One of many

Katie graduated from preschool this year.  Mark thinks it is hilarious that there is a graduation for preschool, but I think it is cute.  What is cuter then a little blonde girl in a white cap and gown.  As long as these continue for the next 20 years I am okay with them starting now.

Addy and Marcus were pretty excited when Mark walked in.

Marcus with Kate (his and Addy's favorite friend--the little sister of Katie's best friend, Ella)

Katie singing a song they have been practicing in Spanish (she is so proud of the fact that she is learning Spanish and she tells everyone that I speak Spanish)

Ella, Serrin, Katie and Addy

Katie had a great year at preschool.  She made great friends and had amazing teachers.  She learned so much and has progressed so much.  She stood out as a kind and helpful friend.  I just cannot believe she is starting Kindergarten this year.

Katie with Ms. Anne

Katie with Ms. Sandy

I thought mine and Mark's parents would appreciate the 'W''s on this report card.

Announcing...

No, no more kids...

What does this 

 

and this mean?

 

Hopefully this!

We are having a house built, LOTS closer to Mark's work.  We are so excited!  It is a custom builder and I am getting to make a bunch of the decisions on what goes on the inside.   

Here is the progress so far.
 Our closing date is the end of June so hopefully he stays on track.

 

Safe Homes For Children: In honor of mother's--giveaway

Safe Homes For Children: In honor of mother's--giveaway: "As I am sure you notice, we have a new look! Thanks Jane (and Meredith), you are both amazing!!! In honor of our new look and Mother's Day ..."

Easter

I love Easter.

It is my favorite holiday--probably because it is not quite as commercial as Christmas and it is a little easier to focus on the real meaning.

Saturday we drove up to the mountains to hang out with my family.  We had a huge Easter egg hunt and an even bigger lunch.  We drove home that same night.

We had our party near the same spot where Mark and I had our wedding reception.  Katie is really in to that kind of stuff, so it was really fun to show her around.

Katie, Seth, Marcus, Gabby, Karleigh holding Chole, Emmie and Tony

Easter morning we checked out what the Easter bunny brought (following Mark's family's tradition, the Easter bunny hides the baskets in our house).

After hanging out for a little bit in the morning, we put on our Easter outfits (sadly only the kids got new clothes for Easter-maybe next year the Easter bunny will bring me new clothes as well), and headed to church.

Not super professional, but at least we are all looking at the camera at the same time!

Spring Break

We had Spring Break last week.  I wasn't really looking forward to it.  This was what was on our schedule:

1. Potty train Addy

2. Sleep train Marcus

Fun right, both those things meant we were going to be stuck in the house the whole week.  

We did start our Spring Break a little early.  Flossie came down with her two boys and Bryan's two boys (and to bring Bethany to the airport - tear).  We went to the Discovery Place with them and Sarah and her kids.  The cousins had a little too much fun together.



 

Thursday, the kids had Easter egg hunts at their school.





Friday the fun started.
Marcus has been sleeping in our room (on a mattress) since last time I posted about this.  I had been warning him for a week that he was going to be sleeping in his room.  Friday night I moved his mattress into his room.  He fell asleep fine, and woke up around 3 am.  We locked his door (I also warned him about this) and turned on 2 fans in our room and Mark and I went back to sleep.
Did we feel terrible, yes; did I sleep well, no.

 The next night Marcus slept through the night without waking up.  The next couple nights were a little rough, but we never had to lock his door again.  He is now sleeping in his room, and usually wakes up one time at night and goes back down without any issues--we'll deal with this when we have more energy.

  Mark put on his glove to play catch with Marcus--Marcus ran inside and got his 'glove' (as an aside, Marcus got his first real baseball glove on Easter).



Sunday we started potty training Addy.  It was not fun.  I almost gave a up a few times, but I think we are there.  She is now doing pretty well.

The weather was great all of Spring Break, so we blew up up our little pool and spent a lot of time outside.



We got ready for Easter.



 Mostly, I just went a little crazy dealing with all three kids by myself all day long.  Is it bad to say that I am a little nervous about this summer?

Sunday Will Come

Grammy and Grandpa

Grammy and Grandpa came for a visit, the kids were so excited.  There is nothing like getting spoiled rotten, right?  They came in on a Thursday night.  Friday morning we took them to our favorite outdoor spot and went for a little hike.

Addy showing us she can climb a tree, she had quite a hold on the tree.

Marcus and Katie tried it, but couldn't hold on by themselves.

Saturday we spent the day hanging out in Charlotte and eating at some fabulous new places.

 

Mark and I escaped the kids twice, Friday night we had his parents babysit and Saturday night we got a babysitter and we all went out.  

Monday we drove around and checked out preschools for Addy and Marcus, and then dropped Eileen and Kerry off at the airport.  It was a sad moment for everyone.  (Of course Marcus--who has been sleeping in our room for the past 2 weeks, and didn't sleep well the night before-- ruined it by crying  at the top of his lungs all the way from lunch to the airport.) Despite the tearful trip, it was a great weekend!