Ring around the Rosy

I just had to share the cute video of some simple fun we had tonight as we waited for the pasta to boil for dinner.  Penn was starving and I had to distract him somehow.  "Ring around the Rosy" definitely worked.  First Tav and I did it with Penn and he was squealing with delight and for "more, more."  When Koen also joined in I couldn't help myself from taking a video.  It's so special to see the 3 of them having fun.  Look how happy Penn is with his big bros having fun.  Love it!

Don't worry, Penn wasn't hurt and turned completely happy within 30 seconds when we all discovered that dinner was indeed ready and it was time to eat!

Tav's Last Day of Preschool

This has been an amazing thing for Tav.  He has LOVED preschool.  It's been his thing, his friends, his teachers, something all just for him.  And for this second-born, that's a huge deal.  Of course he doesn't realize how that all works, but I can see how great this preschool experience has been for his independence, his confidence and his social development.  I am so thankful that he had this opportunity (as is he).  Today was his last day of the preschool year.  Parents and caregivers (and little siblings) were invited to join the kids for their final storytime and a celebratory snack time.  The preschoolers were on the circle time rug when we came into the room and we got to sit around the kids and catch a glimpse of what they've been up to all year.  They did a story first for which they had made little puppets (in the boxes you will see) to go along with it and they all participated by saying a repetitive line in the story.  Enjoy the pics and video.  As you can see, Tavin is totally into it.  

Next they moved on to some little songs they had been working on.  In this video, you'll see the end of the first song where they are singing about the parts of an insect, then they transition into their next song about making new friends.  Tavin has no qualms and offers to start the song and isn't timid about it at all.  I'm just amazed at his boldness.  What an amazing answer to prayer that his struggles with articulation have in no way hindered his ability to participate and feel like he can participate like any other student (not to mention all the progress he has made this year).  Praise God!!

After the adorable storytime, we headed over for snack time.  Look at how sweet as they say a blessing over their food.  

There's my sweet Tav with his classmates.  Oh, I just couldn't get enough of him in his preschool element.  

Tav's teacher had a surprise for the students...personalized sugar cookies.  Each child has had a "letter link" all year to identify their things, their attendance, their jobs, etc.  Tavin chose on his first day to be "T is for Turtle, T is for Tavin."  And then today he gobbled it up!

Penn was so, so excited to be in Tavin's classroom today.  He played for most of storytime in the toy area.  Then, of course, he jumped at the chance to join in at snacktime.  Doesn't he just look all ready for preschool?  Not yet, Penn Rye, Mommy gets another year first!

Before we left, Tavin got some pictures with special friends and all of his teachers.

As you can see, this year has been full of special moments and friends for Tavin.  Thank you to his teachers and his amazing preschool.  Tavin, I'm so proud of you and all that you've learned and all the ways you've grown up.  You are an amazing kid, Tav.  I love your courage, your heart, your energy and that smile.  I'm excited to have you home this summer, but I know you are raring to go back to preschool (3 days a week next year!!) already.  Congratulations on a great year at preschool, Tav!

Busy, Busy Memorial Day Weekend

Phew!  We have had a very, very packed weekend (and on the heels of a tiring overnighter fro Doug and Koen Thursday to Friday).  First of all, Thursday evening I had hosted our small group.  Then my friend, Taylor, stayed overnight to keep me company (basically I hate sleeping here alone and unprotected).  She left after breakfast on Friday and soon after I headed out on a walk to the library and then Miss Christal's with the little guys.  On our way home we heard from Doug that he and Koen made an early exit from the camping trip, were hitting Chick-fil-A on the way home and would be back around 2/2:30pm.  Doug headed to a nap since he barely got any shut eye the night before and I hung out with dead-tired Koen.  Ha!  After Doug got up, he headed right out to a wedding rehearsal he was running in town and I prepared for the babysitter we would receive that evening so that I could attend the rehearsal dinner with Doug.  The boys liked the new babysitter and settled in with her easily.  It's such a joy and relief that Penn is more friendly now.  It makes these date nights a lot more enjoyable to not feel like I'm the meanest mommy ever!  Doug and I enjoyed our evening out and were also happy to not have a super late night (not to mention our new babysitter was a total winner, she did great with the boys!).  

On Saturday, although we had the wedding that afternoon, we squeezed in a fantastic family morning.  We threw the boys' bikes in the van and headed to Highland Park after breakfast.  Tavin is just loving working on his biking skills and Koen is always happy for a ride.  We picked the reservoir at Highland Park because it is flat all the way around.  Tav was so excited about it.  He kept saying, "it's so smooth, Mommy!"  I guess it beat the sidewalks around our home!  Tavin made a lot of progress having that much terrain to work on and was so proud of himself.  Great job, Tav!

Here are the brothers coming in on their last lap around the reservoir.  So fun!

Although we started in sweatshirts and long-sleeve T's, the weather warmed up quickly and soon the boys were asking for a dip in the fountain.  Sure, why not?

Sorry no Penn pictures.  I guess the big boys stole the show with their biking and fountain wading on this Saturday morning.  After we finished our Highland Park fun, the big boys headed home with Doug, but first they dropped Penn and I off at the East Side Complex so that Penn and I could walk to pick up some groceries and then meet them at home.  I was happy to keep moving outside on this gorgeous Saturday!  Speaking of a walk, I also got a walk to the wedding after laying the boys down for naps and gussying up for the wedding.  I think I looked a little odd in my walking shoes and formal cocktail dress, but oh well.  It was a beautiful day and Doug had the van, so what else are you going to do?  Doug did a great job at the wedding and then we had a nice time at the reception visiting with friends and relaxing a bit (although my mind was on the boys much of the time as we had two little friends staying overnight that got dropped off while we were out and we had two awesome well-known babysitters on the job, but I was just dying to be there for these little friends).  When we got home all was fine though and again it wasn't a super late night, so that was good.  The friends visiting that night were Hilary & Alex's two, Huck & D.  They did great and they were happy to see us in the AM and fit right in to our little schedule.  They got to play with the big boys before breakfast and then when Penn got up at 8am, I fed them all breakfast (Doug was already gone at work).

And then AMAZINGLY I got all 5 of them packed up and to the 9am service at church on time!!!  I was so happy and psyched!  D & Huck are like family and they actually provided a fun and welcome change to my big boys instead of the usual crazy antics they put up on a Sunday morning, so although it was two more children, I think it was actually easier.  I did feel like I was driving a school bus or a clown car to church, but it was a happy load for sure!  We had a nice time at church and Huck & D didn't mind the new surroundings at all.  After church we headed to our usual post-church stop, Anderson Playground at Schenley.  The kids were so excited to have more time to play together.  Here are some pictures I caught of them enjoying each other.

It was such a sweet visit with these dear friends.  The boys and I all enjoyed it.  We are all asking to see them again soon.  How better could the overnight have gone? =)  Hilary & Alex picked the kids up around 12pm at the playground and the boys and I headed home then too.  We got unpacked from our morning out and then both Penn and Tav sort of collapsed in tiredness, so they got to nap a little early which was good for me because we were expecting to host a cookout at 4:30pm with some missionaries passing through town.  So, as you might imagine it was a busy afternoon.  Doug got home in time to helpout with some prep and Koen was a big help too.  The cookout was delicious and the visit with these dear friends was a blessing.  Here's a few pics of our kids loving playing in the backyard both before and after the dinner.  I guess all you need is some diggers, shovels and dirt to keep these little ones busy!

So that was Sunday.  Yeah, a little full (great, but full!).  So we were really looking forward to a no-big-plans Memorial Day.  

Monday morning our only plan for the day was to attend the Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade.  A few patriotic pics before we left of course.

It's been a blast for the past few years and this year was no exception.  We actually got there a little early and for the first time got to see all of the parade.  Here are some highlights...  Doug found a spot in the shade to sit with the little guys.

I sat on the street with Koen and Tav would occasionally visit us.  Here comes the beginning of the parade!

We had to take pictures of the military vehicles for Grampa (Koen was my backup photographer).

The historic ducky boats from WWII that are now used for sightseeing in the Burgh.

Tavin was such a hard-working waver.  So cute!

These people were all about posing for the pictures.  

Jeeps for Grampa!

Koen had the camera and he took a pic of the guys driving...

Then without me knowing he totally zoomed in on the guns for pictures!  

Doug snagged a picture of me with my boys.  I loved the parade with them. Such simple fun and I appreciate the opportunity to honor the veterans.

Ok, the old guys in the tiny cars is always hilarious.  I know they've made it on the blog before, but it's just always so funny to me!!  Maybe I'll be in a club of old ladies that ride tiny motorbikes or something random and weird like that and understand a little better. =)

A parade isn't a parade in Pittsburgh without bagpipes.

Doug got to hang with Penn in the shade most of the parade, although I did get a little time with him too.  Here are my cuties waving it out slightly removed from the loud gun blasts and engine vrooms!

Great job, Lawrenceville.  Another fun parade!  We loved it.  We then hiked up through the Allegheny Cemetery to get back home.  On the way up we saw 5 deer, a turtle, tons of geese, ducks, a hawk and lots of birds and squirrels.  That's a lot of wildlife for a city walk!  When we got home we were all hot, sweaty and tired, so the boys had some chill time and I made lunch.  Then the boys played in the backyard until the little guys crashed for naptime and then Doug, Koen and I had a restful afternoon hanging out around the house.  In the evening we took a bike ride/wagon walk to the local playground and then headed home for dinner, bath and bed.  I was so glad we had NO plans for once.  We so needed just a day to ourselves recouping and enjoying family.  Happy Memorial Day everyone and a big, sincere thank you to all those who have served in our armed forces!