Great Start to Summer

We kicked off summer with our preschool friends. I can't believe that I didn't get a picture of all kids sitting out under the stars watching this movie well except two little boys. It looks like they had fun by the amount of popcorn all over the playroom and Jack's bedroom.

I was had too much fun talking with all the moms. I'm going to miss seeing all of them. So sad to think of all the kids going in different directions. 

Driveway Demo

After my crazy day with cars breaking down on me I opted to stay close yo home. We did take  a little trip to Nonie and Papa's to see all the excitement at the bottom of the hill. We found big dump trucks, a big bobcat, and super big digger (sorry I should know the name after reading the book nightly to Jack). It was all very exciting and amazing that in 2 weeks they will have a new driveway. I want to be there to see how they do cement on that hill. We are so excited and I'm sure Daddy will be very excited that I no longer will drive too close to the brick retaining wall at the base. I think his knuckles are permanently white from being in the passenger seat. 

Last day of preschool

It is still unreal for me to believe that I have Kindergarteners. They are very excited for their new school but they are going to miss their friends and teacher so much. 

Caden may not admit it but he is going to miss his teachers. I have been blessed with some amazing teachers. I'm sure Caden's teacher next year will not shake his sillies out. What a great year! Hello summer!!!!

170 Seastar

Today we checked into a beautiful beach house in Santa Cruz. I snapped a few pictures before my crew destroys it. 

The house perfect for outer group. Upstairs the theme of the house was classic beach with the white, tan, and light blues. Everything was Pottery Barn and so clean. Downstairs was our area and it had a large room with pull out beds , bedroom, bathroom, and private outside access, and back patio with hot tub. The theme downstsirs was nautical. It was so nice that the owners have grandchildren that visit the house because it made the place very kid friendly. There were so many beach toys and inside toys and books. And verb with the abundance of tous Jackson always managed to want what Esther. Poor Esther she was probably ready to get away from him. Watching how jealous Jackson was with all of us playing and holding Esther made me rethink #4!!! 

After a quick trip to the beach, an awesome chili dinner, and some drinks and popcorn we were all eager to see my Aunt Roberts from Ohio. Since she had been flying all night and it was 2:30 her time, we gave quick hugs and headed to bed. 

Monkey Bars and Towers

Tonight was Caden and Emmeline's last preschool performance. How can that be??? I'm not going to lie I was tearing up a few times especially at the last song about friends. The moms and I were just talking about how sad it is that so many of them will all split up and go different ways. It will be so fun as the years go by to see if any of them reconnect in high school.

One of my favorite things at the performance is always the program. 

This year they drew their favorite thing about preschool. Emmeline drew she going across the monkey bars. I'm so proud of her! She is awesome and has the blisters to prove it. 

Caden drew a super tall block tower. Funny that his teachers commented on how awesome he is at stacking ANYTHING! 

Two more days of preschool and then I have Kindergarteners. Break out the Kleenex, I'm going to need it!

Sunny Days

Today was such a fun and busy day that I am going to have to devote two posts. Let's start with this adorable group with matching shirts from Aunt Tiffani.

It was so exciting being there for Peyton and Wyatt's first Sesame Street Live. And lucky them they got front row seats. Front row really is the only way to go. 

The kids had fun at the meet and greet even though it was scaled waaaaayyy back. I think we might just have to send in a comment on that. And to be honest I don't know that the boys noticed - they would have been happy just riding in the car together. 

After some playing and coloring we took off to our front row seats. It is so nice that the kids can move around a little, no one is in front of them, and all the characters stop by to see them. It was a great time with great company. 

Mary Poppins

If you were in our neighbors backyard or ours you might have thought Mary Poppins was coming to visit. I so wish I would have had a video recording their faces or their conversation with me. The kids were all sitting at the dinner table waiting for me to bring dinner in. I'm at the stove and I hear something like this...

Kids: mom, mom, MOOOOOMMMM

Me: what is it? 

Kids: you are not going to believe this? The umbrella went flying up in the air. 

Me: who left their umbrella outside. 

Kids: (in unison) NO THE BIG ONE! 

Me: that is crazy! 

I then go into the dining room to see 3 faces smashed up against the window. I look outside and it looks different but it still didn't register. I look up and see this. 

Amazingly it went up there without breaking a single window or lightbulb. After over an hour and several failed phone calls to the husband if blew dine only breaking one light bulb. What a story the kids have to share. 

Beautiful Bluebird

Emmeline has been such a trooper. The past few months she has been practicing at home and then going to ballet twice a week to prepare for her part in Sleeping Beauty. The show is getting close and the practices are getting loooongggg. Bless her little heart she doesn't complain and always asks to stay after she is done to watch the big girls rehearse. This past rehersal she got to try on her costume and she was in heaven. A little glimpse of all of her hard work coming together. I have to say even if they don't dance well, the costumes will be AMAZING! 

Best Buds

We have had a super busy week with  gymnastics, soccer, jiu jitsu, ballet, Awanas, Mother's Day, and backyard projects. In between all of that we managed to squeeze in some play dates with their best buds. I love how Caden is so sweet with the babies and then loves hanging with the big boys. And then their is Jackson who in the most heart wrenching sincere voice says I'll miss you. It is so sweet! 

Cubbies

Tonight was the final night of Cubbies. I am so proud of these two. They did a great job, learned a lot, and memorized an incredible amount of scripture. All that hard work deserved a celebratory I've cream.

Come September I will have two Sparkies and Jackson will be a cubby.  

Beep Fairy

It is amazing what one will do or give up when they want something bad enough. Jackson heard all about Wesley's new bike and he decided that he wanted a green bike just like Wesley. We decided that this might be the perfect thing for the Pacifier Fairy to bring when she comes to take his pacifier away. We thought he was ready to give it up. He only gets it at bedtime and wasn't using it during the night. So we talked to him and he was sooo excited for the fairy to come. He also added that the fairy shoujd bring him a trampoline. That was a nice try on his part a d his siblings but we had to explain that was a little too big for the fairy. 

We are 4 days in and he has only brought up his beep twice. He loves his bike and rides it all over. It is one of the bikes when no peddles. The seat lowers so far down that it is just the right size for him. The twins are having fun cruising around on it. I'm forseeing bike races in the house soon. 

Watch Out World

His gi arrived today and I don't think he can be any cuter in it?!?! I'm thinking I may be cursing a white gi come a couple of weeks, but fig now seeing him in puts a smile on my face. 

Mud Day

Today was a perfect day for Mud Day at the preschool. Every year on this day I get so excited and tell the kids all about mud day when mommy and daddy went there. I go on and on about how we didn't have mud in a swimming pool that they actually dug a hole in the back and turned on a hose. Mud day is now more mud/water day, but if you ask Caden it is the WORST day ever. I had such great hopes of him putting  a toe in the mud or playing with shaving cream after all of our practice... but no. Emmeline decided that princesses don't do mud -WHAT?!?! After a quick talking to she at least played in the water and painted herself crazy with body paint. So apparently princesses don't do mud, but they can paint stripes on them. Crossing my fingers that Jackson will jump into the pool of mud.