Muffins for Mom, March for Babies and Mother's Day!

On Thursday, I went to Sydney's school for Muffins with Mom. We had a yummy breakfast and then a short chapel service.

Sydney ate her breakfast and then proceeded to get chased around the gym by two older boys. She ran and laughed hysterically looking over her shoulder making sure they were still following her. Sigh.

Sydney and I at chapel. She doesn't talk much but she knew every hand motion to the songs!

Loved spending this morning with my littlest.

On Friday morning, the girls and I headed to the outlet mall to pick up a Mother's Day present. There was a man there who was emptying the rides and testing them. He gave the girls money for all of the rides so that they could test them.

They loved being ride testers! 

He was so nice and told me to come back every Friday AM. HAHA.

On Friday night, we celebrated Mother's Day with my parents. We grilled out and let the girls run around the yard.

On Saturday, we headed downtown for March for Babies to celebrate baby Kensley.  Kensley is the daughter of our good friends Ronny and Kristin. She was born at 24 weeks and has spent most of her life in the NICU. When Kensley was born, Chris and I visited her in the hospital. Nothing could prepare me for seeing a baby so little. She weighed only 1 lb and was the tiniest thing I'd ever seen. I just stood there and cried and prayed. Kristin and Ronny have really gone through so much, as has Kensley. She's home from the hospital now and is doing well, still fighting every day with some issues that micro preemies have, but she is a trooper. The March of Dimes provided a lot of support for their family when they were in the hospital so we were happy to go and walk in the March for Babies and to raise money for a great organization.

Our "I'm with Kensley" team.

Ronny and Kristin and Kensley

Aunt Tara

Ready to walk!

Hudson and Maddie sat in the jogging stroller while Sloane and Sydney rode in the double stroller.

There's a little area with signs that has baby's names and stories. We stopped to see Kensley's poster.

Sydney getting a shoulder ride from daddy during the walk. She rode in the stroller for about 14 seconds, then walked for a few minutes, and then got passed around to be carried. 

Kensley taking a little break. 

The Hays Family finishing the walk!

There was a huge party after the walk and Maddie, Sydney and Hudson loved every minute.

What's not to love about…

 cotton candy?

Face painting?

Bubbles? 

Inflatables?

Snacks?

There was actually an aerialist flipping around on silks that Maddie watched forever.

There was also jugglers, clowns, etc. So much going on! We had a wonderful morning with friends. So so grateful that baby Kensley is out of the hospital and we keep praying that she grows up healthy!

On Sunday I woke up to breakfast in bed. Maddie and Chris brought me chocolate chip waffles. Sydney slept until 8:30 so she missed breakfast in bed. 

I had lunch and went shopping with my mom and sister. Then, I came home and spent some time with Chris and my girls.

This girl made me a mommy. She is smart and funny and sassy and persistent and I see so much of me in her. 

This girl came along and completed our family. She was almost three weeks early and hasn't stopped since. She's silly and sweet and independent and determined and always keeps me on my toes!

Love my girls and love being a mommy!

Sunday night we celebrated Mother's Day with nana and grandpa with yummy ribs by the pool.

My mother and Robin are great examples for Chris and I and we are so grateful to have them by our side supporting us. We love you!

Finally, we celebrated tia's big accomplishment. She is an official pilot. She can get in a plane and fly people around...with no one else in the plane with her. Isn't that so terrifying awesome?! We are so proud of her!

I'll teach you about tap...

Well, it took 19 months but I did it. I found something that Sydney is afraid of. Dancing on top of the kitchen table? Loves it. Jumping off of chairs into your arms as you race to catch her? Laughs hysterically. 

But the splash park? That place TERRIFIED her. It was gorgeous today - 75 by 10 am! We went to the splash park and Maddie was jazzed. She immediately started running around happily. Sydney saw the water shoot up and shouted, "NOOOOOO," and then jumped into my arms. Where she sat for most of the time. She pinched me so hard afraid I was going to let her down. 

She was finally feeling brave enough to get down. Then the water started and she ran behind the table.

She was much happier on the other side of the park!

Hopefully she comes around to liking the spray ground or it's going to be a long summer.

We did a "quick" trip to Target for some pacifiers. 

Side note: We are really trying to start cutting down pacifier-time to the car and sleep but it's been difficult with Sydney being sick lately and just wanting comfort. Plus, she has two more teeth coming in (double digits now!) so we've been letting her indulge. But, I digress.

 A quick trip to Target with two kids? No such thing. We left with pacifiers, Frozen bubbles, grape chapstick and chocolate butterfly cakes, among other things. And, of course, a stop at the Barbie station.

Sydney went down for her nap and Madeline and I made fresh lemonade. She loved squeezing all of the lemons and then eating them. 

 Since it was super hot we got our pool out. 

I didn't put on Sydney's bathing suit because I didn't think she would get in. The water was freezing.

At first she just splashed around. 

Protecting that skin and head!

But then she got all the way in. With her milk and chair.

 

Genius. 

Most days my girls play nicely AND fight. They can easily move in and out of laughing hysterically to screaming.

Sydney was a little weary of the slide at first, but Maddie coaxed her in on it. She leaned over and said to her little sister, "Don't worry Sydney. I used to be scared too. But I'm big now. And I'll teach you how to go down the slide into the pool. And I'll teach you how to color and how to paint and I'll teach you about tap." This went on for a bit, with everything Maddie wanted to teach Sydney. It really was a sweet little moment between sisters. And then I think Sydney splashed her so it was over. 

The girls were WORN out after hours outside today. Early bedtimes for all. Even this one.

Sleeping with her feet ON the wall. Awesome. As if ruining our hardwood floors weren't enough….thanks Stella!! 

Stroller Strides, Park Picnic, Zoo and Derby!

Goodness, we need a weekend to recover from our weekend!

On Thursday I took Madeline to Stroller Strides. A friend of mine is opening a franchise here in Louisville so she practiced on Danielle and I. Hudson and Madeline thought it was hilarious that Danielle and I were singing and working out around them.

I had hurt my foot earlier in the week getting off the couch (because I'm 30) so I hadn't been to Pure Barre all week.

I felt like this all during class.

Because I was lazy all week I turned it on during Stroller Strides.

I'm the one flying up the hill in the pic. Hilarious.

After the class, we let the kids play at the park.

On Friday morning, tia and I took the girls to KGA for Open Gym. 

Sydney patiently watched sissy do the rope and then she HAD to do it.

She LOVED it. 

Friday night we got pizza and ate in one of the Norton Commons Parks with Rolfe and Soley.

Sydney and Mya laughing at each other in the wagon!

Saturday I took the littles to the zoo with my parents.

This girl was feeling extra sassy!

They have a very cool Lego exhibit with all kinds of Lego creatures. 

Getting a boost to see the elephants.

Maddie desperately wanted to ride the train even though there was a long line. So, I got the girls some dippin' dots while we waited. 

Sydney refused to take a picture. She just kept stealing ice cream.

Fun morning!

After a rest, we headed to Kyle and Danielle's for the derby. Maddie had no clue what the derby was but she picked her horse by his outfit. (Obviously, she chose pink.) And, her horse came in second! 

She was JAZZED cheering him on. 

Best buddies!

Sunday, we did church and lunch after.

Chris was getting on Sydney because she was hanging over the table trying to get the attention of the people who were sitting being us. She was laughing at him.

This girl. 

I am pretty certain that she will be my first kid to break a bone. She's so brave. Scares me to death.

Then, there's this one. Who is begging to wear make-up (no, but I do allow a tiny bit of lip gloss on occasion), paints her own nails and refuses to wear tennis shoes. Because, she thinks she's a teenager, I guess.

Love my kiddos!