Pre-K Graduation

Kaitlyn had her preschool graduation today! She has been so excited all week - she picked out her dress on Sunday and then asked me last week if I would braid her hair on Tuesday so that it would be curly for graduation on Wednesday (she had even asked Kariana if she would do her makeup for graduation, luckily Kaitlyn forgot to ask her this morning). Once graduation started she got really nervous/"scaried" and at the end needed to sit on my lap. They showed us many things they have learned. Sign language, spanish, skip counting...

We loved her incredible teachers, Teacher Karen and Teacher Julie

She loved that Aunt Kariana came.

She was also all smiles when she saw her daddy there too.


Congratulations Kaitlyn! Kindergarten here she comes.

Navy Pier Children's Museum

Kevin had a conference in Madison, Wisconsin last week so we tagged along with him. We swam at the hotel and played at the park while he was in his conference. After his conference we went to Chicago. We went to the Children's Museum on the Navy Pier. It was so much fun!


We met up with our good friends the Giles. We have had so much fun seeing them more often since they moved to Chicago. My kids have so much fun with their girls, Tayen, Adley and Lyvien(their baby - not pictured)









Kevin was just as entertained as the kids:)



Everyone had a fabulous time but truthfully the best part was having a full-time nanny with us! It is amazing how much easier life is with extra hands! We love you Aunt Kariana and are so glad we get to keep you for awhile.

Playroom

It may look like a picture out of a book but it isn't, it is our playroom train mural! It was finished today. A good friend of ours wanted to build her portfolio so did it for us! It looks incredible! The kids are excited to get the toys back in the room and to get to play amongst the beautiful backdrop! Thanks Jenn, you are amazing!!!

Winner

I honestly don't ever remember winning anything and I finally did!

My cousin has a fun parenting website and she has great giveaways (and even has a great one going on now).
http://inevergrewup.net/


I WON this pettiskirt from Precious Car-go and gave it to Kaitlyn - we have had so much fun with it!
http://www.preciouscar-go.com

Thanks Vanessa!!!

Princess 2 year old

Alyssa just turned two and is so much fun! Our wonderful neighbor, Amy, passed along a princess dress that is too little for Julia. Alyssa loves that she has a princess dress that is just for her.

Alyssa loves brushing her teeth and does it several times a day. Hopefully this is a habit she will not stop!

It is amazing how young they learn that money is great. Great Grandpa & Grandma Middleton sent Alyssa some money for her birthday and she was so excited when she saw it and was carrying it all around.


Alyssa LOVES baby dolls and is always rocking them, feeding them, burping them, and singing to them. We had to get her one for her birthday. Once she opened it, it didn't leave the crook of her arm even to open more presents:)



She was never able to blow out her candles - if you can see her bangs blowing, she hasn't figured out that her breath is going up not out. Bryson and Kaitlyn came and helped her. (You gotta love the free cake from the grocery store:)



We love you Alyssa! Thanks for bringing so much joy to our home!

My Broccoli Girl

I love that Alyssa still LOVES broccoli!

We had steamed broccoli one night and she decided to feed some to her baby and then devoured it herself. I just kept taking pictures, it was so priceless watching her walking around eating huge mouthfuls of broccoli and then coming back for more!!!

Birthdays

It has been a bit since my birthday but I had to share a few fun things from it.

My birthday cake - homemade crepes with nutella and strawberries - thanks Kevin!

I didn't like the tradition of buying presents for the kids to give at birthdays - so the kids have started making things for presents. Kaitlyn usually just wraps up an old book or toy of hers but Bryson has made some really creative gifts.

This was my present from Kaitlyn. She is quite proud that she can read and write a few words.

This was from Bryson. A page from the gold plates. He has always been so good about coming up with great ideas for projects - he came up with this all on his own.

After Bryson saw me get excited and be so grateful to Kaitlyn for her paper with mom written on it he rushed over while I was still opening presents and wrote on a paper and gave this to me also. (He was trying to do it quick and my name is hard to spell:)