I still can't believe that Noah is all done with kindergarten! I feel like this past year has flown by at lightning speed! I'm going to make sure that we really enjoy this summer because I am NOT ready for my little boy to start first grade! Here's to a FUN summer :).
I can't put into words how wonderful of a father Doug is to these four little angels. He's the BEST! We love him so much and we are all SO grateful each and every day for him! According to the kiddos, we love daddy because...
...he loves to wrestle and make everyone giggle with his tickles!
...he makes the BEST shakes/malts around!
...he loves to spend quality time with each kid and he has a very special bond with each one of them.
...he knows how to make the kiddos smile when they are down.
...he is so patient and loving towards everyone.
...he is great at playing sports {mostly with Noah and Isaac}.
...he loves to sit and read stories at bedtime.
Those reasons are just scratching the surface...the list goes on and on!
We love you daddy...to the moon and back!!!
I remember being a kid and getting SO excited whenever I heard the music from the ice cream truck. I *had* to have one of those treats...I had to! And I so remember how happy I was sitting in front of the truck looking at the huge selection and having to pick just one! It's hard being a kid! Well, that dang ice cream truck keeps making its appearance in our neighborhood, and, of course, my kids *have* to get one. Well, I now realize what a waste of $$ that stuff really is, but it is still so hard to say no when Noah and Leah are begging me to get them one. I think back to my memories when I was they're age, and I can't resist. Although, I finally said to them that one treat from the ice cream truck per summer is enough...let's see if I keep my word ;).
According to Noah, this is the best treat ever! Where else can you find an ice cream like this?!? Seriously! And the eyes are gum balls! Oh the joys of being a kid ;).
Of all the parades during the summer, we seems to always make it to the one in Doug's hometown. It's a fun little parade and the kiddos love it! Leah gets so excited to see all of the "princesses", and Noah gets so excited over all the cheap taffy that he collects :). Isaac was a little unsure of everything and spent the entire time in our arms. I don't blame him...it was WAY loud and seeing all the people dressed up has got to be confusing to a two year old. Although he did enjoy stealing candy from Noah's stash ;). The only downfall that it was hoootttt, but we managed to hang on until the end. Until next year.
Doug took Noah on a little campout a few weeks ago, and boy did Noah have fun!! I'm not a big camper, but I think I better change my ways because my little boy is a huge fan. I mean, who wouldn't love playing with sticks, and playing in dirt, and roasting marshmallows, and sleeping in a tent?!? Well, it's enough for Noah and he enjoyed every moment! These are the only pictures that Doug took...at least it's something ;).
We went to the pool today for the first time this summer! Doug's five sisters and their kiddos were there...made for a fun group! We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again...soon! Man, I love summer!!
Having you're baby smile at you has got to be one of the coolest things ever! Oh, how I live this little one :).
My darling niece graduated from high school yesterday! She is the first of 20 grandkids in our family to do so :). We are SO proud of her and this great accomplishment! I so look forward to see where she goes from here...I know it will be good! Love you, T!
So, last Saturday I was in the backyard doing some yard work. I went out front to grab something and I heard Leah scream "LOOK MOM!!". I turned my head, and to my amazement, Leah was riding the neighbor kids two wheeler! What?!?!? I was so amazed! She was grinning from ear to ear and was so proud of herself. She has yet to ride her own bike without training wheels, but I'm sure she'll do fine!
Wow...just wow!
It's official, Noah's a Kindergarten Graduate! The program for the graduation was great...it made me laugh, smile, cry...it was perfect! Noah has had such a wonderful year learning at his new school. I am especially grateful for his amazing teacher who has gone above and beyond when it comes to teaching her students...she really is so wonderful! I'm thankful for everything that Noah has experienced this year and I know that he is ready for FIRST grade because of it! But let's not talk about that...the thought of having a first grader kind of freaks me out!
Back to that darling program...
Noah is not a fan of performing, so he was a bit nervous about this program. He really had nothing to be nervous about...he did an amazing job! He wasn't as into doing some of the actions that went with the songs, but he still did them...just a little bit more on the softer side ;). Doug and I were so proud of him.
Noah getting his diploma...
Our sweet baby Kate is ONE month old! She's definitely a perfect fit in our family and it seems like she's been here forever!
...is an absolutely wonderful little sleeper. She definitely cherishes her beauty sleep and loves to snooze the days away. I know that's typical of most newborns, but out of my four babes, she is the one who has slept the most. She'll wake up to eat in the middle of the night, but then she goes right back to sleep. I'm thankful for the long stretches of sleep during the night that she has been giving me lately...those extra hours of shut eye makes me feel like a new person!
arms, or Doug's arms. We sure love cuddling with our little angel!
...is a great little eater. She's already starting to get the cutest little rolls on her legs and I can't help but pinch them every time I see them :). So cute!
...is totally and completely loved by her brothers and sister. I LOVE that they cherish her so much. They call her "sweetie" and "cutie pie" all the time...it's precious. Makes me smile every time!
...just started to smile this past week and it is awesome! Having your baby smile at you is seriously one of the best feelings ever! Makes my heart swell every time!
...is SO incredibly cute and we can NOT get enough of her!!
We sure do love you, little one...to the moon and back!One things that I love about summer is that I can send the kiddos outside to eat messy treats {ice cream cones, popsicles}. They love it too...they can get as messy as they want, plus they can play all the while. THEN I can just hose them down when we're ready to come in. Happy mom...HAPPY KIDS! Why is it that kids love being messy? I kind of love it too :).
I'm definitely a cookie snob...I LOVE homemade cookies! The only store bought cookie I like are Oreos, and I honestly can't remember the last time that I bought those! Making cookies in our house is definitely a weekly occurrence, and the sad thing is that the cookies are usually gone within a day of us making them! I don't know if that's a good or bad thing! They're just so good :).
Isaac was my helper making cookies today...his favorite part is watching the cookies bake! He also love to dance around the front of the oven singing "I love cooooooooookies!!". But eating his cookie is the best of all :). Love it!
