Preschool Graduation

Eli's last day of preschool was May 18.  He had such a great year and his teacher's report was so wonderful, I am so proud of him!  I can't believe the school year is over already and we'll start the process of getting him ready for Kindergarten here over the summer! Dr checkups and immunizations and school supplies and all that stuff...

We left for the beach immediately after Eli's last morning of preschool so we missed preschool graduation the following Saturday.  I was given his cap and "gown" though so this is him before school the last day. Once we got there we were then given his completion certificate but I'd already taken the picture so oh well.

And here he is with his teachers, who will be Hannah's teachers next year!  Wonderful ladies!

Excited to see all the ways you will learn and grow next year in big-school!  You're leaving a great example as Big Bro and we love you so much!!

Claire, 6 months

I did a mini photo shoot with Claire while we were helping put together Paul and Holly's new picnic table.  Click HERE to view more favorites from the day. And stay tuned for pictures of that picnic table!

Summer Layout.

Finally we got a new family pic so I could change out the Christmas header and blog layout.  So stop by and take a peek!

We're back!

We returned from our week-long Myrtle Beach trip Wednesday night and now we're trying to get caught back up with things around the house!  When I get back to the blog, I have loads of things to share: Eli's last day of preschool, Kevin's and my overnight trip to Kansas City, vacation pics, and Claire pics.  Stay tuned!!

Always full of surprises

When Eli was outside one day playing with his kitty, he found another little kitten, a little bit smaller than the last litter, hiding under the bushes behind our house.  I was SURE it was a new one because it was short-haired gray and the other two grays we had were long-hair.  But then after that evening I just didn't really see the kitten again.  And then several days later I would.  I suspected the white and yellow cat was the momma this time but I wasn't for sure.  I never really saw it with the kitten, and I was never sure if Little Gray was going to survive or where it was.  But the last couple days it's actually been out more with the kittens.  In the garage still.  It's smaller than the others and not frolicking about like the others, but it's at least present.  And I've seen our calico mama nurse it, so I know it's being cared for.  And my, is it another cutie!! So surprise, we DO in fact have another kitten!

Carter: 16 months

Updates:

He's a busy boy growing up so quickly and definitely turning into a toddler!  Where has my baby gone??!

* He's still very much into my kitchen cupboards and drawers.  When hungry he often goes to the cupboards and pulls out the cereals to eat.  Now I try to keep it locked.  

* He's also found out about my drawer of Saran wrap and aluminum foil and little plastic baggies!  And of course... unrolls them and pulls them all out!  AWESOME!  Just try to catch him right away on that one!  =)

* Loves to climb in and out of the kids' little chairs now.

* Big motivation in life is to sneak into the bathroom, any bathroom, to splash his hands in the toilet.

* Also will find his way up the stairs if the gate wasn't shut all the way.

* Is starting to do better in the church nursery, but still gets anxious around other people, including daddy.

* Likes to put things away now, and I'll ask him to put his sippy cup in the fridge when he's done and heads straight for it.  We open the fruit drawer for him, since that's the right height for him, and he tosses it right in and is so proud of himself and claps!  He's also a great little helper when we pick up Legos and cars and other little toys!

* Still doesn't have a lot of words, but his big brother was exactly the same way, so I'm not concerned.

Our new toy...

AWANA--awards night

This year was Eli's first year participating in AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed 2 Tim 2:15) at our own church.  It's a Bible memory program for kids 2yrs to 6th grade and is open to public, not just our church.  The kids, including Eli, worked hard all year long memorizing a new verse every week, and at the end of the year they are rewarded for their efforts!

It started with fun and games and food...

And then the big event every was waiting for (well, besides awards itself). Donation coins to throw pie in Commander Bill's face.

Eli's waiting in line with his friend Sam but in the end Eli chickened out

what a trooper!

 Awards Ceremony.  There's my Cubbie!

a class of ALL boys this year!!

So proud of you, Eli!!

Movie night....

little friends and all!  =)

Allie.

After Eli adopted "Meesa" Hannah adopted the identical orange kittens and calls her "Allie". They're both Allie, according to her. Now Hannah is NOT fond of animals so she is being SO brave to hold the kitten. She won't pick them up herself, but she'll hold her arms in a cradle and have Eli lay the kitten her arms. It's so sweet.  The kittens are definitely out and about now, I can't believe how fast they grew! And it's been fun to send the kids out for a visit!

a couple of Eli and Meesa again

P.S. Notice Hannah's lovely outfit combo she picked out??  LOL Doesn't match at all!