey and our days were never boring!

Playdate with Grace and Noah!

Sprinkler fun

Covering Zach in sand

Clara made Lego decorations for Spikey's party!

We ended the month with a trip to the zoo with Tia, Bailey, and Elise and I realized while writing this that our month was pretty jam packed but most of it was unstructured so it didn't feel so crazy!

Dada Day 2018

We headed to the cabin after Clara's dance recital to celebrate Father's Day. Sunday morning Dada and I went for an early run together (a rare thing for us to get to run together without pushing a stroller)! He kicked my butt but it was the perfect temperature! After breakfast we headed out for our annual hike to Weaver Lake. This year Emmett joined Clara in walking the whole way! He is still pretty small and it was a bit of a struggle at times but he made it up and back (a little over four miles)! By the end he was whining a lot but I managed to distract him by pretending to see different colored bunnies that he collected in his pockets. It was the first time in six years that I have hiked without a baby in my belly or on my back so it was pretty great!

We hung out at the lake and ate lunch. It was beautiful weather for June and we enjoyed the cool spell! We even managed to get some pictures at the lake!

As a reward for their good hiking the kids got to pick out ice cream at the store  when we got back to the cabin. They loved it of course! Los Abuelos made a delicious dinner and we enjoyed spending time with them before heading home. We are so lucky to have such a great Dada and Fafa and were happy to spend time with them doing what they love!

Clara opened a hair salon at the cabin!

Dada rides are the best!

2018 Summer Recitals

We started out recital season with a music class recital for Clara, Emmett, Bailey, and Teagan. This was Clara's and Teagan's first time playing the piano in a recital which also meant introducing themselves. I had Clara practice this, but Teagan didn't realize she had to do it. During the last music class Teagan burst into tears when asked to introduce herself for the class so we weren't sure how it would go. They both did great! Clara was the first kid to play and introduced herself with such confidence and played great! I was so proud! She and Teagan sang songs from the Sound of Music with the older kids and did great!

Emmett is still in Toddler Tunes and really doesn't seem to have much interest in his songs, but he loves to sing Clara's songs! He belts out both the Sound of Music songs she had to sing. He didn't sing much during the recital, but looked super cute!

Eating his lunch

Bailey and Clara had to separate this year as Clara needed something more advanced. It was probably better for both of them as they pay attention better when they are not together. Bailey also got to play the piano with the other kids in her class during the recital. It was just her, Lyla, and Kieran and they were hilarious!

Sadly Miss Hannah will be moving to Texas and no longer teaching music. She has been their only teacher since Clara was two and since Emmett was born. Clara was devastated and cried the entire way home the day she found out. She has declared that she is no longer taking music classes, but she loves music so much I bet she can be persuaded. Miss Hannah has been so great with the kids and taught them so much. We are definitely going to miss her, but wish her luck in her new adventure in Texas.

Ms. Hannah is the best!

Sophie remembered all the songs from when she was little!

Stacked after the recital!

The following week was Clara's dance recital. I never wanted Clara to do dance but she was dead set on it. She absolutely loves her dance classes and always wants to be the first person in the room and listens to her teachers. She was so excited when her dance costume came and even sat absolutely still while I curled her hair for the pictures. Clara heard her teacher telling the parents what make-up the kids should wear (one of the reasons I hate dance...like four and five years olds need make-up) and could not wait for me to put it on her. I was really hoping that dance would be short lived but I fear that it will not. Watching the pure joy on Clara's face and seeing her excitement over all that she learns makes it worth it but I'm also excited to have Monday nights back again. Right now I pick up the kids in Reedley, get my allergy shot, head to dance, and we don't get home until 7:00. I definitely won't miss that!

Picture Day

Clara's class danced to "Itty Bitty One" and as chaotic as it was, they were super cute! Clara actually did really well and didn't seem nervous at all. It seemed like a lot of time, work, and expense for a three minute dance, but Clara absolutely loved it and the fact that she was on stage at the high school. She said that it was like being in a play and I think we will have many more recitals in our future! Unfortunately she refused to let us take a single picture of her before or after the recital. Luckily one of the other moms got some!

Trying to sneak some pictures before the recital

Such a classic Clara expression

Eden!

Ahria and Audrina, her preschool friends

Since she didn't actually get to watch any of the recital she was in  we went to one of the other ones (there were six in all) and got to watch Brinley and Eli's class and the class that Cami, Lyla, and Jeffrey are in. It was absolutely hilarious watching the little ones and Clara loved the big girls. I think watching them made her even more in love with dance!