Clara has attended two piano lessons and worked with me once, and this is the result. She's about to start playing "real" songs, but this EIEIO is a perfect way to get her comfortable with the idea of using different fingers and using the black keys too. I couldn't figure out how to teach her without the stickers (I need to ask her teacher how she does it, but this worked for me).
And here is Clara's version of Genesis 1: Creation
After all of the amazing fishing and ranching we did, it was time to pack up and head to Schlitterbahn! I think it's safe to say that all of the little girls had worked up this trip in their minds and were SO excited to see exactly what this magical water park was all about.
I, in a moment of parenting weakness, bribed my children with Peanut M&Ms if they would take a nap in the car. I totally did. BECAUSE I know they'd have so much more fun if they weren't exhausted when we got there! And it totally worked - winning!
When we got there, we unloaded, grabbed swim suits and sunscreen and hit the water! Well, first I had to "find" Emma who was trying to hide from me .... :)
But once we were all ready the girls were truly ready to go!
That's a lucky Papa to be sandwiched between so many adorable blonde pigtails ;) Of course, those ladies are lucky ladies indeed to get to hold hands with their awesome Papa.
We went to Surfenburg first because last year Clara & Emma could not get enough of the Kiddie Coast play area. And sure enough, the first thing Emma did was basically run up the steps of the Octopus ("Opatus") to slide:
Even Molly was brave enough to climb up the Octopus! Although she did climb down again after thinking about it. These water slides were not Molly's thing this year. Emma is right behind her trying to figure out what Molly's doing.
There's something about splash pictures that just make me so happy :) Can you find Emma's wee toes?
Lulu was a baby whisperer when it came to Jessie
At the bottom of the pirate ship, YAAARRGGG!
Clara, Molly & Emma
Clara being so silly
That first day Jessie liked sliding from Lulu to her Mommy!
Photographical evidence that Molly did go down one slide by herself and voluntarily!!
The picture doesn't do Molly's true terrified expression justice though - thank goodness her mommy was at the bottom of the slide to catch her!
What Molly DID really like (along with the other girls) was the alligator lazy river! (I don't know the official name). They had so much fun riding alligators around!!
Papa, Emma, Molly & Clara
so much fun!
There they go!
Auntie M & Clara
Bryan attempted to ride with Emma in a tube but she just kept crying "nooo Daddy!! MYSELF, swim MYSELF" until he put her back down into the water to float around, haha
Jessie and Papa
Grady and his two little ladies
Emma learned to like rides on everyone's shoulders this week!
Hitching a ride on Papa
Papa and Grady providing some transportation assistance
Lulu & Papa were nice enough to let the two oldest girls have a "sleep over" in their room. There was lots of giggling and sharing of books happening in there!!
That's the end of our first day in Schlitterbahn - more to come!
Clara woke up FOUR YEARS OLD on Sunday! (Very exciting - especially for a newly turned 4 year old.)
Lulu had a special surprise for Clara and her cousins when they woke up: personalized CAPES!!!
Super Clara!
Super Molly!
Super Emma!
Super Jessie!
These 2 are best buds
Lulu did such a great job making their capes
Because I carried her and birthed her (quite painfully I might add), I deemed it totally ok to take a sefie with my birthday girl!
Poor JJ just wasn't feeling well this trip :( Lulu has magical powers though and can make almost any grandbaby feel better almost immediately!
Clara's birthday wish was for Papa to take her fishing at the ranch. Lulu & Papa made this happen! (complete with light up wellies and pink fishing poles)
Molly and her Daddy
Granted no one caught anything but that didn't stop anyone from trying!
Hiding out from the spontaneous rain shower in the limo
I think the curly pigtails with flamingo bows make her look legit
Clara was big on pointing out when a fish was playing with her bait.
Clara with her two favorite guys
When we got back from fishing it was time for some drawing and coloring.
Meemaw helping the girls
Time to sing "Happy Birthday!"
Meemaw made the cake! Thank you!
Blowing out the candles with Papa
Molly with Meemaw and Papaw
Lulu & Papa!
Giving Meemaw a big hug for the awesome Legos and stickers and her cake.
And Papaw a big thank you hug too
(This is a picture from today - once we got home - she had so much fun building the Lego set!)
I caught these three little munchkins sitting like this and asking for a "cheese"
