Gracies's Preschool Graduation

We had our first ever graduation last night when Gracie graduated from Preschool! She had such a wonderful time in preschool and learned a lot too. Ms. Kiley did such a great job all year long and with the graduation night. It started with a program of songs and poems by all the preschool kids. We were surprised when Gracie had a part singing a song about Lollipops!

They recited a poem about being a star, the sunglasses were a fun touch!

We also didn't know that the "graduates" (the ones going into Kindergarten) would be wearing a cap and gown. They even marched out to "Pomp and Circumstance" (is that the right name?)

I had an odd flash forward to Gracie graduating high school and I about lost it. I had to keep telling myself what a fool I would look like if I starting blubbering at a Preschool graduation! Aren't they cute though!

Gracie with some cuties from our ward. The other mom's and I joked about taking the same picture at High school Graduation... wouldn't that be funny!

Congratulations Gracie!!

Now let's make sure High School Graduation doesn't come as quickly and Preschool Graduation did!

A Pinkalicious Birthday for Gracie

I can't believe it but my little Gracie turned 5 yesterday May 17th! 5 seems like one of those landmark birthdays to me. 5 is a real kid. Officially out of toddlerhood, starting school, and into the big girls section at the store (don't love that!). I can remember when she was a baby thinking that this day would never come... but it did and way too fast!!

We celebrated her Birthday with a Pinkalicious party. It's odd to think that you may not have ever heard of the book Pinkalicious since it is read not less that 3 times a day in this household. If you have a little girl its a must read, so check it out! Gracie invited 4 friends over to decorated crowns and wands, play the typical birthday games with a Pinkalicious twist (cupcake, cupcake, yum instead of duck, duck, goose, pin the heart on the necklace instead of pin the tail on the donkey), read Pinkalicious and decorated cupcakes. It was a lot of fun.

Pinkalicious Decor

Not one of those balloons survived the entire party, I swear the wasps were popping them!

We started with 12, there were only 6 by the time the party started!

Silly Faces

Love this action shot, it was an intense game!

Later that night when Jake got home we gave her our present, a scooter. She loved it, can you tell?

After a Wonderful (ha, ha) McDonalds dinner (Gracie's choice) we came home and enjoyed some Pinkalicious Cake

We are so grateful to have Gracie as part of our family. She is such a joy and a blessing to us. In honor of her 5th birthday, here are 5 things about Gracie:

1. She is a go with the flow kind of girl. I love this about her. It makes my life so much easier!

2. She still loves to hum and now has started singing quite a bit. She never knows the words, but that doesn't stop her from belting out a song anytime, anywhere! I've had to stop her couple of times in sacrament meeting even. Her favorite song to belt out lately is "All the Single Ladies" the chipettes version of course.

3. She has a very tender heart. If she happens to catch anything even a little violent on TV or somewhere she is instantly concerned and leaves as quickly as possible.

4. She hates Funder (thunder). There is nothing Fun about Funder! I've bonded with her in this aspect. I was extremely afraid of thunder when I was little, so I never turn her away during a storm!

5. She can handle her big wheel bike like nobodies business! She has a sparkly pink princess bike but she prefers the radio flyer big wheel. Her favorite trick is to go as fast as she can then turn so sharp that she skids around in a circle. It's pretty funny to watch.

Happy Birthday Gracie, We Love You!!

Happy Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day! Probably because I am a Mother and therefore get treated special all day long. A guilt free pass to having to help with dishes, change diapers, make dinner, or eat healthy! The gifts are wonderful as well. What says Mother's Day better than toilet paper tubes, paper plates, hand prints, messy paintings, and flowers of all kinds! This is just some of what I received this year. Brynlee also brought home a hand print flower on a paper plate made into a wall hanging from church. It is hanging in my kitchen at this very moment.

Probably the best gift was that Jake didn't have church meetings Sunday morning. He's in the Bishopric of our ward, so that leaves me to get myself and the 3 girls ready for church by 8:30am. So, having him home before church made for a much less stressful morning! We even had a moment to snap a few pictures! Jake also made me breakfast complete with a cup full of dandelions freshly picked by the girls and on Saturday I got to go pick out some hanging flower baskets and flowers for pots. Our porch is now nice a springy!

I am so grateful that I can be a mother, especially to these 3 sweet girls. Some days can be long, but the years go quickly it seems. I look forward to many more years of hand print flowers and toilet paper tube crafts. Why is it that those things are so much more precious than diamonds or pearls? Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's! Especially to all the Mom's in my life!