Kindergarten Graduation

Well Thursday was Jaylee's last day of Kindergarten.

It was such a bitter sweet feeling.  I am incredibly proud of her, but part of me feels sad. 

She is growing up at a rapid rate, and there is nothing that I can do to slow it down.

I took some pictures of her and Marshall before we left for her graduation ceremony.

They had the kids sing quite a few songs and it was so cute!

Her teacher split them into groups and had them memorize and recite a poem for us.

They put on the cutest play for us.  It was of all of the nursery rhymes acted out.  Jaylee narrated the whole play!!  This made me so proud that she read all of that.  She stood at the podium and read it out loud.  She did a fantastic job!  

They even quizzed them individually on math, reading and bible questions in front of us.  It's amazing how much these kids have learned!  They did a great job.

Then she went up and got her diploma, handed out by the principal.

She won an award for excelling in music and she won an award for completing her "book it" program.  Only 2 children in the whole class completed their book it forms.  That really surprised me!

Jaylee really enjoyed Kindergarten and she loved her teacher (Mrs. Wheelock) so much.

Jaylee posing with her flowers and her friends after the ceremony.

Jaylee got 2 bouquets of flowers and she wanted to give one to her friend Mia.  This was her own idea and it made me feel so proud of her.  She has such a big heart and she is such a great kid.  She is smart, funny, talented and kind.  She cares about other's feelings and is obviously not selfish.

I still can't believe that she is 6 years old and will be going into the 1st grade in the fall.  It seems like just yesterday that she was just a baby.  I am so proud of her!

Peace and love........

A Day At The National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Jaylee didn't have school yesterday, so Russ took the day off from work and we had a family fun day!  We took the kids to the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

We made it there just in time to see the Orangatain cross over on the ropes above.

Sawyer did so great!  He hardly ever fussed, he just took everything in.

Jaylee and Marshall did wonderful!  There was only minimal whineing and it was towards the end when everyone's legs and feet were getting tired.

Marshall decided it would be cute to pick the bear's nose!  Ha ha

I'm sure I got my excercise in for the day pushing the stroller around the zoo.  We walked around 6 miles total.

Jay and Marshall posing by the Panda statue.

We got so lucky seeing the pandas.  We got to see them playing inside and outside!

The peacocks were funny.  He was struting around showing off his tail feathers.  He was fiesty.  He even wandered into the walking path and crossed over in front of the people.

I have the cutest kids ever!

We tried to get Jaylee to take our picture..... ya didn't go too well, so we did it ourselves!

Everyone be SILLY

Me and the kiddos and my windblown hair!!

This Lion was staring at Jaylee and watching her.

Russ had Marshall try to pull out the Prairie dog!  Too funny

The Prairie Dog's zoo keeper put down a canvas with paint on it.  She coaxed them across with treats and had them paint a picture.  It was really cute to watch.  When they saw her they went running to her, wagging their little tails!

Sawyer was laughing histarically everytime Russ would hiccup.

The whole time we were at the zoo Marshall asked to see the King Cobra.  He was so excited to finally see him.

After the zoo we went out to dinner at P.F. Changs.  

Jaylee is pretty good at using chop sticks and as you can see Marshall really LOVES noodles.

Sawyer sat in a high chair for the very first time ever!

We had such a great day!  It was much needed family bonding time.  The kids were fantastic and the weather was perfect.  It was a great day!

Peace and love......

Jaylee's First Soccer Game

Jaylee had her very first soccer game today.  She is on Team Rattlers.

In the beginning of the game there was a lot of confusion as to which goal to kick the ball into!!

But once she started getting the hang of it, she really gave it all she had!

Battle over the ball!!

Some of her little dance friends are on her soccer team.

It's been so neat to watch them grow up together.  They have all been in dance together since they were 3 years old.

It turned out to be a beautiful day!  It literally started to rain on our way home after her game.

We were so proud of her.  She did her best and although her team lost (miserably).....

They had a lot of fun and did their very best!!

Peace and love.....

Because he pecks a lot.......

The other day we were tending to the chickens.  Russ and I were doing our thing when out of no where Marshall blurted out this.....

"I'm going to name my chicken Pecker"

Russ and I looked at each other and we completely lost it.  

Hysterical laughter, with tears streaming down our faces.

Marshall looked at us with all seriousness and replied

"It's because he pecks a lot"

 I live for these moments!!

Peace and love....