Little Guys Home, etc.

With preschool over, the rest of the week Tavin was home with us.  And we had fun making the first phase of our transition into summer.  This really wasn't that big of a deal since Tavin had such an on again, off again Spring with preschool due to travel, illness, allergies and days off.  But I think my thoughts are all on summer, so for me it seemed like a good few days of switching over to a new mode for this sunny, warm season.

First of all, after the preschool graduation we went to our favorite local park.  Tav and Penn spent a lot of the time on the swings.

Janse spent a lot of time in the stroller.

But then he took his first ride on the swings!!  He loved it!

On Thursday, after several very busy mornings getting out of the house early, we had a more relaxed start to the day.  While Jansen took his first nap, I gave Penn a haircut.  Dapper little dude!

Later on, we gave Jansen a much needed bath.  Poor baby only gets one when we have a slow enough day!  And he loves bathtime!

On Friday, we had Penn's speech therapy appointment and then we headed to the park to meet my friend, Bethany, and her sons, Will and Isaac.  Tavin and Will are hilarious together.  They think each other are the best.  Here they are swinging swings like mad at each other.  Oh, boys!

On Saturday, the boys had swimming lessons.  Doug took some videos for me.  I'm just astounded by the progress.  Check out Tav's back stroke!

Koen is doing great too, the videos were just harder to see what was going on.  We are now taking a break for the summer, but we will hopefully not lose any ground over the summer with playing at the pool and practicing before resuming lessons in the Fall.  Good job, boys!  From swimming lessons, the boys went over to Uncle Nate and Aunt Megan's for the afternoon.  Alex and Andy were so excited to have their friends over!  Here's a picture of Alex reading to Koen and Tavin.  He was so excited to show off for them. 

They got to go on a creek walk later in the afternoon.  And they finished their fun with some soccer in the backyard with Uncle Nate.  On Sunday, we again got to hang out with the Troxells after church (which might I just add that I walked all 4 boys to the 9am service and got there on time and then we walked home via the playground to meet up with the Troxells, super psyched momma to pull that all off!!).  No pictures of that fun though, but it was a lovely warm morning to be outside with great friends!

Well, that about sums up what's been going on here!

Tavin Graduates Preschool!

On Wednesday, we got to celebrate with Tavin that he completed preschool!  Congratulations, Tavin!  The ceremony, as usual, was adorable.  Mostly just because of the funny things preschoolers do.  I captured a few moments on camera and video.  

Here's Tavin on the way in (note all the preschool parents raising their hands to wave at their kids!)...

A little nervous to start, sucking in his cheeks and waiting for the program to start.

He looked right at me and smiled for the camera!  In the picture below I feel like he looks like some of my childhood pictures.  Mom, you should see if you can find a comparison one that I could scan and post!

Here's a video of their first song where they signed and sang, "Jesus Loves Me."

There were several other little songs and then they did their big production, a reading of Eric Carle's, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."  All the children made their own prop paintings.  Tavin was very proud of his apple and had told me to look for it.  His buddy, Ellie, is next to him and worked extra hard on her golden pear.

Here's a video of the story (well, Tav's part)...

At the end, each graduate's name is called and they walk through a little archway and receive their "diploma" from the school's director.  It's pretty precious.  The children were all taught how to bow or curtsy and Tavin took it sooooo seriously. 

It was short and sweet (and entertaining), but so special.  Tavin Dale, you have grown up so much these last two years.  Most notably, your speech progress has been outstanding and so exciting.  But you've learned so much more (writing your letters and numbers, counting to 100, making lots of new friends, learning how to be part of a classroom, etc.).  Not to mention your hard work to learn to read and then the reading we've been enjoying since then.  Tavin, we are so proud of you, so thankful for your zest for life, your hard work ethic and your happy persona.  We look forward to watching you continue to learn as you grow!

Memorial Day 2015

What a great family day!  We started off early with a big breakfast made by Douglas, Koen and Tavin.  We needed the fuel because for the fourth year in a row we walked down to the Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade.  It was a glorious morning for a long walk.  Tavin was so excited, to say he had "a spring in his step" is an understatement.

We got to the parade right in time to find a spot and for me to feed Jansen.  Here are some pictures Doug took of the boys enjoying the parade...  Penn watching the bagpipers.

Koen loves the radio station, KLOVE!  

I got a few pictures too.  Here's the littlest Melder boy hanging in there through this older boy experience (lots of musket fire and loud engines of assorted vehicles!).  He is just loving sucking on his hands, thumbs and fingers these days.  

Here's Penn enjoying a nice view from Daddy's shoulders.  He was in awe the whole time!

We had several friends join us at the parade and were able to get one (Miss Megan Magee!) take some family photos.  Here are my top 2.

After the parade, we headed up the huge hill towards home.  The boys were amazing on the warm walk home.  It was still a glorious day for a walk, but they were tired.  We all benefited from a few hours indoors in the AC afterwards.  Tav helped out by holding Jansen when we first got home and were unloading things.  So precious!

After some downtime, Doug took Koen and Tavin to a friend's picnic in the afternoon.  They returned a little before we were expecting some good friends for our low key Memorial Day picnic.  It was a blast!  We spent most of our time in the backyard.  Here are a few pictures...  First, Deborah and Megan were happy to get their hands on Jansen.  Here's Deborah and her youngest, Hazel, with Jansen.

We had so much fun in our tiny backyard.  I was really encouraged we could entertain 9 kids in our petite urban oasis.  Bubbles were a big hit. 

Check out the sweet little photo opp with Hazel and Penn when they were caught hanging out on the bench under the tree.  Precious! 

After dinner, Doug got the fire going and the kids got to roast marshmallows and make S'mores!

Messy, happy kiddos! 

Re-arranging the chairs became a fun activity and then the kids made a train.  Pretty cute! 

Well, that's all the pictures for Memorial Day 2015.  It was a great family day.  What a lovely start to the official summer season.  I can't end this post though without saying, "thank you," to all those who have served, are serving and who have given their lives to defend our country, our freedom, allowing us to live this life of liberty we enjoy so much.  God bless America!

Jansen's Laughter Caught on Video!!

Listen closely and it's just a bit, but I caught Jansen's laughter on video the other day.  Looking forward to learning how to get him really giggling and recording that some day soon!

Mommy Moments

Sometimes I feel like I forget to get pictures with me in them (and that the kids will look back on their childhood and wonder if I was around...hopefully they'll have the actual memories that I'm around a lot and that I'm often the one behind the camera, that's all!).  Anyways, over the past week or so I've taken a picture here or there of Jansen and I to share with my mom or a friend.  Thought I'd post some to prove that this little guy is often in my arms and so we have some pictures together. 

He's not super happy and quite distracted watching Penn scooter up and down the sidewalk.

This one is my favorite.  Look at his sweet little profile!

On our way out for a walk/nap!

At Children's for Penn's appointment with Miss Christal for speech.  Jansen is very serious, I think he was trying to pick up some new words. =)

This day I wasn't feeling well.  I napped while Jansen did, but he woke up earlier than I was hoping, so we snuggled and he fell back asleep and I enjoyed just being cuddled up with him.

That's it for now!  Years of pictures to come! =)

Koen's School Camp with Daddy

Here we are again at Memorial Day weekend, which is ALWAYS the weekend Koen's school has their overnight camp.  It's a really memorable time for the kids, of course, but unfortunately for Doug it allows falls on this weekend where he usually has weddings to do, church, etc.  It was no exception this year, actually double duty.  Doug had two wedding rehearsals on Friday night and two weddings on Saturday and two church services on Sunday before kicking it into restful gear for the Memorial Day weekend.  And before all that was camp.  Woo Hoo (dripping with sarcasm)!  The saving grace about camp is that Koen loves it and Koen wants Doug to be there.  There will be years (and probably in the not too distant future) when Koen doesn't want him to attend or doesn't spend much time with him there.  These are the opportunities to take advantage of and that is what Douglas did.  Not only that, but he got stuck chaperoning about 4 other boys too.  Koen was grateful to have him there and I think quite proud too.  Doug's a pretty awesome dad.

Here they are preparing for laser tag which sounded like it was pretty cool!

Here they are at dinner.  Looking pretty happy (and I feel like their smiles look alike?  I don't usually see much of Doug in the boys, but here I see it a bit).

Koen looks super proud to be on his top bunk!  The cabins are not insulated and it went down into the 30's that night!  Koen ended up snuggling in Doug's bed with him from about 2am on. =)

Well, that's all the pictures I got this year.  Doug had his hands full!  Koen's favorite parts he said were laser tag, playing soccer and having Daddy there.  Douglas, thanks so much for being such an intentional dad.  I was so thankful you were there with Koen, it meant so much to him.  And I was glad you could be there to observe he and his classmates and the camp experience, it is so helpful to have a little peek at his school life and it's amazing that he likes sharing that with you.  Good job, Daddy!!

Grampa Days

I am so behind on getting these pictures and praise for my Daddy up on the blog.  This was either the 6th or 7th year in a row that my Dad has stopped in here on his way home from a convention he attends in Dayton, Ohio every May.  It's become quite the anticipated tradition.  As you can see the boys were all ready for Grampa's arrival last Sunday (even Penn made a sign this year!)...

We also had prepared for his visit by baking a belated birthday pie and Koen and Tavin made birthday cards.

The day Dad arrived was Jansen's dedication (see prior blog post).  The next day was Monday which Koen had off from school because of teacher in-service.  Grampa brought his bike with him so that he could take Koen out on a bike ride on a special one-on-one adventure.  They had a great time and I was proud of my Dad for being so adventurous in a different city and proud of Koen for the long bike ride!  Here are some great photos Dad got during their cycle into the city.

Grampa still had plenty of quality time with Tavin, Penn and Jansen that day too though (we know how to love on the grandparents around here!).  Grampa and Jansen were such a cute pair!  I sort of feel like Jansen looks a bit like Dad in this picture.

I dressed Jansen in camouflage for Grampa (a big military vehicle and WWII buff).  They were all smiles together.

This was so sweet...Jansen was getting cranky before his afternoon nap and so Grampa cradled him in his arms and started to singing to him.  Turns out that Jansen loves "Heaven is a Wonderful Place."  He was so happy, almost giggling!

On Tuesday, Koen had to go to a regular day to school, so it was Tavin's turn for a bike ride with Grampa.  Rather than the river trail on the Allegheny like Grampa did with Koen the day before, Tavin and Grampa set off from the SouthSide Works on the Monongahela and pedaled all the way to the Point.  Impressive little Tavin Dale!  Here are a few pictures a proud Grampa grabbed of his hard-working namesake.

Just like the day before, even though Grampa had some special time with one grandson, he made time for each of them during the day.  And of course, I had to get a shot of him snuggling Jansen.  He grabbed Jansen for me when he was cranky before another nap and Jansen totally crashed on his shoulder (and then my heart melted).

In the afternoon, Koen got home from school and after a snack and some homework, Grampa took he, Tav and Penn over to the playground to meet Doug (I had a mom's group thing that night to prep for).  They then went out for pizza for dinner.  My husband, my dad and 3 out of 4 of my sons, all out together for dinner.  That makes this momma smile.  Here's Koen and Grampa at dinner.

Grampa had to leave early on Wednesday morning, but Doug, myself and the big boys who snuck out of bed early all got to say goodbye.  Daddy, it was such a great visit.  Thanks so much for how much you care about these boys and all the time and effort you put into your visits and moments with them.  We've been missing you greatly the rest of this week. Thanks for all your practical help with holding Jansen, laying Penn down for every nap and bedtime (Penn is sooooo into Grampa right now!) and occupying Tavin and Koen with love and sincere interest.  We love you and look forward to the next time we can be with you.