First Big Recital

First routine was a tap performance titled First Swim. The song was Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. Savannah is second from the left.

Next was the ballet routine titled Bake a Cake. Now she's third from left . . . the only one with the correct position!


Flowers afterwards

Yesterday Savannah had her first ever really big dance recital, complete with costume and all! She was SO excited to wear her new outfit and asked all day long if it was time to put it on yet. I have to say that she was one of the cutest kids there (and one of the few that actually knew the two routines), but I guess I'm a little biased. Afterwards we had flowers for her and looking back that might have been her favorite part. She said "thank you mom and dad for my flowers" probably 50 times from the auditorium to the car. I wish I could upload the video because it's priceless, but I guess these pictures will have to do for all of you out-of-towners!

End of the School Year

Well, the school year has sadly come to an end. :( Savannah asks me almost daily "Mama, what are you going to do with me and Preston this summer?" I'm not sure what she has in mind, but I do know that we'll be joining the YMCA for a few months to enjoy the pool, we'll be taking advantage of our new sitter Ellery for a day every now and then, and we'll probably do a lot of nothing! So, to get the summer started (and to give Miss Chelle a break) we decided to have Sara over for a sleepover Thursday night. The girls had sooo much fun it was almost comical to watch them. Our neighbor Lena came over to play too and those girls ran and ran and ran some more. I thought when bed time came they'd collapse, but I guess there's always time for fun and games at a sleepover right?! They did make it to bed earlier than last time, but only beat that time by a few minutes.

This picture is of Savannah's first trip to ask Lena to play without mom or dad along. I'm not sure why, but this was a super huge deal to me. Now she's officially a big girl visiting the neighbors' houses like all of the school aged kids.

And then today, we said goodbye to Miss Karyn and Miss Peggy. These teachers have been the best we have ever had. They are the perfect balance of love and discipline. These women have loved our little Savannah even when she wasn't the most lovable and have taught her amazing things . . . all while wearing a smile every day. We've even adopted one of their sayings in our house: you get what you get and don't throw a fit. They'll definitely be missed!!

And at the end of the day, we celebrated Savannah's birthday at school. I always hated having a summer birthday because I never got to celebrate at school so we wanted to make sure Savannah had the chance for her friends to sing happy birthday before the end of the year. So I brought in iced cookies, they sang happy birthday, and I had one super happy child! Here's to a fun summer!!!

Dress Rehearsal

Next weekend is Savannah's big dance recital at Queen's college! She has been so excited about being on "her stage" and wearing her new pink costume complete with her hair in a bun. Today was dress rehearsal and picture day so here is a sneak peek at her costume. ;)

Farewell Lunch

After an entire year of WEE school, today for the first time we had lunch out with the girls. Although it was fun to get out and have a delicious lunch, my heart just breaks as I think about why we finally made it to lunch. My sweet friend Chelle is moving to Greenville and we wanted to have lunch and celebrate her. We have been in Bible study for years together and have had both of our children together too. She also has a girl, Sara, who is only a couple of months older than Savannah and a boy who is only 4 months younger than Preston. I know Savannah has no clue that one of her best friends is moving and won't be in church or school with her anymore . . . we'll cross that bridge when we have to. Right now mommy is dealing with her friend moving. :( Chelle, I wish you all the best and will continue to pray for you guys. I'm thankful you're only going to be 1.5 hours away!!!

Preston's New Trick

This is what I found today after leaving Preston in the high chair for about 30 seconds while I was putting the recycled mail in the garage!!! He was standing up in the high chair facing backwards. I'm not even sure how he managed to do this, but I guess it's time to break out the high chair straps . . . which we NEVER had a need to use for Savannah. Never a dull moment with this kid. :)

Mother's Day

Last week was super difficult for me, especially Wednesday through Friday. I spent so much time selecting and mailing gifts and cards all the while feeling like I was forgetting something . . . mom's gifts and cards. Anyway, after talking to some close friends and soliciting lots of prayers, the weekend was much better! I can't really explain it, but sometimes I can just feel the prayers I know are being said and it gives me an unbelievable peace.

On Saturday afternoon, these beautiful flowers arrived from my precious Bible study friends. Along with the flowers were individual letters from 8 girls with words of encouragement, scripture, and memories. This definitely made me day!! :) Knowing that my friends cared enough to not only remember the pain, but to send flowers and letters really made me feel loved. I know mom was relieved that I didn't make this journey alone. Thanks girls!!!

Sunday Dave surprised me with an amazing gift of a massage, foot scrub, and facial . . . I can hardly wait to be pampered for a few hours!!! Savannah was so excited to give me my card with a sticker in it and to show me how she wrote MOM all by herself on the envelope. Priceless. We made it to the 8:15 service and then headed straight to Greenville for our niece's baptism. It was nice to be surrounded by lots of family for the afternoon. After the church service (which Preston made it through in my lap!) we had a delicious lunch buffet at the Hilton. They must have know that we were a rowdy bunch with 6 kids so we had our own private room! What a special day. Here are a few pictures from our day.

Grammy and Papa with the kids

Our Family

The Weningers

So, I did it. I made it through the first Mother's Day without my mom here to hug. Somehow I know she still feels the love in Heaven . . . I love you Mom!!!

The Clown Hat

We are in the process of planning Savannah and Preston's birthday party. Savannah has been obsessed with clowns ever since they had clown day at WEE school where they painted their faces so what better theme for her birthday party than a carnival?!

While I was out running errands one Saturday, Dave dressed up Savannah like a "clown"

So, to go along with the theme, Aunt Cherry offered to make Savannah a clown outfit. We were so excited to get it in the mail last week . . . and although I'm saving the preview of the outfit for the party, here is a sneak peak. This child LOVES the matching hat and wears it everyday!!

Muffins for Moms

This morning Savannah's WEE school class had Muffins for Moms to celebrate Mother's Day. Savannah has been SO excited and has talked non stop about the pink flower I would get, about how the moms would sit in chairs and kids stand, that we would have pink lemonade, about her card that she made on yellow paper, and even how she was giving me a pen and paper set! Well, wouldn't you know she started feeling really hot last night and sure enough had a high fever and a cough. Today she feels fine, other than a cough, but I wanted to keep her home to make sure she doesn't contaminate other kids and so that she can get some rest too. We did go in early this morning though so she could give me my presents and her teacher said she should be fine to stay for a little of the party. It was such a special day . . . thanks Savannah! I love you bunches!!

This Week

This week has been quite stressful for me. I'd like to think it was because of the mountain of things that I need to get done or the shed that still needs painting or maybe even the house that needs cleaning, but deep down I know it's because Sunday is quickly approaching. Mother's Day is a day when I should be able to relax and just enjoy the two amazing children God has given me, yet this year it is so sad for me. I can still vividly remember last Mother's Day when mom was in ICU at Wake Forest. We drove there after church and I had a card with Savannah's voice to give her. Dave took Savannah to a park while I visited with mom for awhile. I'm not sure when I realized that her cancer was terminal, but I know that day I knew it was really, really bad. However, I never imagined it'd be my last mother's day with her ~ had I know I'd probably spent hours by her side. So as Mother's Day approaches I'm trying not to let Satan control my emotions, rather trying to celebrate that this year my mom is completely healed . . . yet it's still really hard. For those of you with mamas here, hold them close this week and love them lots. I miss you so much mom!

A Long Awaited Wedding & A Fun Birthday

For YEARS we have prayed about and waited for this day . . . the day Jennifer and Marcus finally become husband and wife! I was so excited to share in their beautiful day. Jennifer was a gorgeous bride and everything was just perfect. Not only was it a fabulous chance to catch up with lots of people that we haven't seen in years, but it was such a neat time of worship and celebration. Jennifer and Marcus, we are SO excited for you and can't wait to hear all about the fabulous honeymoon!

In typical Bachmann style, we had several events all piled on the same day. So, after the wedding, we rushed home and relieved our precious neighbor from babysitting, changed clothes, got the kids ready and headed to a friend of Dave's birthday party. I can honestly say I have never seen a party quite like this. There was food galore . . . from a chocolate fondue fountain surrounded by a fruit and vegetable arrangement about 3 feet tall, appetizers and beverages at every turn, to even an entire pig on the smoker which was prepared for BBQ and all the fixings. There was even a Blue Bunny fully stocked ice cream cart with all of the huge speciality treats; this place was stocked. To keep the kids busy there was a play set, a magician/balloon animal man, and tons of space to run and play. There was even a photo booth where you and your family took pictures together to make a scrapbook for the birthday man. They gave everyone a copy of all 4 photos to keep as a memento too. Over. The. Top. and super fun. Preston enjoyed taking in the action from his stroller. He was content for just about the entire time! What a super fun day!!