The kids were great! They sang so many cute songs,
behaved on stage so well, and smiled at and charmed
their parents all night long!
I was quite emotional leading up to this moment,
but once we were there I really just enjoyed it and wasn't
all that sad.
Avery is ready. She is ready for Kindergarten. She is ready
for more responsibility and adventure. She is ready for
some time away from me, to make new friends and
try new things.
I'm happy for her. I'm excited for her.
I really am, really.
We had a great night celebrating her graduation.
She did a great job and we are so very proud of her.
We love you so much buggie!
Avery and two of her good friends.
Her pet rock project. She was quite proud of it!
A collection of her favorite pieces of work~
Avery was all smiles during the performance.
She knew every word and action of every song and
was so much fun to watch.
Singing the "wide-mouthed bullfrog". Hilarious!
Their rendition of signing in the rain had everyone rolling with laughter. So cute!
Aves receiving her 'official' preschool graduation certificate.
Our star student!
I was a bit picture obsessed and was getting frustrated that we weren't getting any good pictures. Avery got frustrated too, and refused to look at the camera. Nice.
Her flowers and card from the family.
My beautiful, grownup family! (I don't know why I wore a mu-mu to graduation!!)
Aves and her good friends!
Avery will really miss her gerbil friends.
Just one more picture, or two, or three..
I love my baby...
.. but she had enough with the pictures!
Avery and her amazing teachers!
Aves and one of her BFs, who will also be attending Shuler!
This has been a big year.
But it's a good thing.
My girls are growing up, but growing up well.
They are good kids. Caring, responsible,
loving, kind, smart, clever, funny and all-around awesome!
I am so very proud of all of them and I can't wait
First, I want to say thank you to the many mamas that
help me be the best mom I can be!
I have been so blessed to not only have a great mom
that guides me, loves me and supports me all the time,
but I also have lots of mamas walking beside me and
in front of me. Thank you for your examples and
support as we raise our kiddos together!
Second, I want to thank my husband.
If it were not for his constant support and hard work
I could not be the mom I am today. He loves me,
supports me, encourages me and forgives me!
Finally, I want to thank my kiddos.
I have been so blessed with 3 amazing girls.
They are so kind, and caring, and funny, and smart,
and clever, and strong-willed, and confident,
and all around incredible.
They are also forgiving, and patient, and humble
and Lord knows I need that, because one
thing we are not is perfect!
I am feeling extra blessed this Mother's Day.
I'm at an interesting place in parenting.
My girls are growing up. They don't need me in the
same way they used to. They are not dependent on
me to meet their day to day needs.
They dress themselves, feed themselves, care for themselves.
They can hangout alone, entertain each other, and
even clean up after themselves, if absolutely necessary.
They need me in a different way now.
Not just as a chauffeur, although that is high on the list.
They need me to listen, to encourage, to support.
They need me to step back and let them learn from their
own mistakes and successes.
They need me to be here when they reach out, but
not so close that they don't try something new.
It's an interesting place.
One of more freedom, different fears, proud moments,
friendship trials, tears of joy and pain and pride,
and lots and lots of miles!
My family spoiled me this year!
The best gift was not the actual gifts,
but how much thought obviously went into each one.
I'm overflowing with gratitude today for
this amazing family of mine.
Now, I have to go start the car.
And drive to volleyball, and back, and back again! :)
My first gift arrived on Saturday ~
This is by far the best card Dave has ever given me!
My Mother's Day morning started with:
Avery brought me a granola bar, then asked if she could eat it.
While she ate my granola bar, they watched a show at the foot
of my bed.
All the while, Dave slept.
Happy Mother's Day!
Little did I know, they had a surprise planned for me!
They had the table 'decorated' and gifts ready
for me from everyone!
Ella and I are very excited to start our own garden. We've been talking about it for awhile, but she surprised me by going out with Grandma Johnson and actually buying us garden stuff and our first tomato plant. Yea! (I say with a bit of hesitation. I'm not a green thumb!)
Avery made me a home-made frame with the cutest picture in it and a great card!
Claire made me a coupon book that she actually created completely on her own! She found a poem online and then made the book herself. Incredibly thoughtful! It even included a coupon to go shopping, without complaint! (That's a tough one for my Claire-bear!)
To top if all off, Claire made me the most beautiful video.
Complete tear-jerker, but a great reminder of just
how awesome I have it!
Thank you to my wonderful family.
I love you so much!!
