Settling in at our new Columbus address.

 
We closed on our new house on May 13th.
     

 Moving Day!  A few weeks and a purple bedroom later, we moved in.

 Welcome to our new home.

 GRASS!!!!  Dixie loves her new backyard!

 One of the first things we did after the move was buy a season pass to the Columbus Zoo.  

 It's so big, we've barely seen half of it after two visits!

 Enjoying a Father's Day barbecue and s'mores on the patio.

Final days in Chicago

Ellie and her friends are too young of course for a traditional sleepover, so we had some friends over for a sleepunder instead!  The girls had fun doing sleepover activities, but headed for home when it was time for bed.

 

Ellie made sure that self-manicures and pedicures were on the party itinerary!

 Pajama time!  Ellie was so happy to spend a fun night with her friends Caroline, Carolina and Ava.

 Very engaged in the Little Mermaid.  The plan was for the girls to watch a movie while the moms relaxed on the deck, but there was very little movie watching until the popcorn was brought out!

 Ready for her last day of preschool!

 Walking back from the park with her class hand in hand with Caroline : )

Ellie, Carolina and Owen with all three of the preschool teachers.

Belting out some preschool tunes.

 We celebrated at a classmate's birthday party after school.

 She's determined to get that candy!

Shortly after the party, we were off to Columbus.  It was a great school year and an awesome year and a half spent in Chicago.  We will truly miss all of the friends we made there!

More of Spring

The girls' first Opening Day parade and game in Cincinnati!

 Reds game in May.

 Ellie came home from school one day and asked me, "Mommy, will you make me cookies for Mother's Day?"  She redeemed herself later by making me graham cracker & peanut butter surprise!

 Mother's Day brunch.

 Clara and her friend taking advantage of one of the few really nice spring days we've had.

The girls still spent more time playing dress-up inside! 

 Donuts with Dad at school - an awesome early Father's Day celebration!

 They sang one of Ellie's old favorites, "Take me out to the ballgame" for the dads.

Keeping score at a bowling birthday party.

 One final fun day downtown.  First stop - The Disney Store!

They're enjoying coloring and a sing-a-long movie.

 The Magic Mirror

 The girls have always talked about "Daddy's train," so we took them on their first short ride just for fun - although I'm not sure that there's anything fun about Chicago's public transportation!

 Ellie thought it was too bumpy!

 Pretty smiles below the Hancock building.

 An art project at the American Girl store.  Luckily for our wallet, she was still more interested in the displays  than the dolls!

  

The girls each chose one thing from the Disney Store.  Ellie in her new fancy Rapunzel nightgown and Clara with her Jasmine doll.

 Found the perfect shades at Target!  One of our frequent stops while Ellie is at school : )

Bubbles with her good friend, Scarlett.

 Popsicles and the park - always a good time with good friends, Caroline and Colin!