First Steps -- 05/19/2010

She did it! She took three steps all by herself this morning! She was standing next to our desk, holding my finger and she let go and took three steps. Amazing. It's always amazing the first time - I don't care how many babies you have. The smile on her face was awesome! I didn't see it full on (as you can see - ha ha), but if you look closely, her cheek bones are high like she is smiling like crazy. These aren't the best shots, but there is no time when it's three little steps and she plops on her butt. =) I guess there is no slowing down from here... Way to go Kate!!!!

Noah's 1st Grade Achievement Program

Doug and I attended Noah's first grade achievement program at school today. It was so cute to watch all the kids as they recieved their 'memory' books to give their parents and hear about their achievements in math and reading. Mrs. Bryant first handed out the books to each child with their achievement certificates in the backs of the books. Noah read the second highest number of books in his class at 396 books. He also completely mastered his Math Facts (addition and subtraction problems 0-10 on timed tests). We are so proud of him! He has done well this year. After the awards were given we got to watch a slide show set to music with pictures of his class through out the year. I had tears rolling as we watched it (such a softie... I couldn't help it!). I was talking with Doug right before the program and it seems as though we were just there dropping him off for his first day of 1st grade. It sure doesn't seem as though it should be coming to a close so soon. After the slide show the kids shared an icecream party and Noah got to leave with us after that. 'School' is over for the year - He has to go back next week, but only for 'Movie' Monday (watching movies), 'Tenting' Tuesday (playing in tents and camping all day), and 'Water' Wednesday (water play). Then on Thursday we go in just to pick up his report card. It has been a wonderful year and Noah has learned so much. He has really done a lot of growing this year. We sure love that litte (okay, big) guy!

Knoxville Downtown Island Airport

Last Day of Preschool..... 'till Next Fall!

Today was Rachel's last day of preschool until next fall. They had planned a 'Beach Day' for the last day, but the weather wasn't agreable, so the kids got to jump in a big bounce house, blow bubbles, play chalk and sand. She said it was almost as good as 'Beach Day'. She loves school so much and she was sad that it was ending. I let her know she'll get to go back next fall and she'll see her friends and make new ones too!

Mother's Day 2010

I had a wonderful Mother's day this year - Might be one of the best ever! It actually started early in the weekend when Noah and Rachel both came home with Mother's Day gifts for me from school. Rachel brought me a cute little pack of seeds (flowers) from school with a sweet note attached to the envelope. Noah surprised me with a beautiful hand painted flower pot and a card he made at school. He couldn't wait to give it to me. I loved it! Plus, I had a pretty pot to plant my seeds that Rachel had given me in! ;) Sunday started with Doug taking me, the kids and Mom out for a yummy pancake breakfast (my favorite!). It was pretty special that I got to share the morning with my mom. It was wonderful to be able to share Mother's Day with Mom after so many years of living away from her. After breakfast we went over to Mom's for a little bit and she offered to take care of Kate for us while the rest of us went up to spend the day at Dollywood. We had such a great day riding on the rides, seeing the sights and sharing the inevitable funnel cake - YUM! I love seeing the kids faces as they enjoy the park. I remember so many vivid details about my childhood trips to Dollywood and Silver Dollar City before that. It is so cool to see how much they enjoy it now too! I got to ride the coasters (my favorites!!!) that I love... I told Doug as I looked at the pictures after the rides that they take of you, my face was just plastered with joy. I'm like a big kid when it comes to roller coasters. Rachel went on her very first roller coaster - the Blazing Fury, which was also the first coaster I ever went on as well! She was pretty freaked out. When we asked if she wanted to go again, we got a very definite "No!". Maybe next time. Noah is still as brave as ever going on all of them, saying he loved them, and having the "OH CRAP!" look on his face in all the pictures. So funny. I had such a great day. Every part of it was really nice. I adore my family. They do so much for me and show me how much they love me every single day of the year and that is the most awesome thing. I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful day yesterday filled with the people you love!

Green Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, and 'some kind of flower'

Noah brought me a beautiful hand painted flower pot home for Mother's Day this year and Rachel brought me some seeds - "Some kind of flower, Mommy". I figured the little pot Noah painted for me was the perfect place to plant my Mother's Day seeds from Rachel. I let Rachel plant the seeds in the pot and Noah also had brought home some cherry tomatoes he had planted at school, so he got to re-pot those into a pot for our deck. So far we have the green bean plant that Rachel brought home that she planted at her school and Noah's cherry tomato plant that he started at his school. It was cute to watch them planting - they love to help with any and all gardening that I might try around here. I don't have the greenest thumb, so I'm hoping they do!

Rachel's First Trip To The Dentist

Rachel had a her first trip to the dentist this morning. She was very nervous, but she did great! She sat patiently waiting until they called her back and then climbed up in the big chair. She was good while they looked at her teeth, cleaned them, x-rayed them and then the doctor checked them. The only thing that was questioned was where her front baby tooth had been knocked when she first started walking. They will be sending that x-ray to a pediatric pedidontist for checking. They didn't think there was any serious problems, but wanted to be sure. Hopefully that will all come back with the okay. She was happy to have sparkly teeth and a case with a new Ariel toothbrush, Ariel flosser, toothpaste and floss. She also got to make a trip to the treasure box and picked out a sparkly pink ball.

Soccer Saturday

Saturday Noah had another soccer game after having a bye week last week. Grammy and Papa surprised us and came to watch Noah's game. His team got crushed this week, but it was fun to watch the kids play anyway. Noah tried out a couple of different postitions this week and decided that defender was a hard spot to play. He prefers playing as the attacker. It was interesting watching the kids try out the different positions. Rachel always enjoys the soccer games - she either picks all the flowers (clover) off of the field or spends her time turning cartwheels. Poor Kate wasn't feeling well - she has been running a fever this weekend and we aren't sure if it is teething related or not, but those top four teeth that have been 'right there' for about a month now have finally decided to cut through. Poor pumpkin.