Friday, May 30, 2014

Carter's Last Day of Pre-K and Graduation

Carter is officially a Pre-K graduate! He finished up the year at his wonderful school, and they had a little Pre-K graduation ceremony that was adorable! Here are some pictures from his last day.

 Off to Pre-K for the last time!
 And for comparisons sake, his first and last days in Pre-K. It's amazing how much they change in just 9 short months!
 With little sis.
 And look at this one! I love it!!
 Carter said, "Hey don't forget to take Ella's picture, too!"
 Here is Carter's class getting ready to process in for the ceremony.
 He was very serious during the whole thing, but I did manage to capture one proud smile!

All the graduates said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang a few cute songs first.
 Walking in again, but this time with caps and gowns and to a graduation song. So adorable.
 So serious. He said he was excited and happy, but just feeling shy. Ha, that's my boy.
 Walking across the stage.

Receiving his diploma and about to do his bow.
 His entire class and their teachers.... he is hiding here, top row, second from the right.
And the entire graduating class of 2014! 
Carter is front row and just off center. Can't miss that yellow collar!

There is a happy smile!!
 With his sister....
 .....and of course they had to make silly faces!
 Family pic!
 Carter and his best little buddy in his class, Mason. They are two peas in a pod. Carter is going to miss him so much. We are already planning summer playdates!
And Carter with his wonderful teachers, Ms. Christina & Ms. Pamela. 
What a blessing they have been to Carter this year!
It's hard to believe that he is off to kindergarten soon. We have been incredibly happy with his school this year, and we are glad to be staying there next year, as Ella will start preschool two days a week. 

We are so proud of you Carter, and look forward to many more milestones just like this one!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Memorial Day Weekend

Eric got down to business getting Ella's big girl bed set up.
 All finished! She loves it and has done wonderfully with both naps and night time! We are even sleeping in real undies now! Such a big girl. :)

 While Ella took her first nap in the big girl bed, Carter got a special treat from Bahama Bucks. First snow cone of the season!
 Later, the kids played in the little pool outside, and Ella turned into Super Girl

We also spent some time at Hope Park and at the pool before Eric had to head out of town for work.

 Memorial Day cuties!
More Bahama Bucks, but poolside this time! 




Om Monday, Ella got to put on a little blush herself. She loves watching me get ready and was excited to put make-up on herself!

The kids and I stopped for donuts on our way over to Nana's. We all enjoyed that yummy treat! And we spent the rest of the day at Nana's playing, hanging out, and went to see a movie on Monday night.


Fun weekend, but we always miss Daddy on Memorial Day!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Dallas Arboretum

I haven't taken the kids to the Arboretum in a while, and my friend Ashley invited us to go with them this week to visit the brand new children's area. I didn't expect it to be much, but WOW! It far exceeded my expectations. It's basically an entire outdoor children's museum! We spent almost 4 hours there, and didn't quite see it all, and we didn't even venture into the Arboretum itself. Perfect weather, fun day for everyone!! 

We explored the edible garden first, where the kids made vegetable artwork and played at a little play ground.



 Adorable girls, dressed alike on accident!

 Fun in the maze garden, finding all kinds of cool things.

So many cool exhibits. Of course, most of them were over our kids' heads, but they had fun pressing buttons and pulling levers regardless, especially when it did something cool, which it almost always did!!


 Should we really be trusting the girls to navigate us? Carter thinks not!
 Looking into an awesome giant kaleidoscope.
 :)
 Fun shooting water



 Fun exploring water energy


 Wind simulator!


 Climbing way up high in the tree canopy
Ella was not so sure of stepping out onto the netting.



 Looking a little tired.....
Ella latched on to this hatching turtle in a little play area, and she spent about 20 minutes mothering it. Feeding it, taking care of it, just using her little imagination and pretending she was that baby's mommy.... so cute!!



Fun day! We hope to make it back there soon!!