Wanna see the cutest baby ever??

School's Out!

Our school year is officially over.  And not only did I survive, but it actually went pretty well. I was apprehensive about attempting school while taking care of a newborn, but it went better than expected, and amazingly, I'm already looking forward to next year! Our curriculum for next year looks like a lot of fun, and I'm planning on starting Ellie in 1st grade. A couple of months ago, I would have said she was no where near ready to start reading, but at the moment she's a little sponge, eager to learn and picking up everything she can on her own. She recognizes and writes all of her letters and many numbers, and has learned all of it with absolutely NO instruction from me. Her favorite activity at the moment is to sit down and write letters on paper. She asks me how to spell things, or writes the names of everyone she knows. She's really excited to learn to read- and although she'll still only be 4 years old, I'm a big believer in following your child's cues for learning, so she'll be starting school in the fall. 

Jaxson ended his 1st grade school year with a flourish. He's reading VERY well and has excellent penmanship. I'm so proud of him! He's done so well this year. He's very eager to be a 'big' second grader... and to be 7 years old so he can catch up to Alex! 

AND...... it's hopeless. My baby figured out how to find her thumb and now it's all over. She won't even take her binky anymore. Oh well, at least now she can self-sooth! 

A Mother's Day For the Books

I have such a wonderful husband and four wonderful children! Brady does such an amazing job making special occasions special. 

I got to sleep in on Mother's Day until 7:30 AM, which in and of itself is a wonderful thing, then I found a sweet note and a beautiful 16x20 on fine-art watercolor of Lilah's baby picture. Brady fixed me a yummy breakfast of fresh strawberries and danish, after which we dashed off to take Janelle her flowers and coffee. Then on to church at RLM, where we met my mom, grandma and grandpa. After church we went to my sister's house for dinner. It was a great day, full of hugs and back/foot rubs from the kids, and lot's of appreciation from my wonderful husband! I love  you guys so much, and I'm so proud to be your mommy! (and wifee)

This is a picture of the gift Brady gave me. It's handmade and has pictures of all of my babies. Isn't it beautiful? Now I have to try to outdo him for Father's Day.... I'm never as good at it as he is!  

Side One 

(sorry, it's a little blurry, cell phone pic)
Side Two

Waitin'

Jerry is coming tonight! 

I can't wait to see him, even if it is just for a couple of days. I haven't seen Jerry since he and Jess helped us move home. I can't wait for the day when we go help them move back....  :>P

This will probably be the last time I see Jerry before he becomes a father. The next time will probably be next Christmas and at that point he and Jessica will be the proud parents of a four month old baby boy. Amazing. I can't wait to see them as parents. 

Vancey got a haircut today! 

He really needed it, he was beginning to look shaggy. Or as he says, "shaddy", as in "The Shaddy Dog" which happens to be a favorite movie of his. Here he is in all of his handsomeness, showing off his muscles!

Baby Legs

Ok, so I think we all know that leggings went out with the 80's, but I couldn't resist these adorable little Baby Legs. Are they not the cutest things ever? 

In other happy news, spring has finally found our corner of the world!! Yahoo!