Open House

This week we got to go to Julie and Andy's school for open house.  Both big kids were excited to show off their classrooms and all their hard work.

Andy was first. His room was done in an ocean theme, complete with jelly fish, sea stars and sea horses. This is his "beachman" he made to look like him.

Then he read us some of the poems he had been working on. He did a great job!  He also read us a couple books.

Then Andy made a number bond. He showed us all the different ways he could make 6. It was pretty cool. We are so proud of how much he has grown this year!

Next it was Julie's turn. I didn't get many pictures in her class because it was jam packed with parents and kids!  She made a hat that she was very proud of. Her class was done like the rain forest. She read us the report she wrote on Gibbons. She also read us parts of her monthly poem journal. She took Memere, Grammy, and us all over the classroom showing us Flat Stanley, how much she has grown and her self portrait.

Julie was excited to show us her music room too. Andy is excited to go to music next year.  This was Sadie's favorite part, for sure!

We are so lucky to have such a great place for our kids to learn and grow.  Their teachers are incredible. They work so hard to keep our kids interested and happy. And, we are even more fortunate to have kids who LOVE school and can't wait to go every day. I can't believe that there are only 2 weeks left of school. A fun filled summer awaits!

Two and a Half!

Sadie Jo is 2 1/2 today. I just can't even believe it. I keep wanting to say that she's 18 months, but that just isn't right!

 Both of her older siblings are too big for their britches, so it should come as no shock that Sadie is too. She can peddle a bike all over the driveway and down the street. Taking off she says funny things, like, "Bye Mom, I'm going to Grammy Hazels!" or "Let's do this thing!!"

She climbs and runs and jumps all over at the park and in the backyard. She loves to swing and jump on the trampoline. Right now she loves dribbling her basketball with me.

Here she is showing us just how big she is.

She has a few things that she says a lot, almost like catch phrases. Some of them are:
"Whatcha doin?"  (from Phineas and Ferb)
"That funny Momma?"
"Momma, put the blankie on me again!" (when she is putting off going to bed)
"What's this? Oh, it looks delicious!" (usually at dinner)
"Where Julie Andy go?" (always, if they aren't in her sight, she wants to know where they are)
"Mommy me HUNGRY"

She can also count to at least 15, sometimes 20 if she really tries and knows her entire alphabet.

Yup, my big girl is two and a half and I kinda don't want to talk about it.

Yup, Another Year

John threw me the sweetest birthday party this year. He had help, but not from me! It was such a fun day with great people. It was so sweet of him to put so much work into my birthday!

Lauren and Sadie loved the cake! Yes, that is a big swipe of cake across Sadie's forehead. She was trying to keep her hair out of her face.

I barely got Lauren to stop eating cake long enough to take a picture! Love her little grin!! Baby sister Jemma was there too, but I didn't get a picture.

Bestie picture!

Love these girls! I was so lucky to have LOTS of help blowing out my candles.

Mmm, the cake was perfect. It even had double frosting! My honey knows me!

See what I mean when I say I had a lot of help!! And there were a few people we were missing, but I was so thankful to have everyone who came! I wish I got pictures with all of them!

One of the kids tried to steal the candles to lick, so I had to scoop them up quick before they did! Sometimes the birthday girl puts her foot down.

On my actual birthday John, Sadie and I spent the morning doing some clothes shopping, including new running shoes for both John and I.

After we picked up the kids from school we hit the beach. It was so beautiful. 89 degrees with a nice warm breeze. I made them take a picture with me before they hit the water.

Mud castles in the waves. Love this boy. So silly and sweet to his Momma. Both Andy and Julie told EVERYONE they came in contact with that it was my birthday. When I went to pick him up from school the entire class said happy birthday to me!

Love this guy so much. I had about 20 outtakes of this picture because he was being way too goofy. I wouldn't have it any other way, and I finally forced him into a nice smile.

Sadie and Julie were covered in mud the whole time and all three kids were having so much fun in the water. Sadie was apprehensive at first but that quickly wore off and before long she was laying on her tummy waiting for the water to wash over her. Of course we were right there the whole time. These kids are crazy!

I had an amazing birthday. Best yet. Hands down.

Easter

Easter was a little hectic this year since we had just returned from Phili, then ran a race the day before. But, as always, the family came together and it was a ton of fun.

That morning, after digging through their baskets, we went to church out on the ranch. As always it was a beautiful service. And, an Easter miracle, we got a photo of the 5 of us.

After a little rest time, the rest of the family came over and we had an egg hunt and lots of delicious food. I didn't take many pictures, all of these were stolen from Christina!  

Andy and Everett are such sweet buddies and had a blast finding eggs.

Lydia loved Julie and the feeling was mutual. Julie loves younger people (which works out well since she is around them a lot!).

Let the egg hunting begin!

We got a picture of us together! I am trying to get better at taking pictures with my friends. First of all to prove that all of us mom's were actually there, and because I like looking at them.

Andy didn't waste any time digging into his loot.

The chickens didn't get any candy of course, but they got some attention.

Sadie and her olive fingers!

It was another beautiful holiday spent with people we love. Can't ask for anything better!