kindergarten graduation

this is our first experience with an actual kindergarten graduation.  we've done a few little awards ceremonies with friends who home school, but have never had an "official graduation."  oh my, have we been missing out.  i'm not sure how most schools do this, but at CLPS, it is truly special.  each child wears the hat with the tassle which they all love.  also, each child is presented with a medal and certificate that talks about the character quality they exhibited best throughout the year.  sam's teacher gave him the quality of obedience.  melt our hearts!  seriously, we were some proud parents. 

sam receiving his award

the kindergarten class was so large this year, they actually had two sections.  one met on monday/wednesday and the other met on tuesday/thursday.  sam attends the tuesday/thursday option, but both classes were represented at graduation.

the top of this sheet is from the first day of school, the bottom from the last

if anyone was like me and didn't expect a whole lot of learning in kindergarten, let this paper speak for itself!  

spring baseball

i feel like i have to post a little something about spring baseball.  not only do we love the rangers this time of year, but little league consumes our lives during the spring (and fall).  i jokingly said when we got the game and practice schedules at the beginning of the season that i was just going to pitch a tent at the park.  i was only halfway kidding.  we live on hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn during these two months and usually need to take out a small loan to fund the kids concession stand purchases.  it's a bad time of year to be putting on an extra 10 lbs right before swim suit season, but we can't get enough of it, well most of us. i love it, the boys love it, allan loves, it, and that about covers it.  anna doesn't love it, but she tolerates it well thanks to the concession stand!  most of the pictures are in video form, so i'll post a couple of the boys hitting.  somehow, we always forget to bring our camera to games and the iphone doesn't zoom all that great.  luke started kid pitch this year and sam is in his last year of pee wee.

dugout ~ one of the faves among the boys

luke on the cardinals

sam

this is post is so late.  we celebrated sweet sam's birthday back in february.  he wanted to do an "all boy party" this year.  however, he wouldn't pass the invitations out at school or the thank you notes because he didn't want to hurt the girls feelings.   here are a few pictures from the friend and family party!

celebrating 6 at van grow art studio

there was painting

and junk robot creating

and of course tie-dyed cupcakes

after we left the fun art party, we headed back to our house for a little family celebration and more cake of course.  sam's favorite food is none other than....pizza.  so, pizza it was!

celebrated by lots of family

love this picture of him

and the amazing cake my very talented mother in law made

sam, you are such a blessing to us.  you love to be just like your big brother and we couldn't be more thankful for that.  you have such a servant's heart, you love baseball, you love school, and you bring us so much joy!  we cannot believe our baby is 6!  you will be an amazing big brother some day soon.