and the boys' big day

Apparently all my kids think they need to grow up super fast lately!  We already talked about the princess' big day last time, but the boys each had their own "big" day yesterday. 

First, it started with Evan.  Somehow we have fast forward through the last 5 years and now Evan is going to be a big Kindergartner in a few short months!  Yesterday we official signed him up for kindergarten at roundup.  Pretty soon it won't be Avery's school anymore, but the boys' school.  Evan is very excited about this!

Then Avery came home with his everyday guided reading bag for homework, but this time he had an actual real-deal chapter book in it!  I fully know that first graders read at all different levels so no comparing with his peers, just a celebration of Avery!  Reading has never been easy for him.  I am so proud of him for making these big gains!  He has really worked hard to get to this level!  I just love that we have a big boy chapter book reader in the house!  Great job buddy!!!

I love these kiddos!

shake it Ellie

Our baby girl Ellie is not so much a baby anymore.  I don't know when it happened, but she has really turned into a big girl with quite a personality.  Where Avery is so like me and Evan is so like Ryan...we aren't really sure about Ellie yet.  She's really got her own personality that is sometimes very independent and talkative and other times where she wants to be the baby and shows her caring side.  No matter what, she definitely completes our family.

And we got B I G news around here....

I don't know if I should really say it aloud in fear that it will pay me back, but here it goes....

We are a diaper FREE family FINALLY!!!!  Wahooooooo!!!  

After almost 7 straight years of buying diapers, pullups, swim diapers...we now no longer need any of it!  Ellie is finally fully potty trained!  We are really in the next phase of our lives around here.

Today also marks another new experience for us.  The beginning of dance and gymnastics!  After being all boy and boy sports for the past several years, it is nice to finally do something girly with my very girly, girl.  Ellie is doing a very introductory class at our gym called "Twirl, Tap, Tumble".  So far she LOVED her first day!!!  She had a big smile on her face the whole time!  It was so fun to watch.  

Here's a glimpse at her first class...sorry I had to include all the pictures...they are just too cute!

Here's a little video of her class just warming up, but I think it's so cute!

She wanted me to take a picture of her "dance hair" too :).

Since we are on the subject of Ellie...here's another video of her.  Lately, she's been just praying randomly.  She's so sweet!

this & that

Here's a little look of what has been going on since my last post over a week ago...

The snow has finally melted!!  That has left lots of puddles and mud to play in!

Nice enough out to climb some trees!

Avery had his Blue & Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts.  He earned his reading/writing belt loop and his video game belt loop {yes, he worked hard on that one ;)}.

These two enjoyed their cupcakes!

Avery and the Tiger Cub's skit!

Another basketball game...and our little defender #3.

Not a good picture {Avery is the one being guarded by #10}, but this is one of two attempts Avery made on today's game to make a shot...he hasn't got one yet, but he's trying!

With all this nice weather, I am so ready for spring!!!

day 12, 13, & 14 of {love}

Like usual, things got a little crazy around here again and I got behind on the blogging.  

Oh well...

Happy Valentine's Day!  The kids & I did come down to G&G's house with our 5 day break we had once again.  {Don't worry Ryan is managing fine at home alone...we left him food and water ;)...we love you Ryan/Daddy!}  With working at parent's day out at church Wednesday {yes, I did work...a little unbelievable I know ;)}, two parent-teacher conferences, the dentist for all five us, packing up to come to G&G's house, and then driving down on Thursday we got a little behind with our 14 days of {love}.  I don't know a better day to catch up then Valentine's day, of course!

Here's a look at our last three days of {love}... 

I'm going to kind of combine them here since we really did them all today.

day 12 of {love}

"Conversations are the heart to your soul"

 day 13 of {love}

"From your secret admirer"

day 14 of {love}

"Happy Valentine's Day!  Surprise!  I love you!"

 

 

{We still opened our mailboxes every morning...we just quite get to the activities until today...}

 

 

{Got a Mad Libs paper this day}

 {I was a little worried that the kids would be too young for these, but they turned out to be a lot of fun!}

And our Valentine surprise this morning!

Happy Valentine's Day from these four!

I {love} my little growing family...and the man that's been beside me through it all!

  

{This picture was taken when we got back from the last vacation Ryan & I took alone...you can see Ellie isn't even born yet...I think we are over due ;).}

 {This little flashback Friday was courtesy of the pictures off my mom's computer ;).}

 

day 11 of {love}

day 11 of {love}

"You are my BFF"

Today was about giving Valentines to friends.  I started it off by giving them each a Valentine card {I borrowed some of Ellie's ;)} and a tattoo in their mailbox.  E&E were able to give some Valentine's to a few friends at MOPS this morning while Avery passed out his at school.

My cute little Valentine!

Playing with some playdough from some friends!

{E&E got some hearts on their face at MOPS today:)}

Then it was off to Avery's Valentine party this afternoon!

Today was also Evan's kindergarten information night!  I can't believe it's already time for him to go off to kindergarten!  He loved it and of course has a million and one questions about kindergarten now!

This is what Evan looks like when he is thinking of a new question ;).  Such a big boy!