Our Little Bean(s): prek, ballet and turning thirty

My babiest girl finished prek like a champ late last month. I've loved watching her have her own place to make friends and take direction from someone besides momma and daddy (and zoe..). It really feels like all of a sudden Ana has grown up. Her baby and even little-kid ness has fallen back as big girl Ana has stepped out. She is still timid in many things, especially any sort of physical challenge - but she is also growing in kindness and caring for others - Jackie helps her a lot in this. She says she and Jack are on the same team because they are both the baby (baby girl, baby boy). Ana received the "most polite" award out of her class at the end of the year and managed to find the chillest day in May to have a pool party. Can't believe she will be in kinder next year! My momma heart is a little worried about this one but knowing her teacher and some of her friends who will be in her small class make me feel excited for this opportunity to shape Ana and grow her up even more.

Baby Ana all grown up

Coldest last day of school ever

Ana knows what she wants

And she wants it bad

My darling baby girl!!!

Z finished first grade (what!?) and received the "best citizenship" award in her class. Only two awards were given (not based on highest grade in a subject) - most improved and hers. I interpreted this as her teacher letting us know she was kind to others and I was happy to see her teacher call out the gold in her in this way. I was also just happy she got an award because her ceremony was at EIGHT am on the first day of summer break. Z goes to afternoon class so for our first act of summer we drove to her school earlier than we ever go anywhere. Well, actually for our first act of summer after she got out of school the day before we splashed in the pool and celebrated -- especially since it was also my birthday!!!

Summer Freedom!!!!

My birthday cake!!!

30. The big 3-0. Can I just say that I have never felt more comfortable being an age so far in my life!? There is something really satisfying in saying "hey - I'm thirty. I survived that really weird, tumbling around trying to find my way and impress other people while simultaneously trying not to care what they think, taking in all their opinions and wondering if I should change the way I live to make other people happy stage." I don't know if it is having four kids or being thirty that really makes me turn my own insecurity (and judgements of others) and toss them to the winds. I can't say that about my twenties. But so far, so good in my thirties. Not to mention that thanks to Tony Horton I feel fit and strong and possibly the skinniest I've ever been (except that time I was pregnant with Zoe and spent 3 months basically throwing up all day every day). And right after my birthday, my man turned thirty too!

At a wedding

Love this guy!

I decided that since we never ever do anything fun for Matt we should do something CRAZY fun for him this time. So I planned a big old surprise party that by a miracle actually stayed a surprise! Shout out to Amira for helping me so so so much with making this happen! Our house was crazy full and instead of yell surprise everyone chose to walk at him making insane zombie noises. Basically, it was great. We were out at Zoe's dance recital so Christine, Eric/Heather, my friend Rach and Ceci had to do everything! I had food prepped and got the decor but it was still a ton of work that I delegated out to other people. Sweet family/friends!!

Dude, you're old!

Some of the people!

A gaggle of children and 1 ninja piñata

The stress of planning that party was wearing me down and afterwards I was totally feeling like Ben during the splash pad swim break.

I don't -have- ten minutes to swim break

And speaking of that recital it is so fun to watch Z dance. She seems to love it (especially the costumes) and has little friends that seem to enjoy and love being around her! The plan was to keep dancing but the girls started gymnastics this summer and after the first class they decided they are in love with it! Shout out here to Ben who is NOT enrolled in gymnastics and basically has to just sit and watch while his sisters get to have all the fun. He didn't fuss or complain once - he just watched them go in and happily sat back taking it all in. Champion.