5 and 10

Not the local dime store- I don't think they exist anymore. Annika is 5 and Emma is 10. As I type this, those ages (numbers) seem more significant now than they have since October when Emma celebrated her 10th birthday. And birthdays seem like a good place to start.
Annika's 5th birthday- swimming! At Goodman, at the beach. It was great.
Emma- celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa and Tom and Karen with dessert. She brought a friend with to a waterpark in the Dells. That was fun!

In no particular order- here are some highlights that pop up as I type:
Last night Annika splashed in the rain while Emma practiced the piano. I love to watch the outside joys and listening to my girl make music is just pure magical bliss.
Chloe had to be put down a couple years ago- February 29th actually. That was awful and Emma really took it hard. She loved that dog so much! They were great pals and I know Emma whispered things to Chloe and thought of her as a close, dear friend.
Last year at the end of May we adopted Bandit, though that name took awhile in the making. She was just over 1 year old and full of spirit. My grandma Helwig would have called it "full of piss and vinegar." No joke. Those first few months were rough! Emma missed Chloe even more because this new pet was not a cuddle up with and whisper to kind of friend. Bandit is getting there, though, and everyone loves her. Even Steve. She is a perfect blend of hijinx and sweetness and as she continues to be trained up and pass out of puppy years, she is going to be great.
Annika loves Kindergarten at Toad Hill. It is so incredibly sad that we are aging out of that school. In the fall, both girls will attend Isthmus Montessori Academy Public. That has been a long time coming and is very exciting. The girls are looking forward to being at the same school and we are looking forward to being tuition-free!