Preschool Graduation!

How in the world are we HERE already? Like one of my friends told me the other day, I feel like I've been in a fog and all of a sudden my baby is 5 and GRAD-U-ATING from something. Or you know, it's like I blinked and here we are... I will try even harder to pay more attention and savor every second.

But it was an exciting day! This first picture should prove that Lucas still has some baby in him because he came down to sleep with his mommy and daddy last night : ) The second picture is of him walking in to preschool for the very last time, and then meeting up with his buddy Landon on the stairwell. Both "seniors."

We were told to get to the church early to get a good seat and setup the video cameras. The last picture here is the view from the balcony. The steps where the children would sit were marked with each one's name so that they knew where to sit.

As I was getting the cameras setup I noticed that the teachers had marked where each child should stand while lining up for their diplomas - very thorough!

Before the diplomas the two classes performed a series of songs that they had worked on with their music teacher, Ms. Karen, during the school year. I was so excited to see Lucas perform because he had been enthusiastic in his Christmas performance and Spanish performance a few days before. But the poor baby got stage fright! He hardly did anything but stand there... and yawn a few times. What you see below is probably the most he did : ) His teacher told me afterwards that he knew all the songs during the rehearsals and just froze in front of all the parents. However, Jeff and I both figured that he was on the end for a reason : ) So musicals aren't his strong suit, in case you were wondering.

But being a cute graduate is something he's pretty darn good at : )

... but then he was bored again. But did pose for a few pictures.

One last preschool picture with Mommy and Daddy. And his teachers that we love so much, Ms. Mary Lynn and Ms. Heather.

Then it was off to the end-of-year carnival for sno cones and jumpy houses!

Ms. Heather and Ms. Mary Lynn (what's with the face, kid?)

Spanish Hat Dance

This week is full of festivities. Yesterday we were invited to see Lucas's class perform the Mexican Hat Dance with their spanish teacher, Senora Kelly. The video is awesome... one of these days I'll post it. Afterwards we got to sample some snacks and play with the props. Lucas was too cool to pose for a picture that day... but not Ian!

Where did all of these kids come from?

On Sunday we were invited over to Travis and Catherine's house for brunch. It was so wonderful to get to see both families during such a quick trip. We just had to get a group picture. At the last minute they put baby E. on Lucas's lap! He was only a few weeks old. Lucas did great!

Quick Trip to D.C.

We've been wanting to visit our friends, Sean, Rachel and "the boys", since they visited us last fall. This wknd was the wknd. We drove up on Sat morning and were home by 3pm on Sunday, but it was a really fun trip.

We hung out with them for a little while when we first arrived, but then decided to head to the museums. The crowds did not disappoint - it was a busy as I'd ever seen it. We went to the Air and Space Museum and then to the WWII Memorial.

We had our SUV and they had a minivan. There were 5 kids between the two families. Each time we went somewhere new they combination of the kids in the cars changed. Lucas and Ellen loved climbing into their car and riding with Caleb and Eli. And baby Luke was so easy going... he didn't mind one bit riding in our car.

WWII Memorial

Rainy afternoons...

Summer thunderstorms are the BEST! Just like my grandmother, a.k.a Mom, did with me, the kids and me like to enjoy them while playing on the front porch. Lucas learned this week to count after he sees lightning. All of the trees, flowers and grass around us is loving this rain... so lush and beautiful.

Am*rican Id*l

Lucas and I are hooked. We cuddle on the couch on Wednesday and Thursday nights and enjoy the show together. We are, of course, pulling for our local boy - Sc*tty Mcre*ry. Lucas calls him by his first name..."When is Scotty going to sing, Mommy?"

I let him stay up as late as he wants and Jeff puts Ellen to bed at her usual time. This week he told me that he was sleepy and he was going to close his eyes for a few minutes (last picture). Luckily he sleeps like a log and transfers easily.

Chapter Books

Charles and Ms. Wendy introduced us to chapter books by giving Lucas the first six of a series called The Magic Treehouse. We look forward to reading a few chapters each night with Lucas. We finished the books that Charles sent us, so we ordered more this week. Lucas met the UPS guy in the front yard when they arrived : ) It's so fun to get mail!

Schoolmade Pinata

Lucas's teachers are keeping things exciting. Today they made a pinata at school, complete with candy. What do you think was the first thing we did when we got home?

Mother's Day Gifts

I absolutely love these homemade gifts from Lucas and Ellen. The first bunch of flowers was painted by Lucas. He also drew a picture of me and had some nice things to say about me... including that I am 44 yrs old and he likes my sparkle and diamond shirts : )

The last picture was made by sweet Ellen's little hands.

Happy Mother's Day!

Despite the look on Ellen's face, we had a great Mother's Day : ) The kids made me precious gifts at their preschool. I really do love them. Sasa and I got to watch CBS Sunday Morning while everyone else made breakfast (aka Susan) and served us in the t.v. room. Then Sasa got out the nail polish and we got pretty for the rest of the day. This was Ellen's 2nd manicure - the first one was a few wks earlier by my mom.

Later that day we went to some nearby gardens so that we could relax and enjoy nature for a while. Plus, the kids take cute pictures in gardens : ) I was even able to sneak a bow into Ellen's hair. She later noticed it and told me she would only wear a BLUE bow... so I need to work on getting one of those.