Preschool Graduation - Class of 2012

Emma graduated from preschool today.  She had a great year with an amazing teacher.  Miss Johnson was a hit with Dennis and I the second we met her.  At back-to-school night at the beginning of the year, Emma (in typical Emma-fashion) ran to Miss Johnson and gave her a huge hug.  Miss Johnson beamed with joy, and we knew she would be a perfect fit for Emma.  She was just the right person to nurture Emma's sweet and caring spirit.  My favorite thing about her was her name for the kids.  When I would visit the class, and Miss Johnson was trying to get the kids' attention, she'd always say "Friends... we need to pay attention,"  or "Friends... it's time for snack!"  ADORABLE.

Emma really grew a lot this year and had a blast being around other kids and making new friendships.  She was always the one in class to help others, especially the youngest kids.

Each of the kids wore a sash at graduation telling us what they want to be when they grow up.  Emma chose to be a Nurse, which is quite fitting.  Although, I still think that she would make an amazing preschool teacher.

Dance Recital

Sarah and Emma had their dance recital last night.

They thoroughly enjoyed dressing up, putting on make-up, and wearing the (mandatory) fancy jewelry.

Such girls...

I think dance is a necessary part of being a little girl. 

This year they just took tumbling, so we had a lot of cartwheels and somersaults in the house.

Fun, fun.  They did great! 

Happy 7th Birthday Sarah!!

Sarah had a great birthday this year. 

We took the kids ice skating on Friday night, and then on her birthday (Saturday) the elementary school had a carnival. 

We had a great time playing there, and then we came home for a little party. 
Grandma and Grandpa Hunger joined us for the festivities. 
Lasagna dinner, rainbow cake and ice cream, and presents completed the evening.

I had to include a few extra pictures of the cake this time because it was our first six-layer rainbow cake.  It was so much fun to make and for everyone to eat!

 Seven things about Sarah on her 7th birthday:
1.  She is a sweet girl who loves to help Mom & Dad and her younger siblings. 
2.  She is very bright and excels in school.
3.  She makes friends easily.
4.  She has perfected her cartwheel and back-bend in tumbling this year.
5.  She absolutely will not eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (how is she MY child?)
6.  She finally lost her first and only tooth last month.
7.  She is constantly writing and illustrating short stories any time she can get her hands on some paper.  

We are so grateful to have Sarah in our home.

Hippity Hoppity Easter

This year I got a little ambitious and decided to make the kids' Easter clothes.  I found a tutorial online on how to make a little girl dress out of a men's dress shirt.  Dennis was happy to donate to the cause.  I even had enough material on the sleeves to make the boys matching bow ties.

Jared was not cooperating for pictures... but Andrew, Emma, and Sarah were doing great.

This Easter was especially great this year because it was Jared's first day of nursery at church!  We were very, very excited for this day.

And, Jared?  Well, he'll warm up to the idea eventually.  Especially when he realizes that snacks are always part of the deal.

Weiner Roast

Dennis went down to his Grandma and Aunt's farm yesterday to help his dad do a few different things.  We all met up later for a weiner roast.  It is a necessary (at least) annual event.  Roasted hot dogs, chips, soda, and s'mores were on the menu.  And we also did a little playing and riding on Grandpa's old "Johnny Popper". 

Creativity At Its Finest

I couldn't leave this in the picture archives without sharing it with the world.

Who doesn't want to wear a bunny mask, ball cap, flip-flops, no pants, a shirt that's too big, a Sheriff Woody vest, and only the neck piece of a tie?

Your name is MUD

I remember growing up if we were in big BIG trouble, my mom would say, "Your name is MUD!"  I still to this day have no idea where she came up with that one.  I don't know if it was handed down from generation to generation, or if it was from a friend, or from a TV show, or something.  Either way, I thought it was hilarious when she said it.  Just for fun, I like to say it to my kids sometimes.  I'm sure they think I'm nuts.

But in this case, I think "Your name is MUD makes perfect sense.