A Day For Firsts

To start off this fun day of firsts and last day of Spring 2011 would be none other than swim lessons. Clarissa is Level 2 and Kimberly is Level 1. The girls had a great time. They go until June 30th so I'm excited to see how much they improve over the next weeks.

The 2nd first of the day was Clarissa starting piano lessons. She's doing quite well and is learning very fast. She is really loving it and came home excited to show daddy and Kimberly what all she learned. Her teacher is kind and we are happy we found out about her teaching lessons.

As this spring comes to an end and the girls are talking about school starting back up and all the things that are happening this summer I can't help but think that they not "little" anymore. They are now classified as kids and in the bigger age group when it comes to activities. Its amazing watching them start off so small (9lb 10oz and 7lb 100z) and now they are a whopping 6&4 years old. I love them dearly and cherish every moment I'm given with them.

Father's Day

Before I get started with the Fathers Day part of this post I want to put in that the girls are continuing to have a fun summer break. Its technically spring till the 21st but the girls are fooled by the hot days and cool nights. For the last few nights they have enjoyed going to the neighbor's house to have water fights. They where also invited over to a friends house to enjoy their pool. With swim lessons starting up tomorrow its just another example of how summer is in full swing at the Painter house.

Today is father's day and the girls made him home made cards and told him happy father's day every chance they got. They also headed outside to play some T-ball and swing with daddy. We couldn't think of a better way to have spent father's day than enjoying time with the kids!

Fun summer pictures:

Father's Day 2011

Here Comes The Bride?

About a year ago Quentin was asked by a co-worker to perform a wedding for his daughter. Quentin was honored to be considered and was happy to meet with his co-worker's daughter and future husband.

The big day everyone had been waiting for was today. The ceremony was beautiful and Quentin did an amazing job. The ceremony took 17 minutes but that was exactly what the bride and groom wanted. After pictures, cocktail hour, and dinner the reception was in full swing. There where the traditional dances and then a neat anniversary dance. Half way through the song the DJ would count up to how many years of marriage and when the number he says is past how long you have been married you leave the dance floor. Quentin and I are 2 months shy of our 7th wedding anniversary so we decided we would consider our selves married for 7 years but the D.J. skipped 5-9 and went straight to 10 years. The winning couple where the bride's grandparents with 53 years, and they sure were the sweetest couple out on the dance floor.

The girls made so many friends it was hard to keep track. They where very excited to participate in the throwing of the bouquet. and when the bride threw it a little KIMBERLY caught it. She was tickled pink about it and was trilled about catching it. We partied till 9pm and then headed home. We had a great time and before heading out we took a quick picture of Kimberly with the groomsman who caught the guarder!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert

Kimberly has natural curly hair but today we straightened it.

Who knew it was THIS long.

Ready to leave for the wedding!

Kimberly and the groomsman

Wednesday June 8, 2011

Well today was not just any Wednesday, we were invited by a church group that Clarissa attends on Wednesday's (during the school year) to have our family go to Adventureland. We were very excited to accept this invitation since we had planned on bringing the kids this year anyway. We also decided to bring the oldest of my day care kids along since she helps me out and I wanted to reward her with a fun trip.

We arrived at the park right as it opened. We got a quick group picture and then each family took their group and went on the rides they wanted. The girls did wonderful as well as Quentin and myself. (We took a lot of pictures but I will explain why pictures aren't here later on in this post.) We started out the morning by enjoying a few rides in the front half of the park. After lunch we headed over to the water park, Adventure Bay. Quentin and I enjoyed some water slides while the other 3 stayed on the equipment and stayed busy. Then Quentin and the older girl we brought wanted to go on a few other water slides so I hung out with the girls; then it was mine and the older girl's turn. After a quick swim and a ride on the lazy river we headed back to the park to enjoy a few more rides before meeting up with Quentin's mom to take us 4 girls home (Quentin was off to help set up hurdles at the NCAA Track and Field Championships held at Drake Stadium; look for a post on the Off The Crossbar and Des Moines Sports Freaks blogs today or tomorrow).

My mother-in-law is so sweet to have COLD WATER, COLD SNACKS, and a car that the air conditioner was clearly on. We enjoyed the trip home talking about the day and the girls were excited for one more surprise later that was coming later. A good friend of the family was rewarding a softball team and rented a big inflatable slide and invited the girls over to enjoy it as well. I wasn't sure how much more fun the girls could have in one day but they took a quick cat nap and were ready for more.

We headed back to my in-laws' house to eat dinner. When my mother-in-law left the girls and I wanted to surprise her and set the table. She had been up much earlier than us and had not stopped since we had been home. She was thrilled to see the girls got out EVERYTHING and had it in place. We added a few more things to the table and were ready to eat and then head back out for some more fun!

Why no pictures? With having 3 bags, left overs, 2 tired girls, and a dog the camera was the only thing that was left at my in-laws' house. I hope to get it soon so I can add some pictures.

We all had a great time with the various activities on Wednesday and I must say that these girls are very polite. They made sure to thank every one who ran the rides at Adventureland as well as our friends for inviting them over to be on the big slide. It really was a great summer day!

I have my camera now and so here are the pictures!

We didn't get as many as I thought but we sure did have a great time. I couldn't have asked God for better kids. These girls really are my pride and joy!

We can't wait for next time!

Wednesday June 8, 2011

Well today was not just any Wednesday, we were invited by a church group that Clarissa attends on Wednesday's (during the school year) to have our family go to Adventureland. We were very excited to accept this invitation since we had planned on bringing the kids this year anyway. We also decided to bring the oldest of my day care kids along since she helps me out and I wanted to reward her with a fun trip.

We arrived at the park right as it opened. We got a quick group picture and then each family took their group and went on the rides they wanted. The girls did wonderful as well as Quentin and myself. (We took a lot of pictures but I will explain why pictures aren't here later on in this post.) We started out the morning by enjoying a few rides in the front half of the park. After lunch we headed over to the water park, Adventure Bay. Quentin and I enjoyed some water slides while the other 3 stayed on the equipment and stayed busy. Then Quentin and the older girl we brought wanted to go on a few other water slides so I hung out with the girls; then it was mine and the older girl's turn. After a quick swim and a ride on the lazy river we headed back to the park to enjoy a few more rides before meeting up with Quentin's mom to take us 4 girls home (Quentin was off to help set up hurdles at the NCAA Track and Field Championships held at Drake Stadium; look for a post on the Off The Crossbar and Des Moines Sports Freaks blogs today or tomorrow).

My mother-in-law is so sweet to have COLD WATER, COLD SNACKS, and a car that the air conditioner was clearly on. We enjoyed the trip home talking about the day and the girls were excited for one more surprise later that was coming later. A good friend of the family was rewarding a softball team and rented a big inflatable slide and invited the girls over to enjoy it as well. I wasn't sure how much more fun the girls could have in one day but they took a quick cat nap and were ready for more.

We headed back to my in-laws' house to eat dinner. When my mother-in-law left the girls and I wanted to surprise her and set the table. She had been up much earlier than us and had not stopped since we had been home. She was thrilled to see the girls got out EVERYTHING and had it in place. We added a few more things to the table and were ready to eat and then head back out for some more fun!

Why no pictures? With having 3 bags, left overs, 2 tired girls, and a dog the camera was the only thing that was left at my in-laws' house. I hope to get it soon so I can add some pictures.

We all had a great time with the various activities on Wednesday and I must say that these girls are very polite. They made sure to thank every one who ran the rides at Adventureland as well as our friends for inviting them over to be on the big slide. It really was a great summer day!

Last Day of School

Summer break has officially started and we are so happy to have Clarissa home out of school. To celebrate the last day Clarissa and her classmates had their Field Day. She was team yellow and they did great. The teachers had lots of fun stations set up and of course all the kids had a blast. I also have to mention that Quentin took the day off and we together (in two vehicles.) got all the day care kids to field day. They did a wonderful too I couldn't ask for a better group of kids to work with.

Also included in the pictures below are Clarissa's "last day" walk home with Ma. Ma (Quentin's Mom) started a tradition last year to walk with Clarissa home on the last day of school. Since this year she had field day we moved the walk up a day and Kimberly jumped into the fun with having a picnic with Ma for lunch!

Field Day

We took lots of video and my dad was also there taking pictures and video.

Clarissa had the winning sponge of water. She was very good to wait the extra little bit to allow the sponge to soak up ALL the water it could before running it over to the bucket.

Clarissa was a hopping maniac when doing the potato sack race. The older kids had to go in pairs and the younger kids just jumped by themselves.

Clarissa is READY for her last day of Kindergarten. She is now saying, when people ask her, that she's in 1st grade. That's still shocking to me but I'm so excited for the new adventures ahead.

Summer has officially started and we are so happy to have Clarissa home out of school. To celebrate the last day Clarissa and her classmates had their Field Day. She was team yellow and they did great. The teachers had lots of fun stations set up and of course all the kids had a blast.