{Large} Photo Album: The Close of May

I feel like a real grown up.  I feel like somebody who actually attends dance rehearsals and recitals for her daughter and who buys end of the year teacher gifts and swells with pride (and tears) at her daughter's preschool performance.  I'm now officially the woman who simultaneously watches her children roll down a large grassy hill with friends while also vividly remembering myself enjoying the same activity with friends.  I can still hear the giggles, smell the grass, and feel the excitement of summer adventures filled with ice cream and sprinklers and playground playdates.  How can I so clearly remember my own summer freedom while being old enough to have children whose days are filled with such summer joy? Sophie, Cameron, and three special friends all gathered hands a few nights ago.  They spun in circles, singing "Ring Around the Rosey" and then they collapsed to the ground in fits of laughter.  These are the sights and sounds that matter in life.  Summer perfection.

The close of May has been overflowing with this joy.  And here is the photo dump to prove it! 

More photos from Cam's bday party:

that freak rainstorm that brought the party temporarily indoors

Playing with friends and enjoying the outdoors!

Cousin time while Grandma was in town:

Cam made a break...running toward that precariously placed digger on the hill!

My brother and I spent so many summer days like this...

End of the year preschool picnic...can you spot the 2 year old boy who joined the group?

Some days are tough.... and sometimes she's adorable when she throws an irrational meltdown...

Last Day of School breakfast celebration!

Sophie and Ms. Sue

Sophie had her very first dance recital and she was absolutely ADORABLE!! I could barely see her through the tears streaming down my face (Doug attributed his tears to a bad allergy season this year...!).  We couldn't be more proud of the confident girl she has become. 

Just an average day with my buddies:

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Seattle, staying with friends.  We ate, we drank, we played, and we laughed.  All of the kids enjoyed one another, and Sophie even had her first real slumber party with a friend (that lasted 1 hour until she was uncomfortable....!). It was the perfect kick off to summer.  

Sophie crashed Quinn's and Levi's soccer practice and showed off her skills

Summer will be filled with a lot of this...

  And this...

And of course, this...

Hello, Summer! These big kids (all 4 of us) cannot wait for the fun adventures and memories you will bring!