One year down....

Friday was J's last day of preschool for the school year. We celebrated with a little certificate presentation ceremony and popsicle party!   I feel like I blinked...and we went from the first day....

to the last!

J loved school from that first day...and hasn't looked back since!  I credit his marvelous teachers for his quick love of school.  They couldn't have been sweeter.  They couldn't have been more loving and more perfect for our very loveable little guy.

I will never forget how Joseph would run out of his classroom at the end of every day to greet me when I picked him up with that HUGE Joseph grin from cheek to cheek.  He would do cartwheels (literally) all the way to the car.

I love his enthusiasm!    I love how he makes sure to say (or yell) hello and good-bye to each and every friend....and yes...he will continue saying it until they say it back!

And though he isn't much of one to recount the details of his day...or even remember what book they read or snack they ate....his smile at the end of every day tells it all.

He is still our little guy, but he has definitely grown this year.  He can write his name, color nicely in the lines (if I can get him to sit still long enough), distinguish shapes, name the letters and their sounds, and identify most of his numbers 1-10.  He writes mostly with his left hand (just like big sister S), is a superstar at Crazy Eights, and can remember almost anything.  You would not believe the  landmarks he will remember in the car...He is better with street directions than his mama!!!  Now following directions...well...that is a different story...and one that we will work extra hard on this summer.  He asks a billion questions a day and ends each statement he makes with a "Right????" (ie.... "Sophia is getting her haircut today...right?????" or "I have preschool today, right????")

Lately we have been struggling to teach him to be more gentle.  He is highly excitable and sometimes playing gently with little Sammy ranks low on his list of priorities....pretty typical of 4 year olds... I am sure...but something we are trying to work on, nonetheless.

I am so happy he had such a good first year.....  But I'm definitely looking forward to having that smiling face all to my self again this summer:)

Preschool Mother's Day Tea

Friday was a special day for me...

Mr. J and I got to spend a little "alone" time together:)  I got to attend his Mother's Day Tea at preschool....just J and me.

He was looking a bit scruffy on Friday....in desperate need of a haircut...and coming down with those yucky May allergies...but NEVER without a smile.  I LOVE that about him.

After some tea and muffins, his little classmates sang to all the mommies.  I had heard J singing these songs at home while he was playing (without even knowing he was singing them:)  It was supposed to be top secret.  The songs couldn't have been sweeter...the words couldn't' have meant more.

Oh...that little J....he can definitely be a pill some days....he can definitely test the limits....but for the most part he is the HAPPIEST, FRIENDLIEST little boy...and trust me when I say you will never meet another 4-year old with more personality.  What a HUGE gift he has been to our family.....how INCREDIBLY lucky I am to be his Mama!  God knew how much I needed that little Joseph...There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for trusting him to me.  And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of the Mama who gave this sweetest gift to me.  She knew how incredible he was even then...and yet she trusted me...and allowed me the honor of loving him, caring for him, and watching him grow.  I am humbled every day by this gift...

J made me a book describing me....He said that I had brown hair, brown eyes, was 18 years old (YIPPEEE), loved to play legos with him, loved pizza and tacos, and that my favorite movie was "Cars." He wrote that he loves his Mama because "She loves me,"  OH BOY is he ever right about that!!!

They made us "Queen of the Day" chair covers...

And flower pots and flowers made out of their own handprints.

His teachers this year have been the sweetest...most loving teachers you can imagine.  The crafts and projects they have done have been out of this world.  We have been so fortunate that our little guy has had such an amazing year....I am so grateful that these teachers have helped Joseph to LOVE school...I am grateful for their dedication and energy.  And yet they would always tell me that THEY were the lucky ones to have J in their class.....so incredibly sweet....   They just got it...they completely understood how much this little boy means to me....and they loved him like I do....   Now if I could just keep him 4 forever...

WELL-Checks complete for 2012:)

Whew!! I feel like I have a breather now until next January!  No more birthdays (kids' birthdays, at least) and no more well-checks until 2013!  Sophia had her 8-year well check today after school and before her soccer game (where she scored another 2 goals tonight:)...so proud of that little girl!!)

I am always sooooo relieved when we walk away from those appointments with a clean bill of health.  We are so fortunate.

Sophia's 8 year stats:
 Height: 49 3/8 inches    35% ( she grew 2 inches from last year)
Weight:  55 1/2 lbs        48% (she gained 3 1/2 lbs)

We have had a busy week....I am very ready for summer....looking forward to a more relaxed schedule...and having my biggest helper home again with me:)

Earlier in the week....  I got to go on the second grade field trip to Powell Gardens.  I had never been before and I was excited to get to go with Sophia.  We were blessed with GORGEOUS weather...  I had just four kiddos in my group and basically we got to tour the gardens on our own once we had participated in the BUG presentation.  Little did I know that during the hour-long talk....the covered aquarium that was sitting right next to ME housed "Rosie" the TARANTULA!!!  EEEKKKK!!!!

I took a few pictures with my phone (can't believe I forgot my good camera:(

Our picnic lunch!!

The Chapel.....so quaint and soooo pretty....the view was breathtaking.  Our kids (being the good little Catholic school kids they are ....began singing Church hymns at the top of their lungs as we entered:)

We had a great day....but I was definitely exhausted by the time I came home.  I had a few in my group who liked to test the waters...and were always running off, and trying to keep tabs on them was exhausting in and of itself!  OH my!  Then I came home to my boys and realized Yiayia (who volunteered to watch them all day) was probably more tired than me.  I promise...there is never a dull moment here with Joseph and Sammy.

Tomorrow...Joseph's class is putting on their Mother's Day Tea.  They have been secretly practicing songs for us....sometimes I hear Joseph singing to himself  (the song about Mommies) when he doesn't know I'm listening.  It is the.cutest.thing.ever. Can't wait for this special little performance.  I'm so lucky to get to be his mama;)

And on another not so great note....

I had it in the stroller when we got the mail the other day...and later found it looking like this. I'm not sure whose little hands got a hold of it.....but I'm pretty sure they weren't my hands.  The good news:  IT STILL WORKS!!!!  It's driving B crazy....but as long as it works...it's all fine and dandy with me:)

Take Me out to the Ball Game!

J got to see his first baseball game at Royal's Stadium last Sunday.  It poured in the morning ....and we had torrential rains in the evening (with tornado warnings and all), but in between.....it was a perfect day for baseball!

Sophia borrowed Daddy's glasses after the sun came out!

Thanks to Pappou for giving us the incredible seats!!  How fun will it be if my boys play baseball and we get to cheer them on at all their games!!!!

Sammy at 15 MONTHS!!

I took our little man for his.....15 MONTH well-check yesterday.  How, oh how can that be???? I had lots to chat about with Dr. W about this little guy.  Whew.....he is definitely a little (oops...I mean BIG) rascal.

He keeps our house a hoppin'...that's for sure...and I can't EVER take my eyes off of him.
At 15 months....

1.  He still is stingy with his words...saying only...."Mama" "Daddy" "Willie" and attempts at "Sophia" ( I guess that is just the SLP in me... always worrying about my kids' speech!)
2.  He LOVES ceiling fans and lights and points to them over and over!
3.  When he smiles that great big grin....we get to see all of his cute toothers!
4.  He loves to open ALL of my kitchen and desk drawers.
5. He has started climbing on chairs and when I left the gated prison (and by that I mean... our kitchen ) to answer the door this morning....and came back seconds later... I found him standing on the kitchen table with a fork in his hand....oh my...
6.  He loves to reach for my hand at the breakfast table.
7.  He loves to play outside and hold his broom and play with the balls!
8.  He DOES NOT like to come inside after playing outside and lets us know just that by belting out excruciatingly loud screams!
9.  He LOVES his sister like no other....and loves to play with little J's hair.
10.  He will soon be able to wear his big brother's clothes....there is only a difference of a few pounds between them....
11.  He LOVES his milk.....and though I have tried in vain to teach him to say "drink" or "milk" instead of incessantly whining for it.... all he will do for me is sign "please."  It is sooo cute when he does this.
12.  He still cries ALL night long.  This week there have been nights when he will scream.every.hour:(  He is often just standing in his bed crying with his eyes closed.  Poor little guy.
13.  He may just love chocolate as much as I do...YIPPEEEE!
14.  For lunch these days...he is happy with PB & J, fruit and some soft carrots.  Macaroni and cheese is a staple at dinner, although he ate half of my pizza tonite:)
15.  His favorite part of the day is picking up J from preschool and waiting for Sophia's class to come out for recess.  He gets this HUGE smile on his face when he can hear the kids come out from the cafeteria.
16.  He LOVES my vacuum and the red mop!!
17.  He tries to break free from the gates any chance he gets...and when he is successful he gives me the biggest grin...like...."Ha, ha....look what I just did!"
18.  He loves to dance to Dino O'Dell's Alien song...
19.  He loves me to sing to him and signs "more" when I stop:) "Wheels on the Bus," "Twinkle...Twinkle" are a few favorites.  He also loves to listen to secrets.  When I whisper one in one ear...he will then quickly turn the other ear to hear it in that one too!
20.  I LOVE him SOOOOO MUCH!

Here are his stats from his appointment:

Height:  35 INCHES!!!!! (<95%)
Weight:  28 lbs 13.4 ounces (95%)
Head Circumference:  20 1/4 (<95%)

EIGHT is Great!!!

She is officially EIGHT!

Second grade has been the year of fairies for our Miss Sophie P.  When one of her classmates told her about her magical fairy who came through her fairy door into her room each night leaving secret notes...Sophia couldn't stop talking about the possibilities of having her very own fairy door.  And at Christmas time....she couldn't have been more thrilled when she received it.  She immediately begged her Daddy to nail this little fairy door to her wall and she waited for the fairy's arrival.  The "fairy" has left a special note almost every night since!  So it is no surprise that when it came time to plan the party...Sophia chose a FAIRY theme.

I was delighted....it sounded so girly, so springy, so PINK!   I made a few decorations....found these little mini lanterns in the wedding section at Michael's and used my Martha Stewart butterfly cutter to cut butterflies out of some sweet patchwork scrapbook paper.  I then hot glued them to the lanterns... and added a few little "on sale" decorative butterflies.

I was most excited to make these little fairy cookies.  I found these on one of my favorite cookie blogs.   Bea is from Mexico and comes up with the sweetest designs ever!!  I emailed her and asked her many questions about how she made these cookies and then I went to work.... Bea was incredible.  She gave me step by step instructions and even helped me locate the perfect cutter for the job!

I almost gave these fairies blond hair to match my Sophia's...but I loved how the brown color looked...and I'm sure some fairies out there do have brown hair anyway:)

In the last few months I have made a carrot cake and lemon curd cake.  Chocolate is usually my go to...so I am proud of myself for venturing out!! And for this occasion....the Missy decided she wanted a STRAWBERRY cake.  So...this is a four layer strawberry cake with pink cream cheese frosting.  The birthday girl and Sammy LOVED it.  

The favors in cute little strawberry baskets.

Sophia was giddy with excitement with every present she opened.

She LOVED this $19.99 castle from Michael's because she already had big plans to paint it with her Daddy:)

Sam thought the present opening was pretty fun too!

But what this little girl really wanted.....she didn't find in a box.  After she had opened all of her presents we told her that Daddy had one more Wii game for her still in his car.

But this is what she found instead!

She hopped on this BIG girl bike (with handle brakes) without hesitation and picked it up with no trouble at all...and of course Mr. Copy Cat did the same with his bike!

She was soooo excited that she actually got the blue bike she had been dreaming of....AND it even matches those beautiful baby blues of hers!

Cake time is always a bit crazy...so I am sad I didn't get great pictures...the lighting and focus was off....but still love her expressions!

She has been so excited to ride her new bike every day after school this week.  We didn't have much time before dance on Tuesday.... but I told her we could take a quick jaunt to the mailbox.  She took off before I could run after her and took a rather big fall at the bottom of the drive.  Can you see her boo boo on her knee underneath those tights?  (This was actually much after the fall... after we had already changed tights and cleaned her up).  We barely made it to dance in time and she was one sad little girl .....absolutely positive that she had broken her arm.  Of course she had not.....and this picture was taken after dance and dinner when I finally convinced her the best thing to do was to get back on that bike and try...try...again!  My little S is not a quitter!! She got back on that bike an didn't look back!!!

Hope your year is all downhill from here, sweet girl!