Arsenal 2017 FA Cup Winners

This house went crazy when Arsenal beat Chelsea to win, also breaking the record for the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup with 13 trophies:) We love you Arsenal!

Abigail's Summer Haircut

In a true test of parenting style, Abigail and I met in the middle on this. She wanted longer, I wanted shorter. We both had many valid arguments to back up our preference so the negotiations were strong. She would've been beautiful either way!

             

 

End-of-Year Game Night Party

I posted about this last year - that we have a fun Family Game Night on the last day of school every year. The girls also get a gift for all their hard work and are allowed to eat as much candy as they want. I went overboard this year because Bryony got "excellent" across every subject and life skill on her report, and Abigail hit the Honour Roll despite struggling through some grade-ahead math this year. They're both my superstars!

Darcy's First Words

😍

Bryony Joins the Girl Scouts

At the same time she started Kindergarten, Bryony officially joined her own Girl Scout Troop. I say "officially" because she has been an unofficial member of Abigail's Troop since she was 3, ha ha. The only pictures I have of her Girl Scout year are from the End-of-Year Outing, because I am not a Leader of her Troop so I'm not at the monthly meetings. Here they are at the Odysea Aquarium - a day out earned and paid for with their cookie-selling season.

     

 

Still Hurts

Abigail - Viola

At the start of 4th Grade, students have the option to join the Strings programme if they want. Abigail chose the viola and, thanks to an enthusiastic young teacher, was up and running very quickly. In fact, all the kids were playing within no time and by the end of the school year we were treated to their first performance. It was hard for me to capture any video because I had a wriggling toddler on my lap the whole time. Hopefully Jake got it :/

   

 

Bryony's Kindergarten End-of-Year Play

Just like Abigail before her, Bryony was chosen to be the narrator in the class play, because she is the best reader in the class. #smartypants.

with BFF Madelynn

Cooking

I've posted many times over the years on how both Abigail and Bryony love to help me cook. It's a really special time for me, although I only do it when I'm in the mood to have my kitchen destroyed.

             

 

Tennis

Both girls are still doing tennis and are pretty good at it - Bryony especially, she's more physical than Abigail in general. But, more importantly, both are still enjoying it, which is why we keep at it.

                  

red balloon selfie

not bad for 40, right? RIGHT?!

Bathtime

Because there are 9 years between Abigail and Darcy, there are very few times that they are all doing the same thing, or in to the same thing. I am constantly dragging 1 of the 3 to something they are bored at because they have to sacrifice for their sister. I'm not apologising for that though - it is good for them to learn that everybody gets their turn in a family of 5, and that waiting and being bored are just part of life. So, because of this age gap, I treasure the moments that other families with 3 kids probably get all the time, like all of them in the bath together. I'm still not sure how Abigail fit in here, since she's almost as big as me now.

Nanna & Grandad

I love to get the occasional picture from my parents and all their happenings xxx