Cole the Blender

Yesterday when I picked up Cole from preschool I noticed he had something very special hanging around his neck. He came skipping out to the car with a grin on his face so big it could knock his ears off. He had earned his BLENDING BADGE! This is a huge accomplishment at Challenger. It means that he can successfully read all of the two letter blends on his blending chart (at, et, ep, im, uk, you get the idea). And not only did he get his badge but he earned his first two books too. Once they are able to read their little readers without any prompts they get to bring them home to keep. Cole's teacher said that yesterday everything "just clicked" with Cole and he was on fire! I'm SO PROUD of him! He is an amazing little boy! Look out Kindergarten here comes Cole the Blender...

Proudly displaying his badge...

and his books...

We are so PROUD of you Cole...

Cole's Spring Program

Cole's class started preparing for their big end of the year Spring Program months ago and for weeks he has been asking me when it was. Well, last Friday was finally the BIG day. He wanted lots of his family to come and so lots of his family came including; Mom, Dad, Carson, Black Papa, Aunt GG, Uncle Dave, Morgan and Ashley.

The class was adorable! They sang a ton of songs that they had learned throughout the year and performed some new ones as well. They did a cute little dance (Meagan was his dancing partner) and a little one scene act set to music in which Cole played one of the mean giants (which is ironic since he is not so tall) and got to stomp all around. It was such a cute program and several times my eyes teared up because I was just so proud of my Cole.

Cole with his class ...

Daddy and his boys...

Proud Mommy...

All Aboard The Cake Decorating Express

We have been trying really hard to be consistent with our Family Home Evenings now that the kids are older. Cole loves Family Night and reminds us every Monday so we won't forget. To make it more fun for him we have been letting him choose the activity and this past week he decided that he would like to bake a train cake and decorate it. Santa brought us this really cool train cake pan (from Williams-Sonoma) for Christmas and he has been wanting to make a cake ever since. So we decided his idea was a good one and we did it. Cole was so careful decorating and applying details to his cars and Carson was just happy to dig his hands in the icing and smear it all around.

Cole decorating the engine and the coal (not Cole) car:


Carson having a massive sugar rush:


Two cute brothers having tons of fun:


The finished cake:

Mother's Day Flowers

With Cole being in school this year I was privileged to receive a homemade Mother's Day Gift that he made in class. When I picked him up from school on Friday he was so excited to give it to me that he wanted me to open it on the spot, so I did. What a sweet surprise! He was grinning from ear to ear when I told him how much I loved it and how much I loved him.

A Carson In The Cupboard

As you can see, there is never a dull moment around our house. This is Carson's latest trick. He thinks he is so funny, he literally cracks himself up and he has quite the infectious laugh. I spend several hours a day pulling him off of high surfaces or out of cabinets and cupboards. He is such a BUSY boy!

My Grandpa My Hero

On Thursday May 8, 2008 my sweet Grandpa passed away. I am so grateful for my testimony of forever families and know that he is now on the other side looking down on me and my family. He was always my number one fan and supported me in all of my endeavors. He had a way of making everyone around him feel loved and important. He lived an amazing life, there was literally nothing he didn't do. He flew b-17 bombers in WWII, had a singing career on the Las Vegas strip, worked as a hotel exec, had his own production company, worked in the temple and the list goes on and on. But most importantly he loved his family unconditionally and was strong in his faith. He took his role as family patriarch seriously and there was nothing he wouldn't do for any of his kids, grandkids, great grandkids and great-great grandkids. His legacy will live on! I am so blessed to have had him in my life for 36 years and I am grateful that he got to know my husband and my children, I know they love him and will miss him too.

There is so much more I want to say but my heart is too heavy to get the words out.

I love you Grandpa!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Don't forget to thank the teacher(s) in your child's life this week!

Teachers are amazing!!!