Evan's 1st Day . . .

This picture just makes me smile. Evan started pre-K in September. He is loving it. He moved to a different pre-school this year and I was so nervous. We were very happy with his old school, but with the move it just made sense to switch and find something closer. I couldn't be happier. His teacher is amazing and adores Ev. The class size is super small and I think that is perfect for him. He is making friends and learning so much. He loves going to school and is always eager to share what he did that day. I AM NOT READY FOR HIM TO START KINDERGARTEN. Sorry but it's true. I want more time with my babies that seem to be growing way too fast. Seriously. Too fast. Ok, back to Ev. He's happy, I'm happy. It's bliss. 

Last field trip!

Luke (his last pre-school FT!!) and Evan had their end of the year field trip at Deanna Rose a few weeks ago. Grandma Lin went with us and we had so much fun. We filled our day with pony rides, feeding the goats, playing at the playground and a wagon ride. The best. It was a great school year and I am still wondering how it went so fast? Is it really Summer!?! 

I love the look on Ev's face in the top right pic. Priceless.

This is one of my all time favorite pictures. Great friends. 

Pre-school Graduation

Luke had his Pre-school graduation a couple of weeks ago. It was such a fun night. Poor guy was not feeling 100% and got up there and preformed with all he could. Little did I know he would be running a 102 fever when we got home - MOM FAIL. It's all behind us now and I'm glad we all (me) got the experience. Luke had a fantastic year and learned so much. My heart is so torn between excitement and fear for him to begin this next chapter. At times he still seems so little and too young to be gone from me all day, five days a week. Then, on the other hand, I see him hold his own plenty of times throughout the day. He will prosper, I'm sure. I just can't believe it's time to turn him over to someone else for so many of hours of his day. I pray that God guides him to make wise choices and to trust in Him. I also pray that Luke is placed with a loving and kind teacher that will help him feel safe and cared for as he begins KINDERGARTEN!(I may have just cried). 

Pre-graduation picture. No smiles (again, must not have been feeling to great). Sorry, buddy.

Luke, we love you more than words can express and we are so impressed with the young man that you are growing up to be. Continue to be a sweet and loving boy and you will go far. 
Love, Mom and Dad 

Fire Station

Luke's class had a field trip to the fire station a couple of weeks ago. It was so cute. The kids were able to meet a couple of fire fighters, go through the fire engine and see how a fireman dresses during a fire. It was super cool and Luke thought it was a blast. I can't believe my guy is headed to Kindergarten in August. Wow. 

Evan's Field Trip

A couple of weeks ago Evan and I went to Burr Oaks Nature Center with his class. I was SO excited to go on this field trip, not because of the freezing weather or the really cool stuff that we got to see, but I got to hang out with my sweet boy (JUST THE TWO OF US!!!). That NEVER happens. I get 1-on-1 with Kate when the boys are at school and there are times that Luke gets up from resting while Ev is sleeping, but I can not remember the last time just Ev and I got to be together alone . . . you get the point. 

This is my sweet guy on the way there. I don't think he stopped talking the entire car ride. I think he was soaking up all the attention he was getting and that he actually was able to complete a sentence without being interrupted! 

Each of the kids were given something to do with nature (they discussed the four seasons). Ev had a ladybug (he loved that) and took it up during the Spring discussion. 

This is a blurry picture, but I just loved his expression. He is so full of love and curiosity. He was so fun to watch. 

The field trip wrapped up early and we didn't have to be back to school to pick Luke up for about an hour so I asked Evan if he wanted to go on a "hot chocolate date" with me . . . needless to say he is still talking about our "date". We went to Starbucks and got a little sweet treat to go along with our drinks. We sat at the window bar and just chatted and laughed. I am so thankful for that morning with him. I can't wait to have another. 

I love you, Ev. You are such a joy to be around. 

Luke's Field Trip to Paradise Park {in pictures}

A few weeks ago Luke and I went on a field trip with his pre-school to Paradise Park. We had such a great time, just the two of us. They did lots of fun things throughout the morning. He is such a smart, funny little boy. I loved watching him throughout the day. 

Craft time. They made palm trees with letter stamps climbing up the trunk.

Cooking craft. This was cute. They took pretzel rods and covered them in frosting and added apple slices for the palm branches, m&m's for the coconuts and alphabet cereal to cover the trunk of the palm tree. CUTE and tasty.

Luke and his BFF, Emerson.

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

The boys had their Thanksgiving feast at school the week of Thanksgiving. It was super cute. All the kids wear headdresses they made and the teachers dress up as Pilgrims and Indians. They  all eat together at a long table with the traditional fixins': turkey, mash potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, applesauce, and my kids favorite, corn muffins. It was so sweet to watch. Happy Thanksgiving y'all. 

Field trip to the Pumpkin Patch

We had Luke and Evan's first field trip of the year last week. It was at the Pumpkin Patch, obviously. Thankfully my awesome mother-in-law watched Kate so I could spend some time with my boys. We had a great time and thankfully the weather cooperated, too. 

 Our little pumpkins. I scratched out the name of the preschool in case there are some weirdos out there that stumble across our blog.

 The boys were very excited about s'mores, but not so sure about the fire. The smoke kept blowing in their eyes, so mama had to take over on the roasting front. 

See their faces. Even little Emerson wasn't impressed. 

 Freshly made kettle corn. Amazing. This was actually what got Ev to smile. You'll see in the pictures below. . . he was a bit grumpy that morning. The kettle corn seemed to snap him out of it. I will note (I'm a bit freaky)that this was their first time EVER having popcorn. I know, a bit freaky to some people. Luke enjoyed it, Ev wasn't a huge fan.

 There were some awesome activities for the kids to enjoy such as pushing a gigantic ball around, exploring a tepee, a corn maze, a hayride, and a small playground. I forgot to mention that the pumpkin patch is actually at the director of the preschools house. Pretty cool, right?!?

Again . . . he's 5! I'm not sure when I'll stop doing that. 

 Luke was trying REALLY hard to get Evan to smile for me, but to no avail. Thanks for trying, bud.

It's so much fun to spend time with the "big" kids by themselves. With Kate at home it allowed me to actually pay more attention to them and less time chasing the crazy girl around. We need to have more times like this. I love those boys (and Kate, duh). 

Last day of school!

Today was Luke's last day of pre-school! How has a whole school year already came and went?!? I am a little weepy just thinking about him starting pre-K next year . . . kindergarten will soon follow. NOOOO, it's all going too fast! I'll try to hold it together and get through this post. Ok, moving on. 
Today Luke and I went to school (my amazing MIL stepped in again and watched E&K!). The teachers showed us what a typical day looked like for the kiddos. They went through letters, numbers, colors, a Bible verse, singing, the pledge of allegiance, and snack time. It was so neat to watch Luke with his classmates. He is still shy but he has made huge strides this year. I made sure to thank his teachers for the love, kindness and support they have offered Luke throughout the year. This year was more for the socialization than anything and I have no doubt that it was worth the time and effort. It has been a blessing. Below are pictures from our morning. So fun.

This is a pic I snapped of Luke as he looked at me from across the room. Seriously, how stinkin' cute is that. Love that boy.

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

Luke had a Thanksgiving Feast at school today. It was absolutely adorable. Evan, Kate and I got there a little early (shocking, I know) so we could get some pictures before the kids came in. The volunteers did such a great job setting everything up and had all the food and drinks out and ready to go before the kids came down to eat. The teachers were dressed in pilgrim and/or Native American attire and the kids wore feathered headdresses they made in class. Again, so cute. It was neat to see Luke with his classmates and how he acted before he spotted me. In the few minutes that I had, he seemed to follow the rules and sat quietly while the rest of the kids came in. He was sitting next to a little girl that he talks about often, so it was great to finally have a face to associate with the name. It'll be fun next year when Evan is there, too. Oh my, I can't even believe we're that close to him being in preschool, too! Oh and Kate and Evan just hung out in the stroller taking in all the action going on around them. Way to go, guys!