Puddles, parades and a graduation

Last week, before this awful heat wave hit, Lily, Hannah and I sat on the porch and watched an afternoon thunderstorm roll into our neighborhood.  The rain didn't last long and after it stopped Hannah and Lily asked to go outside to do some puddle jumping.  Happy to enjoy the cool breeze and to not have to water the garden that night I told them to grab their flip flops. 

They found some water to splash in and I watched as daredevil Lily jumped in the water and mud while Hannah, in true Hannah form, decided to keep herself dry and clean and drop rocks in the water instead.

From puddles to parades...I forgot that I have not shared the pictures that I took earlier this month at our annual neighborhood parade.  The parade is held right down the street from our house and afterwards the street is blocked off for a neighborhood band party. It is always a good evening visiting with neighbors and friends and enjoying the music and rides for the kids. 

We also recently celebrated Hannah's graduation from her 4K program.   It was in the church and included prayers and songs by the two 4K classes at her school.  Hannah sang her little heart out and kept me smiling with how she rounded her mouth like a professional (you can see this in one of the pictures below :))  Afterwards they had a little reception in the parish hall with cake and punch. 

I had such mixed emotions over this day because I know that next up is real deal 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. five day school. Life is changing and I know that there will be so many wonderful things in our future but I have to tell you that I am really having a hard time getting ready for this next step.

I was grateful that Lily had Mother's Day Out the week after graduation so Hannah and I could have a little time together.  I left it up to Hannah to decide what she wanted to do with our time.  She had some birthday money and wanted to buy a new book so we ended up at the book store having hot cocoa and scones before we made her purchase. Afterwards we bought new flip flops for both Hannah and Lily and had lunch at Zoe's.  Our next outing started with a breakfast of pancakes and french toast at Another Broken Egg Cafe (can you tell we don't get to go out to eat much these days?) and then it was off to visit the dinosaur exhibit at the McWane Center. I took a few pictures on my phone...

It was nice to calm my heart a little with these two "Mommy and Hannah" dates as Hannah calls them.  Thankfully I have the summer to prepare for kindergarten and I am going to try to make the most of these next couple of months of being at home with both of my girls.