Clean up after the storm

With the recent rain and storms we have had, part of our maple tree in the front yard fell down.  It is sad, it is the only source for shade which our kids desperately want all day long in the summer time.  We are not sure if the tree will live or die now with its huge wound but, I think we will wait and see what happens.  Isaac will miss it the most if it indeed has to come down.

We all pitched in to clean up the mess this morning.  It was a lot of work but the kids were a great help and Isaac even got to drive the tractor for the first time.  Pretty sure you can tell by the look on his face how cool he thought this was.

Let's hope the rain is done now for a little while, and no more storm damage for this year.

driving to other side of the yard for more clean up

hauling the branches away

pull pull pull

and he fell over

working together

getting a ride from Isaac

driving the branches and Addy around the yard

Addy's first Blast ball

Addy did great at her first day of blast ball this past week.  Isaac and I were both so proud of her.  We are all looking forward to it again on Tuesday morning.  She loves the fact that she gets to play ball like Isaac.

warming up with mom

warming up with Isaac

Getting ready for the first activity

playing catch with one of the coaches

Hitting the ball

Last day of ECFE

I can not believe that ecfe is already over for Addy.  The year has gone by sooooo fast and she has LOVED every single minute of her school.  She is very sad to be done and she thinks she is going to preschool next week.  She even told me today the name of her preschool teacher, and it is a hard name to pronounce.  God, help me come next friday when Isaac goes to school and she does not.

I have done ECFE with both Isaac (2 years) and Addy for 1 year.  I have always enjoyed my time, meeting new moms and sharing our experiences with our children.  I will be sad that this chapter in my parenting is over, but I am beyond excited to see what Addy is like in preschool!  My kids are very opposite each other, I just can't wait to see Addy in this new setting.  She will have one friend from ecfe in her class to help with the transition but I don't think she will need it.  She sees Isaac going there all the time, so I remain hopeful she will do amazing!

Addy had her school carnival yesterday and last day of school today so here are a few pictures from both days.
Oh and the first one is the first day of school in September, look at how much she has grown!!!

sept 2013 first day of school

pointing to her classroom (sept 2013)

Look at those chubby cheeks still (sept 2013)

The end of the year.....

fish pond at the carnival

bean bag toss at the carnival

Last day of school

teacher gifts

Teacher Louise and teacher Andi.  She LOVED them both!

painting

dress up

puppet show

making friendship mix for the last day

snack time, everyone's favorite part of class

1st trip to the dentist

Turning a year older means a lot of check up's for Addy, and turning 3 means her first trip to the dentist.  She did very well getting her teeth counted, cleaned, and checked for cavities.  Which by the way she has none.  She even got through two x-rays, but then came the time to polish her teeth.  She made it through the top, but when the spit sucker was brought out so were the tears.  That's okay we made it through the majority and even found out that the roots of her baby teeth are starting to come up already, the dentist thinks she will lose her baby teeth early.  Maybe by the age of 5?!  That's crazy!

Here are a few pics:

Mother's Day

This year for Mother's day Seth worked some pretty late hours on my present, getting it all put in while I was asleep.  That alone was an awesome present; that I didn't have to watch the children while he did another project on the house.
A while back I saw on pinterest this awesome idea of an outdoor sink.  I thought it would be fantastic to wash the veggies from the garden, the kids could wash their dirty hands from playing outside, etc.  So that is now what I have.  I think it is great!!

We had a great day spending it with both of our Mom's.  I didn't have to cook, or clean up any messes for a day.  It was great!

Here are just a few pictures, I didn't really feel like playing photographer either, I just wanted a day of doing nothing.

picture of the outdoor sink

helping Nana open her presents

Looking at her book of the kids

These two are sooooooooo close

Me and my incredible mom!

Nature Center field trip

Now that I can feel my fingers again after the cold and wind from yesterdays field trip I am able to look at it from a somewhat different perspective.  Although it was cold and miserable to stand outside for two hours, the kids had a BLAST they never once complained and were eager to do everything that was planned for them.  It was so much fun to see Isaac and his buddies interacting and playing so well together, while using their imaginations to play so many things.  It was incredible to watch.  AND at the same time I felt sad.  Next year is going to be starting all over...all the boys are going to different schools and this friendship will never be the same.  AND not just for Isaac...I have grown to care for each one of these boys and have great friendships with all their mom's.  So this field trip really just got me started thinking about the end of the preschool years and the fresh start ahead.  I already miss those boys and their loud voices running through the house!!!

Paying attention to the indoor part of the field trip.

playing with plastic bugs

Out on a hunt

building a house

snack

Best buddy since 1 1/2 years old.  They have never been in a classroom without each other

All my favorite boys.

All holding hands...they are so sweet.

Ballet class

Addy started ballet class this past Monday.  It was all her idea and she has been waiting over a month for it to start.  Very excited but then when we got there she was very shy.  The conditions of the class were very poor, and I was also very disappointed.  However, we tried to make the most of it.  I went out with Addy and she danced a little.  If you ask her she says she had a great time.  I guess that is all that matters.  We will try again this coming Monday, hopefully she will be less shy and the room will be in better condition.

Despite that she was the prettiest little ballerina I have ever seen. :)

trying on her shoes

all ready to go

walking into class carrying her shoes in her little pink purse

outside the building

Beginning of class when Addy wasn't shy yet

dancing with animals

dancing with ribbons