The end of an era...

 With both girls starting school, our seven and a half year tradition of Grammy Days has ended.  Sniff sniff.  (At least during the school year.  They'll still come during the summer and for holidays).  I decided a couple of weeks ago to dig out an old photo that to me represents Grammy Day.  It was taken in 2013 when H was 3 and A was barely a year old.  I got so sentimental looking at it, that I thought we should try to capture a reprise.  Check out the 2017 version. I think it's kind of hilarious.  And it's a lot harder than it seems to duplicate a photo and try to get the expressions right.  I noticed the light and exposure were significantly different too.  One was taken in the winter and the other in summer.  Things that make one go "hmmmmmm".

There they go...

I think this is my favorite of the back to school pics.  So so sweet. And there they go...off to new adventures in learning.

A kiss for luck...

One last kiss before her last "baby" goes off to school.  Jenny is actually hoping to substitute teach a lot this year (at their school only).  Glad she can stay close, but still earn a little extra money.

She's THIS excited!

She is THIS excited to start school again!  In fact, we visited Aunt Kara's school for a few minutes today and met the choir teacher.  She asked H what kinds of things she enjoys doing and her response was "I really like learning new things."  Love that!

On her way...

I just love their school with all the leading lines.  And I REALLY love the kid in the middle!

Apples and a few favorite books...

Kindergarten, here she comes!

She's excited!  And we're a little melancholy.  I know she's going to change so quickly now that she's a school kid.

2nd Grade, here she comes!

So big!  And those big teeth really make her look older!

Just because...

Because it's fun!

Ready, set, READ...

This girl LOVES to read!  And she's already way ahead of the game by reading chapter books before she even starts kindergarten.  Keep it up, baby girl!  There's a whole world of adventure waiting for you in your favorite books!

Chalkboard and apples...

We did one of these pictures with H when she was starting kindergarten. It's fun to look back and see their early handwriting. 

School Days, School Days...

Look who starts kindergarten next week!!  We had to do a quick vintage inspired photo session in the neighbor's yard on one of our last Grammy Days.  Sniff... Growing up fast!  (Don't you love the pencil flower vase?  Thank you, Pinterest!)

One more...

One more last day of school picture...just because I like it.  Sweet girl.  Can't believe we have to do these pics with TWO girls this fall. 

Compare...

Also very late posting these comparisons....first day of 1st grade vs. last day of 1st grade.  I think those big girl teeth make the biggest difference of all.  And now, for the next several years, we will get various stages of snaggle tooth pics.  Lol. 

Time to use your imagination...

I love that the littles have a vivid imagination.  They were entertaining themselves on the swing as the adults talked and I was only half paying attention to them.  Then H started singing the song from Moana.  For those who haven't seen the movie, it's about a Hawaiian girl who goes on a sailing adventure by herself.  So picture H singing  "If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me...One day I'll know...How far I'll go" as she pulled on the chain that was her "sail".  With that earnest face and faraway look, she really DOES look like she's sailing.  Love her!

Swing kids...

Our littles love the swing...and it doesn't matter which way they're facing.  Especially love this shot of A.  (I'm terribly behind on posting anything.  This was from May.  Yikes...

Ta da!!!

This is just a phone pic, but I'm sharing it so my mom can see.  Our sweet H won first place at the jazz piano competition last week.  She was so excited.  She said, "This is the first trophy I've ever had in my WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE!"  Congratulations H!  And thank you for all your hard work!  It really paid off!

Rear view...

And Jenny wanted some pictures from behind so they could show off their french braids.  Ha!

Close up...

Yes, those are cupcakes on their dresses even tho' they're for Easter.  lol.  We usually try to avoid anything too specific for the holiday so they can wear them all summer.

Moods...

It always surprises me how quickly their expressions can change.  Love them so much.

Sisters and Secrets...

I always love to do this...ask one to tell a secret.  It's just a fun way to observe some sweet sister moments. 

Hawk at the college....

As we were wandering the college looking for good spots for Easter pics, Kara spotted this hawk in the distance.  As often as I've been to Richland, I have NEVER seen a hawk.  What a beauty.  Kara and I tried to walk around behind him to get a show from a different angle and he swiveled his head around to watch us (almost like an owl).  Amazing...and a little scary.  He even took off in flight for a minute, but circled back around to stand guard in the same stairwell.  Beautiful creature!

Sweetness...

After mini-golf and planting their gardens, we headed to the college to take a few shots in their Easter dresses.  So sweet. 

For the sake of art...

Yep...had to try for some artsy shots again.  We had another party behind us for most of the course, but we skipped a few holes to find an isolated green so I wouldn't embarrass myself or annoy anyone by laying down for some shots.  Ha ha!

Just because...

And just for fun...I had to lie down on the green for at least a few shots with different perspective and focus. 

Pure luck!

It was pure luck, but the littlest one actually got a hole in one!  lol

Putt...Putt...I said Putt...

We took time to show both girls how to hold the club and putt, but neither of them really got the hang of it and preferred to use their own "technique".  But they had fun anyway.  My favorite moment was when H got stuck in a "sand trap" and was frustrated....she was saying, "Putt.....Putt.....I SAID....PUTT!!!!" 

Mini golf...

It was fun to have both littles with us for Good Friday, so we took them to mini-golf.  It was their very first time and a regular laugh riot.  What a fun morning!

"He is not here, He is risen..."

Instead of coloring Easter eggs on Good Friday, we decided to make resurrection gardens.  The girls had a good time.  H read to us from their Jesus Storybook Bible about the crucifixion and resurrection and then we headed outdoors to plant our gardens.  The grass seed over the "tomb" just sprouted yesterday and I can imagine how pretty the gardens will look in about  a week.  I'll post a pic then.  This was a great activity to celebrate new life and the empty tomb!