Tatum's preschool graduation

We got to experience our first graduation.:) When I was a kid we had an 8th grade graduation at the end of middle school and then high school graduation. Now they graduate from preschool, from kindergarten and who knows what else! 

Preschool graduation sounds a little silly and unnecessary but it was a really cute little program. They sang some songs and handed out diplomas. Her teachers made a cute little slideshow of pictures from throughout the school year and it was so fun to see Tatum with lots of different kids doing lots of different activities. It ended with a baby picture and a current picture of each student along with their statement of what they want to be when they grow up. Tatum's has stayed the same all year-a doctor! I have never been (and never thought I would be) one to get teary at happy or sentimental things but by golly I just about started crying at preschool graduation! I blame it on the music during the slideshow. :) 

The formality of the program gave me a chuckle.

Waiting for it to start.

Walking in with her class.

They sang several songs but this one was my favorite.

It really does feel like I blinked after she was born and here I am. :(

Enjoying a fancy cupcake afterward.

She decorated the top of her graduation hat with our family. It goes Emry, Tatum (notice Tatum has the largest star above her and Emry the next largest. Tatum was sure to point that out. :)), Declan, mom, dad.

With her teachers, Miss Joan and Miss Melissa.

Tatum is a smart, helpful, obedient, kind, timid and hilarious little girl. I love watching her grow and learn. We all feel so lucky to have her in our family.

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day this year. Brennan and the kids worked really hard to make it a special day for me. And I found myself thinking more about how lucky I am to be able to be a mom than about how much I deserve a day off from that. I don't know if that makes sense, but sometimes I feel like that's what Mother's Day ends up being about. Look at all this that mothers do, yadda yadda, give them a break one day a year. But this year I just felt sooo lucky that this is my job! Don't get me wrong though, I enjoyed every minute of not cooking or washing the dishes or changing diapers. :)

The day started out with some yummy cinnamon rolls Brennan made and some very thoughtful gifts. And we even had time to snap a few pictures outside before church.

I hosted a baby shower the day before and Brennan and the kids used that time to make me this cute canvas. The crayons say "Mom". And the kids hand prints are hidden in the melty part. It was a sweet surprise.

Tatum wrote me this note all by herself and it is perfect. I'm glad she still loves me but a little sad, although not surprised, that she kind of just sees me as someone who never gives her what she wants.

This was a project she did at preschool for Mother's Day.

A little interview about me and a picture of us.

Kelbie sent me these pictures on Mother's Day which I love. It's from Chalk the Walk in Mt. Vernon. I love little Emry sitting there all by herself and Tatum's pose is perfect.

Tatum gave me lots of cards and artwork the whole week leading up to Mother's Day. Mostly things she did during center time at preschool. I love this new stage of her being able to write what she wants herself. What she says seems more genuine and it's kind of a game to try to decipher what she has written. And is there anything sweeter after a long day as a mom than to find sweet notes from your kid hidden under your pillow?! Pretty much the best.

We finished off the day with some delicious steak. Doesn't get much better than that in my book. It was fantastic day, thanks to the fantastic people in my life.

April finishing touches

Just a quick post to finish off the month of April. 

I hung out with these two a lot. :)

 I am so grateful for phones and the fact that I have a camera with me all the time. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't capture proof of happy times. I cling to them on the bad days. Grocery shopping is pretty much my most dreaded chore these days. But on this particular morning the stars aligned and Declan and Emry weren't just good, they actually made grocery shopping more fun than if I'd been on my own.

 My friend Whitney stopped by for a short visit. It was so fun to see her and Charlotte!

It's always so good to see Whitney and this visit was no exception. We managed to have a lot of big conversations in our couple of hours together. 

 We hit up Culver's for their Earth Day sundaes. So yummy.

 Even Emry got a taste. :)

 Oh Declan. The poor kid is always tired. I feel bad for him. And I feel bad for myself. :)

 He was pretty much falling asleep on the bench at dinner so Brennan sent him to the front room where he promptly fell asleep in a chair.

 Tatum's preschool class invited parents in for "center time" one morning. The kids and I got to go and it was so much fun. I loved seeing her in that environment. And being able to have Declan there was extra sweet. He felt like a big kid and Tatum loved showing him around.

 Free carousel rides for the win! Although poor Tatum even says a carousel ride makes her head hurt now.  :(

 The Hassells told us about a kids event at the local YMCA. We met them there and had a blast. The event was really well done and there was lots of fun stuff for the kids to do.

 They even got to see Mr. Shucks! haha.

Not a bad ending to the month of April.

Easter

We got back from Texas just in time for Easter weekend. We didn't have a lot of plans but we had a great weekend. Saturday morning was cooler than we anticipated but the kids enjoyed the community egg hunt we went to.

It warmed into the perfect day that afternoon and we spent some time at the park together. I think Brennan was happy to have us around again. :)

 We dyed Easter eggs after the park. It always amazes me how quickly the kids can dye a lot of eggs.

 Emry and I were there too haha.

 Easter morning I tried my hand at sourdough waffles. Yum!

 I think the kids forgot overnight that it was even Easter but after a little reminder they were excited to try to find their hidden baskets. Emry found hers first. haha

 She was pretty excited about it. :)

 She got a book, a sippy cup and some apple rice crisps.

 The kids thought it was hilarious and slightly dangerous that Declan's basket was hidden in the oven. We got right down to reading their new books.

 We were in a bit of a hurry but we tried to grab some pictures before church since you never know how everyone will look by the time church is over.

I loved Tatum's Easter dress and she just looked so grown up with her curled hair.

 Emry's skeptical face haha.

 Declan. Ohhhhhh, Declan. He is working hard on perfecting the pout. And I'm working hard on figuring out how best to mother this child. It ain't easy.

 The older kids both got some candy and their new book and chalk. And then Tatum got a jump rope and Declan got a kite.

 Brennan was my model while I tested settings for yet more pictures after church. I know I'm crazy. But at least I had a good looking model. ;)

 These two kill me. I really love taking pictures of the two of them together.

 A rare photo of the whole family!

The weather was absolutely beautiful on Easter so we got to try out the new jump rope and the new kite.

 Racing dad.

 Starting to wrestle.

 The pout is back.

We couldn't let Easter pass without a few egg wars. We continued to have them for several days following Easter too.

It was a wonderful weekend spent together. I found my thoughts turned to the first Easter even more than usual. I am so grateful for my Savior and that glorious first Easter and all that it makes possible. He lives!