Kindergarten Graduate!

Katelee graduated from kindergarten on May 22, 2012.

 We are so proud of Katelee.  She has worked hard this year, and has grown by leaps and bounds.  She has learned how to be a better friend and listener, has become a proficient writer (she is writing a story right now about a picnic-ing princess and some food-stealing bears), and can now read at a 3rd grade level.  She is funny and bright and caring and energetic, and we love her with all our hearts!

We gave her flowers to celebrate her special day, which seemed to really make her day.

As part of the graduation ceremony, each child was asked in advance what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Then, the teachers gave them a little rhyme to learn and recite at the graduation.  When asked, Katelee told her teacher that she wanted to be a wrestler when she grew up.  Ha ha ha - I couldn't stop laughing when I heard that.  She did a great job, and was even chosen to help recite the very ending.  Here's a short video clip of her recitation.

The kids also sang some songs.  My favorite was "1st Grade, 1st Grade," sung to the tune of "New York, New York."

Katelee receiving her diploma.

Our family on Katelee's kindergarten graduation day.

After the graduation ceremony, everyone met at the park for cake.  Helping plan this party was my last official duty as kindergarten room mom, and it was a relief to have it all done!

Katelee and her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Nugent.

First grade, here we come!

Six months old!

Six months ago today, Blake came into this world!

We will be eternally thankful to Aurianna and Jake for their decision of ultimate love and unselfishness, for giving us the blessing and privilege of raising this amazing little man.

I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by! 

Blake has had a growth spurt lately!  When he stretches out, he is almost seven squares long on his blanket!

 He can sit up by himself, which he thinks is very fun!

 He LOVES his toes!  ;)

 And has the most gorgeous blue eyes!

 He loves his sister as much as ever!  She likes to read Junie B. Jones books aloud to him.

 And he already wants to grow up to be just like his daddy!

 I gave him a haircut tonight with the clippers.  I was worried the buzzing would scare him, but he was very brave . . . just curious, which made cutting the back of his head a bit of a challenge.

 He has a great smile and laugh, and makes us laugh everyday!

Silly sister!  She gave Blake a little purple piggy nose!

And she loves to surround him with her toys . . . like her plastic Easter eggs...

Six months is a big deal for any baby, but we are especially excited for adoption reasons! At six months, we can finalize our adoption legally through the courts.  Our court hearing is THIS FRIDAY!!!!  We are beyond thrilled to make everything official.  :)  But even more importantly to us, we can give Blake his baby blessing and go to the temple to be sealed as a forever family after the court hearing is official.  We will be doing both of these sweet and important things on June 16th, and couldn't be more thrilled that this special day is almost here!

 

Blake's sealing/blessing outfit came in the mail this past week, and I couldn't resist trying it on and taking a few pictures!  Here's a little sneak peek - isn't he such a handsome little man?

 Words cannot express how much we love our buckaroo!  He has changed our lives profoundly and forever.  We love him so much!

Birthday Carrots

On my birthday, we tried giving Blake vegetables for the first time.

He LOVES them!  Much more than rice cereal or oatmeal.  :)

Annalee, Aurianna, and Ryan visited that day.  We had fun enjoying each other's company and going out for a birthday lunch.  Annalee has a great talent for shoveling those carrots into Blake's mouth!

Blake's first vegetables were carrots.  He continues to love carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, peas, and will tolerate green beans, though he obviously doesn't love them the same way he loves the others.  :)

We enjoyed going out to Cafe Mon Ami for my birthday lunch together!

Fun times!

Field Day

Today is Katelee's last day of school!  

I am SO EXCITED for summer!!!  

(Yes, I did just use three exclamation points!!!)

The biggest reason is that I LOVE having my girl home.  We have so many fun plans and a great summer schedule worked out, and I am really excited for it to begin.

I have many things to catch up on with my blog, including Kindie graduation, spring piano recital, and more.  Today I will tell you about Katelee's FIELD DAY!  Field day was held on May 10, and Katelee had a fun time.  

She got to play Tiger Tail Tag,

play with a parachute,

play Ant Tag (Katelee is being a dead ant on her back because she was tagged - can you see her?),

put on tattoos,

and eat popsicles.  It was hot, but she had fun!

Blake and I had a lot of fun watching, though I don't think he appreciated it when sister put her pink hat on his head.  :)

More to come soon!

"I Hope You Have a Child Just Like You Someday..."

Dear Mom,

Do you remember how I used to always have a book in my hands?  And when you would ask me to do something, I would keep reading instead?  And when I was supposed to be going to sleep, I was reading instead?  And when I was supposed to be doing chores, I was reading instead?  And sometimes I tried to do my chores and read at the same time (I could totally wash those dishes and read at the same time!), and it must have made you crazy?

I think I'm starting to understand how you felt.  At least a little bit.

Maybe it's because this habit of Katelee's is still fairly new, but I secretly love it, even when I act annoyed that she's not doing what I've asked instead.  Maybe that will wear off with time.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I'm sorry I didn't put the book down and help you more often.  I guess now I'm getting my reward . . . or punishment.  :)

Love,

Jennifer

Sunday Photo Shoot

Look at my two cuties!
I feel like the happiest, most blessed mother in the world.

Katelee is so beautiful and so grown-up.  She amazes me everyday.  She is my girl, my side-kick, my friend, and I have so much fun with her!

And this handsome man! Just look at how big he is getting!  He gets cuter and sweeter everyday, even though I don't know how that is possible.

 

I am a very, very blessed mom. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms that I know!

Chipmunk Research Paper

Katelee recently completed her first research project.  Each student was asked to research and write a report about a wild animal.  Katelee chose to do her project on Chipmunks.  She loves chipmunks!  Last week, every student presented their reports to their class and the parents.  Katelee did a great job reading her report.  She did a fabulous job writing and illustrating it, as well.  We are so proud of our smart, confident girl!

A Wicked Birthday

Gerald got me the best birthday present ever this year!

He took me to see Wicked last weekend!

It was amazing, of course!

I loved every second of it.

Thanks, honey, for a great experience!  I love you!