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After graduation, we made a fairly spontaneous trip down to Fort Walton. Once we got there, I realized that we had never been to the beach with just the four of us. It was a great trip, with fantastic weather. The condo was perfect for us: 2 bedrooms with bunk beds in the 2nd bedroom. It had an indoor and outdoor pool, right on the beach. We couldn’t have gotten a better place to stay. (And I got a smokin deal!)

We started out in the pool.

And finished at the beach. Sam loved playing in the water.

And Ellie loved playing in the sand.

Like I said, it was beautiful!

We had such fun.

After spending hours in the ocean, I saw this sign. Oops. I did get sick, but nobody else did. I think I must have picked something up elsewhere.

Ellie only wanted to play in the sand, but she would stand at the edge of the water requesting for someone to fill up her watering can. It made me think of the Coppertone girl.

And we couldn’t leave without making Ellie into a mermaid.

We had a great trip, and I’m so glad we went. We’ll go back soon on our annual family trip, and we’re also hoping to spend lots of time at the neighborhood pool this summer!

Yes, I thought graduation from 4K was a bit silly. However, Samantha was nervous and excited at the same time. It is a big deal because the Kindergarteners are in a different building, they wear uniforms, and go to school all day. So, we said good bye to preschool. Kindergarten, here we come!

She received a diploma from the principal and a Dove pin (the school/church mascot) from her teacher. They processed in and out to Pomp and Circumstance, and sang a few songs in between. I can’t believe she’ll be in Kindergarten in a few months! Where have the years gone?

And a clipped version of “Kindergarten, Here We Come!”

Sam met her Kindergarten teacher today.  She has been really nervous about going to Kindergarten, but after today, she is super excited.  So excited that she decided to read Green Eggs and Ham to me tonight.  She’s been reading for a while, but she doesn’t ever like to read books before bed.  I guess that’s because we have always read to her, and she doesn’t want to flip it around.  I don’t know.

She did so well.  She only came to a few words that she didn’t already know.  Most she sounded out, even though she doesn’t like to do that.  I’m so proud of her!

I remember last fall when we went to Gatlinburg, we ate at a place called Dick’s.  It was pretty crude.  I remember telling Brian that we probably couldn’t come again because the walls were filled with things that I’m glad my girls couldn’t understand.  Now that Sam can read, I guess we have to be even more careful about where we go and what we expose her to.

Can you believe this little runt turned 3 last week?

Ellie is full of laughs and energy, independence and compassion, nerve and courage.  She loves her froggie, her big sister, and Rapunzel.  She just moved up to a big girl bed and hasn’t had any trouble adjusting.  Her favorite colors are green and purple.  She’s a lefty.  She eats at least two breakfasts, a decent lunch, and not much for dinner every day.  She loves corn (all kinds including popcorn).  She drinks way more than the rest of us (milk, juice, water, you name it).

We had her birthday party last weekend.  Thanks for coming, friends!  I thought the weekend was going to be a wash out, but it turned out to be perfect!  We spent all day outside playing.

On her actual birthday, we brought Krispy Kreme for her class.  I intended to take her out to lunch, but we are a one car household these days (what is with all the drama in the Mauter house lately?) so lunch was a no-go.  We had dinner on the porch, which is where we always have our birthday meals for Sam (October) and Ellie (early May).

Here are all three dresses that I finished just in time:  Rapunzel, Minnie Mouse, and Mickey Mouse.  Brian was thoroughly concerned about making a Mickey Mouse dress, but I knew she wouldn’t care.  Sam wants one too.

And the finale was the tent!

We had her three year check up too.  She didn’t get any shots, so we got out of there pretty easily.  The doctor is somewhat concerned about her speech so we will need to see an audiologist and speech therapist soon.  I’m not really that concerned because she has always been “delayed” on speech.  She’ll get there on her own time, but if we need to have her checked out, that’ll be fine.