last day of Mother's Day Out {nooooo!} + our Anniversary {yes!}

Last Tuesday, May 22nd was Hudson's very last day of Mother's Day Out (MDO).

It was sooooooooooooooo bittersweet for me. I'm happy for our little boy to experience all the fun activities that come with preschool this Fall, but at the same time, this sweet little MDO program has been our home for the past 4 years...2008-2010 with Grace and 2010-2012 with Hudson.  Mrs. Cheryl, the director, joked with me that I need to hurry up and have baby #3 so she can see me every Tu & Th again! HA!

I LOVE the teachers there. I love that it's part of our church. I love that it's a small program in the cutest little building ever. I love that they teach our littles about Jesus. I love the sweet church songs. I'm having withdrawals :(

The last day of school at MDO is always such a treat for all the littles...jumpy jumps and take-out kiddie meals. I surprised Hudson by stopping by just as he was about to go jump...

This is such a "Lance expression"...I can't get over it! HA!

So grown up and having the time of his life!!!

When deciding on party favors or class gifts to share with friends I always try to think of something that the littles are into or love and this year was no exception. Hudson L*O*V*E*S bubbles so bubbles it was! I added the cute {free!} printable by Beth Proudfoot and voila!

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU, Mrs. Cheryl, Mrs. Veronica, Mrs. Laura, Mrs. Brooke, Mrs. Rebekah, Mrs. Maria, and Mrs. Patti for 4 wonderful years! I pray God will bless you in a special way for loving and nurturing our littles and so many others through the Mother's Day Out ministry.

And...It's only been less than a week and I already miss you all so much :(

On a happy note...6 years ago today we became Mr. & Mrs.  Yay us!  We celebrated with a fancy dinner Friday night.  Good times!

 

dance recital weekend! {one week later...}

Lots of stuff cookin' around here and honestly I just haven't had the energy to keep up with the 'ole blog, so I'm playing catch up!

First up, the little pumpkin's dance recital!!

This is Grace's second year in dance...{last year} her Pre-Primary class did a sweet ballet number and this year her Primary class did a fun tap number to Madagascar's "I like to move it, move it".

Oh my, they were too much!! Sooooooooo full of personality...that's a nice way to put it, don't you think?? HA!

Hanging out with one of her best friends from school, Kennedy!  This was the first day of dress rehearsals...in the studio.

On the way to dress rehearsal day #2...theatre rehearsal...
Last year I said I would definitely not be a backstage mom again {LOTS and I mean LOTS of little girls in very tight quarters for 2+ hours} and yet, here I am again, backstaging it once more. Last year I had 6 little girls and this year I had 12. They really were a great group, but oh my, I was soooo tired at the end of day 3!

Looking so grown up *sniff, sniff*...I think this picture is like a glimpse into the future...and I'm definitely not ready.

Finally, Saturday, May 19th...RECITAL DAY!!!


Backstage with their teacher, Ms. Tamara, as girls were arriving...

We lucked out that Grace and Kennedy's classes were placed right next to each other backstage so they were able to play and hang out while they waited their turns on stage.

Kaylen is a big kindergartener this year but last year all three of these sweet girls were in preschool together and they were so cute backstage when they realized they were all in the same room.

Time to shine!

Kind of hard to take pics with the lighting and all, but here are a couple...

Just as they were coming off stage...they were so excited and so cute - love all these sweet girls!!

Our little dancer!

We're so proud of you, Grace!

Mimi and Pop, Noonie and Papa J, Aunt Marilyn, and of course, her #1 fan Hudson came to see Grace dance...

I love how her belly is poking out in this one...he he he...just a tiny reminder that she is still one part little girl, even with all the crazy stage make-up and all...

Sweet girls...Amelia & Grace

We celebrated post-recital with - what else - fro yo!

They may push each other's buttons every.single.day but these two really are best friends...

Another fun year of dance completed!

Grace,
You danced your little heart out and we couldn't be prouder of you!!
Way to go on getting promoted to dance with the 6-10 year olds in the Fall!!

We love you so much.
XOXO,
Mama, Daddy & Hudson
 

Party Box Design Winner!

And the winner is...........................................JULIE!!!!!

Julie said...
I like the Birthday Boy invitations and the bright colors & mix of fonts.
I follow her blog.
May 22, 2012 9:55 AM

CONGRATS, JULIE!
You have until tomorrow, 05/27/12 at noon CST to send me an email {jessica@littlepumpkingrace.com}to claim your prize.

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!
 

Party Box Design {giveaway!}

I'm so behind you guys!! The end-of-school craziness {fun chaos...only way I know how to describe it!} is in full swing and we're just jumpin' from one activity to the next...dance recitals, school parties, graduations, summer planning...I'm sure you can relate.


I'll be back soon with more pics, but today, let's do something fun!

It's no secret that I love Party Box Design. Jess, the owner and designer behind Party Box Design, comes up with the cutest invitation and stationery designs. I love the way she takes traditional themes and gives them a modern edge. Jess designed Grace's birthday invitations last year {yes, BOTH of them - HA!}, as well as our Kite Day gift labels and cupcake toppers, Christmas Cookie Party invitation, and Preschool Christmas Party invite.  She's super sweet to work with - love her!

And she's graciously offered one of you a $25 gift certificate to her shop!!

To enter, visit Party Box Design and leave me a comment with your favorite design. You must follow the Party Box Design blog to be eligible.

If you want to stay up to date on all the latest designs, check out Party Box Design on facebook too!

Thank you Jess/Party Box Design!
{Contest ends Friday, May 25th at 11:59 p.m. CST}
 

countdown to sunshine + carefree days...

When I stumbled upon {this} adorable printable from armommy, I knew it would be perfect for our countdown to summer...problem is, it looks so cute hanging up there I can't bear to have the littles take off the pennants every day! HA!

We're actually on Day 14 for Grace and {gulp} Day 6 for Hudson. How did this year go by so fast???!

Speaking of carefree...I'm lovin' how these Lulu wraps seem to effortlessly pull an outfit together in no time. This set is going to two sweet sisters as a little thank you for brightening our day. I hope they like them!

Lulu wraps are $15 each (shipping included). I can still squeeze in a few orders for {hats} and/or wraps, but I will be parking {the shop} on vacation for the month of June so we can get ready for our trip to Puerto Rico and enjoy our time there without the stress of pending orders.  Which reminds me...Courtney & Amanda~ your hats will be ready on Friday!

And this isn't the best picture {I took it with the pocket camera before I got my Canon back last week - yes, hooray!} but I have to say I've been lovin' a lot of the the new fabrics I've seen at Joann's lately, like this sweet vintage inspired blue floral. The bottom one is a vintage linen ;).........my summer sewing list is growing a mile long! 

Stay tuned for a fun giveaway from Party Box Design coming soon!