PreK Graduation (be still Mommy's heart!!)

Oh my goodness, look at that super cute picture - my little Eli's graduation picture from PreSchool! Seriously, how in the world did we get here? Eli is finishing up his daycare / preschool years and heading to Elementary School......KINDERGARTEN!!


Last night was Eli's Graduation ceremony. Grandma C came up to go with us and we had a great time. It was so dang cute. I had no idea what to expect - it was a wonderful program. The kids walked into the gym in a line, went on the bleachers and sat in their assigned spots. How do the teachers get them to behave so well?! They did a few songs - the first was counting by 10's. Eli was #90 and all the kids proudly held up their signs when it was their time. They did a few other songs and then each kid came to the microphone and said what they wanted to be when they grow up. Then the teachers gave their view on what the child will be when they grow up. Apparently Eli had been telling Ms Denise all week that he wasn't going to say his. And he stuck to that. She had to tell everyone that he wants to be a Monster Truck Driver (anyone surprised?!). Then Ms Laura said that they fully expect Eli to be working with Monster Trucks but that he will be a Mechanical Engineer so he can design his own. It was awesome!


They did a few more songs and then it was presentation of diplomas. As each child's name was called, they walked down and met their teacher. It was adorable. I mean, our little guys and gals in caps and gowns....just adorable!! Then........tear jerker.......they did a picture slideshow to music of the past few years. Some of the boys have been together since they started at just a few months old. I cannot imagine there was a dry Mommy eye in the place. Mine sure weren't!


Once we all recovered, the Primrose class of 2012 walked out and parents followed for a little reception. They also had some sweet gifts for the kids. Each child got their official diploma, their "When I grow up" sheet with child and teacher predictions, a book dedicated to them, a cd of pictures and a shirt with their class picture on it. Such wonderful caring gifts!!


It was definitely an emotional night for me. We have loved Eli's time at Primrose and will miss his friends (and their parents!) there. It's sad for Eli and his friends to split up and go to different schools. We will try our best to stay in touch with everyone. I know Eli will make new friends when he goes to school next year but we're going to work to make this the "best summer ever" (thank you Phineas and Ferb!). 

Eli and Evan greeting each other before the ceremony

Evan & Eli - great picture!

Mommy's little graduate

Getting lined up.....all antsy

Goofy!

This picture and the next just make my heart smile. Eli & Evan have become such great friends. They have different personalities but they complement each other so well. This picture looks like one we may see again in 16 years and it just shows me a true love and friendship. 

Can't you imagine this as a college graduation picture? It's just so perfect!

We tried to keep Cole occupied with Legos on my iPod but that didn't last too long. He wanted to walk around. Hard to believe that it will be HIS preschool graduation in 2 years. 

Walking in

All smiles

The entire class

Singing their songs

Getting his "diploma"

Look at that face!!

This was the last picture of the slide show and the one that definitely made some tears come. Look at all these big kids "Ready for Kindergarten!!". Eli's holding his "f" high and proud. 

Eli and his teacher Ms. Laura

And with his other teacher Ms. Denise

Best family shot we could get

Happy at the post graduation reception eating cookies - I think they each had 3 or so. We were lucky that Grandma C came up!

Class shirt

Isn't this just precious?! 

Eli's class - 4K1

Eli just HAD to wear it to school today

Thanks for coming Grandma!

Memorial Day fun!

Our Memorial Day included a class at the Y for me and a bike ride for Tim followed by time at the POOL! The boys were soooo excited as they ask every day when we can go back. They were the first ones in the water and weren't happy when we left but they were oh so tired! Thankfully that gave us a little bit of quiet in the afternoon and a fun evening at home. LOVE a long weekend and the holiday. 

 First ones in the pool

 Funny face - snack time!

 Oh my goodness, looks at that tired little boy

 "Want some?" Cole was an eating machine. He ate all our snacks!

Eil was very happy that they had watermelon - he must have eaten four pieces!

Bike ride + Pool = Tired Boys

Keeping the boys busy (i.e. wearing them out!) is the goal of every weekend but especially a long holiday weekend! Today was a marvelous day. The weather was perfect for us to go on a bike ride - greenway as requested by Eli - and then to the pool. The boys were beyond excited that the pool was open. They had such a blast playing. There will be many more pool trips this summer. As a matter of fact, they are already asking when we can go back!

 Hanging in Daddy's truck before the ride

 My Cole-man

 My precious cargo fell asleep - hard to tell but his head is flopped over and he's napping while Mommy pulls him around

 Yippeee, the pool!

 Fun new jet ski pool toy

 Daddy's water loving boys

 Snack time!

 Cheating a little bit during break time. The lifeguard told them they could put their feet in.

And then they put their hands in. Just not their whole bodies. They know how to get by rules already - I'm in trouble!!

Kindergarten Orientation

Oh my goodness, where did the time go?! We had Kindergarten Orientation tonight at Leesville for Eli.  Cole enjoyed a super fun playdate with his buddy Wyatt while Tim & I went to Orientation. After a brief intro in the Media Center, the kids went in groups to the classrooms and were able to check it out while we heard about curriculum, schedule, etc. Eli didn't want to go with his group so Tim walked to the class with him but once he was there, he was fine! He seemed to do really well and is definitely Kindergarten ready. Thankfully a few of his buddies from preschool will be at the same school. It'll be a little hard for him I'm sure to not see the friends he has been with for almost 5 years. I handled it well until Tim asked me how I was doing! I had a few tears thinking about how fast Eli is growing and that he won't be in the same safe secure environment we've been used to. He'll do great but how will Mommy do? Guess we'll see in August!!

 Headed into Orientation - my sweet little boy getting so big!

Leesville Bound!

Teacher Appreciation gifts

I am very excited to show off my craftiness for Teacher Appreciation gifts for the boys teachers. I just recently became obsessed with felt flowers and had to make some myself. I decided a bouquet of felt flowers with a small gift would be perfect. And it was! The teachers loved them. 

To make them, I picked out a few flower designs that I liked and used three colors per bouquet - matching the teacher's favorite color with their bouquet. I used pineapple juice cans to make the vase; covered them with coordinating cardstock, filled the inside with spray foam and then glued crayons around the vase. I had seen Teacher Appreciation gifts done with #2 pencils and knew that crayons were perfect for preschool. I added a small heart to the bottom of each one for the year and who it was from. SOOO happy with how they turned out! I will definitely be making some felt flowers for myself to have around the house. 

 for Cole's teacher - Ms. Jasmin

 for Cole's teacher - Ms. Brittney. This is my favorite b/c of the pink and green. 

 Side shot

 For Eli's class, we did a class gift where each child contributed something to a goodie basket and I made one flower for each child and put their picture in the center. This is for Ms. Laura. 

Basket and bouquet for Ms. Denise

Grandma Fun

Since I was busy all over the place this weekend, I didn't get too many shots of Grandma C and her boys. But they had SO much fun. Grandma C is a fun time playing machine. Today after the triathlon, we had an outdoor picnic and played in the backyard. The boys very much enjoyed their quality Grandma time this weekend, especially getting super spoiled while Mommy & Daddy were gone!!

 Blue popsicles!

 Picnic lunch

 C-H-E-E-S-E!!!

 It's all fun and games....until one brother smacks another!

 Cole is working on his baseball skills. 

Very determined!