(Morning) Preschool Graduation

With Kaylee and Brayden both being in school all day I thought Kade would get bored being at home all day alone. I decided that I would participate in a neighborhood rotating preschool with Kade and also enroll him in an afternoon preschool. At the beginning of the year it proved to be a little too much for a little 3 year old. But toward the end of the year I was very glad he had something to occupy his time. He loved being a part of each of his "classes." I am amazed at his progression this past year.

The neighborhood preschool consisted of 5 kids. We started the year with Kade, Bennett, Rachel, and the two Lauren's. We sadly lost Rachel when her family moved away about halfway through the year. Towards the end of the year a new family moved in next door and Evan joined our group. We rotated weeks, taking turns teaching in our home. Kade loved when it was our turn to teach. He would get out the preschool box, set out the name mats, and help get everything ready.

This past week was our last week. Melanie put together a fun little graduation for the kids.

Evan, Kade, Bennett, Lauren S, Lauren W

Evan, Kade

Kade accepting his diploma

Why Not....

It may be May 24....and snowing

Why not make the best of it.

We bundled up.

Threw some snowballs

Kade shoveled the driveway (even though the sun was shining by afternoon and melted it away.)

We made make shift sledding hills. Our driveway and the big dirt pile in front of our house (meant for flower beds.)

Theirs a reason all the tree's lose there leaves in the winter. All the branches were hanging to the ground because they couldn't stand the weight of the snow on them. I thought my poor new trees I just planted were going to snap in half.

After we were done playing we went in for some hot chocolate with marshmallows. We were back to shorts and flip flops the very next day.

Glad we could make the most of the winter day at the end of May

Cockadoodledoo....

Kade has always been my best sleeper. He goes to best so good. When it's time for bed, he goes in, hits the pillow, and he's out! And he is gone all night. He has never been one to get out of bed with a hundred excused like I'm hungry, I need to pee, I need a hug. When it's time to wake up, he takes a minute to lay their and gather himself together then he wants the whole house to know he is awake by hollering....

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!

Then he just lays their and giggles

Every morning.

We just re-did his room and got him a new bunk bed. He loves it so much. He wakes up every morning and makes his bed. He prays every night that he will remember to make his bed and clean his room.

The other day he said, "Mom, if you need me, I'll be on my bed." When I looked in he was just sitting there. I gave him his game boy and he ended up sitting there for quite a while. I'm hoping this phase lasts.

Thanks for being our built in alarm clock and a good example to your brother and sister...they could learn a thing or two.

Way to go...

Every year Brayden has to try out for his soccer team. This past weekend he had tryouts. His tryout number was 13. As he ran out on the field we hollered at him, "Is it your lucky number 13 this year?" He hollered back, "Who knows if it's lucky yet?"

Well Brayden worked hard all year and has improved tremendously. He loves soccer! He wakes up and plays before school and plays as soon as he gets home. He watches it on TV and reads about it on the Internet. He loves going to the Real games, and can't wait for the World Cup. His hard work and dedication have definitely paid off, because he yet again made team #1 for Sparta U-10.

Way to go buddy! We're proud of you!

I can do hard things....

Last Friday I had a huge load of dirt dropped off at my house at 7:30 am. Mike was out of town, the kids were just heading off to school, I sat and stared at the dirt thinking, now what?

Kade and I grabbed our shovels and the wheelbarrow and we started shoveling. I totally underestimated the strength that was needed to move that pile of dirt. After moving 3 loads of dirt to the backyard. I sat down and told Kade, "This is too hard, I'm done." He looked at me and said, "Mom, we can do it. (flexing his muscles) We Stwong! I will help you." I couldn't let him down, so I kept going.

After dumping each pile of dirt in the future flowerbeds, I felt so physically exhausted. I would look back like I had just achieved some huge milestone. But nope, just a small looking pile of dirt lay their on the ground.

Kade continued to help fill the wheelbarrow with his teeny little tractor and his tiny little shovel. He was a big helper. That is, until he discovered it would be a fun hill to ride his bike on. I was able to dump about 15 loads of dirt into the backyard before I was saved by my Dad and Laura. He then spent the rest of the day helping me start to transform my very needy backyard and slowly start to get rid of the dirt pile.

Here are some of the before pictures. We dug some trenches for where we want flower beds and have started to kill the grass.

We have been having some flooding problems this past year due to the ground sinking. We built the window wells up and filled the area in with dirt.

We then went over to the Nursery and bought some flowers, bushes, and trees. Next we went over to Home Depot to buy some of the stuff to begin our deck and supplies to build around our sprinkler boxes. We came back planted our flowers, bushes and trees, and set the post's for the deck. We got everything cleaned up, went in took a shower, all just in time for Dad to come from Denver. I'm not sure who was more surprised that so much was accomplished in one day, him or me?

I will say, I was in no shape to help with the yard work the following day. That was the best workout I've had in a VERY long time. I will post pictures when the project is finally complete...deck and all.

Mother's Day...in a few words

Mother's Day was so awesome this year. I realized I am surrounded by so many wonderful people. I am so lucky. Not only did I have a fantastic day on Sunday, but I had a great weekend. My idea was to try and document the day with pictures, but of course, I kept forgetting to take pictures. I'm going to describe Mother's Day with as few words as possible (not sure I can do that.)

* lucky

*blessed

*too much food

*backyard makeover

*hours spent outside (and I foresee many more)

*slept in

*yummy breakfast

*beautiful flowers

*yummy treats

*big "HOOOGE"paper flower

*a clay rattle snake

*box of kisses

*thumb prints to cherish forever

*hand sewn pillow

*Love notes

Dear Mom, I am happy I have you for me. It feels good to have you. I love you! I'll sing you a song. It feels good to have you! In the sun it feels good. Love Kaylee

*Lots of loves and kisses, smiles and loves

*Someone who takes care of my every needs. He is the all around perfect husband. He can pick out a cute outfit.  Knows when I need a pedicure. Knows when I just need a break. He gave me everything and more for mother's day.

*Windy picnic

*New recipes to try

*lots of laughs

*reminded of how blessed I am to be a mom.

*grateful for the mother's I have in my life and the example they are to me.

Just can't help it...

Sometimes my kids do things and I just can't help but laugh, even if it's at inappropriate times...like prayer time.

Kaylee really makes sure to cover EVERYTHING in her prayers
"Heavenly Father.... Please bless that we can reduce, reuse, and recycle."
"Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all the trees in the world so we can have oxygen to breathe."

When Kade says, "Mom will you pwease wash my weal (Real) jersey. pwetty, pwetty pwease. With wots and wots of cherries on top." I couldn't help but give into him even though he chooses to wear the shirt every stinkin day. Lately when I ask him to go get ready (I know my fault for giving him the reigns) he goes into his room to get dressed and comes out dressed complete with soccer jersey, soccer shorts, soccer socks, shin guards, cleats and goalie gloves...even on school days. He even packs a soccer ball in his back pack if he is going to school. He loves it.

Kade has a teeny, tiny little scratch on his nose, but he has become so obsessed with band-aids that it has to be covered all the time. My bathroom garbage's are constantly filled with band-aid wrappers. I had to tell the kids today, that once the band-aids are gone, I am not buying anymore.

Yes, those are BRATZ band-aids across his nose.

Brayden makes me giggle as I watch him get excited for things. He will literally sit and rub his hands together dozens of times in excitement. I don't think he really realizes he is doing it. He is one of the easiest kids to please. As he and Kaylee were getting ready to audition for the talent show he sat in line just squeezing his cheeks, and rubbing his hands. Mike and I could not stop laughing.

As I write that I am realizing I never wrote an update about the talent show. Both kids auditioned for the talent show. And they both did a fabulous job. Kaylee sang "Part of Your World." She loved every second of the audition. She was a little timid, so she is hoping next time she won't be so nervous. Brayden and some of his buddies performed a skit. It was really cute, and actually quite clever and funny. The school only chose 12 people for the talent show (it was actually quite a big production they did with real judges and cash prizes and stuff) anyway, my kids were not chosen for the actual talent show part of the show...if that makes sense. Brayden and his friends were chosen to perform their skit as a "filler" act, kind of like a comedy act between scenes. Brayden was thrilled with this and SO excited. As Mike and I waited for their turn we watched him across the auditorium and sure enough he sat in his seat, rubbing his hands and squeezing his butt cheeks. He said he wasn't nervous and they did a fantastic job!

Life is Good Today....

All day I have been thinking of the song by Zac Brown Band, Toes. The chorus repeats, Life is good today, life is good today. I can't help but feel that way the last couple of days. Good things have been happening around our household.

I am so extremely grateful for the sunshine. It has totally lifted my spirits and made me so happy. I have kind of been in a dark place all winter long. I am happy to say, I have come off the medication my doctor put me on to help with the "winter blues." I can physically feel the sunshine and fresh air healing my soul. Church today was so inspiring and made me want to be better, try harder, and reach out more. I feel motivated to make a difference in myself and others.

Big changes are going to be happening around our household in the next couple weeks. Mike has been offered a job with a new company, so he will no longer be working for VZW. We fill this is an amazing opportunity and feel very blessed for this new experience. I have always had a hard time with change (especially when you're moving away from something that is good) but both Mike and I feel very good about this new adventure. My emotions have all been on the verge of bubbling over. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this new opportunity. I am nervous about the unknown adventure ahead. Change is always hard, even if you know it's the right thing. I am grateful for the amazing opportunities we have had while Mike has worked for Verizon. I am proud of Mike and the things he has been able to accomplish. And I am excited for this next step in our lives.

Although, many things are happening. Changes are being made. Life still continues. The simple day to day things continue to make me smile. Here are some of the things I wish I could capture in a little jar.

Kaylee has been in performance mode. A couple days ago her school announced they were going to be having a talent show. She tried getting a group together to sing, but they told her she could only be the back up singer. She wasn't gonna have any of that. She came home determined to try out and actually win the talent show (the winner get's $100.) The poor girl does not sing...AT ALL! She is very passionate about it so I guess I need to support her. She has decided she wants to sing Part of your World from Little Mermaid. Stay tuned for auditions results.

Kade had a soccer game on Saturday and scored SEVEN goals!!! He was on fire. It has become so fun to watch him play. He is so speedy, his little legs get going so fast he's able to outrun most players. He thought it was so funny to kick the ball into the goal and then slide. After each goal he would tally on his finger's how many he had scored. He was so excited.

Brayden's team has started their outdoor games. They have been training with a trainer from Holland, he works incredibly well with the kids. The kids are amazingly good for their age. It is so enjoyable to watch them, and their progression. Brayden had his first "header" goal this last game.

Yes, Life is Good Today.

Happy Birthday to You...

Happy Birthday to my little man!

I sat and reminisced last night about the many fun/funny times we have had with Kade. I am so happy that he is a part of our family. I will be one sad momma, the day he starts kindergarten. He is the best little buddy to run around and do errands with. He is so fun to talk to. He is always making me giggle. I am constantly just squeezing him and giving him kisses! Today was no exception.

1 week old

3 months old

1 1/2 years

2 years

3 years

and today he is 4 years old!!!!

He woke up so excited for today. As he sat down for breakfast he said very sadly, "nobody has even spanked me yet." We quickly gave him birthday spankings and he hasn't stopped smiling since. He has been flexing his muscles all day. He thinks that now he is 4, his muscles are huge. We started the day with free breakfast from Chick-fil-a (gotta love that!) Dad got off work early so we went and picked up Grandma Sonia and we all went to lunch. We enjoyed a little Wingers and some asphalt pie.

After lunch we were off to the mall. The kids got Build a bear gift certificates for Easter so we went to redeem them. They had a blast creating their own little pets. Next we took him to Toys R Us to pick out a bike. He decided on the green one so he could be just like his buddy Evan. They rode and rode and rode together all afternoon. He has been talking for weeks about going bowling on his birthday. So this evening his Mormor and Papa Kenny took him out bowling. He had such a fantastic day. I just loved watching his little smile ALL DAY LONG!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

I wish you were still little:(

Boucnin' off the Walls

Kade has been so excited for his birthday party! I decided on a hassle free, stress free birthday party this year. We booked a party room at Bouncin' off the Walls.  Everyday he would tell me, "Mom, I just want to bounce off the walls." So the first thing he did when he got there was bounce off the walls. He had so much fun with all his little friends.

The hit of the night was the giant slide. The kids were going down on their tummies, upside down, rolling down it, making trains, a couple were even trying to run all the way down. It was fun watching them. I even went down a few times myself....upside down. I was quite proud of myself.

JT, Bella, Bailey, Ryan, and Evan

Above: Bailey, Ella, Elijah, Kade, Hallee, Kaylee

There was always a long line for the slide. They were all pretty good about waiting. Brayden was so excited to be with his best friend Zach. We are so happy they are here in Utah now!

Kaylee and Hallee. Ryan and GQ Kade. Kade and his girlfriend Bella. He seriously can't keep his hands off of her. He is always hugging her or has his arm around her. Even during their soccer games. And Mason

This was seriously the best party I have done. The kids were able to bounce for 1 1/2 hours. When they were done, we walked into the next room. They had set out the cake and ice cream, all the presents, and the party favors. I loved not having to do anything but play with the kids. They had this cute little party chair for Kade to sit on while he opened up gifts.

Kade seriously has some awesome friends. He was totally spoiled. Kade somehow knew he would be too. Earlier in the day I told him I didn't know what to get him for his birthday. He said, "Don't worry about it mom, my friends will just take care of it." I seriously considered taking him up on that option but decided I had to get my little guy something.

Here are all the party guests. This included Kade's friends, and also some friends for Kaylee and Brayden to hang out with.

Back: Brock, Brooks, Brayden, Zach, and Gabe

Middle: Ella, Kaylee, Breckon, Bennett, Bailey, Elijah, Evan, Kade, Ryan, Mason, Brody (off to the side not pictured is JT)

Front: Halle, Lauren, Addi, and Bella

It was an awesome night! Thanks everybody.

And yes, Kade wore the same shirt two days in a row. And he will probably wear it tomorrow. He got it for his birthday from Grandpa Warner and Grandma Laura. He loves it!