So happy they got to go on this adventure and visit the Ebert family!

We went over to the Zillman’s on Sunday for some Memorial Day fun!  Mike cooked kabobs for everyone, Susie had awesome appetizers, and we partied it up!

It took Rose a while to get used to the water… she just did not know what to think!  Noelle and Malia were having races across the pool in their inner tubes… it was so cute seeing them having so much fun together!

Here’s the kids enjoying their “chicken.”  Anna Kate said, “Daddy, I love your chicken!”  It was really pork and beef, but as long as she was enjoying it, we didn’t care what she called it.  Anna Kate is our picky eater!

This is Malia being her little amazing self! (with her Daddy’s help)

This is Noelle loving her “special attention.”  Any time she gets one on one time with either of us, she always says, “This is my turn for special attention!” 

Here is Rose trying out her Christmas present, lol!  We are going to buy it from the Zillmans if Malia outgrows it by Christmas… we love hand me downs!  Here is Rose wiping her face with her napkin.  We told her to do it, and lo and behold, she did!  She’s starting to follow lots of directions… it’s so neat seeing her wheels turn!

This is the Zillmans beloved dog, Kukui.  The girls always call her “Kack-koo-e!”  She’s a calm and gentle dog.  We’d claim her!

We always talk about Rose’s black hair… so I thought I’d show you a picture of the back of her head from the week she was born (2/11/11), so you can compare it to now in the picture on the left… it’s getting so light, like the other girls’ hair did!  So strange!

These girls were being so giddy and silly tonight!!!

We had a wonderful day off enjoying our freedoms!  Thank you to all who have served to protect them!

Mike made up a song called “It’s the Saturday Song!” on none other than Saturday morning… the girls had a blast filling in verses, and Noelle actually played some chords Mike taught her. 

We sang a verse about Rose, and she was cracking up!

And then we rocked out a little… we’ll miss soccer, but man it sure felt good to have our Saturday back to hang out, sing, and relax all as a family.  Hoping for lots more Saturday songs this summer!

The girls still love their weekend sleepovers.  I went upstairs to check on them to make sure they were asleep, and their heads and hands were touching… I HAD to run and get my camera… I never want these sweet moments to end!!!  I told Noelle one night to please stop growing up!  She said, “Mommy, I would but I don’t know how.  Can you talk to God about that?”  It was so sweet and heart-felt, like she was really trying to help me out.  My sweet love.

Team sports day at school and lunch with Brylee!

Who says I don’t let my kids get messy!?!  Here’s proof, every once and a while (most likely when an alien shirt is involved), I let my baby get dirty!  We were enjoying chocolate covered strawberries Noelle and I made for everyone!

Too many of these snuggles go by that I don’t capture, so even if it’s with my phone camera, I’ll take them when I can! (I love Rose’s chunky leg in the first pic even though it is so not chunky… so cute!)

Summer lunches… doors will open within the week!

I’m going to start the kinder awards with this picture, because it captures Noelle being carefree and having fun with her friends, just the way we like it!

Landry and Ryan are such good friends of Noelle’s!

These guys were having so much fun goofing off and smiling for pictures…

that they wrapped around for a spontaneous group hug!  Noelle has had the sweetest classmates this year!!!

Emily’s mom told us that Noelle wrote a letter to Emily last week that said, “I bet you’re wondering what my dream is?  My dream is my best friend Emily!”  Aww… Rachel said Emily folded it up and put it in her treasure box.

I asked Noelle what her favorite award was, and she held up her reading award with her anticipated six flags ticket front and center!

She then got busy showing us her special journal for the year that she worked so hard on!

The drawing on the left is a picture she drew out of the letter C.  The paper started with a “C” on it and they had to turn it into something, and she turned her “C” into a rainbow… the picture on the right is a picture Noelle drew of herself with her sisters!  I love she drew Rose’s hair black, because at the beginning of the year Rose’s hair was a lot darker!

Anna Kate had fun playing with Noelle and Ava,  as usual, she fit right in with the kinder mix… sweet girls! 

The thing I will remember most about Noelle’s year in kindergarten was how resilient and happy she was day after day, no matter what obstacles she faced, which were honestly, more than any kindergartener should have had to go through.  She was so forgiving and saw the best in people, no matter what.  She loved dressing fancy and having fun with her fashion for school.  When someone asked why she got so fancy, she said, “I get fancied up for all of you guys!” and that’s truly why she does it!  She loves to make people smile!  She came home with the sweetest stories about her friends and their creativity together!  Her reading has really taken off, and we are excited to get into some chapter books this summer.  It’s been a good challenge for all of us, and I’m proud of the Pond family for pulling together, sticking together, and making the most out of this year.  You did it, Bella, and we couldn’t be more proud of you!!!  You’re the coolest kid I could ever think up!  You carried yourself with grace and elegance… not only did you do it, you did it just right!  We love you, sweet girl!!!

This was the first time I’ve been shopping for myself in as long as I can remember.  Of course, I went to the girl’s department first (after all, Nordstrom does call it the half yearly women AND children’s sale).  These were the last 5 items I picked to try on, and I actually bought 2 of them.  Can you guess which ones? 

The baby girls and I had a blast finishing out the year with PTA at the park!

The group hired a train to come give the children rides around the park.  Anna Kate only wanted to ride it one time, but she really enjoyed it… especially because she had her buddy Malia to hug if she got scared!

Julia and Anna Kate had a blast playing together on the play ground!

Here they come…

…here they go!!!

Anna Kate has had such a fear of trains her whole life, I think she was really proud of herself and finally getting it that trains really aren’t that bad after all.

Someone had the amazing idea to bring Sunny D individual drinks for the kids… Rose sucked on her Sunny D bottle the entire time; she loved it, and I had a happy baby!

Julia and Anna Kate were busy making wishes… in this picture, Anna Kate wished for another necklace, lol!

Most people would see this and not even notice how incredibly random and beautiful the patterns in this asphalt are.  But I’m a very detail-oriented person… my eyes see everything whether I want them to or not.  I thought it was really neat!

Devon took Noelle to see her first play, Annie Jr., at Casa Manana for her birthday!  I got to come along too!  The play was amazing, and Noelle had a blast meeting all of the characters and getting her program signed.

These were the cutest little orphans ever! 

Rooster and his girlfriend, and the patrol woman… watch out Sandy!

Grace and Daddy Warbucks, who were so amazing might I add.  They sounded just like the characters in the movie!

We got to hang out in artsy Ft. Worth for a bit afterward… what a creative idea, Devon!  This is one birthday present she will never ever forget!  Thank you!

Ava had a really relaxing spa party… this is a picture of Noelle, Ava, and Chloe after they got all pampered and dolled up!

First the girls got dressed in wraps and put on hair bands, then got a wax treatment on their hands.  Next, they got to pick out a face scrub that looked like ice cream and got a facial massage…

Next came cucumbers and a warm towel over that… (seriously!?!  My turn!)

Sweet Chloe didn’t know about the cucumbers, lol!  She was so cute about that part.

Ava’s party was after Noelle’s last soccer game.  I love how there are the cute ice cream face scrubs that look so fresh and clean right next to Noelle’s dirty soccer feet… it’s so perfect; that’s what being a kid is all about!  Reminds me of the princess with her sash undone prissing into a room…

The girls were in their salon chairs getting pedicures next… Chloe went first!

The cute girl was asking Noelle if her favorite color is pink like her polish and of course you know the answer to that question!  The last activities were manicures, make-up, glitter bling and a dance party!

This was the royal treatment for sure! 

The best part about today was celebrating Ava and having fun with her!!!