may wrap-up

We have welcomed summer and are filling up our days with all kinds of things. But let me back up to the last week of school…

The kids decided to "build a house"outside. They are all about setting up little houses - in the playroom, living room, foyer, and even in the backyard:

They use anything and everything, whatever they can find, to make it just right. On this particular occasion, it was mainly outdoor furniture and toys, though they did come inside for blankets, towels, and Raffie and Chloe Puppy-the-Monkey (their favorite sleeping partners).

I can't help but giggle at their creativity and cuteness. They've come up with some pretty original ideas.

Speaking of, I was greeted on the back porch one afternoon by a little lady in pink:

Pink, pink and more pink. Blush and bashful even. Gloves, a scarf, a parasol… Jewelry is always part of the ensemble. {The pink hibiscus on her cheek is from the end-of-year luau at school.}

A little while later, she changed into a different (pink) outfit to play.

This is a common scene here on Evergreen Drive. I love to sit on the back porch, having my devotion time, reading or working on the computer while the kids play in the yard. When Hannah wants a break from running around, swinging or playing house with little brother, she'll pull out her markers, grab some paper from the printer and come join me.

She loves to draw, color, make things with her art supplies, you name it. Right now I am in the playroom and she is in front of me at her easel painting. She is an artsy girl for sure. Would've loved to have put her in an art camp but there's nothing here for her age. {We are doing Lego camp and she is SO excited!}

So anyway, after that following weekend, Hannah had three more days of school. Good behavior water day was on that Tuesday. If you earned enough stickers in the weeks leading up, you could participate. Hannah started off behind in the sticker-earnings because she missed several days the first week due to pink eye and fever. Every day I would ask her how she was doing and, on the Friday before, she was very excited to inform me that she had earned 15 stickers - the number to qualify.

The teachers lay out a huge tarp doused with bubbles and turn on sprinklers. The children run around, slip and slide, squealing when the teachers spray them with hoses. They all love it.

Also that day, the kids went for their annual teeth cleaning. It was Hannah's third visit and Joseph's second. Once a year is about all we do {me too for that matter!}. It's expensive and I'm not too concerned about their teeth at this point. I will add that our check-ups have been really good so that relieves the pressure of me taking them every six months. No cavities so far, woo hoo!

Of course, they had to touch everything and Joseph had to ask questions about everything. Everything. It's an exhausting outing, but their little teeth are shiny and clean!

That Wednesday, I had my favorite group of moms over for our last small group of the year. Joseph was already at preschool when his BFF, Weston, arrived. His mom Rebecca (in the moms group of course) took this picture of them blowing kisses:

Thursday was Joseph's last day of preschool and the end-of-year program.

The program was in the sanctuary this year instead of the fellowship hall and that was a much better arrangement. Joseph was calm and a little shy at first, but then he woke up. I'm pretty sure his favorite song was "Sally the Camel". Watching him try to figure out his fingers, holding up the right number at the right time, was hysterical…and very cute.

We love our sweet Josey. So do Monkey and Meme, two of his biggest fans…

I cannot believe we are done with preschool. Forever. The church preschool has been a part of our lives for four years, starting when Hannah was in the 2-year-old program. She went three years there and Joseph three as well, starting in the 1-year-old class. Everyday, our little ones were right down the street on the church campus, not far from Daddy.

Joseph is off to pre-K at Ridge Road Primary. And, just like that, both of our babies are in big school. They will be down the hall from each other and they cannot wait! Such excitement.

On that same day, I took Hannah to a cowgirl birthday party for our little friends (and twins) Kessler and McFerrin.

Between the ponies, the trampoline, and the big swing, it was quite a fun time. As a favor, Hannah brought home a mason jar filled with all the dry ingredients for Cowboy/Cowgirl Monster Cookies. We made them yesterday. YUM!

On Friday night we watched our sweet friend, Erin, graduate from high school!

On Saturday we went to the farmer's market and spent a relaxing and fun day at home.

And on Sunday we celebrated Pentecost and Memorial Day at church before heading out of town for the night.

I love that picture of them…my three loves.

What a busy week it was!

catching up: holy week

Spring is here! (And we've had the pollen to prove it.) Our Holy Week was jam-packed with activity. Hannah had a field trip to the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon. Joseph and I followed the bus and enjoyed tagging along.

Both kids had their Easter parties and egg hunts at school. Hannah's was on Thursday…

She enlisted Joseph as her official helper and he was thrilled!

The egg hunt took about 5 minutes and then we were back in the classroom watching the kids happily stuff their faces with cheese puffs, cookies and cupcakes.

Joseph's party was on Friday. I have a problem with parties on Good Friday, but nobody asked me. It was, however, a beautiful day, and Joseph had a fun time. Just look at all these eggs, ready to be snatched up by eager preschoolers!

Joseph was more into it this year. (And Hannah certainly was - stay out of her way!) He did a pretty good job filling his basket. Joe's basket, actually. You see, I ordered the kids Pottery Barn Kids baskets when they were born but did not realize how huge they were. This was the first year they carried them on Easter Sunday. Hannah used hers for her school hunt, but you see how she and Joseph both held it!  We went with Daddy's smaller one for Joseph's school hunt (also from PBK but a long time ago). Speaking of Daddy…

I adore my boys. Joseph also stood still long enough for me to get a picture with his BFF, Weston.

And there I am, sweaty from a run. It was a hot and sunny day and we spent a good portion of it outside, but we didn't forget what it was all about:

Worship is an important part of Holy Week for us. It is the busiest week of the year for Joe and he has services on Thursday, Friday and of course, Sunday. 

On Maundy Thursday, Hannah received Holy Communion for the first time. It was really special and sweet watching her participate in something that is so sacred to us as followers of Jesus. There is no set age children start taking communion in the Methodist church; a child can begin taking it whenever. But to Joe and me, we wanted to wait until our children understood the significance of what they were doing. I've had several conversations with Hannah on recent communion Sundays, as she's wanted to receive, and I knew she was ready. Joe talked to her about it, she had a very good understanding of it, and we decided the service on Maundy Thursday evening would be the perfect time. After all, that is when it was initiated by Jesus. 

Good Friday service was at noon with scripture and meditations on the last seven words of Christ. I had Joseph with me, and with the solemnity of the service was a little unsure of how he'd do, but he pretty much sat quietly next to me the whole time. Even after all that sugar he consumed at his preschool party!

Saturday came, and with it - Meme! We dyed eggs on the back porch… 

…Sweet Easter aprons courtesy of Meme, of course. We also made bunny cakes. Instead of our traditional large bunny cake, we used different size bunny-shaped cookie cutters to make smaller ones so the kids could decorate them however they liked.

Then we went over to hunt eggs and play with dear friends. Hannah loved seeing Elizabeth and Jane, and their cousin Gena.

It was such a fun (and full) day!

christmas happenings

This week (like everyone else's) was a busy one for our family. There were dinners and meetings, field trips and parties…and come last night, we were excited and relieved to be home with nowhere to be until church tomorrow morning.

Last Sunday the cherub choir performed. They were pretty cute singing The Little Drummer Boy, Go Tell it On the Mountain, Silent Night, Mary Had a Baby, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Those are my babies in the blue plaid.

Monday, we hosted my small group (and families) for a Christmas dinner and cookie exchange.

The kids ate pizza around the train table in the playroom, while the grownups ate chili and salad around tables in the dining and living rooms. Not everyone, but most:

All eight of us have two children each. How funny is that? We were missing one couple, two spouses and five children. Still, for this time a year (and a lot of sickness going around), I think that's pretty good! We had a wonderful evening.

Wednesday, the pre-K took a field trip to the library in Milledgeville for a special Christmas program and a visit from Santa Claus.

Hannah was one of the chosen to sit on Santa's lap. She had the greatest smile as she climbed onto his lap. When he asked her what she wanted, she said an Elsa costume "and that's all." I think he was taken aback by her briefness. He assured her he would bring her other stuff, too.

{Now, did you notice she said "Elsa"? It's been Anna for a long time, so that's what she's getting. This past week she's been saying both. But that's it. No other wishes. Makes me want to add an Elsa costume, nightgown, something!}

I let them open one present early. These matching pajamas:

And yes, Hannah's doing a breathing treatment. She's had bronchitis and Joseph has had a sinus infection. Both on antibiotics. Hoping for a healthy Christmas week!

The preschool went to see (the best ever) Santa at the bank on Thursday morning. Joseph was not interested in sitting in his lap, at all, this year. But I got him up there by saying "Go show Santa your acorn!!"

And these were the pictures the bank printed for us:

Hannah's class party was Thursday afternoon. Each parent was to bring a wrapped present for their own child. {I'm not really a fan of this, but I go with the flow.} Hannah was super excited to open her Frozen microphone. I have a feeling we'll see a lot of performances over the break.

We've done more Light 'Em Up acts, including hiding the dollar bills the kids received during a recent children's sermon on the shelves of the grocery store.

They loved doing that and wanted to keep checking on them, so I had to push for a quick departure so we would be unnoticed!

Joseph's class party was Friday morning. He is a cheese ball.

He ate lots of sugar and was extremely excited to open his new tractor from John. {They draw names.}

Yesterday afternoon Hannah and I went to a mother/daughter Christmas tea. As she did last year, she wore one of my old dresses.

I took several pictures. Couldn't help myself! Time, stand still!!

She and her friend, Katie, made reindeer food…

…and then tried to copy the big girls (cheerleaders) who they watched jump off the end of the pool.

They couldn't seem to get the timing right, but it sure was cute watching them try.

It was a beautiful, fun afternoon. I meant to get a picture of the two of us at the party, but didn't even think about it while there, so Daddy took a picture of us when we got home.

Today, we stayed in our pajamas half the day. I did some laundry and ironing (ugh), and ran a couple quick errands, but other than that, we played, watched Christmas movies, and were kinda lazy. Except for Joe. He ran, did some work, and took apart a gigantic smoked turkey given to us by generous church members, carving it and then boiling it down for broth (hours of work).

This whole house has been under the weather, and we are ready to be well!! I know I speak for y'all when I say, "Flu, stay away!"