Busch Gardens (again!)

Since we have passes for the summer we decided to take advantage of another awesome weather day at Busch Gardens. This time, we went the opposite way we went last time so we hit up many of the rides were missed last time. We also got there super early and that helped with shorter lines. The kids had a great time! Sean is so brave and is not scared about riding ANY rides! I love it! He did everything that he was tall enough to do. I think I screamed louder than he did on a few rides!

Carter at School-having fun!

Each week Carter's school sends me pictures of her in action! I love seeing her smiling face show up in my email box. Here are a few of the pics from the past few weeks.

Boston for Mommy and Daddy

Dan and I were able to get away for Memorial Day weekend and visit Boston, where Dan's best friend was having his wedding party/BBQ. The kids stayed with Nana and Poppi and had lots of fun as did we in Boston! What a fun weekend!

Sean's First day of Swim Team

Even though Sean didn't really know what swim team was, he claimed he didn't want to join the team. Then, I explained it to him and he decided to give it a try. He didn't realize swim team=swim lessons. He has always loved swim lessons over the years at his preschool. The first day of practice the water was a little chilly, ok a LOT chilly but he did his best and did everything the coaches asked. He loved it! Now he looks forward to going to practice each day! He knows most of the kids on the team already from school or from last summer and the coach is one of my former students! Small world! (man, I am old!)

I look forward to lots of great swim team memories to come!

Sean's first school performance

We were so excited to visit Sean's school for his evening Kindergarten performance. They sang several very cute songs and Sean even had a speaking part. He had been practicing for about 2 weeks at school and at home. Luckily, he could read most of it so between memorizing it and reading it he made it all the way through very nicely. He did get a laugh from the crowd when he walked up the microphone/music stand and adjusted both quickly to fit his height (smaller than most). He was so cute! All the moms were oooing and ahhhing over his cuteness! Great job Sean! We look forward to many many more performances to come!

Sunday Fun

First the kids took a bike ride around the neighborhood and after Nama and Poppy left they did some science! Sean got a science kit for his birthday and he enjoyed doing all of the experiments!

Family Day at Busch Gardens

We haven't taken the kids to any theme parks, except Sesame Place last summer so they were pretty excited to visit Busch Gardens. Sean was able to invite a friend since it was his birthday. We loaded up Nama and Poppy's big car and headed to Williamsburg for the day. It was a lot of fun! The kids had a great time and we had perfect weather. We will definitely be visiting again since we have passes for the summer. Thanks Nama and Poppy!

Sean's First Field Day!

The weather looked iffy all week for Friday which made me nervous because I had already put in to take a day off to hang with Sean's class all day. At the last minute, the principal decided to go ahead with Field day even though the forecast looked rainy/wet. Luckily, the rain cleared by 8am and by 12:00 we were outside on the pavement with no signs of puddles. It ended up being a beautiful day. The opening ceremonies were held inside due to the weather but everything else was outside. I am so glad I got to spend the whole day with Sean and his class. He has a wonderful teacher and so many great friends. We are so happy that his school experience has been so positive. He had no idea what Field day meant but now he realizes why every kid in the school looks forward to it!

To top of it off, his birthday playdate party is afterschool. Man is he having the best day ever?!?!

Sean's Birthday Playdate Party

In an effort to get away from too many people crammed into my house birthday parties, we went with an afterschool birthday playdate party this year. Sean was thrilled to have his buddies ride the bus home with him and play all afternoon. Our afternoon snack was kid friendly sushi (rice krispie treats, worms and fruit roll ups) Dan played non stop with them and then made cheese pizza on the grill. For dessert, we had an ice cream sunday bar (Sean's choice!). Everyone had a blast! We cannot believe our Sean is 6 years old!After a big day at school for Field Day and then tons of fun for his bday all the boys left tired out and ready for bed!

Sean's 6th Birthday

Today Sean turned 6 years old. Where did the time go? How in the world do Dan and I have a 6 year old son? That seems so much older than just a 5 year old son? He was so excited to wake up and see his gifts out that he had to open at least a few before school. We saved the big one (bike) for after Dan got home. Poor guy had to wait until 7:15 because Dan's baseball game ran late. The three of us had dinner without Dan because we couldn't wait that long. Sean chose our menu, chicken broccoli casserole and rice, one of his favorites. After presents we ate some fabulous cupcakes that came from a local cupcake bakery, Sean decided it would be best for us all to split them. So we cut them into fourths and had a try of each flavor. Whew! What a day! Next up Field day for Sean and Mommy and then his birthday weekend begins!

Mother's Day

I had a great day with my family on Mother's Day. We went to church, I got a yoga class in, a nap, a pedicure and a wonderful home made dinner with dessert from Dan. What a great day with my loves!

Mother's Day Breakfast

I enjoyed having a nice breakfast with my sweet girl. I even got a few gifts from her already! What a wonderful way to start off my Friday morning.

School Fun

 When I think back to the nervous Sean that stood at the bus stop that first day of school I see such a change to the Sean I know now. Being in school this year has changed him so much. He is coming out of his shell and growing confident in himself. At his school carnival he walked around and said hi to everyone he knew. He acted like the "big man on campus" even speaking to 5th graders who all seemed to know his name. A few years ago he would have hidden behind me and avoided meeting new people. We are so proud of the academic progress he has made but even more so proud of the confident boy he has grown into. He is kind and is a good friend and that makes us very happy parents!

lunch time with his friends

We waited for a long time for that balloon!

I enjoyed eating lunch with Sean and see his school friends

Outside fun with Nama and Poppy

Nama and Poppy came to visit to help us with our annual yard sale. On sunday, we enjoyed the great weather and spent the day outside. The kids gathered quite the collection of inch worms and examined them very closely! They also took a scooter and bike ride trading equipment for the day as Sean has taken an interest to riding the bike. What perfect timing for a birthday coming up :o)

Time to mulch!

 It is a good thing that Dan had such a great helper in the yard!

Behavior Chart for the kids

I spent all day at school helping children behave. I also spend a lot of time helping parents learn how to parent their child and decrease negative behaviors. So, it was odd to me that my own children were misbehaving so much. So, it was time to create a behavior chart for them. Everything around here has been a lot more pleasant since the expectations are clear along with the consequences. It is rare that either of them end the day on anything but green. I'll take it!