hello.

today was book character day at  school

can you guess who she is?

down to the blue dress, white apron, and red ribbon at the end of her braids.

okay, i'll tell you...

Laura Ingalls (Wilder)

she's been reading the books with daddy for almost a year

it just seemed fitting.

Valentine's made

This year, for the first time, we embarked on the realm of homemade valentines.

It was a fun, 

crazy,

messy,

undertaking (that involved a bit of perseverance on all our parts.)

But we had a good result.

36 finished valentines!

 Today Peter got to pass out his valentines at preschool.

Abby & I got to join him for his class' Valentine party.

 He sang Skinny Marinky Dinky Dink...I Love You to me, 

shared a piece of his special cookie and gave me a sip of his lemonade (on his own initiative).  

It was so sweet!  

And this little man melted his mommy's heart.

I hope something melts your heart tomorrow!!

celebrate

Today was cause for celebration.

Today marked the end of the first full week of school for our family.

Hannah spent 5 days in Kindergarten.

her classroom is on the right

obligatory first day of school picture
(this was the only one she didn't look totally wide-eyed and frightened)

she rides her bike to school each day
(she was all smiles on day two)

in her classroom, listening and understanding nothing because it is all in Spanish
(don't worry she's learned a lot since day one and now dances around the house counting in Spanish and rattling off the colors.)

Peter spent 3 days in preschool.

first day of school picture
(he was all smiles until we attempted to get in the car to go and then he ran back into the house screaming that he was not going to go to school, "I jus want to 'tay at home with mommy")

his cubby poster
(all his favorite things to cheer him up when he feels sad)

his buddy Karis
(who thankfully is in his class and makes each day something to look forward to)

And for the most part we got them there on time and without many tears.

That deserves some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and glasses of milk!
(and some crazy faces)
  

Oh, and if you're wondering how Abigail is doing in all this...

She's standing up

 

eating lots of food

and still smiling away.

 

five

Today my oldest is five.

No one warned me that turning five was going to be such a big deal to mommy - a transition from all things little to a lot of growing up.  I might be a little weepy but am SO excited for what lays ahead.

We celebrated at Hannah's preschool this morning with a special birthday circle.

She was SO proud sitting in the birthday chair.

She got a birthday crown. 

Sang all her favorite songs.

And showed Teacher Tina how the numbers were mixed up. :)

Of course, she fixed them!

Still beaming!!

Peter got to join in also and loved it.

In fact, our whole family was there!!

Happy Birthday Hannah-girl!!

goodbye school, hello summer

Last week Hannah finished her first year of preschool.

In terms of last days, it was pretty awesome.
Peter and I tagged along for it because the whole day was rearranged into a carnival.

The kids earned tickets for every activity they tried.

There was face painting

 

pony riding,

bowling, ring toss and so much more!

As soon as they had two tickets they could trade them in for a "prize" - a new to them trinket (that we parents had cleaned out of our houses the previous week).

Hannah and her buddy Sailee finished the year, where their friendship first began - at the art table!

 

It was pretty sweet!

Peter decided art wasn't for him and would rather crash trucks together with Barrett.

Last circle time.

Teacher Jackie and Mr. Monkey singing "It's time to say goodbye to our friends" for the last time.

A last hug for Teacher "Kath -uh- leen" (as Hannah calls her)

Goodbye School.

Hello Summer!

We kicked off summer with a trip to Impossible Acres (a local, family-owned farm) to pick some fruit!

 

Oh yes, and to sample some along the way.

The trees were laden with apricots, white peaches and cherries!

Peter spent the whole time either eating fruit (from the trees and the ground) or
running to catch up with us.

My attempt at getting a picture with my kiddos.
(I think my 50mm lens is too short, either that or my arm is.)

 

 

Happy, berry stained face by the end.



Our delicious pickings!

I love summer and the fruit it brings.

family day

Today was Family Day at Hannah's preschool.

A celebration for both moms and dads (and of course little siblings who tag along).

The kids lined up to sing 4 songs.

Hannah was enthusiastic about Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

And then decided she'd rather watch everyone else for the other songs.

Peter observed from daddy's shoulders (not sure what to make of it).

When the time came for the indoor picnic (crazy wind outside) - both kids loved the ice cream, muffins and mommy's cupcakes!
(Although Hannah chose to sit with her friend Sailee instead of mommy & daddy, pretty sure this is just the beginning.)

Then outside to burn off all the energy.

This merry-go-round contraption is currently Hannah's favorite activity at school.

She's intense about it!

Peter decided he needed a turn on it.

 

Lining up to go inside for closing circle and the goodbye song.
(They all pretend to be a train on their way in.)

Our fun family day continued into the evening as we headed out to celebrate Grandma and cousin Sydney's birthdays!

I'm pretty proud I got a picture of Grandma blowing out her candle.

What better way to end the day than a big piece of chocolate cake?