Anna and Madeline's first day of school - 2nd and 1st grade respectively

these two.

i can't believe how big these girls are getting!  first and second grade!  we were so happy to know Madeline would have Mrs. Casey this year! She was such a wonderful teacher last year for Anna, and it was so comforting for Maddie to know she would have the same teacher.  Here's to a wonderful school year!

a baptism and a blessing - Anna and Zoe

this was one of the most amazing weekends for our family.  it started by welcoming our family into town with a fun family bbq and swim party.  our sweet Anna was baptized by her dad on Saturday.

 these cousins clearly had a a fun friday night, they had to be carried out of the church.  

 of course there was more partying with our friends and cousins. 

 this sweet little baby is either sleeping, or screaming.  i love to catch her while she's sleeping.  

 Sunday was a beautiful day, the blessing of our sweet youngest child. 

these bookends are just an adorable pair.  so lovely to have them both in their sweet white gowns.  

happy, happy birthday Anna dear! - 8 is Great!

birthdays are special.  so we like to give each child a chance to plan their special day.  since we already partied it up with friends back in May.  Anna chose a to spend her day taking a break from swim team, eating german pancakes for breakfast, lunch with Grandma Colleen, and french toast for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Beardsley at home.  

she wished for a baby sister born on her birthday, and contractions were making it seem like she might get her wish.  but alas, she had to settle for a mani-pedi from Aunt Tara, loads of spoiling from the grandparents, and some sweet treats from sisters and brother.

Dear Anna,

you are just as sweet as pie.  dad and i could not have dreamed up a more perfect first born.  you are eager to learn at home, school, sports and church.  you love to know the rules so you can be sure to follow them.  you love your siblings with your whole heart, and show it through kindness and sharing. when conflicts do arise, i can count on you to try and be a peacemaker.  we are so proud of the decisions that you make and look forward to sharing your special decision to be baptized.  it seems like just yesterday you were a babe in my arms, and though sometimes a yearn to hold you like that again, i am so excited to continue watching you grow into a beautiful and sweet young lady.  thank you for all that you are.

love,
mom and dad

Citizen of the Year!

last week we received an invitation to flag ceremony with the notice that Anna was receiving an award.  when Anna woke up feeling lousy, we convinced her to go to flag and see how she felt afterward, after all, she was receiving an award!  

Anna was awarded with the Citizenship award for her class, for the entire year!  we were so proud, especially since she also received this award in Kindergarten.  it is so nice to know that the sweet, obedient and helpful girl we see at home, is making the same impression at school.  

after the ceremony, it was clear she was still feeling crummy, so we took her home to rest.  she spent the ENTIRE last week of school in bed with a terrible virus, including an icky and itchy rash!  she was so sad to miss all the fun of the last week of school.  but i was happy she at least got this moment. 

Anna,

Dad and I are so proud of you and all you do to try your best at home and at school.  you are a darling daughter, and a great example for your younger brother and sisters.  thank you for all that you do to make our lives so happy.

we love you so much,
Mom

Anna's 8th birthday party - 2 months early!

Anna's actual birthday is in July, but ever since last year, she has wanted to throw her party on the last day of school, so all her classmates would be there.  so, all year long, I figured her party would be at the end of May.  when May arrived, she started telling all her friends that she was going to have a last day of school birthday party, and the reports started rolling in of Memorial Day getaways and friends who wouldn't be in town.  (just like her actual birthday).  so, we set out choosing a new weekend for her party.  as we went backward through the month, we realized that YIKES, her birthday would have to be now!  and that's how Anna had a birthday party 2 months early!

she had her heart set on a pool party, and the heat was on so it was perfect!  we set up a little photo booth and took some test shots before guests arrived.  

 once the friends started rolling in, the photos and swimming were in full swing!

 Anna had fun with friends and cousins!

 love these girls, they are such great playmates!

 it was a really windy day, so i wasn't able to capture all the fun elements we had on the table, but here's a sampling of the fun colors.  these printables were so much fun, and added so much to a simple swim party. 

 i saw these cake pops on Pinterest, and just HAD to try them.  i have to say, they were pretty time consuming, and probably not the best to make for your first time, but i loved the way they turned out and they really were special.  Anna loved them, and actually helped make them, so i guess i'd probably do it again.  

i just love these shots of Jason trying to light the candle on this very windy day.  Anna looks quite concerned.  

 ...and then, she blows it right out.  

 Anna was simply spoiled by her sweet friends.  

 but one gift in particular had her very happy, and Dad very concerned.  an adorable boy gave her a heart necklace.  Anna is smitten....with the necklace of course. 

Anna sent the party-goers home with a pack of gumballs.  

 we are so happy Anna has so many nice friends that she really wanted a party to include them all!  happy early birthday Anna!!!

first swim of the season?

the temperatures are starting to soar, but i'm not sure the pool has caught up yet.  the girls begged and begged to go in, so:

they stayed in there for a while, despite the squealing.  

student of the month - Anna Earl!!!

i was so happy to receive the phone call from Mrs. Casey that Anna was chosen as February's student of the month, representing the virtue of Charity!  it's fun to go as a family to flag ceremony and honor all the students of the month.  

Here's what Anna's teacher, Mrs. Casey, had to say about Anna:

Anna is a great role model to her peers.  She works well with others and is a great help around the classroom!

Anna, 

we are so proud of you and your accomplishments.  it's warms our hearts to know that the sweet girl we see at home everyday, is taking that light and shining it at school as well.  knowing that your teacher sees you as a role model is one of the best compliments you can receive, and speaks volumes of your character.  keep up the good work. 

love, 

mom and dad

we've got spirit, yes we do! BFCS Spirit Week

so, somehow i did not take a photo every day this week in honor of spirit week.  but here are the highlights:

decade day!  first i had to explain what a decade was.  then i had to use technology to show my children how styles have changed over the years.  then i had to explain why it is fun to dress in those styles.   phew!  that was a lot of work for school spirit!  

Anna chose the 80's

 Madeline went with 70's.  both wanted to know how i made "costumes" out of their regular clothes.  i explained that it was all about the hair!   (wish i had a photo, but Madeline won an award on Hawaiian day! woohoo!)

 the other photo-worthy day was twin day.  the girls chose shirts to be twins with each other, and friends at school.  

all in all, Spirit Week was a success.  the girls had so much fun showing pride in their school.  they were disappointed when field day was cancelled due to rain, but since it made snow in the mountains, and then we went to the mountains for spring break, they quickly got over it!  

we've got spirit, how 'bout you!

Anna's class party

we love our school, and try to support however we can.  i am Madeline's room mom, teach Art Masterpiece for Anna's class, and volunteer often in both classrooms.  today, i was the photographer for Anna's class party.  they made crafts, read stories, and ate pizza.  fun was had by all.  (especially Anna who loves crafts.)

thanks to Mrs. Casey for being such a fun teacher!  Anna loves first grade!

Anna's Christmas Program

this year we got to go to 2 Ben Franklin Christmas Concerts.  the first was 1st-6th grade.  the music was beautiful, the poetry, was fun and funny, and everyone had a great time.  

 i was worried we would lose Colin.  it was kind of a late night, the theater was packed, and he doesn't really like loud places.  but he was a champ!  he loved the music, danced the whole time, and was constantly flirty with the girls in front of us.  

these two girls however, were out like a light by 8pm.  

 Anna was so excited to have Grandma and Grandpa come see her sing.  and sing she did, she sings her little heart out!

my sweet little singer, and my sweet mother  

everybody dance now!

this was Avery's first dance recital.  she was so excited and also a little nervous!

 Madeline and Anna are old pros and were great helpers showing Avery the ropes. 

 the dances were equal parts cute and hilarious.  

the crowd was impressed. 

 all in all a wonderful family night.  

well done girls! off for some celebratory ice cream!