Look who got a new computer...

Caroline's Graduation

This past week was my girlie's pre-K graduation. I can't believe she'll be starting Kindergarten in the fall. Oh, how fast she is growing up! She and I had so much fun getting her all ready. She just giggled and stared at herself in the mirror as I curled her hair and put lip gloss on her. She was genuinely sweet all evening (which doesn't happen often-ha!), which made for a memorable night.
This was her before we left for the program. She's modeling her new graduation dress. Click here for the whole story behind the dress.

Singing on the stage at the program. She was a very serious and timid little singer, but did chime in on every word of every song. But I could tell it was kinda stressful for her. She had a solo (just a few words), and did AWESOME!!!

Ahh...now the fun part. Refreshments were served, and the stress just melted away!

She was so proud of her flowers I surprised her with. It was so cute to see how happy those silly flowers made her! I feel like she looks about 8 in this picture....definitely doesn't look like a fresh five year old.

Caroline and her BFF Sydney. These two are inseparable. I love to watch her chat and interact with her little friends. They all definitely act like they are five going on fifteen! It left a lump in my throat as I watched her playing with all of her little friends tonight. She has been in school with them since she was 18 months old....now they will all be going to different schools for kindergarten. There are a couple of her little friends that we will probably keep in touch with though.

I'm having problems trying to post the video of her singing, but I'll keep trying....she only sings a few words. But, those few words are absolutely adorable!! I was surprised and impressed with Caroline's sweet little voice. She sounded pretty good! Grammi says she thinks that she could be as good as cousin Mary someday if she'd break out of some of that shyness.

Anyway, we had a great time tonite, and we got a lot of mommy daughter bonding time in. Fun stuff!!

Will and Jack's Graduation

Today was the boy's preschool graduation program. It was great fun. Both of the boys One of the boys had a speaking part and they Will sang a few songs. Then they got diplomas and had refreshments at the reception. I just can't believe how big my babies are getting!! Can I just tell you, these two melt my heart!!

This was after the program was over. They gave the kids out candy for doing so well....I'm guessing Jack got candy for just being so dang cute.

This is Tommie, Will's girlfriend. They are absolutely smitten. She has him wrapped around her little finger. She says jump, and he says how high??

This first video clip is of Jack trying to explain to BOTH of his teachers that he had changed his mind, and would NOT like to talk in the microphone. The teachers spent about a minute or so (which seemed like FOREVER) trying to convince him, but he was having NO part of it. It just melted me, and at the same time it was gut wrenching....I could see the terror on his face, and his little lips were just quivering. I wanted to run up to that stage, scoop him up, and make it all better. Oh, and please watch Will (far right in blue shirt) at the end....he lifts up his shirt and shows his belly to everyone. Silly boy.

The next clip is of them Will singing. Please notice that Jack is still traumatized after the whole speaking part situation (which was at the beginning of the program). He turned around toward the teacher the rest of the time, while everyone else sang and carried on. He pretended like he wasn't there. It was precious......both of them. So fun to get to see them side by side in a situation like this, and look at how differently they react to the same situation.

The last video is of Will saying his speaking part. You can't hear him very well....I took the video with my point and shoot camera. But, he did the closing prayer, and a fabulous job I might add. It went something like this:

Let us pray (I didn't get that part on video). Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day and we love you. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. It was the cutest, sweetest thing ever!

sink bath

I couldn't resist posting these cute bathtub pics....I figure the kids are finally to the age where I'll have to stop taking pictures of them in the tub. So, here's probably our last bathtub pictures. They have recently discovered the fun of taking a "sink bath". We haven't taken sink baths in ages. But, everyone still fits, and they beg to get in it. I can't believe how fast these kiddo's are growing up. It seems like yesterday when the boys were tiny, and I used to lay them in this sink together for a bath.

Ahhh....

That, my friends is a sigh of relief! I do believe my life has just gotten a bit easier. Will and Jack have learned how to put their clothes on ALL BY THEMSELVES!

I know, you're probably thinking I'm crazy to devote a post about something so trivial. But, this certainly makes a huge difference in the morning trying to get everyone ready and out the door on time! They are so proud, and seem to have a great sense of accomplishment. And now there's hope for me to get to work on time....maybe.

That's it for now, just wanted to share my happy dance. Now I'm off to bed to get my beauty sleep....I have a workshop early in the morning--yes, on a Saturday!!! :o

Happy Birthday Caroline!

Happy Birthday to my Little Miss Caroline! Wow, already 5! Here's a look back at previous birthdays...

This was her first birthday. What a cutie!
2nd birthday....I love that golden wispy toddler hair.

You can tell by the look in her eyes...age three is when she started to truly get her "sass" on!

4th birthday. This was the first time she had a party with school friends. It was so cute to see the developing friendships at age 4!

5th birthday...all grown up! She is becoming quite the little teacher these days. I'm still trying to decide if that's a good thing!?!

Caroline is sooooo excited about turning 5. She'll be even more excited when she wakes up and realizes that my "stay young forever fairy dust" doesn't work!! I love you sissy.

Seems like just yesterday...

I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Caroline Grace. I have a hard time coming to grips with the fact that my BABY is turning 5 this week!!!! I keep teasing her telling her that I'm gonna get out the fairy dust that will make her little forever. Seriously though, 5???????
This was the morning I delivered her. Everyone always used to ask me if I was sure there was only one baby in there. Little did we know at the time.....yes, this body can stretch WAY bigger! ;o

She was the sweetest, most scrumptious baby I've ever seen. Actually, she still is! It seems as though my baby is growing up faster than the speed of light! Tonight, out of the blue she asked me when she was going to get her adenoids taken out. What? I guess it was just a reminder that she is growing up!

Time flies...

I was just thinking that I have not posted here in forever! Life has just kinda been passing me by lately. We haven't done much except for work, school, and the mundane day to day things. So, no new pics. of the kids. But, let's look at some old ones.

Where have the past 5 years gone? It seems like just yesterday (ok--maybe not yesterday) that I found out we were going to become a family of three. My, how time flies, and life just seems to take over! Now here we are 5 years later as a family of five. I still just can't comprehend how lucky we are to have 3 beautiful healthy kiddos.

I have loved each stage of my children's lives....but...I think when they were around 12-18 months was my favorite. So, here's a blast from the past!
OMG...Why didn't anyone tell me that I had a gargantuan baby?! When I look back at pictures of Caroline (she was 16 mos here) I realize why the pediatrician always told me to make sure I am careful with what she eats so she will fit into her prom dress. Who knew she would grow into a tall and thin little girl?! Look at the next pic to get the full effect of her chubbiness!!

Can you say cheeseburger? I sure loved this age, and I loved her little "rolls" even more! I was already about 3 months preggo with the boys when this pic was taken.

Again, I grow me some chubby babies!! I could just eat them up and squeeze those little cheeks! They were about 9 months here. Wow, I was lucky that they were such good babies! Maybe I'm paying for it now! ha ha

They were 16 months old here. I LOVE their hair here. It makes them look just so sweet. This was before the mobility (and trouble) that goes along with walking!

Look at this sweet baby-faced little Evan! She was holding Caroline, so she was almost four here. It seems like just yesterday I was going to her birthday party when she turned 1. She was definitely my best practice before I had my own kids! Then ironically, she and Caroline have many many similar personality traits.

Ella had just turned 1 in this picture. She was such an angel baby. I remember she used to put anything with a strap or a handle on her shoulder like a purse. That's why this pic. cracks me up. So fitting....and the pappy strapped to her (at all times btw)--LOVE IT!

2008

Here's a look at some pictures from 2008. How time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was having the boys and Caroline was just a toddler!!!!!

January

February


March

April

May


June

July

August

September

October

November


December

It's MY birthday.....no, it's MINE!!!

This seems to be the conversation happening at our house. This is the first year that the boys are starting to figure out that they have the same birthday. It's funny to me that they really don't make the connection that they are twins, and have to share everything......even a birthday!

I can't believe that my BABIES are turning 3. Where has the time gone? It makes me so teary eyed to think that they are getting so big. I am looking forward to the time ahead of us, but I just can't figure out how they got so big so fast!!!!

We had a small party for the boys today. They had a great time. Jack just ran around the house screaming, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! So cute. Here's some pictures of birthdays past and present!

They blew the candles out together in perfect unison!
Do you see how thrilled Ella and Caroline look? Good thing their birthdays are coming soon!

This was a hit. Thanks Grammie and Pa. It's still running.......4 hours later!

Will loves this cool transformer mask!

This was their 2nd birthday. Look at those baby faces.

This was their first birthday. The curls and chubby cheeks absolutely melt me!

The day they were born. This is Will. It's hard to believe they were so tiny.

Here's Jack. This is/was hopefully the only birthday they will ever spend without each other!

Jack's two favorite things.......

His thumb and his silkie. It is still just as precious to me as it was when he was tiny! Here's a look back at some thumb and silkie shots. Can I just tell you, every one of these pictures melts my heart!!! I just might let him go to kindergarten with a silkie!!!