Matthew has graduated

....the 3 year old program that is :)

What an exciting year at preschool it has been. He:

1) Learned to count to 15 (still misses a few numbers every now and then though...who really needs them all?)

2) Sings the alphabet

3) Knows shapes and colors

4) Writes most of his name (not necessarily correctly but the M and the a are spot on)

5) says the Pledge of Allegiance

6) loves singing and if you give him a note, he can match pitch....I guess it really is true that some are born with the musical gene and some are not

7) still can't poop on the potty.............our year long drama!

Matthew made his teachers a card. 

I put glue to make a heart and he took tissue paper, crinkled it up and put it on the glue.

Inside he wrote his name....or at least a big M :)

Mrs. Kiser

One last book

Matthew receiving his diploma and a book of pictures Mrs. Caesar had collected throughout the year.

It was adorable!

Do you think he is proud?

He wouldn't put his diploma down all day long.

These ladies are amazing and in my eyes, Matthew couldn't have had a better school year (well, ok, if he would poop in the potty that would be fabulous but they can only do so much).

Now he is off to the 4 year old program with Mrs. Heile and Mrs. Kauffman :)

The season opener of Kings Island

We were sooooooo excited for KI to open but unfortunately could not make it on opening weekend. Although Sunday morning was wet, we decided to enjoy a morning at home and see if the weather cooperated. Around noon we checked the radar and it didn't look that great but we thought we would at least get our passes and see how the weather shakes out.

We got our passes and by the time we got to the kids area it was sprinkling. Thank goodness it never down poured but honestly if it did, it wouldn't have stopped us. We were ready with our rain jackets and wanted to ride what we could.

We met up with another family, the Morrisons, which made riding the rides even more fun. Steve and KJ with their adorable daughters, Tougy and Ry, were a blast to be with. Plus, KJ loved riding the crazy rides we don't go on with Ella (our little daredevil).

After the bumper cars, it was the annual picture with the snoopy.

Matthew made the height limit for the Beastie (forget what the new name is). KJ was excited to ride with Matthew, Ella with Ry and Laney (Tougy was too short for this one but was a trooper about it).

The kids rode this ride about 5 times, switching up partners.

Ella, Ry, KJ, Tougy, J and Laney

While Ella and the Morrisons rode the Beastie one more time, Laney and Matthew wanted to drive the cars.

I am thinking Matthew was excited.

Could they be any cuter?

There is a dinosaur exhibit where you pay $5 and walk about 1 mile through interactive dinosaurs. We haven't done this yet, but thinking this might be our year to try it.

KJ and Ry on the spider

Tougy looks happy here but unfortunately cried most of the ride.

Ella loved comforting her....thank you, Ella!

Ella said next time she comes to KI she is going to bring her own key (to unlock many of the seatbelts so she  doesn't have to wait for the workers)...oh El :)

Matthew and me riding the helicopter ride. He makes every ride fun!

The grand finale in Ella's book.

She wanted this insane ride that took you up higher than the Eiffel Tower while playing the Superman theme song. KJ wanted to ride it as well so together they went (I was secretly happy because I hate that I don't like these thrill rides and sad to disappoint Ella when I refuse to go on them). Thank you, KJ.

Both said the ride was great but you really got going fast when up high......KJ said it was really chilly up there but Ella, who was in a sleeveless shirt, said it was great :) 

Betsy Ross

Two weeks ago Ella came home with her first real book report. We were really excited to see how Ella would do :)

Her character was Betsy Ross..yes, someone crafty, right? A book was sent home and although it was a bit tough for Ella to read, we did it. She did some research online and filled out the book report information. She was to fill out an initial sheet on Betsy Ross (when was she born, write 3 interesting facts about her childhood, what made her famous, etc) and then in school, they would write that report.

But the most exciting part was that she got to make a model of anything representing this character. In my mind, I figured a paper plate as a face and then a flag. Well, you know Jason wasn't having that!

On Saturday morning, Ella and Jason worked for over 2 hours on the lifesize Betsy Ross. As her teacher said, who knew Betsy Ross was a WNBA player?

Jason fitted Betsy's clothes but ella painted a color and cuffs while spray painting the boots. We draped an American Flag over her legs and her hair was complete with my wig from the Halloween I went as the Octomom.

Her project was due Tuesday but thinking we couldn't fit Betsy in the car in the morning with the other kids. Jason and Ella took Betsy in Monday after school and propped her in the corner. Pretty sure the custodian probably jumped seeing her in the corner :)

The first step of Betsy

Ode to Betsy :)

After Betsy came home, then what do we do with her?

Well, let's beat her up...why not?

Betsy stood strong but eventually lost. Such a fun project for all!

Packing Meals

Today, Jason, the girls and I signed up to pack meals for the hungry through a program called Feed My Starving Children. Our church organized this event and we were excited to do a serving project the girls could fully participate in.

After watching a video on the procedure and where the meals actually went, we were excited to get started. 

Our station was a great mix of dads and daughters (I was the only mom).

It was a lot of fun to see the girls work together and switch stations when they got bored.

Here is Ella putting in the chicken, next step was the veggies, then the soy, then rice.

After put in the baggies they had to be sealed.

Laney rocked the sealing station.

Filling up a bag

Laney scooping in the chicken

Yeah, I rocked that

Laney did a great job of helping clean up the mess we had made

What a wonderful activity for our girls and in our 80 minutes of packing, all of our teams packed meals that would feel 64 children a meal for an entire year.

One of Ella's questions: Don't they get bored of this meal?

This 2 hours of serving brought about a lot of great questions and hopefully helped to broaden their scope of life :)

Fishing with Grandpa

While Jason, the girls and I were packing meals for the hungry, my parents watched Matthew. My dad picked Matthew up (even early! thank you dad!!) and they went to the store to get worms. My first question is, "where does one buy worms" but I guess that is a guy thing.

Then the proceeded to spend the rest of the day (about 2 hours) fishing. Apparently Matthew even caught a fish!

You will notice in these pictures he has his fishing hat on in. Before he left, my dad asked him if he had a hat he wanted to wear and Matthew said, "yes, my fishing hat." I didn't know this hat was his fishing hat but now I know :)

Thank you for having Matthew be your fishing partner, Dad.

I can tell he had a great time!!

Presents from a friend

Laney has been good friends with Liam, a boy she met in preschool, for quite a while and they enjoying playing together at school. Laney came home with this beautiful set of earring handcrafted by Liam :)

Joyful Noise

On Sunday, Matthew and the preschool (aka Joyful Noise) sang during the St. Thomas Episcopal church service. Ella and Laney, who are in the older choir were invited to sing as well but only Ella decided to sing. Laney wanted to watch :)

Matthew and his friend, Cassia Kelley.

Cassia sat with us during the service and as Susie said, she did not need to worry about Cassia as Ella was there. Ella loves being in charge of the young ones :)

Ella making sure the little ones got to their seats. She also made sure they were front and center....way to go, Ella!!