Saturday, June 20, 2015

Another Month Just Flys By

Time seems to be passing so quickly.  Maybe its because we have been so busy, but it feels like the month of May flew by.

At the beginning of the month our school recognized the state wide "take your kid to work day."  Neither Macie nor I were interested in staying home with Mom and the babies, we wanted to go to work with Dad and have some fun.

Decked out in our new Lululemon Kids outfits we were ready for whatever Lifetime had in store for us.




When we first arrived at the club Dad had an incredibly important call that we could not be a part of.  Macie and I weren't too dissapointed when he checked us into the Child Center; we got to take some Academy classes!!  We both chose art and made some decorations for the house.



After Dad's call we went down to his office and sat in on a few of his morning meetings.  Needless to say, we were pretty bored.  Dad had lots more calls and meetings, so he sent us to different departments in the club to help.  We put on our walkies and were ready to work!


We helped Melissa in Ops sweep the floors,


and then we folded towels in the laundry room.





After all the sweeping and folding, we needed a break, so Dad took us to the Lifespa where we got the royal treatment.




Once we were dolled up with polish and makeup, we went to the LifeCafe for some food.



Before we knew it, the end of the day had come and it was time to go home.  Mom picked Macie and I up, while poor Dad had to stay to finish more calls and meetings.  Macie and I had an awesome day at the club and wouldn't mind spending more days like that in the future!


Later on that week my soccer team, the Butterflies, had their last game.  Uncle Will joined the family and took pictures.



My favorite part of the season was spending time on the field with all my friends.


 We played a good game, and I made some aggressive moves with the ball.



That weekend we got a surprise visit from Pa, Michelle, and Grandma Jean; that's right, GRANDMA JEAN came to visit!  Our family was so thrilled that we jammed packed their days with all sorts of activity.  Trips to the strip, shows, and our favorites around town.  I'm sure they were exhausted when they went home.


The strip is littered with characters, and Presley was thrilled to see Mickey Mouse.  Unfortunately, as she got closer, she decided he was a little too creepy for her liking- I happen to agree with her...


Grandma Jean enjoyed the fountains at the Bellagio!




A few days after they left, Aunt Hayley came to town!  She couldn't believe how much all of us had grown,


and how much grown up we have become.  I spend lots of evenings helping Mom with Nixon- she is really lucky to have me around to help.


Presley was SO excited that Aunt Hayley was here that she woke her up super early to give her big hugs!


While we were at school that day, Presley and Hayley spent lots of time being silly!




Nixon had some laughs with Aunt Hayley too!

 After school that afternoon Aunt Hayley took us to Chuck E Cheese so that she could help Presley ride the neigh-neigh.

  
Unfortunately, Aunt Hayley's visit wasn't purely social.  She also came to check on Jackson to see how he was doing and her assessment was not good.  Apparently his body was slowly shutting down and the only humane thing for us to do was to put him to sleep.  Our family spent his last few days making him as happy as possible.


His last day on Earth was spent doing all of his favorite things.  We put him in a wagon and took him to the park.  He loved every minute of it.  We played ball, took him in the creek, and enjoyed the beautiful sunlight. 



 He didn't stop smiling all day.


That night we had a special dinner to honor Jax.  We grilled Filets,


and Jackson was thrilled when he got to eat one all to himself!



After he finished his meat, Mom brought out some cake and let Jackson eat until he was stuffed.


Before bedtime the family said our goodbyes,





As tough as it was to day goodbye to our friend, we were grateful that Aunt Hayley was there to end his suffering.  We know that he is smiling down upon us in Heaven where he spends his days running, swimming, and playing ball.

The next morning, Mom couldn't find Eddie (he was distraught at the loss of his best friend Jackson), so she searched the yard for him.  To her surprise she discovered 4 newborn kittens in Jackson's old dog kennel.  We all decided that it was a sign from God after Jackson's passing, so our plan is to keep them in the yard as long as they will stay.


Dad named the group "Metallicat" and instantly they were part of our family.



  

A couple days later we had to say goodbye to Aunt Hayley.  Before school Macie and I made sure to give her lots of love and hugs.

 


Because we only had 2 weeks of school left, Mom let us choose our own outfits.  To her surprise, we did a nice job...







Mom's favorite outfit was Presley wearing Iron Maiden. We love our little rock star!


Mom, Presley, and Nixon spent their day cleaning the house and preparing for yet another house guest- Grandma Judy was coming that afternoon!  After picking us up from school, the family drove down to the airport to pick her up!

 


 It was great seeing Grandma Judy!  She couldn't believe how much Nixon had grown, or how much is is doing now.



At just 7 months old, Nixon is starting to military crawl across the floor. Mom is well aware that once he is officially on the move her life will get even crazier.


 
While Grandma Judy kept us occupied that week, Mom worked on some costumes for Macie's end of the year school play.  She had to make beanstalk headpieces as well as a goose costume (they were doing Jack and the Beanstalk).  Macie was Mom's model and loved every minute of it. Mom never realized just how difficult, or boring, it was to make a costume for a goose.




 The morning of Macie's play was filled with anticipation!  Macie chose to play the part of a beanstalk and had to wear green pants.  Mom was thrilled that she got to wear the green ruffle pants from St.Patrick's Day again!


 That afternoon, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and I gathered at school to watch Macie perform.  Mom helped get the kids dressed, and Macie couldn't hold back her excitement.


Needless to say, this kid was made for the stage...


Macie did a phenomenal job on the stage! 





 Dad brought her a rose, and Mom made her a candy bouquet to congratulate her.  She didn't stop smiling all afternoon.



After the play, everyone gathered in the classroom and all the kindergarteners shared what they wanted to be when they grew up...
 

At school that week I also had a presentation. I had to chose someone famous whom I admire, and research their life.  I chose USA soccer player Alex Morgan. With Mom's help I made a poster board cut out of her to share with my class.

The rest of the week was uneventful, although the baby chicks in our classroom did hatch!

 

We went to school (still getting to choose our own outfits!!!), and then played with Grandma every afternoon!!!

My current obsession are these pink framed glasses with no lens.  I swear that they help me see better; Mom thinks I being silly, but according to Grandma, Mom used to wear yellow framed glasses without lens's when she was a kid... What is it they say about an apple and a tree???



That weekend we swam with Grandma at Lifetime, and were grateful that summer is almost here.   When we weren't swimming we spent time playing dress up.  Mom laughed at our choice of outfits...

I chose a princess dress with my glasses,


Macie chose a sleep shirt, soccer shorts, and high heels,

 and Presley chose a baby romper with tap shoes!


Before long, we were all princesses.


When we grew tired of playing dress up, Macie and I got creative and I designed her a dress out of Angry Bird sheets.  I was proud of my creation, and Macie loved modeling it for the crowd.


On Sunday we had our last night of Awana for this year.  Both of us got awards for completing our bible verses, our books, and our reviews!!  Our leaders were all proud of how well we did.





 Because Macie and I were getting along so well, Mom let us read in bed together that night.  She loves it when we are being good sisters.  Unfortunately that isn't happening too often, but when it does, it is priceless!


That week Mom got some ABSOLUTELY, INCREDIBLE news...her best friend Elizabeth was coming to Vegas for a visit.  Mom couldn't wait to spend some time with her.  Dad and Dave (her husband) set up a fun night that included dinner at Lago, watching the Jabbawockeez show at the Luxor, and a VIP cabana at Encore Beach Club!  Mom could hardly wait; although she hadn't been out on the town in years, she was primarily looking forward to spending time with her BFF.

That night Mom left us all with Uncle Will- it was the first time she had left all of us kids alone, and she was a little nervous.  As you can see, Uncle Will did just fine...


 Not that I she doubts before leaving, we all love Uncle Will because he is lots of fun.


Mom said it was great seeing Dave and Elizabeth. They had a fantastic time at dinner and everyone agreed that the show was great!


 Mom and Dad stayed out late that night, and had a little too much fun, because poor Mom came home with the flu...


She was so sick that next morning that she had to stay home with Presley and Nixon while Dad took us to school.  Mom was grateful that Nixon can now shovel food in his mouth on his own.


Presley tries to feed herself, but once she starts playing games she creates more mess than its worth:


Mom spent the weekend recovering from being sick.  She was grateful that Dad felt good and was able to give her a hand with the little ones.  Nixon enjoyed his time with Dad...

 



To celebrate our final week of school, Mom bought all of us matching Elsa jammies.


Presley was so THRILLED that she insisted on wearing them everywhere for almost 24 hours.



The last week of school started off with Staton School Spirit Day, so Macie and I wore our Be Kind T-Shirts dresses that Mom had made for the year.



Macie's class had an end of the year water party and Macie had a blast!






My class had an end of the year Luau and I dressed accordingly...


I was sad that the school year was ending because I know how much I will miss all my friends...




I discovered that doing the limbo is TONS of fun, and I'm really good at it!



When the last day of school arrived, neither Macie nor I knew whether to be happy or sad.  We did know that both or us were excited for summer to be here!



 In celebration of summer, Mom and Dad decided the climate we lived in was FAR too hot to live without a pool, so they bought the family the next best thing to the real deal...


 It is actually a pretty decent size (20ftx12ftx4ft), and we can lap swim!


 Mom thinks it will be the prefect solution to bored kids in the summer time,and so far she is right.  We have swam every day since it was put up!



Nixon wasn't sold the first time he got in the water, but it will grown on him.  Mom is determined to have water babies!


We all know Presley loves the water; she has a blast swimming with the "big girls!"


Now that school is over, our summer of fun has officially begun.  Soon we will leave NV for a trip to Scottsdale for bible camp at Mt.View.  We are thrilled to be back with our friends at church, and can't wait to spend time with everyone!