Rachel's 6th Birthday Party was a BLAST!!!

the birthday girl is ready for her party
Princess Trenty is ready for the party too

Rach and Juj...best friend cousins

Aunt Wendy was the nail technician

Juj is patiently waiting her turn

waiting on her nails to dry

mmm! hotdogs!

foot spa time!

all the precious girls

Callie, Hayleigh, Rach, Ella, Ellie, Kate, Juj, Hannah, Isabelle

the beautiful Barbie & the Diamond Castle cake

make a wish!

Bradley's turn for the foot spa

(post-party!)

opening presents!

Trent trying out Rachel's new headband
(he looks so pretty!)

Bradley trying out Rachel's new gardening tools

Rachel and her new American Girl doll: Rebecca- from GeGe

9 sweet little girls who played, had their nails painted (thanks Wen!), got tattoos, had a foot bath, ate hot dogs, cake and ice cream and brought fun presents. It was such a fun birthday and I enjoyed every minute...I think the girls did too! A HUGE thank you to Deb (and Joe) for wrangling Bradley and Trent and keeping them happy throughout the whole party. Another HUGE thank you to mom for taking all the great pictures...you got some awesome ones!! I couldn't have pulled off the whole party without the help of my sister, mom, mother in law, husband (of course) and all the precious girl's moms who came to help. It was just a fun time and a sweet celebration of our adorable little girl! We love our Rachel Jane! Can't believe it's been 6 years!!

Learning Grove End of Year Program

the fam
my precious little kindergartener

my baby stinker

Gege and my big boy stinker

the precious kindergarteners

January, February, March, April

(sung to the Macarena)

Last Friday night was the Learning Grove's end of year program. The kindergarten class sang about 6 songs and literally stole the show with their precious enthusiasm. Rachel was really into her part and sang like a pro. She emphatically danced, shook and moved those arms. I couldn't stop laughing at how cute she (and her classmates) were on stage. Some of the songs they sang were: 5 Little Monkeys, The ABC "punch/jab" song, The Countries song, Months of the Year and a few others I can't remember. After the kindergarteners finished, the music teacher had all the different grades (1-6) sing some songs and hymns they had practiced, which I thought were beautiful. The art teacher had an "art show" displaying 4 pieces of the older kid's work in a classroom. The science teacher had all the student's science fair projects (with ribbons and placements) lining the halls so we could see their work. I was very impressed with all the displays. The sixth graders were "graduating" out of the program, so there was a little more focus on them. There were only 4 sixth graders, and they were all girls. I had never met them before, but couldn't believe how precious, poised and bright these young ladies were. They each spoke and then read or recited a ballad about their years at Learning Grove. Then there was a slide show with pictures of them from the time they were babies till their current age. I can't tell you how emotional I was watching the pictures of these precious girls. I could just see my sweet Rachel, a kindergartener right now, and how quickly these school years are going to fly by. I'm so thankful that I've had the privilege of homeschooling my sweet little girl this year, even with the challenges we've had. Anyway, the program was so sweet and ended with cake, cookies, and the kid's yearbooks. (Yes! I am also impressed that Learning Grove compiles a yearbook for their small co-op!) Thankfully, Gege got to enjoy the program with us, so we ate yummy mexican before the program began.

Some cute little faces...

my sweet baby boy enjoying the party

uh-oh! the pins fell down!

sweet cousins who are SO happy to be together!!

my sweet big boy having a blast on the moonwalk

I'm not smiling at you, strange Aunt whom I hardly ever see...

alright, peek-a-boo is kinda funny.

might as well get comfy...

Is this really necessary?

sweet baby doing his own thing and showing off his double chin

one of Bradley's grumpy faces...love the pout!

Silly girls...I'm not sure we want them administering medical treatment on us!

We had so much fun celebrating sweet Julia's 6th birthday in B-town! From the bounce house to the awesome (and HUGE) pizza, to the awesome iCarly decorations and cake to the fun cousin time, the 2 days were a BLAST!!! These pictures were just a tidbit of the fun that the kids had being together...and their precious and silly facial expressions!! Happy Birthday sweet JuJu!!!! We cannot believe you are already 6! We love you!!

Boyz in tha crib

Today, while Rachel was at Learning Grove, the boys had a little bonding time in Trenty's bed. Trent has recently noticed (and loves) the farm animals on his bumper pad. So, while we were repeatedly going over the sounds they make, Bradley came in and wanted to join in on the fun. Trent was thrilled when his big bro got in his bed. There was much hugging and sounds of happiness as they bounced and snuggled. They certainly are 2 precious boys who will hopefully be great friends!

Nana's 58th

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Nana's 58th birthday. We ate yummy mexican at Frontera and then came home to play outside, eat fabulous cake and then open presents. The kids behaved so well at the mexican restaurant and dad accidentally told the waiter that it was mom's birthday. The waiters arrived at the table and sang a very loud chorus of Happy Birthday to mom, complete with a hat and the loudest noisemaker I've ever heard. It was really funny and mom was a really good sport! The kids didn't know whether to be horrified or happy since the rendition was so stinkin' loud. Anyway, we had a great time celebrating such a special lady and we're so thankful for our mom and nana!! We love you Mom/Nan and are so blessed to have you in our lives!!! Happy 58th Birthday to the youngest looking 50-something ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few other pics from Easter

Just some pics of my precious kids...I love them so much!