Piano Recital

The kids teacher, Melissa Sprenz, does an end-of-the-school-year recital and this was Elle's very first! The kids had practiced like crazy, but I remember how nervous I would get to perform in front of people and felt pretty much the exact same for them! Especially since this was a memorized recital. I was most nervous for Elle. Sometimes she'll just shut down and not do something or put the death grip on my hand and insist I go and help her. When it came time for her turn. She looked at us and said it wasn't her turn and shook her head no. We had to tell her a few times it was her turn to get up there and I thought for sure she wouldn't do it. She was the youngest student there. Then she just walked up, barely sat down at the piano bench and started playing. She did perfect! I was really proud of her! The twins did great too, they're pretty much old hats at this. We love Melissa because she's really got a no-pressure approach and they enjoy playing for her. Can't wait for Christmas!

Looks like Caroline's not too far behind. : )

End of the School Year!

The end of the school year was crazy busy, but with all good things. The twins ended up finishing 1 and 2 for the top readers in their grade (Jake 1, Jonah 2). They got to attend the AR barbecue and got a certificate and a book. The same day, Elle had her kindergarten graduation. I was a little nervous she would be scared to perform, but she did great. So proud of her for having such a great year, a little nervous about full day though! On to first grade!

Shooting Range

The twins finally got a chance to use the bibi guns they got for their birthday in late May at the shooting range. The boys said they had a great time, although they were quite out-gunned (literally). I don't think people often bring bibi guns to the range. :)

Mae's Pre-K Graduation

Mae graduated from Pre-K (remember, not preschool!) on May 23rd. We have loved this preschool class more than any other and all because of Mrs. Purcell. She is just amazing. She's like a grandma and professor mixed into one. It's hard to describe what it is that makes her so amazing, but she just is. It helped too that I was friends with every mom in the class (there were only 5 other kids, another huge bonus) and that Mae made friends for life with Megan and Maddy. So her graduation day was bitter-sweet. I tried to hint to Mrs. Purcell that Mae had a late birthday, and maybe she wasn't quite ready for kindergarten, but Kris said she would be bored with another year of Pre-K. :( The graduation was filled with tons of the cutest songs you've ever heard, all with actions, some with costumes. It was awesome! I cried more than once, especially when it was over. I took lots of video, but only a couple of pics. Here's to hoping that Mrs. Purcell is still teaching when it's Caroline's turn for preschool.

Mae, Megan, and Maddy

Gymnastics

Ah, Mirabelli gymnastics! They're not turning out many Olympians, but for $20 a month, who cares! We love this place. We've loved it since the twins went to preschool here in 2006. And inevitably, you'll have someone in your class you know. It's great and the girls love it. We did it for a few months in the spring and the the best was the last day when the kids all got to have free time, even C!

Field Day

This should really say "Elle's Field Day", because there aren't pics of the twins, in fact I didn't even see them, but they did have field day at the same time and said they saw me and said hi, but I didn't hear them (yeah, right). Anyway, I volunteered with Elle's field day and had so much fun. They had a bajillion stations for them to go to, but Elle's favorites were the parachute (it was the windiest day ever, and I literally thought it would lift a kid off the ground), the hula hoops, and anything with water. In fact my little group of stinkers turned on me and soaked me with sponges. Then they took all the kindergartners for a parade to the "big" kid part of the playground, where all the big kids stopped and cheered for them. Yes, I teared up. Especially when I saw older siblings run out and hug their brother or sister (Not the twins, again, they said they shouted, "Yea Elle!". Sure). Anyway, it was awesome and I got the cutest pics of Elle!

Mother's Day 2012

Just wanted to post this quick pic from Mother's Day. The kids and Bud were great. The kids have taken to making me fantastic cards, usually with some sort of poem, or a 3D feature. I love them. I can't believe all these little people belong to me. I LOVE being a mother. There's nothing else I'd rather do. I'm so grateful to Bud for the opportunity to stay home with them and drive them all nuts! Hopefully with some good mixed in there too!