Preschool Graduation

I will be the first to say that 'preschool graduation,' though very cute, is kind of ridiculous. I am convinced that Hallmark invented the occasion. I have also heard that kids who go to Pre-K (don't get me started on that) have a graduation too. And then some schools even do a Kindergarten graduation. So it is possible that kids who go to pre-K graduate from something 3 years in a row. At least we set the bar high.

Anyway, Nana and Aunt L came up from Albemarle for the big event. Aunt L also came to meet little Leah who was a crowd pleaser, as usual. Here is my little smiling chunk- being held...as always.

I love all of the little milestones. She is reaching out for everything and putting it right in her mouth.

Her Nana spoils her best of all.

Before the graduation there was a reception for the graduates and their guests. This is Grace's best friend Ryen. This was their 5th year together in preschool. They both started as infants.

Actually, all three girls, Hayden, Grace and Ryen have been together since they were in the infant class.



Grace with her adoring Nana and Aunt.

Here is Grace walking in for the program.

The class of 2010!

These are Grace's most precious teachers Ms Michelle (left) and Ms Katie (right). God truly blessed this class with the most loving and amazing teachers. I cannot say enough about both of these women. They clearly walk with the Lord and the Holy Spirit just radiates from them.

Grace and Hayden after they received their diplomas. These two have spent countless hours together over the last 4 1/2 years. Preschool, summer camps, playdates and beach trips- they have had some good times together.

Proud parents.

Colonial Williamsburg

On Saturday evening and Sunday we hung out in Colonial Williamsburg. We didn't see much of the historic side- mostly the shops, restaurants, and some animals. We saw a few people dressed in period clothing- but I think it was a little slow. The highlite was the horses. But before we left Isaac and Grace were playing with their jelly/rubbery/sticky hands that you can stretch and they will snap back or throw on the wall and they stick to the wall, etc. The kids were on the patio in the hotel room and we hear Grace ask Isaac, "Did that hurt?" 5 seconds later we hear a scream and Isaac starts crying. We go to check out the ruckus and sure enough, Isaac had a big welt on his tummy where apparently "it hurt" when the band snapped back this time. Kids.

We walked around for a while and saw some sheep with precious little lambs (Isaac loved them!) and then we headed for some beautiful horses. I had an apple in my bag so we cut it and showed the kids how to hold the apple so the horse wouldn't get their fingers. They loved it!

It took Daddy and Isaac a second to gather up their courage. But I was impressed- Isaac cannot stand dogs- but he loved those gigantic horses. Good call- I feel the same way.

Even little Leah got in on the action. She kept reaching out for the horses- but they thought her little fingers were food!

And so that was the end of our wonderful vacation. We drove straight home and have been trying to catch up all week. I am hoping to get Grace's graduation pictures up tomorrow.

Busch Gardens

We took our first big family vacation last weekend. We took a 3 1/2 drive north to Williamsburg, VA to spend a couple of days at Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg. The trip could not have gone any better. The kids were great in the car. Isaac and Grace sat in the 3rd row and watched videos and then Isaac crashed for a good hour and a half. Leah and I sat in the second row which thrilled her that she could see mommy at all times. She slept most of the time too. Sid sat in the front by himself and drove. But I think he was okay with this as it limited his childcare responsibilities. We got to Williamsburg on Thursday afternoon. We had a two bedroom villa and it worked out great for our family. Sid and the big kids slept in one room. There was a king bed, a little window bed for Grace and Isaac slept in the pak-n-play. The first night the kids stayed up late talking but after that night there were no problems. Leah and I slept in the other bedroom. All in all we slept pretty well.

We went to Busch Gardens on Friday and Saturday and it was an absolute blast. The park is like a mini Disney World and is beautiful. Very clean and organized and so much to do. There were two water play areas for the kids. We didn't know about this so we didn't have bathing suits on the first day- but it was hot so we knew the kids would dry quickly.

One of the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales.

The big thing for kids is the Sesame Street park at BG. I was a little concerned about this since Isaac is scared to death of anyone dressed up. I was shocked he gave Ernie a hug. This was a one time thing however. For the rest of the trip he didn't get near anything or any one.

This is the Grover roller-coaster. This was the very first ride for the family. It was actually a pretty good roller coaster-

The only ride that Isaac didn't have to have Mommy or Daddy with him.

The roller coaster was so good that Grace didn't want to ride it alone and Daddy wasn't loving it. I love roller coasters so I was happy to fill in.

Isaac however was not happy to wait a turn for Mommy to come back around after riding first with Grace. We will show this photo at his wedding.

So I am bragging- but my daughter is beautiful and she does love Elmo!

Busch Gardens is divided into countries. Each area has appropriate architecture, food, etc. This ride was in Italy.

Beer bottles are cold and smooth- and no- she consumed no beer. I don't share my beer.

The bumper cars were hilarious. The kids got to drive them for about 20 minutes b/c there was no one in line behind them. The thrill on Isaac's face when he hit someone or got hit was pure delight.

On our second day at the park we were there for about 5 1/2 hours. On our way out we got the kids these huge lollipops. Isaac couldn't finish his before he was out cold. We transferred him from this rental stroller to our stroller, to the car and then to his bed in the hotel where he slept another hour and a half. I guess the little guy was completely worn out.

Leah gets to try some new things...

Last week we threw Leah in the tub with the big kids. They all three loved it! Leah adores Grace and Isaac and seeks them out. They can do no wrong in her eyes. No matter how rough they are she never fusses at them and only has smiles. So, when the splashing got a little out of hand Leah just grinned, though I was less than thrilled.

Leah had her first big kid food a few days ago. A little rice cereal mixed with milk. She loved it.

If you think she is a chunk now, just imagine what she will be like in a month!

Summer is here and so it's TBall time!

And before we get to T-Ball- here is little miss Leah in her purple swimming pool. She was not 100% sure about the cool water, but her sweet personality humored me for a while. Her bathing suit is the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

I know you did not miss those thighs. This is one healthy baby- no formula. I can only imagine how big she is going to get when we start her on solids!

So here we are at Grace's first T-Ball game. Isaac sported her pink helmet whenever possible.

Pre-game huddle. Grace's team (The Blue Claws) has two girls. Rumor has it that they are the only two girls in the league! Fine with us- we will show these boys how it is done.

This is Grace at bat. She hit it off of the Tee.... (note her pink helmet and cute little sport skirt)

....and she is off to first base. When I was in college I "umpired" this same age of t-ball. It is so cute b/c after the kids hit the ball they completely forget to run. They like to watch the ball.

Now she is rounding 3rd and about to head for home.

Upon arriving at home plate, her coach is waiting to give her "Five." She actually did not hit a home run. They let 7 kids bat and they only take one base at a time. Grace was the 7th batter so she got to go all the way around the infield.

Now Grace is at 1st base. This is one position that sees regular activity. Every inning each player tries out a different position.

She actually picked up a ball that was thrown to her and is now throwing it to her coach at home plate. Good form, eh?

Here Grace is backing up the second basemen...or something like that.

They both missed. So now comes the mad chase for the ball. I love this part.

Grace is the one squatting (she is #1). I am so proud of her for being aggressive.

And now for the pile-up. Rugby? Grace is right in there. Inevitably a coach has to come over and get everyone back on track. I really like her coach. He also has 3 kids. His two youngest are twin boys; both on the team.

In summary I am thrilled that Grace is playing T-ball. Softball was my favorite sport growing up and I just love watching the game. Grace really is having fun too. I like the coach and his wife (so far :-)) and I was a little concerned that they wouldn't be very "kid" friendly; but the coach is patient and realistic. Both qualities are needed when coaching or even being around pre-schoolers. Isaac loves hanging out with the players in the dugout- I have a feeling that he is going to be really good since he can already throw further than half of the kids on the team. I have met some new moms with babies and Sid is helping to coach and can't help but hang out in the dugout with the rest of the dads- there are even some UT fans on the team! So we are all finding this adventure quite entertaining.

Leah is 3 1/2 months old...

Things have been busy around here. Isaac and Leah have been sick- Isaac had a crazy high fever virus last week and Leah has a bad respiratory cold. Grace came down with a fever this evening- who knows how tomorrow will play out. Mother's Day was nice/busy. Leah was really cruddy that day- so I was kind of worried and just kind of kept her close all day- no spa treatments for me; maybe next year. That's okay- with my kids is where I prefer to be.

This is my precious angel asleep on the big comfy chair in the living room. Isaac is also napping- that is why Leah is able to sleep downstairs. She is not on a nap schedule- just kind of snoozes when it suites her- what a life.

Yes- Thank goodness someone makes glue-on bows! Seriously, the bow is safely glued to her no- hair head. Grace had some hair at this point - but Leah is still quite bald.

Isaac absolutely adores Leah. His admiration of her has not faded one bit since her birth. He loves her so much and the first time he said "I Love You" was to her.

He asks to hold her at least 5 times a day. She doesn't seem to mind a bit when he is all over her.

Isaac is a little stinker most days. Mondays seem to bring out the best. Today I told him he needed a sweatshirt for our evening walk. He put on his down-vest then his sweatshirt...and the sweatshirt was on upside down. Grace attempted a correction, but I convinced her that her attempts were futile.

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