Memorial Day ~ 2013

We had a very enjoyable holiday weekend. We weren't able to go to any graves, but hopefully we'll be able to go see both mine and Doug's grandpa soon.

On Friday night, Doug took the boys to the father and son campout. There are no pictures to prove it, but they had a fabulous time. Me and my little ladies had a great night at home eating Cafe Rio, watching The princess and the Frog, and painting our nails. Leah had SO much fun making my nails all pretty.

On Saturday morning, we went to Noah's last soccer game of the year. It was bittersweet watching his last game with his team...we're sure going to miss them!

The rest of Saturday was spent cleaning up the yard and cars...so much fun. Then Doug's friend called and invited him and the boys to the REAL game. Oh boy...they all had a blast! Doug was contemplating going to the game all day, so he was pretty thrilled that he was able to go. Noah and Isaac had a great time too!

We pretty much spent most of Sunday relaxing...so nice. After dinner, I took Isaac on a little walk...just the two of us. I so love spending one on one time with the kiddos.

We ended our weekend by getting together with Doug's family at the park. The kids had so much fun playing in the water and on the playground, kicking the ball around, playing baseball, and just being with their cousins. It was a great night. The perfect end to a great weekend.

Leah's Last Day of Preschool

Leah was lucky enough to go to preschool one more day after her graduation.  It was a day full of playing with her friends, and eating lots of goodies.  It was definitely a fun day!  

Her teacher gave each of them a beach ball with a sweet little note from her written on it.  Leah was sweet enough to give her ball to Isaac to play with...he's been putting it to good use :).

I love taking pictures of the kids on their last day of school...it's fun to compare to the first day :).  I unknowingly dressed Leah in the same outfit that she wore on her first day...she has grown so much in such a short time.  Crazy.

 

And now summer can officially begin for our girl.  She's actually been a little sad that preschool is all over...she has had so much fun making new friends and learning.  I'm definitely going to have to find a way to keep her practicing her reading and writing this summer.  Yay for summer break!

Leah's Preschool Graduation

So much has been happening this past month with the kids, and this special occasion was definitely one to be remembered.

Wasn't I just sending Leah to preschool?  And now she's graduating...say it isn't so!  I am *amazed* at this sweet little girl and how much she has learned over the past year.  It's been an amazing thing to watch.  Doug and I are definitely proud of our little princess.

I don't have may pictures of just Leah and us, so I took some before we left to go to her graduation.  I'll definitely cherish these sweet shots of her with each of us :).

And how lucky is she that she got to go to preschool with her cousin.  Lucky duck!  They are so cute!

All dressed and ready for her little performance.  Just when you think these kids can't get any cuter, they get all dressed up in a mini cap and gown...adorable!

And the performance was so great.  They all did such a wonderful job...the songs and dancing was worth everything.  These kids really know how to make me smile.  

I've said it before, but Leah's teacher is amazing...truly amazing!  We are so lucky to have her as our teacher and I can't imagine anyone else teaching them as they prepare for kindergarten.  I'm beyond grateful for her!  

She presented each of the kids with a book of their year at preschool, a little diploma, and a little owl!  She used an owl for a theme this year with the kids and the owl that she gave them represents them growing throughout the year.  They were all unique for each child...she made each and every one!  Seriously...she's amazing!  And Leah has been carrying hers around with her since she got it :).  So cute!

And then it was time to throw their caps in the air...

I can't believe how big she is getting.  We sure do love Leah to pieces...  Congrats, our little grad!!

Cruisin'

Isaac has discovered Leah's jeep...and he *loves* cruisin' around in it. He has figured out how to drive it around and he so enjoys going back and forth in front of the house. I let him take Kate on a ride today and she LOVED it. She was squealing with delight the entire time. I need I take a video...it's that cute. He was so sweet and went so slowly for her...he even put his arm around her to protect her. He's quite the awesome big brother :).

So sleepy

My kiddos are great little nappers (knock on wood). Noah will even take naps here and there, and he is very vocal when he is tired and wants to relax. I kind of love this about him :). Well, Isaac is similar to Noah and is willing to take a nap every day. After lunch, he will tell me his tired and proceed to get ready for his nap by cleaning up his room ;). Well, yesterday he flat out refused to take a nap, and I was ok with it cause Leah decided that she was tired, so it was just he and I for a few hours! We planted flowers and played outside the entire time...it was time well spent with my little man. Well, 5:00 rolled around and he came and told me he was sleepy. I was making dinner and told him to go lay on my bed. A little bit later I went and found him all bundle up on my bed fast asleep. I have to say that a sleeping child is one of the most precious things ever! I just wanted to snuggle up and take a nap with that sweet boy. Too bad we had so much going on, or I totally would have ;).

Hi Birdie

Funny story from today...

Doug and I decided to go to Popeyes this evening to see what all the hype is about. While we were in line, I noticed that all these people were pointing at our car...one girl was even taking a picture. Hmmm... So, I looked around and saw that a bird was sitting on the car outside Isaac's window. Now, if you don't know already, I am not a fan of birds...or anything that flies around. I don't care if they're far away from me, but I don't like them flapping their wings around me. Scary! I was a bit nervous...and I thought Isaac would be too, since he's not a fan either. Well, we both realized that this little birdie was actually pretty cute and was just minding its own business. We all enjoyed watching it for about 15 minutes, then it flew off. This may seem little, but it was a fun ending to our day :).

And...I don't understand what's so special about Popeyes. It was ok, but not that great. I guess we need to try everything once ;). I'll stick to Chick-fil-A.

Noah's Class Play

Today Noah's class performed 5 plays for the parents. Each kid was in a play where they had all their parts memorized. I was very impressed with the entire class...that's a lot of work. Noah did a wonderful job. He, and three other students, recited the words to the book Parts by Tedd Arnold. It is such a cute story, and they all did SO well...they hardly missed a line! Afterwards, Noah's teacher handed out fun awards to each of the students. Noah received the Homework Hero Award...for continually turning his homework in on time :). He was pretty proud of himself, and so was I.

Lately...

Here's what's been going on at our house lately...

Kate learned out to drink out of a straw.

Leah steals my phone all of the time so that she can take pics of Kate...Kate wasn't very amused here.

No words...

I was putting away all of the winter stuff {yay!!}, so, of course, Leah and Isaac had to dress up in it one more time...oh boy!

Happy girl!

Playing with our ABC's.

Isaac LOVES playing with Noah's toys when he's at school...don't tell Noah.

I can finally put Kate's hair in a pony!  Yay!

We went and got our first shaved ice of the year...YUM!

Kate's favorite time of the day is still tubby time...we all love watching her freak out every time.

Kate's teething, but she hasn't been very miserable lately...thank goodness she's found relief with frozen rings :).

And Isaac crashed and burned...again!  This kid is pretty accident prone!  And, yes, he was happy and smiling the entire time.  The only time he cried was when he had his head glued shut.  It was a sad day for me.

She's a pro at making messes!

Handsome boy!

Cute cousins :).

Noah's First Grade Program

Noah had his first grade program last week, which was just darling.  I live for stuff like this :).  I've said it before, but Noah is not really a performer...BUT he was so excited for this program!  And he did so great!  I felt so proud and happy for him as I sat in the audience {with is siblings who would NOT sit still}.  He's accomplished so much this year...he really is an amazing little guy.  And this performance is the first of three others that he has, so get ready for a lot more posts as the other events occur :).

Noah was so cute when he spotted me in the audience...love that face.  

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and then they sang the Star Spangled Banner.

I just loved watching the expression on all the kids faces...priceless!

Man, looking at these pictures is making me realize how BIG Noah is getting!  Stop growing!!

Noah was absolutely thrilled that I got to check him out of school after the program, so, of course, we went and got some ice cream :).  He definitely deserved it for all his hard work...so, SO, proud!

Mother's Day ~ 2013

Being a mom is all I ever wanted...I have my dream job. And I love it! Being a mother to Noah, Leah, Isaac, and Kate is all I could ask for...plus more. They {along with their awesome dad} are my world. They are constantly on my mind and being with them is what makes me happy. Through all the ups and downs, I will always be there for my littles...I love them so.

Noah's gift to me...a darling clip for pictures!  I love that face so much!

Leah gave me the "bouquet" with a list of reasons to why she loves me :).

And Isaac made this for me today at church!  When he handed it to me, he told me that he made it for me because he loves me...oh, how I love that boy!