End of the School Year Events: Elijah's Preschool Graduation, Ella's Author's Celebration and Sophia and Arianna's Author's Tea

 Elijah's Preschool Graduation was very cute! He is the only one out of all my kids who didn't get to wear a cap and gown. (I may need to go to Sears or something to take a pic of him in one)

He did so good singing all the songs and saying all the Bible verses.

 We are so proud of him and all he has learned this year at Christ Lutheran Preschool.

Special thanks to Ms. Pam and Ms. Maureen for your love and patience with him! 

 The twins got to showcase their writing work at the annual 3rd grade Author's Tea.

They get to publish their own book of special writing compilations which is very special.

 Elijah has spent his fair share of time at Hopkins this year. We are there almost every day and he loves to pal around with his friend Cameron (left) and he loves to play on my phone! 

He draws quite the crowd sometimes:) The big kids love him:) 

Ella also had an Author's Celebration in her Kindergarten class.

Parents came in and they got to listen to the kids read one of their writing pieces.

  Ella wrote all about her bunny, Cottontail.

The end of the school year is filled with TONS of papers coming home and it is so much fun to look thru their writing from the year. I save my favorites and each year fill a three ring binder with their work, cards, mementos, report cards, etc. from the year. I hope they like looking thru them some day.

Valentines Day {the school version}

Elijah had his Valentine Party on Wednesday. I was able to help with it which was fun. I had the kiddos thread beads on a pipe cleaner and then glued them on a photo magnet of the kiddos. I also found this cute little LOVE POX note and got tiny heart stickers to stick on their faces. The kids thought it was hilarious:) Elijah passed out superhero Valentines (a free printable online) and we attached superhero tattoos for the boys and markers for the girls.

I was able to come watch Ella decorate her little picture frame and eat cupcakes. She wanted bubbles for her valentine so once again I found a free printable online and we got a huge pack of bubbles at Michaels.

 I am the classroom rep for the twins class so we decided to throw a pizza party instead of lots of sweets! We played tic tac toe with candy hearts and enjoyed a yummy lunch. Arianna passed out lip whistles valentines and Sophia made YOU ROCK button pin valentines.

The last ones first day

My little four year old started preschool today. Hard to believe that he is old enough to leave my side and venture out by himself into the great unknown! I was worried that he would be timid and afraid. When the door opened, he marched right in with a smile on his face and wave of his little hand. I walked to the van in tears. It was such a surreal moment- saying goodbye to the last little bird to leave the nest! He will go to preschool 3 days a week and only for 3 hours a day so its not too bad for me! It definitely is happy and sad. A few hours a week to myself sounds pretty awesome but I will miss his little hand in mine while I run errands. I will miss his endless questions and chatting in the car as we drive. He's a pretty cool little guy to have around, but I am SO very happy for this little burst of independence getting him ready one baby step at a time for the great big world!

Wrapping up the school year

{Arianna} August 2011- first day of school

{Arianna} May 2012- last day of school

{Sophia} August 2011- first day of school

{Sophia} May 2012- last day of school

Twins with Ms. Sustr- first day

Twins with Ms. Sustr- last day

{Ella} September 2011- first day of preschool

{Ella} May 2012- last day of preschool

Ella and Ms. Pam- first day

Ella and Ms. Pam- last day

 So blessed to have such wonderful teachers in my children's lives this year- they encouraged, loved and educated my kiddos with such dedication! 

Teacher gifts for the end of the year

Twas a wonderful school year... 

Ella's Preschool Graduation

My heart is SO full looking thru these pictures- 

Praise God for His mercies and blessings 

which he has poured out in abundance in our lives! 

We love you, Ella and look forward to many more graduations ahead! 

First Week of Preschool A Success

Isnt she just SO cute! My little 4 yr old Ella Bella started her first school experience on Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Preschool. Its about 10 minutes from our house and she has 14 girls and 4 boys in her class. She has been looking forward to this for MONTHS and regularly would ask when she would be going. I was worried that she built it up too much in her head and would be disappointed when the day actually came but that was silly! She LOVED it!

Ella is in Jr Kindergarten and they meet from 9:30am-12:30pm. She eats lunch at school and that has been quite the exciting experience! Her teachers name is Miss Pam and they also have another classroom teacher named Miss Debbie. Ella is always coming home with papers and crafts and projects and new songs and new poems and new rules that she has learned.. you get the picture! She's learning lots!

 And since Ella is in school this gives me time to spend some quality time with my little Lij! I have never in 7 years of parenting ever had one child to look after- its so different! And I like it. It definitely is quiet! I have started teaching Elijah too seeing as he really does not know much- not sure if its because he is a boy or it is because he is the last of 4 children- poor guy doesnt know red from yellow- but we are working on it and soon he will know lots:) And if he doesnt learn quickly, at least he has his looks:) He sure is a cutie!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend- we sure have a busy one ahead!
 And I am SOOO looking forward to it!