Play Day 2014

Today was Play Day/End of School Parties at our school.  Parker and Addison couldn't wait to get to school and start their fun day!

 

I was in charge of the concession stand so I missed getting to watch Addison compete in her events, but I was able to slip away for a few minutes to see Parker's events. 

First graders can participate in every event if they want to and Parker definitely wanted to (surprise, surprise)!  He did the 50 yd dash, 75 yd dash, 3 legged race with his friend Jose, hula hoop, jump rope, and the 880 race.  He didn't finish in first place in every event but he had a fun time trying! 

His 880 team (the 4 fastest girls and 4 fastest boys in his class) did get first place!  They were all so excited, especially Mrs. Brightwell!!

After all of the events, his class enjoyed pizza and ice cream sundaes for lunch.

Then they changed into their swimsuits and enjoyed playing on the water slides!  (I think they should have been called the mud slides!!)

It was a great day and Parker was exhausted by the end!  This is a day that he looks forward to every year and he had a great day playing and making memories with all of his friends!

AWANAs Award Night

Last week, the kids had their AWANAs awards night at church.  Eden and Lily received awards for completing their Cubbies book.  They especially loved their ribbons!  I was so proud of them for walking up on stage to receive their awards without me.  Last year Eden had to be carried across the stage screaming and crying.  She has come such a long way this year!

Parker received a ribbon for completing his second Sparks book.  He was also nominated for Sparkie of the Year and received a Merit Award for working so hard and finishing two review books in addition to the second Sparks book.  I was so proud of him and enjoyed getting to spend time with him during AWANAs every week!

First Swim of the Season

We were NOT planning on swimming this weekend!  The water is still very cold but the kids begged and begged so we told them they could put their feet in the water.  That quickly led to wet clothes so we finally gave in and let them put their swimsuits on!  They didn't last long but they had a blast!  I know it won't be long before they are in the pool every day!

They were freezing when they got out so we wrapped them up in some blankets to help them warm up!

Sunshine Preschool Graduation

Today was Eden's last day of preschool...ever!   The past two years have flown by and we now have an official kindergartner in our house!  Eden's preschool had a little graduation ceremony this morning followed by a reception for all of the families.  Eden did a fabulous job singing with her friends!  She was actually one of the loudest singers on stage which surprised us all!  I am so proud of how far Eden has come this year.  She has gained so much confidence and really come out of her shell.  Her shyness still shines through occasionally, but not nearly as often as it used to.

Eden was so excited that both sets of grandparents were able to come to her graduation ceremony.  Grandma and Papa brought her some beautiful graduation flowers that she LOVED!

Aubrey was also able to come and share in Eden's special day!  It sure is going to be quiet around our houses with both of these sweet girls in kindergarten next year!

Eden is really going to miss her preschool friends this summer but luckily all but one of them will be attending our elementary school in the fall.  I am already praying that at least one of them will be in Eden's class next year!

Most of all, we are thankful for Miss Amy, who showed Eden so much patience and love this year.  We have been so fortunate that both Parker and Eden have had the opportunity to be in Miss Amy's class and look forward to Lily having her when she is four. 

We are so proud of Eden and everything she has done this year, both academically and socially.  As hard as it is to accept that she will be starting kindergarten in just a few months, I know that she is fully prepared and I can't wait to watch her mature and grow even more as she starts this new and exciting chapter in her life! 

Way to go, Eden!  We love you and are so proud of the little girl you are becoming!

Five and a Half

My sweet Eden-
Today you turn five and a half!  This is such an exciting time in your life because tomorrow you graduate from preschool and will officially be a kindergartner!  You are soooo excited about this new adventure that awaits you in just a few short months!  While I am sad to see this chapter in your life come to an end, I look forward to watching you grow and bloom in school next year! Here are a few things I want to always remember about you during this stage in your life:

-You continue to be tall and thin.  You are the tallest kid in your preschool class by several inches.  You weigh about 43 pounds and wear size 6 clothes and 12/13 shoes. 

-You still have the prettiest curly hair and cutest freckles on your face!  Your smile can brighten up my day faster than anything else!  You do not always love your curly hair and often want to know when you will start growing straight hair!

-You have the most loving spirit and are very generous with your hugs and kisses!  You are also quick to say "I love you" to everyone around you.  Because you are so sensitive, you do not like to be disciplined.  I usually do not have to say anything at all before you start crying and telling me how sorry you are for disobeying. 

-You love to play with your siblings/cousins but you also love to play by yourself.  Your favorite thing to play right now is "family". 

-You have impressed me so much with your motivation to learn to read.  You are currently reading on a level 7, which is where most beginning first graders are reading.

-You are still a horrible eater.  I am at my wits end when it comes to getting you to eat or try new things.  You still refuse to eat any vegetables and most fruits. (I can sometimes get you to eat applesauce or a banana.)  You don't like milk or most meats.  Some of your favorites that I can always count on you eating are bean and cheese burritos, bean and cheese nachos, spaghetti, yogurt, eggs, and cereal.  I hope that one day you will just wake up and start eating new things.  It sure will make both of our lives easier!

-You still have moments when you are very shy, but you have really come out of your shell this year.  You rarely cry at school or church anymore and often do not even want me to walk you to your classroom door.  I hope that you do not regress when you start kindergarten in the fall but we will cross that bridge when we come to it!

-You LOVE to watch old Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry cartoons.  They are the same ones that I watched when I was a kid.  It is always your first choice when you get to pick what you are going to watch.  You also love to watch Ninja Turtles with Parker. 

-You have started sleep walking over the past few months.  Sometimes you are so sweet while you are sleep walking and tell me "I love you" over and over again.  Other times, you are scared and can get very agitated.  After talking to other parents, they suggested that we make sure you empty your bladder before you go to sleep.  Since we have started doing this, your sleep walking has almost been eliminated.

You are so precious, Eden, and your brighten up our days with your smile!  You are a joy to parent and I am really going to miss you next year when you go to kindergarten!  I know that you are going to do great things in school and in life!  I can't wait to see what the rest of this year has in store for you.  I love you to the moon and back, Mommy

Spring Baseball

Tonight we ended another great season of baseball.  Parker and his teammates played hard all season and ended with a 10-2 record, which put them in second place for the season!  Parker played pitcher and 3rd base most of the season, but also got a chance to be catcher tonight and loved it! 

The girls were enthralled with every pitch of every game. They knew exactly what was going on at all times which made it so easy for me to watch the game!!!  Or... they played in the dirt and ran around during the game and didn't even know when it was Parker's turn to bat!

The best part of this season was watching Cory pitch the last three games for Parker's team.  Our head coach had to be gone last week so they asked Cory if he'd be interested in pitching in his place.  Cory has always dreamed about coaching Parker's team but has never been able to due to the limitations that MS has put on him.  Watching him pitch the last few games has been amazing! 

Cory has been dealt what often feels like an unfair hand, but he never complains, never gives up, and pushes through even on the hardest of days.  He never uses MS as an excuse and does whatever he needs to fulfill his dreams, especially when his kids are involved. It's been so fun to watch him pitch to Parker and his teammates the last three games of the season- something he never thought he'd get the chance to do.  It was a perfect way to end another great baseball season! 

Sunshine Preschool Splash Day

Today was Eden's Splash Day at preschool.  She was so excited about it and could hardly eat her lunch because she wanted to go play!

When it was finally time to go play in the water, Eden froze and wouldn't move.  She refused to participate and hid behind me.  Her teacher, Miss Amy, and I tried everything we could think of to get her to play, but nothing worked.

Finally, with only 5 minutes left before it was time to go, she walked over to the water table and picked up one toy.  She didn't play with it but at least she made an attempt to participate. 

Splash Day did not go as planned but I've learned not to sweat the small things with my kids.  I can encourage them all I want, but unless they feel comfortable enough to try it on their own, there is only so much I can do or say to make it happen.  I hope as the years go by, they will be more willing to take risks and try new things.  Until then, I will continue to be their biggest supporter, even when they choose to cry and hide behind me in fear!