Happy Memorial Day!!!

Our neighborhood had a bike "parade" and cookout for Memorial Day (our niece Taylor was here to visit for the weekend and participated in the parade too).  The kids were excited to decorate their bikes, had great ideas, and worked hard to make their bikes, or scooter in Alli's case, look great.  I wanted to share a few pictures of the kids' decorated bikes.  Lots of love to everyone!!

Lullaby of Broadway

Alli had her dance recital this weekend.  She was very excited and, of course, did a wonderful job!  Here are a few pictures we took at dress rehearsal.   (She is 2nd from the left.)

Cole's end of the year program

Sunday was the Pre-Kindergarten graduation and end of the year program at Cole's school.  All the classes sang songs and recited Bible verses.  They did a wonderful job.  As with most childrens' programs, there is always that one child who sings very loud and makes everyone giggle.  Well, this year, that was Cole.  As you can see in the picture, he screamed as loud as he could, but not so loud that you couldn't understand what he was singing.  It was quite amusing to see this usually reserved little boy get up in the front and let it all out.   He did great, knew all the words to the songs, and entertained everyone.   In his own words, "I sang really, really loud to Jesus." We should all be so bold and shout out our praises to the Lord. 

Alli As "Sarah"

Today at school, Alli had an alphabet parade to "celebrate" everyone learning how to write all the letters and what sound they make.  So, the kids were supposed to pick a letter and try to dress in clothes that start with that letter, come up with a name starting with that letter, and so on.   They would then come up with a short introduction for the teachers to read as they walked down the hall for their parade.  Here is "Sarah"...

Here is her intro...

"My name is Sarah.  I like to wear sundresses, sandals, and sunglasses on warm, sunny days.  I am carrying a sack of sea shells I found walking on the sandy beach."

Alli's last day of school is May 29th and Cole's is May 21st.  It is coming awfully quick.  The kids say they are ready for summer break because they are ready to swim.  

Ahhh...Sunshine!

We finally saw the sun today.  It sprinkled and misted most of the morning, but then lunchtime came and so did the sun!  After 10 straight days of rain, and more forcasted for the rest of the week and weekend :-(, we soaked up as much sun as possible.  The kids rode bikes, threw the frisbee around, and even put their swimming suits on and went over to the neighbors for a water fight.  They had a lot of fun!  We got so caught up in the beautiful weather, we almost forgot the kids needed to get to bed for school tomorrow.  All well, one night getting to bed a little late won't hurt them, right?!?

Kids' Update

This picture shows our latest idea/desperate attempt to stop Alli's thumb sucking habit.   She has quit once this last summer with help from Thum (nail polish-like stuff that makes her fingernail taste really yucky and hot) and once this winter (her thumb got really chapped and cracked and it hurt pretty bad to suck it).  But every time we think it is finally over, she finds it again.  I will keep you posted on whether the "glove" works.  

School is going really good for her (Kindergarten is almost over for her, YIKES!) and she brought home another perfect report card last month.  Soccer is almost over, just one make up game left that we were supposed to make up this last Wednesday, but rain has cancelled all our activities this week.  She really enjoys t-ball and is looking forward to her dance recital May 23.  She wants me to tell you that her favorite color is purple and her favorite 

activity is playing and having sleepovers with Madie.  

Cole has grown up alot in the last few weeks.  He loves school and was so proud of the flowers he made yesterday to bring home to us.  His t-ball team beat the #1 team in his league last week, which put the Tigers (Coles' team) on top (the boys don't know about the standings, but the Dads sure do :).   Most days, you can find him outside running around with the neighbor boys (good for him to have playmates, but boys will be boys).  His favorite color is yellow and favorite character is Spiderman.

Nolan is feeling much better and has put on some weight.  He loves to be outside and would like to hang with the big boys, if his Mama would let him.  He is talking more and more everyday and pretty much stirs up trouble wherever he can.   His favorite thing:  suckers.

Now that soccer is over on the weekends, we are starting to plan our first camping trip.  The kids talk about it all the time.  If the weather allows this weekend (we are supposed to get another 2-3 inches of rain), we are planning to bring the camper home to get "her" ready for the camping season.  Hopefully you will see our 1st camping trip post real soon.