Broffitt visit

Aunt Ginny came to for a wedding planning visit at the end of May.  Granny and Kecia were able to come at the same time.  We had a few family meals together, did a bit of wedding work and Sylvia got to show Ginny how she'd been practicing to be a flower girl.

Eric's Playgroup Coop

Eric and I had the opportunity to be in a playgroup coop this school year.  A few friends and I coordinated the group so our kids could have some "school" time and we could have some free time.  Many of us had preschoolers so we met on Monday morning at church while our big kids were in preschool.  The moms took turns leading.  While at coop, the kids had time to play but we also did read alouds, snacks, crafts and music.  Eric enjoyed having school of his own this year.

Making pumpkins in October.

Wheels on the Bus was a favorite all year.  Eric was the driver in this picture from February.

Miss Emily was attempting to chase the snakes out of Ireland with her drum while learning about St. Patrick's Day in March.

Making some music with his good buddy, Macy in May.

Thank you all for a great year!

Sylvia's Preschool Graduation

Sylvia finished up another year of preschool back in May.  She had so much fun going three days a week this year and we saw her grow in so many ways.  We're so thankful for all of the love she got from Mrs. Berends, Mrs. Fink and Mrs. Nelson.

On the last day of school the kids sang a few songs for all the parents, Mrs. Fink shared a little about each child and we finished the morning with a picnic at City Park.

On the podium with Parker.

Showing off some yummy treats with Grayson.

Shriner's Circus

Grandpa and I took Sylvia and Eric to the Shriner's Circus last month.  I knew there would be face painting and snacks to pay for so I planned ahead and brought our Halloween make-up and popped a few bags of microwave popcorn to bring along.  It was a bit rainy at the start but that didn't stop the fun.

It was so muddy around the tiger cage that hey had trouble getting the trailer (full of tigers) right next to the cage.  That thing went back and forth so many times trying to get close enough.  I started to get wonder how much the tigers liked all that extra movement.  Glad I wasn't the one in cage with them.  The white tiger in the middle is hopping in the picture.

I was super impressed with the acrobats, especially since it was drizzling out and there were no safety nets.

This little clown was so funny.  He had a few stuffed animals lined up that he tried to wind up like wind up toys but they didn't seem to be working.  Then he wound up this little elephant and it walked around the ring.  There ended up being a tiny little dog inside.  It was too cute.

The motorcycles in the cage ball were Eric's favorite.  He didn't take his eyes off of them while they were riding.

During a short break Grandpa paid for us to go on an elephant ride.  We waited to be last and I ended up getting to ride for free with the kids since they were too little to go by themselves.

We also got a sneak peek at the elephants as they were practicing.  It was funny to see a group of elephants walking around the fairgrounds. The kids liked how they held each other's tails with their trunks to stay in line.

This guy was Sylvia's favorite.  He tossed different sized ceramic pots around and balanced them on his head, etc.  The one he has on his head in the picture weighs about 35 pounds.

We finished our time at the circus with some cotton candy compliments of Grandpa.

Spring Program

Sylvia's preschool class had a spring program at the beginning of May.  The kids spent the spring semester learning songs and doing lots of practicing.  Sylvia wanted to keep everything a secret so she wouldn't tell me what songs they would be singing.  However, I would often hear her around the house singing songs I knew she'd learned at preschool.  Sylvia is one of the tall kids in her class so she was in the back row next to her friends, Jack and Luke.

Shortly before the end of the year we learned that Luke had a little crush on Sylvia.  He told his mom before the spring program that he didn't know what Sylvia was going to wear but he knew she would look beautiful.  This was our attempt at getting a good picture of the two of them together.

Drake, Drake

This boy is a handful although you wouldn't know it from this first picture.  Now, almost 18 months old, he's laughing, playing, running around and interacting with his brother and sister more.  He's also doing a bit more screaming, crying, grabbing and climbing.  Drake knows what he wants and he's not a very patient boy.  He'll let you know with a cry or he'll climb right up the table and and get it himself.  We've been working on signs again and he's learning a few words.  I know it will get easier as he gets better at communicating with us.

We need peaceful moments like this with this guy.

Enjoying a quick taste of a sucker one of the kids left on the table before mom took it away.
Those eyes are saying, "I know I'm not supposed to have this."

Enjoying some popcorn after a bath.

Helping himself to some snack from the snack cabinet.

After adding captions to these last three pictures I realize they all involve Drake eating.  I guess that's no surprise since he does that a lot.

Woodpecker Trail

Sylvia's preschool class took an end of year field trip back to Woodpecker Trail.  Eric was thrilled that he is now 3 and could ride on the bus with his big sister while mommy was driving!

Riding on the bus with their friend Samantha.

I had my hands full keeping Eric on the trail during the hike so I  didn't get a lot of pictures.

Sylvia enjoyed getting a little wet from the waves splashing at the outlet.

Enjoying snack in the shelter.

This boy was so happy to get a chance to sit in the driver seat and honk the horn!