The Preschool Graduate

It's official, Max is no longer a preschooler.  His graduation took place a few days ago and I felt like I cried the entire week leading up to it.  Of course I don't want him to be in preschool forever but why must it go by so quickly?  It seems like just yesterday I dropped off a shy, reserved little boy.  He is leaving smart, independent, and grown up, totally ready for Kindergarten.  I can't believe how much Max has changed in the past 2 years.  I think I was most emotional about leaving Miss Molly.  She truly is incredible at what she does with these little kids.  It's a good thing I have one more round a preschool to go with Sam.  I'm not ready to say goodbye forever.

 

Max didn't miss a word or action during the entire program.  He did a fantastic job.  After every song, he made sure to look over at his cheering section for our approval.  Once the singing was finished, Miss Molly gave all the kids awards.  Max was awarded "Best Helper".  I couldn't agree more.  Max is the one I can always count on for help.  I'm so proud of him.  It's always a good feeling as a mom to know your kids aren't total jerks when they're at school!  Max is also incredibly smart.  He is reading so well already and his writing has improved so much.  He is my perfectionist.  He really works and works at things until it's just right. He has also really learned how to be a good friend.  I was worried for a little bit!  He has so many friends in preschool but also around our neighborhood.  Everyone loves Max.

Here is his awesome cheering section.  My kids are so lucky to have so much support around them.  It's the best thing ever!  I'm done crying now.  On to bigger and better things for my sweet Max and farewell Bear Hollow...for now!

Zoo Time With Max

Last week I had a serious field trip dilemma.  Hank and Max both had field trips scheduled for the same day and time.  Luckily for me, Hank's class had too many parents sign up to help so they didn't need me to go.  I felt horrible missing it.  It's the first field trip of Hank's I've ever missed.  Bear Hollow's trip to the zoo marked Max's last field trip ever as a preschooler. We ended up not needing to supervise any other kids so it was just me and Max running wild at the zoo.  It was one of the most enjoyable trips to the zoo I've ever had.  The animals were really putting on a show and Max kept me laughing all day with his antics.    

See what I mean?  It isn't very often I get to spend an entire day with just Max. He is so fun to hang out with. The gorillas were our favorite.  They were running around, pounding their chests, and playing tag with each other.  The grizzly bears and the polar bear were also really fun to see.

Towards the end of the day, we found some of Max's friends to ride the carousel with.  Max, T, and Cole sure don't look like little preschoolers anymore.  They are so ready for Kindergarten.

Max spotted a gorilla on the carousel and snagged it!  

My little buddy has grown up so much from our first field trip almost 2 years ago.  His transition lenses might be my favorite thing ever! It was a great day, one I'll always remember.  Love you Maxi!

The Latest and Greatest from Sam

Oh Sammy Boy, you hilarious little 20 monther!  So, he's got a bit of an electronics obsession.  He has the iphone pretty much figured out before age 2.  At this rate, he may have a future at NASA.  Just try and take that phone from him, I dare you.  The terrible 2's have begun early, hopefully that means they end early.

Thankfully the weather has been nice because this kid wants to be outside always.  He has one thing on his mind when he's outside......animals.  He knows where to find the nearest dog or horse and will do anything to get to them.

Good thing this random dog was a nice one because Sam had no problem sticking his entire arm through the fence to pet him.

Back to the electronic obsession...Sam found a sweet video on You Tube the other day.  It had all the boys attention.  Nice job Sam.  He loves hanging with the big boys.

He is my first kid to contract Pink Eye.  Such a lovely thing to have going around our house.  Poor Max was the only one he shared the germs with.

With the sports seasons in full swing, Lennon has been hanging out with us quite a bit so her parents can watch Colby and Dyson.  Sam shared his passion for books with her.

He also insists on getting in the tub with her while she's here.

How Randy can concentrate with this commotion going on in his back swing is beyond me.

Here is another picture illustrating Sam's love for books.  He also really loves his grandparents.  He's definitely my most affectionate child at this age.

We had a minor mishap earlier in the week.  I was frantically trying to get Hank ready for baseball pictures and Sam was playing in the garbage, not too uncommon.  He found a black bean can with the lid still partially attached and sliced open his finger.  With the amount of blood coming out, I decided to take him to the Instacare to make sure he didn't need stitches.  Luckily the cut wasn't deep enough to need stitches.  Phew.  Never a dull moment around here.

I was amazed the other day when I found Sam in his crib, post-nap, with this extreme case of bed head.  

He is doing some hard core sleeping and eating these days which means he is a healthy growing boy.  I can't believe how much he is starting to talk lately.  His little personality is coming out and I can already tell he's going to be the comedian in the family.  He will do anything for a laugh.  I have remind myself every day to be present and enjoy the stage he's in because if I don't, it will be over before I know it.  

It's Time To Celebrate! Happy Birthday to Me and Happy Mother's Day!

May is flying by and I'm slacking on the blogging front.  I have so much to document and so little time!  My birthday was celebrated for a solid 7 days only to be followed by some serious spoiling on Mother's Day.  If I have one word to describe my 33rd year it's grateful.  I truly am.  I have so much to be thankful for so instead of dwelling on the fact I'm another year older, I will focus on the abundance of love I feel surrounding me.  With each passing year I feel even more grateful for the things I took for granted in my earlier years.  For example, my health.  At 33, I'm proud to say I'm in the best shape of my life.  I have to be to keep up with Randy and my 3 boys.  I am so grateful for a healthy body and mind.

I am eternally grateful to my mom and dad.  There constant love, support, and acceptance my entire life has made me the woman I am today.

My mom provided a beautiful birthday lunch, like only she can.  Sarah, Kate, and my dad joined us.

Max, Jack, Sam and Tucker also joined us.

The evening of my birthday was spent at the ballpark watching Hank.  My mom watched Max and Sam and my dad and I braved the cold temps.  It was so fun hanging out with my dad.

My sisters are my best friends and I am grateful for that.  I am grateful for the example they are to me.  We enjoyed an afternoon of shopping and a delicious dinner the Saturday following my birthday.  

Randy spoiled me as usual.  He planned a much needed night away.  Jeri very kindly watched the kids so I had nothing to worry about.  Randy and I spent the afternoon shopping at City Creek and I must say Randy was the perfect shopping companion.  The ladies at Nordstrom were amazed by him.  He truly is the best.  We checked into Hotel Monaco and had a delicious dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Salt Lake, Eva. We spent the rest of the night hanging out with some of our favorite friends, Michele and Elizabeth.  

The day following my birthday we celebrated my dad's 60th birthday.  Another party...yes please, especially if it includes these amazing people.  I really hope and pray when I turn 60, I still have both of my parents at my side.  I come from a pretty amazing gene pool.  My dad is one in a million.  He is hilarious, irreverent, kind, sensitive, hard working, contemplative, passionate, and I know he would do anything for me.  I just love his mug so much. 

With each passing year I becoming increasingly aware of just how short our time on earth is.  I feel such a sense of urgency to make the most of every day.  I've set some goals for myself, most of them are repeats from years past.  I really want to push myself physically to a level I've never reached.  I want to get out of my comfort zone and try things that make me uncomfortable.  For example, riding a road bike in a race.

I reconnected with Michele and Mindy a few months ago and we picked up right where we left off.  Michele persuaded me to bike the Salt Lake Marathon a few weeks ago.  Biking has always been something I've been interested in, but I've never had the courage to try.  

I'm proud to say I did it!  We met at 4:30 a.m., and rode Trax to the starting line.  We pushed through the freezing rain and wind and ending up having a great time.  Experiences like that need to happen more.  

Maintaining and nurturing new and old friendships is also something I'm really working on.  I have some incredible people surrounding me.  My neighbor and friend Natalie is one of those new friendships I really cherish.  She is expecting her first baby in July, so I threw her a baby shower last weekend.

It was perfect timing for a baby shower since it came the day before Mother's Day.  Natalie is going to be an amazing mom, I just know it.  I'm so excited for her and Issac. 

Randy and the boys surprised me with cute golfing clothes for Mother's Day.  My mom hosted a Mother's Day breakfast that morning.  

Randy, Brett, Dan, and my dad took their cooking tasks seriously.  Randy really didn't want to get his new white shirt dirty.  That's how a man wears an apron!

The fact that these 3 boys are mine still blows my mind.  It's my greatest accomplishment.  I know these boys have my back, and that is a pretty awesome thing.  I love them so much.

How gorgeous are my mom and sisters?  I know any failures I have as a mom will be balanced out by these incredible women.  They do so much for me and my children, I just couldn't survive without them.

The only thing missing from this picture is my Grandma Joanne.  I think about her every day.  I'm so grateful to still have Grandma Yvonna in my life. Our monthly Bunco parties are something I look forward to all month.  After a relaxing morning at my mom's we came home and Randy played with the boys while I took a two hour nap.  That may have been my favorite gift ever!  Later that night we had dinner at Jeri's.

Here is yet another example of how to be a fantastic mom.  Jeri is like a second mom to me. I am forever grateful to her for raising such an outstanding son. I'm so grateful she is nearing the end of her breast cancer treatments.

This picture captures the chaos that is my life right now.  Most days I would kill for some peace and quiet or a nap but I know these are the years I'm going to cherish the most.  I constantly remind myself to be present and in the moment.  I try not to get bogged down by things that don't really matter, like my pillows constantly on the floor, the kids jumping on the couch or leaving their shoes and socks everywhere.  I'm not very good at it but I'm trying.  I have an amazing life and I don't want a day to go by where I don't express my gratitude.  I felt so much love over the course of my birthday and mother's day.  I need to make sure I give out that much love or more in return.  

Spring Sports

Spring is here and that means spring ball is going full force.  Between Hank and Max, we either have games or practice every day of the week.  Hank is playing Little League this year and it's been so much fun to watch.  He is on his best friend Dallin's team and Jason and Randy are coaching.  

I can't believe how much Hank has improved since his first game.  His confidence in the batting box has improved the most.  He may be the youngest on the team, but that hasn't hindered him one bit.  There is nothing cuter than a little boy in baseball gear, seriously.  I am so excited I have 3 boys to watch play baseball.  I love watching my dad at the games.  He hasn't missed one.  He didn't experience watching boys play ball when we were growing up so I'm glad I gave him some grandsons to watch! 

Max and Team Snakes are off to a great start this season.  Max is really getting more aggressive and his left footed kick always takes his defenders by surprise.  

  

He never gives up and always tries his hardest, especially when he has a cheering section.  My kids really have the most supportive grandparents ever.  As soon as the soccer season is done, he starts T-Ball.  Can't wait!

I'm not going to pretend Hank and Max never fight but it seems like lately, they are getting along more than they usually do.  They don't seem quite so far apart in age.  No one can make Max giggle like Hank can.  When they are nice to each other, it truly is a beautiful thing.  I love to see them supporting each other at their games.

The following pictures don't have much to do with sports but oh well.

Hank recently conquered his fear of heights and climbed to the top of the ropes course at Neptune Park.  I, on the other hand, have not conquered my fear of heights.  I really couldn't watch him climb to the top.  Max got stuck and needed help getting down.  I about peed my pants climbing up there to get him down.

On the topic of conquering fears, Hank went to a fun birthday party for one of our neighbors where they had all kinds of creepy crawly animals.

His face captures his fear perfectly.  Let's just say we won't be getting a pet lizard anytime soon!

Look at all these boys!  Almost every single one lives in our neighborhood and has a little brother Max's age.   With the nicer weather and the end of the school year approaching, I expect to see all of these rats on a regular basis.