Friday, May 5, 2017

Pre-Kindergarten Graduation

This weekend was a weekend full of celebrations in our family. I actually ended up taking off Friday so that I could get prepared for all the weekend had in store We started out with Muffins with Mom at Casen's school on Friday morning. Casen was so excited to give me the gift he made, and I was thrilled to receive it. We enjoyed muffins together, which Casen served me my muffin and juice, and visited with some of the other moms.



Later that evening was Casen's graduation from Pre-Kindergarten. Several weeks ago we received the invitation to his graduation and it hit me like a ton of bricks! How could it already be that time? I was so excited for this day for his sake, yet this was closing yet another chapter in our lives. He was so excited that all of our family was coming to celebrate his graduation with him. He was fortunate to have my parents, Shane's parents, my sister and her family and then Shane's sister and her family all come to watch his graduation.






















They started graduation with the kids marching in and then reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as well as the Texas Pledge.


They then sang multiple songs, some with sign language and some with other hand motions.



The kids then went to change into the gowns, while the audience watched a slide show of all the things they had done during the year. Talk about the tears being shed - hard to take pictures while you are crying!




The top right picture makes me laugh because if they
tied Casen's shoes once, they tied them a million times.





Pre-K Pet Show

Making Stone Soup


From grapes to grape juice

A little jealous that Casen has already done this as
this is one of the things on my bucket list. 





Week of the Young Child 








The final slides were of the kiddos
waving good bye.

















And then they lined up to receive their diplomas. Casen is taller than all of his class mates so he looked so big standing in line with them awaiting his name to be called.



Hugging his teachers, Mrs. Kathy and Mrs. Diane



















Mrs. Kathy has been in in our family since Mason went to Pre-K at the ELC. She has now had all of the 'Key' boys and our family is so appreciative of her service and years of dedication to these kids. We are going to miss her!


After the graduation ceremony, we headed to our favorite local Mexican restaurant and had a great time eating and visiting with everyone.

Casen received some 'Guardian of the Galaxy' guys from us for graduation, a gradation owl and money from Melissa and her family, money from my parents and also cards. I love that our kids have the support of their family - I pray they also know how fortunate they are.




Casen, I can't believe you are finally heading to kindergarten. As they say, the days have been long, but the years short with you. Your stubborn, but overly loving soul will no doubt help you in the years to come. I can't wait to see how you flourish once you get to 'big school'. I am so proud of you and in no time at all, I will be sitting at your high school graduation, again, tears streaming down my face, as I remember all that you have accomplished and anticipating what the world will have in store for you. We love you and are so proud of you!






Friday, April 28, 2017

Week of the Young Child


This week was Week of the Young Child at Casen's school, and as they do every year, the spent a lot of time and effort transforming the center into a magical place for the kids (and parents) to enjoy. This year's theme was Disney and each day focused on a specific movie.The children would watch the movie and do different activities that focused on that movie. They even had snacks during snack time that related to the movie. So much fun for everyone!



Monday was 'Toy Story'
Tuesday was 'Finding Dory'

Wednesday - 'Beauty and the Beast'





Thursday - 'The Lion King'











Friday - 'The Little Mermaid'








Friday, April 21, 2017

Donuts with Dad

Since Father's day falls in the summer, the ELC always celebrates Donuts with Dad in April. Since Shane takes Camden to school with him, he gets to participate in Donuts with Dad at Casen's school as well. Of course his old teachers are always thrilled to see him, so it is a treat for everyone.


This year, Casen's class made a Superhero out of their footprint and hand print for their dads. It was a surprise for everyone as Casen did not ever tell us about the painting, which is very unlike him because he has a hard time keeping secrets and generally would at least tell me or his dad that he had made him something. :)





Sunday, April 16, 2017

Easter Fun

Due to it being Easter and us having a three day weekend, we decided to head to Kerrville for the weekend to spend some time with my parents and grandmother. I have not seen her in awhile and we were well over due for a visit! While we were there, we of course went fishing in the ponds and the boys got to play outside a good majority of the time.


Camden made the Easter Bunny a card, complete with a cut out for the Easter Bunny to answer 'Yes or No' as to whether he liked the card.

 

Of course, the Easter Bunny answered 'Yes'.


When the boys woke up this morning, they found their Easter baskets with all sorts of fun stuff in them.




























After church, we headed to my Grandma's to spend some time with her and visit. As usual, she was so glad to see the boys. She seemed to be doing good, however it still just absolutely kills me to see her in the 'nursing home' side of the facility instead of assisted living. She never wanted to be in a nursing home and unfortunately since she is no longer able to walk after her hip fracture in addition to her dementia, she is not able to be on the assisted living side. I swear I cry every time I leave that place . . .

















While we were visiting with Grandma, the Easter bunny was back at Mom and Dad's preparing for the arrival of my little Easter Egg hunters. They were thrilled to find eggs that had candy and money in them. 









As usual, we had a great time while in Kerrville and were sad to leave. Luckily, Casen and I plan on heading back that in a month or so once we are out of school. Camden and Shane will still be in school, so we will have some time to visit and relax.


Thursday, April 13, 2017

Kindergarten Here We Come

Today Casen got registered for Kindergarten. He is soooo excited to go to big school and of course to be at the same school as Camden. The ELC has been preparing him for Kindergarten - he has been learning his sight words, how to write all his letters and numbers and everything else he needs to know to be prepared for school. Just as I was ready for Camden to go to Kindergarten so that we would get a pay raise not paying for daycare, it also holds true for Casen. However, it is a bit bittersweet as he is the last one . . .


Thursday, April 6, 2017

Love Notes

There is nothing like coming home to love notes from your first born. He sure knows how to make this Momma's heart happy!

"To Mom, From Camden. I hope you like it."




















"I make you smile. You make me smile."

"Mommy is like a flower. Mommy is nice."