Lexi and Graham

Watching your children play with their friends is fun.
Watching your children play with your friends' children is really fun.

Elizabeth started out as my sorority sister and college roommate,
years later she was one of my beautiful bridesmaids,
and most recently she became Ryleigh's Godmother.
We were excited for her visit because we all love her.
But, we were especially excited because her son (and my Godson)
Graham was also making the trip to Fairfield.

He shares my birthday (go figure!) and is just about a month older than Alexis.
They hit it off right away and spent the entire weekend playing together.

Duck, duck goose, Mother may I, hide 'n seek, wiffle ball, wagon rides,
trips to the playground, lunch at Firehouse Deli, picnic dinners,
dinners on the deck, a trip to the Bronx Zoo
(and a baptism too)...
there was no shortage of fun for these two.

On our drive to the airport Monday afternoon,
Lexi begged Graham to hold her hand.
He said no time and again (boys will be boys).
Then he realized just how determined she can be
and gave in (while rolling his eyes at Elizabeth and I).
It was probably the funniest moment from the weekend.
I hope these two will be classmates at UVA one day....
or pen pals at the very least.
We love you Elizabeth and Graham!

Baptism

Last weekend was quite a big one around here!
Our sweet Ryleigh was baptized.

Wearing the same gown her big sister did

And, of course, it was also Father's Day

Three of the best dads I know

as well as Aunt Wendy's birthday.

We had the whole family here for the special occasion.

Enjoying the day back at home

I couldn't resist these matching summer outfits 

for all the little girls

(Though getting a photo of the three of them proved a bit elusive)

And, we are so grateful to Elizabeth - my best friend from college and Ryleigh's Godmother -
for making the trip up from Nashville along with her adorable son, Graham.

He and Lexi were best buddies almost instantly,
and it was wonderful to watch them play (and bicker) with each other.

Cannot think of a more meaningful way to spend a Sunday

She was so sweet during her baptism

Parents and Godparents

Watching intently as her baby sister walked up

and down the aisle with Dr. Duffy

Ryleigh with her Godparents

School's out for summer!

In the blink of an eye,
she went from this

(first day of school)

to this

That's right...school's out for summer!

The 3's class was such a great experience for Alexis this year. 

Miss Sue was the perfect preschool teacher: warm, creative, fun and totally in control

Pretty impressive considering some days there were 15 little knuckleheads to oversee

Each day, the students were assigned a job

Each day they acted as "weather watchers" and "calendar kids"

They learned to write their names and count to 20 and beyond

They learned about the four seasons, the days of the week and months of the year

They memorized catchy little songs to help them remember everything

They had class parties and field trips

They baked pretend birthday cakes in the sandbox, played tag on the playground, 

had a bike-a-thon, movement class, music class, a weekly religious lesson, 

and they even had the chance to stay for extended day.

Lexi's very favorite was always French class. 

Miss Sue presented each child with a personalized scrapbook at the end of the year - 

complete with a self-portrait, a hand print, their most infamous 

quote from the year, a list of their best friends, their favorite job and yummiest lunch. 

We will sure miss these teachers and all the wonderful kiddos who made up the 3's!

posing in front of her cubby

With Miss Valerie, the assistant teacher

Last day of school party

6 Months

Half a year already?!
Ryleigh, don't grow up too fast sweet girl.

At 6 months you:

Spend most of your time on your belly

Your are really trying to figure out this crawling thing.
You do a little pushup,
but you're just not sure how to get those legs moving.
It is all sorts of frustrating for you.

You are starting to teethe.
You drool all day long,
and often have a chubby little hand in your mouth.
You're working on getting those feet in your mouth, too.

(see your wet outfit?)

You love to stand...
on the floor, in your exersaucer, on the counter, wherever you can do it.
Your legs must be getting really strong.
Oh, and you are just about sitting on your own.

You have tried, and loved, your jumperoo.
I think this will soon become your new favorite toy.
You are starting to eat solids - squash, peas, green beans, bananas, oatmeal.
You seem to like it, you slurp it all off your spoon.
The real fun is when you blow raspberries mid-bite and into our faces goes the food.

It seems like you are transitioning from three naps to two.
You are still great at sleeping on the go - good job girlfriend!
You love the baby swing on our swingset- you giggle and squeal and smile when we put you in.
You love your lovie, just like your big sister.
You love attention and great new faces with big giant smiles.
You love to be held, and you've started to whimper when we put you down.
Seems you know how to get your way at an early age ;)

At 6 months...you fill our days with happiness!

Carnival

What better way to spend a few hours
while an open house was going on here,
than by hitting up the carnival with the Lopatins?

Not exactly sure when it happened,
but Lexi and Tyler are now old enough
to go on a bunch of rides by themselves.

They were also brave enough to try out
a mini roller coaster and my personal favorite, tilt-a-whirl.
Not sure who had a more fun afternoon,
the 3 year olds or those of us who are simply young at heart!