More Swimming!

Swim lessons have been going AWESOME!!!  Rylan has gotten to the point that he can dive off the edge through the hula hoop!  I am so proud of him!!

 They both are doing so great with the barbells!  Last week, Jacob was first to both ends of the pool.  They even got to only use one barbell last week!

 The cam swim the width of the pool with ease and dive for rings like no one's business!

 Thank you Ms. Tobey!

Splish Splash Bubbly Bath

This Christmas one of the kids that I tutor gave me a beta fish!  The boys were SO thrilled!!!  They got to pick his name and it may be the longest fish name in the history of the world.  Due to his long name we read Tikki TIkki Tembo and now the boys think that is the funniest book ever!  For short I call him "Splish."  We have loved feeding him each morning.  He is a good fish.  Rylan loves to watch him swim and get the food off the top of the water.  Jacob likes to watch him "go crazy" when he swims in circles when we eat dinner.  Our first pet and we LOVE him!

We've Got a Show for You!

When I was in high school, Pop Show was one of the highlights of the year.  This year we went to the Pop Show, not only to enjoy an evening of great singing, but also to support one of our dear friends.  Kyle has been the Choir director for 14 years and is leaving to become the director at a college.  We are SO happy for him professionally, but are SOOOOOOOO sad for his family to be moving!  The boys were thrilled that Blaine got to sit with us during his Daddy's last show.  The show was outstanding!  The finale took my breath away and tears rolled down my cheeks.  At the end I went on stage to sing "Where No One Stands Alone."  It was weird to be on stage after 17 years and singing the same song... beside Kyle's Dad, my old director.  It was a wonderful experience.  Good luck Kyle... CCHS Choir will not be the same without you!

Our Current Favorite Game

We love to play board games!  Our stash is huge and we play at least one game a day.  Currently, our fave is Cars Monopoly!

 They LOVE to spin the McQueen (sometimes even off the track!) and see how far they go.  Sometimes we go on a "Free Parking" streak.  Then one day poor Rylan only got to buy one car!

 Playing games has really helped the boys with becoming good sports.  We really work on cheering for each other and not throwing any fits when we lose.  Thankfully, both are MUCH better!

 Thank you Annelise for this awesome game for our BD last August that we still LOVE!!!

Look's Registered For Kindergarten!

Another bittersweet day!!! A few weeks back, I took the boys to the local elementary school and we got all registered for Kindergarten.  Goodness there were a LOT of forms... social security cards, health history, educational history, electric bills,  mortgage, birth certificates, personality questionaires... It took over an hour for me to fill out all the forms!  We got to sit in the huge library and the boys LOVED all the books and characters.  We got to walk down one big hall and their excitement could hardly be contained. The only thing they are both upset about it not being in the same class... but it will really be for their own good.  I cannot believe this day has come!

Mother's Day Celebrations

This Mother's Day was bittersweet.  It was just plain weird for Granny not to be a part of all the fun.  She was always the party planner and such a loving mother/grandmother, and the day to celebrate mom's felt slightly empty without her.  That being said, Mom and I still had a wonderful weekend being pampered!!!

The Thursday before Mother's Day, Trooper School had Muffins for Mom.  The boys brought me super healthy choices... white powdered do-nuts, chocolate waxy do-nuts, blueberry muffins and pigs in a blanket.  Can you tell we love our carbs?!?!?!  They were so sweet serving me and telling me all about their classroom.  I love those sweet boys!!!

 On the Saturday before Mother's Day, we went to Carrabba's for our fancy lunch out.  Here are mom and I with our two favorite boys!

 The boys side of the table!  It was officially a striped day! hahaha

 After a lunch of Pasta Fiorentia (me) and Chicken Parm (mom) we were too stuffed and tired!  IT was like Thanksgiving!!  Mom laid down to relax and Rylan got all snuggled up with her. Too cute!

 The boys made a bag full of wonderful treats at school - these handprint poems, plants in decorated pots and jelly!  They also went with Jason to pick out the new Vera Camera bag in Priscilla Pink!

 Dad and us went in together to get mom (and the rest of us) tickets to see Lion King:The Musical this summer!  We are all SO excited about it!!!

 Jason's dessert surprise... a Saltgrass cheesecake! We ate on it for 4 days.  It was a lucious treat!

 After very uplifting worship services on Sunday morning, we stopped on the front porch for a photo.  We ate lunch with Popa and the family at Red River BBQ and they gave all the moms chocolate dipped Strawberries.  It was a treat!

Pre-School Graduation

Rylan and Jacob are graduates!!! The ceremony was Wednesday, May 16 and was just perfect!  Before leaving for school in their fancy graduation clothes, we had to snap a few photos!

 Mr. Cory was the first to snatch Rylan up for a hug! The kids signed autographs in the classroom while the parents waited in the auditorium.

We love you Mr. Cory!  He was the boys favorite teacher this year.  He was an O-lineman on the Wildcat football team and was sweet to always give the boys high fives after the games.  He signed numerous autographs - all still hanging on the boys bedroom door. He was in the first class of teachers and usually helped get the boys out of our car.  On the mornings when separation anxiety was high, Mr. Cory would gently peel said child off of my body and carry them into class.  He is a fine young man and we adore him!!! He asked the boys to come to his college signing day and we look forward to following his progress at Southern AR State.  We will miss Mr. Cory so much!

Dad was subbing today, but was able to sneak away for the hour long graduation!

 Jacob... the graduate!  He also got "Most Academic" for the second year. We are so proud!

 Rylan... the graduate!  He got "Best Storyteller" for the second year!  We are so proud of him!  He said, "I don't ever tell stories.  I just tell people what we did!"

 At the beginning of the ceremony, Jacob got to hold the flag.  This is a REALLY big deal and he was SO honored.  Ryaln was a wee bit jealous, but handled it well.  Jacob did a great job holding the flag and leading the Pledge with Kylee.

 Here they are coming in!

 After the ceremony, we stopped in the COurtyard to snap a few photos in their hats.  I sat at this National Merit Scholar monument for most days of High School lunch.  Maybe someday the boys names will be on it! :)

 Here we are with Mrs. Christine... such a bittersweet day!  She has been fabulous for the boys.  She was very aware to help them develop into their own personality and to highlight their individual strengths while in the same classroom.  She is so nurturing and leads a wonderful program.  We will miss her dearly!

 Treat time!  Jacob requested "fudgy toffee bars."  They are on Pinterest and are heavenly!!

 Jason was able to squeeze in with Rylan at the table.  Of course, he got a green cupcake!

 Then Rylan came over the the carpet to sit with Granna, Jacob and I after he was done eating.

 Mr. Tim... how much do we love you?!?!?  He has been their teacher for two years.  He was one of my first graders.  I am so proud of Tim!!! He has grown into such a fine young man - so responsible and kind.  He is going into education and wants to be an elementary principal.  What a great aspiration for a great kid!

 Mr. Can... another two year teacher.  We love Mr. Can! He plays HARD on the playground with the boys.  Jacob and Rylan were always telling stories of battles and battle plans for recess with Mr. Can.  He is so fun and great for the boys.

 The sports teachers!  This year their were many athlete teachers.  We saw them at football and basketball games.  It was SO good for Rylan and Jacob to see these young men - to see their tenderness and toughness all at once.  We loved them all!

 Mr. Tyler - he is going to be a great dad someday.  He was a football player and was extra attentive to the boys.  On the barn field trip he was with one of them and was wonderful - asking questions, telling info.  He rocks!

 After several last good-byes, we were off!  Our family by the school...

 One more teacher... Miss Emily - another two year teacher.  She was so kind and loving.  We absolutely adored Miss Emily.  She helped put the boys in the car on most days and was always so cheerful.  We love you!

 Our precious boys have an expensive palate!  We let them choose where to eat a celebration lunch and they picked Pappa's Seafood House.  We go there for Birthdays and they LOVE the shrimp!  Here they are with GPOp!

 Jacob was SOOOOO excited to get tilapia and shrimp!

 Rylan got the combination plate - shrimp and catfish.

 Then we came home for some presents...

 Tag Readers from Granna and GPop!

 Jason Kidd jersey card from Daddy and Mommy

 Dirk jersey card from Daddy and Mommy

 And we had to get them a toy too... SPy Gear!

 Rylan has been eyeing this Spy Safe for months.  He was super excited to finally get it!

They could not stay in the church clothes any longer!  Then we were off to Popa's for another gift!

 Tag letter game!  It is super fun!!

All in all, it was a wonderful day.  Jason and I were both teary at points.  The hardest was saying good-bye to Mr. Cory and Mrs. Christine.  We hugged Cory about 4 times before we really left.  Trooper School was a great experience for Rylan and Jacob.  They learned how to work with others and are ready for Kindergarten.  I'm not ready for Kindergarten... but they are!  We are SO proud of all they learned and how much they have grown and blossomed!  Thank you Trooper School for two great years!