NYC Weekend

I am officially hijacking the blog today to share a few photos
from my recent girls' weekend to New York City.
By girls' weekend, I mean myself and my closest high school friends.
Sorry Lexi and Ryleigh, this time around you stayed here in Dallas.
No worries though, as you had a wonderful time playing with your daddy.
Lauren, a close friend since middle school,
and also my grad school roommate,
decided it was time for a reunion.
She got the ball rolling, and in early June, the six of us met up in the
Big Apple for a weekend of relaxing, reminiscing (and, apparently, lots of eating).
First though, I snuck up to Fairfield for lunch with Adrienne and Beth.

The visit was much too short, but whenever we're together,
you can count on lots of laughs, great memories to rehash,
and a few glasses of prosecco.
I really miss these girls and was so happy to spend a few hours with them.
After a long Metro North ride back to the city,
a fun dinner with the high school crew at Spice Market awaited.
Kate (my sister-in-law) snuck away from her kiddos to join us, which made it all the more sweet.

The next morning, Wendy came in for a little pre-birthday brunch at Morandi - delicious.
It's hard being so far away from my sister and parents, so this was such a treat for me.
Cannot wait to be together again in August.
Happy Birthday!!!!

The girls and I spent the afternoon in Central Park.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect summer day. 

We packed a picnic lunch and brought along some wine. 

Old photo albums were pulled out,

and we had the best time reliving the good ole days

(and wondering why fashion in the mid-90s was so terrible). 

We finished out the weekend watching the Belmont at a local bar,

then heading off to dinner in the West Village. 

The whole weekend reminded me that there is no comparison 

to New York City and its people when it comes to energy and enthusiasm. 

No matter how long a person is away, this city always feels like home,

and its spirit is contagious. 

The very same thing can be said of this group of girls I grew up with.

Many miles separate us now, but the role they played during my childhood 

and high school years ensures them a special place in my heart.

My hope is that Alexis and Ryleigh surround themselves with true friends like these. 

Diaper free household

Ryleigh, we are so proud of you!
You are just about potty trained.
You still wear pull ups to Mother's Day out and while you sleep…
but otherwise, you are the proud wearer of big girl panties.
Watching your sister the past few weeks
seems to have inspired you to give up diapers.
You go in the same little potty that Lexi used,
and then excitedly carry it over to the big potty…
spilling as you go and yelling "no touches, no touches"
if any of us try to help you.
It might be a bit messy, but we'll take it!
Ain't no stopping you now, big girl.

The Tooth Fairy Visits

Lexi decided to kick off summer with her first lost tooth!
She injured it in gym class last month, so it was a little loose.
Sneaking a piece of gum at bed time last night apparently did the trick.
Lexi was terrified when it fell out and proceeded to bleed.
But she quickly recovered when she remembered it meant a
visit from the tooth fair.
It took her hours to fall asleep from the excitement,
and, at one point, we had to have a search party for the tooth
when it fell out of its little pillow onto her bed.
But all's well that ends well…
she awoke to $1, a special note from the tooth fairy and best of all…
a ring pop.
Growing bigger by the day!

Our Graduate

Well, school's out for summer around here…

and we now have a proud preschool graduate on our hands, folks. 

Lexi and her sweet PreK class had an end of the year celebration a few weeks back. 

The parents and families were treated to a special little music performance 

which was really quite adorable.  

Videos posted below purely for posterity :)

Ryleigh even got to join in at the very end. 

And then we cleaned out cubbies, said one last goodbye to the classroom 

and headed over to Abbott Park for a graduation party. 

It has been such a wonderful year of learning and growth for Lexi, 

and as thrilled as she is to start kindergarten this fall at "the big kid school",

I know she is sad she won't be seeing Miss Lauren and all her PreK buddies

each day.

Miss Lauren gave each child a copy of Dr. Seuss' "Oh The Places You'll Go" 

with a little message written inside.

I plan to secretly continue this tradition at the end of each school year and

then share the signed book with Lexi (and of course a separate one for Ry)

before she heads off to college. 

But first things first...

as for her summer plans, here's what's on her mind: