The Graduate

Nate's Pre-K graduation was a few weeks ago...and him in a cap and gown was pretty darn adorable.

After much debate and consulting with his teacher and other parents for perspective, we made the decision to keep him at his current school for a 5 yr old Kindergarten class next year (and then probably repeat Kindergarten in Elementary School the following year).  So, since he will be back in the fall, it didn't feel like a true ending.  Which is good...I wasn't ready. :)

But it was sad to say goodbye to both of the boys' teachers.  Fortunately, many of Nate's buddies from his class will be in the 5 yr old class with him next year...which has really helped to put me at ease with the decision.

Nate has come so far this year - his writing (and motor skills in general) has improved, he can count to 100, he can add and subtract really well, and most impressively he is reading really well.  He knows sight words and can sound out most words...it is so exciting to watch him "get it"...and he loves to spell, so our days of spelling things we don't want the kids to pick up on have ended!  I love to brag on my smart cookie - so I am obviously not keeping him back due to lack of smarts!

At the graduation ceremony, they asked each of the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up and Nate excitedly said "An Astronaut"...there were lots of policemen, firemen, and doctors but only one little Astronaut!

Spring Wrap Up

All of the craziness of school ending and all of the other Spring events have finally wrapped up and we have somewhat slowed the pace...however, we have so many special events in the month of June that I figured I should probably catch up on Spring before we roll in to Summer.


I skipped right over Easter, which is now Nate's self-proclaimed "favorite holiday".  I am pretty sure that can be directly contributed to all of the candy he ate.  When they woke, the Easter Bunny had left a trail of eggs from their rooms leading them to their buckets.  Nate was very eager to follow the trail (he came bounding in to our room early that morning saying "The Easter Bunny came!") but Matthew was content opening each egg along the trail and having jelly beans for breakfast.  He was in no hurry.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful Spring day playing in the yard....which entailed a couple of Easter Egg hunts...

I was trying my best to ration the candy intake but at one point I caught Nate hiding under a chair snarfling down M&M's

Then Nate was kind enough to hide all of his eggs for me to find

Then played a round of crocquet

Then the boys wanted to try out the kites that the Easter Bunny brought them...unfortunately we didn't have much luck with take off

 Little Brother had to try too

It was a lovely family day....but this is the best family shot we got

Birthday Boy Fred

A belated Happy Birthday wish to Fred, whose 70th birthday we celebrated recently...with pirate cupcakes (for the kids), surprise out of town friends and family, and a nice dinner out at Sugo's (sans kids)...then capped off with an amazing cake from the local French bakery.  It was a lovely evening and we hope Fred enjoyed his special day (and weekend!).