Swimming, Cousins and Grandma’s 58th Birthday

We had a birthday celebration for my mom, a little early, while Alyson was still here.  Birthdays are so fun for the kids especially.  We tried to make it special, like my mom always does, with fun decorations and notes from the kids hung all over.  Plus, who can resist a yummy ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins?!

 

Grandpa (when he’s feeling up for it) is the most fun pool toy there is!  The kids don’t take it easy on him either.

 

 

We gave my mom a sign for Mother’s day with all the kids’ footprints, so we added Alyson’s while she was here…to make it complete!

 

 

The kids put on a dance show for us, as well.  It even included a little birthday spotlight for Grandma.  Very cute.  They worked hard on choreographing these dances and were very proud of them!

   

 

 

I bought supplies at Hobby Lobby for a “craft night” with the kids.  They designed their own shirts with iron-ons and puff paint.  They seemed to enjoy it!

 

 

The collage we framed for my mom’s bday.

 

Now that my parents are official “empty nesters”, they have three spare rooms!  My mom has turned them into rooms for the grandkids.  How fun is that???  This is the “peace sign room” (the other is a spongebob room), and the kids love it.  Makes it very easy to have overnighters, too.

 

Kylee doesn’t love the pool, but is starting to get a bit more brave.  Lots of cousins to smother her!

 

If the kids were going to remember one thing from my mom (there are many) but the top one MIGHT be ice cream.  I can’t explain how full of ice cream and popsicles her freezer is.  One could go there and gain 10 lbs in one night!  It’s a kid’s summer fantasy!

 

New summer tradition?  This is the second summer my mom has taken the four older girls to Roller Towne to skate.  They came back to tell us that Grandma even did a competition round!!

 

Good things always seem to come to an end – or at least a pause.  So sad to say goodbye to Alyson.  She had a hard time with it and was really sad to leave.  This really is like a second home to her.  Although she is happy in Logan, there is nothing like 6 cousins and Grandma & Grandpa to make you feel safe & secure!