Picture Perfect

Just to prove that things aren't always sunshine and roses around here....this is a family portrait that Jane drew.  Graham, Mommy, Jane, Sydney, Clare and Daddy.  A day after the picture was created, the artist got really mad at Clare and scribbled all over her in red.  That'll teach her.

My Blue

Graham has numerous pretend golf clubs.  We have quite an assortment around here, including red, blue and green plastic clubs.   But none were the real deal.  Enter Grandad (Casey's Dad).  He decided that Graham needed a real club that was just his size.

So he cut a regular-sized club down to Graham's size, put a new blue grip on it, and made one happy boy. 

Graham has taken to calling it "my blue."  More accurately "ma boo."  He knows that Casey has a club with a blue grip also.  Graham refers to that as "Dada bu."  He talks about it all of the time, and it is his go-to activity.   He plays indoors, outdoors, anywhere and everywhere.  I know that I should make him take it outside, but it's so nice that he will play independently with it inside.

Casey might be enjoying the new club as well!

Many thanks to Scotty!

School's Out

Today was the last day of preschool for Jane and Sydney FOREVER!  Graham and I headed to the school to celebrate with the girls. 

 Graham was thrilled to hang with the "big kids."

Sydney on the first day of preschool (left), and on the last.

 

We were excited to get to celebrate with both classes together.  Makes my life easier!  Here is the last class picture for each girl!

Jane on the first day (left) of school....and on the last.

There was lots of fun stuff for the kids to do!  

Arts and crafts,

snacks,

and lots of hula hooping!

It was a great way to celebrate a great year!  

Now, we've just gotta get Clare out!!

Mother's Day Tea

The girls and I decided to host a Mother's Day Tea/Luncheon to honor all of our grandmas.  When I pitched the idea to the girls, they were immediately on board.  They were hands-on in all of the planning and execution.  They helped get the table all ready, made place cards, and lots of other decorations!

My little ladies dressed in their tea party finest!

Probably not the best etiquette, but the girls were staring out the window waiting for our guests to  arrive!  They had assigned each other roles.  Sydney answered the door, saying "Welcome to the tea party.  Lady Jane will help you to your seat."  :-)

 

We hosted Emmy,

Deedee,

and LoLo.

I have to hand it to my mom and mothers-in law....they will embrace a theme.  They each came decked out for the occasion.

The girls and I served lunch and almond tea.  The girls enjoyed drinking tea with their pinkies up!

Except for one minor fruit kabob incident, the girls acted like little ladies. 

Thanks to all of the grandmas for coming to the first (annual?) Mother's Day Tea!  I hope you know 

how much we appreciate all that you do for us!

Preschool Graduation

My girls have graduated from preschool!  Last Thursday we gathered to watch the pomp and circumstance.

First, we got to see a very cute Dr. Seuss themed program.  My little "Whos from Whoville" were super excited.  When you are in the oldest class, you get to drive a car in for the program.  In case you don't know, THIS IS A BIG DEAL!  And wonders of wonders, Jane and Sydney agreed that Jane would drive!

 

Next up, we heard lots of cute songs from all of the members of Whoville.   We contributed a cheerleader and a doctor.

Then it was time for the graduation.  I am so proud of Jane and Sydney.  They have done great being in seperate classes, made lots of friends, and learned a ton. 

A lot of that has to do with their great teachers.

I appreciate the teacher's hard work so much.  I am confident that both of  my girls are ready for kindergarten, and that is a great feeling!

Lots of people came to watch Jane and Sydney graduate.  Here is our family....in a strangely posed picture!

The girls were thrilled with their flowers and their new books from the grandparents.

We decided our graduates needed some celebrating, so off we went to get ice cream.  No one was happier than this guy!

It was a fun night celebrating Jane and Sydney.  Great job girls!

Spring Picnic

Every year Casey's company hosts a fun family day.  The weather was perfect, and my crew was excited!

They have bounce houses, miniature golf, go-carts, batting cages, and a dunking booth!  This year was extra special because Daddy was slated to be in the booth for a 15 min time slot!  The girls had a big time with that, and Graham has since recounted the event many times.  "Dada fall wawa.  Cold."

The tatoo spot is a favorite every year.  Graham even got in on the action this year with a Blue's Clues paw print.

Graham was slightly confused/disturbed when the last hole of the miniature golf course took his ball!  

 

What could be better than a giant thing of cotton candy for everyone?

It is a super fun day the kids look forward to every year!

Let's Have a Ball!

Graham's birthday fell the day after we returned from our trip, so we hosted a family party that evening.

We played, had dinner, and opened presents.  He scored lots of great loot!

This train table was made by Scotty, and Graham is loving playing with all of his Thomas trains!

He has mastered "flying" around in his new "caped" t-shirt!

His first scooter!

He had PLENTY of help opening all of his presents!

Graham was so fun to watch open presents.  He would open one, and then just want to play with it.  We had to coax him back to center stage to open the rest of them.  He seemed to love everything he got!

Next up, cake time!  We went with a very loose sports theme...mainly because I knew a baseball cake would be an easy one to make!

Graham did better with his cake this year.....

than he did last year!

 

We are so thankful for all of our family who helped celebrate with Graham!

It was a low-key affair, but I think that Graham knew we were all together to celebrate him!

How is he already two???