Kindergarten Graduation

Joshua was really funny about graduation. He didn't want to go. He had several different excuses, he didn't want to wear church clothes to school (like the polo shirt and tie?), he didn't think we'd like the songs, it wouldn't be interesting. He actually said he didn't want to go to school today, which is the first time all year since we switched classes, that he has said that. Well, we convinced him to go and good thing, he got an award for perfect attendance! He is so proud of that award. I feel like we cheated a little since we were gone to Disneyland and southern California for a week, but he was signed out to "independent study" that week and the school got full credit for him being there. We weren't expecting him to get an award, and I didn't even have my camera ready! Once he had it, every picture I took, he wanted to hold up his "attendance award". I'm glad he decided to go today. We were teasing him that he would have been absent and not there to get his "perfect attendance" award if he stayed home. The songs were cute and the hats were even cuter. It has been such a great year for both our kids, I just don't want the school year to end!

Exciting Weekend!

Joshua's new favorite disguise - Harry Potter.  I let him watch a few non-scary parts of the first movie and he is hooked!

Meet Snowy, the baby chick that Sarah brought home from school. We can only keep her a few weeks before she heads back to the farm, but the kids are having a great time with her. I think it is a good experience to have them care for her and watch her change and grow. Sarah got to see her hatch from her egg, which was in an incubator in her classroom.

We also got to have Uncle Wayne for the weekend! Fun! He has a two week training class in Sacramento and decided to come here on the weekend in between instead of going all the way back home. He got here about 15 minutes after the chick did, so it was a bit chaotic!

Elizabeth has been checking on the chicks at school every time we pick Sarah up. Mrs Jones has been so sweet to her, going out of her way to pick up a chick, bring it to Elizabeth and then talk to her about it. Elizabeth just stares at Mrs Jones, but it is better than screaming at her, which she does to a lot of people!

Horsing around with Uncle Wayne.

We also had Sarah's first piano recital this weekend. She was pretty nervous, but did a great job. She played Chihuahua Cha Cha and Cats, Cats, Everywhere Cats. She really liked the cat song and worked so hard playing eighth notes for the first time and doing some tricky counting. We did video it, but there is a lot of Elizabeth yelling "Sissy" during it. Donald had to take Elizabeth out after Sarah's song, so just Sarah and I sat and enjoyed the rest of the recital. Uncle Wayne was there too and I think he was impressed with Sarah's playing! Sarah we are so proud of you!

Grandparents Day 2011
This is a huge event at the kids school each year. My parents have been able to come every year and really look forward to the trip. they got to spend time with each kid and bond with Elizabeth, who is very selective in who she will even talk to!

We moved the recliner into the TV room for my Dad's visit. I could tell it made him happy, and the kids enjoyed it too!

Sarah showing my mom and dad around her classroom.

Joshua keeping himself busy while we were at Sarah's class. He wasn't very interested in anything going on, but was well behaved.

Elizabeth was less interested, but also less well behaved! We kept taking turns with her outside the classroom! In her defense, it was like week three of her being sick!

Sarah's class sang some songs. I loved this song "English is a Pain (pane)". It was super cute and very accurate!

Joshua's class did the super cute "Three Piggy Opera". Joshua was one of the pigs with the straw house. He was adorable, as was the rest of his class. Everyone loved the play and i had the songs stuck in my head the rest of the day!

Joshua's buddy, Ryan, was one of the wolves and just hilarious!

Joshua showing off some of his work in the classroom. I didn't get a picture of it, but my favorite thing was the "wanted" signs that his teacher had hanging from the ceiling. He had each kid's picture hanging from the ceiling like a wanted poster. I loved this because he had an adjective describing each kid. Well, he had "Jubilant Joshua" on Joshua's. I just love that that is how his teacher sees him, as the happy kid that he is! I'm so sad that kindergarten is ending for him!

Joshua with my mom and dad at Grandparent's day.

Mother's Day

We made my mom a photo book with pictures of her with each kid since they were born. I could tell she loved it. She is so proud of her grand kids and loves them each so much. Do you see her necklace? It has a charm for each of her kids and grand kids.

Me with each of my kiddos and the gifts they got me!

While Grandma was here, Joshua decided he wanted to learn how to sew. I grabbed some left over fabric and cut squares so he could sew a nine patch. My mom did an awful lot of sewing on it, but he was super proud of his work and was anxious to do more. Isn't he just so sweet?

Oops, I forgot to post the best one!

Easter 2011

Yes, I got the kids matching outfits! I got them on clearance last year after Easter, then found a pink tie for Donald and rummaged through my closet to find matching things for me. I think we were super cute! Joshua was a good sport about wearing a pink shirt and Donald was a good sport about wearing a pink tie (even though he was teased at church). I do wish we had gotten a better family shot, but I think Elizabeth did pretty good after being at Church all morning long!

Elizabeth with a mouth full of chocolate!

We also released the butterflies on Easter. Sarah really wanted to wait until that special day to let them go!

Happy Mother's Day!

Were you expecting a picture of me with my kids? Well, this is way better. I was sitting eating my lunch, Elizabeth was sleeping and everyone else was quiet. Very quiet. The kind of quiet where, as a mom, I was sure something was very wrong. Well, I was wrong! Joshua was in the bedroom with Donald (note the shared pose!) playing some electronic game (which equals pure joy for both) and Sarah was in the guest room with my mom playing a game (this is Sarah's own little heaven - Grandma's full attention and a board game!). I was happy, but somewhat stunned. It is kind of like the first time you baby takes a long nap, or goes to school and you just don't know what to do with yourself. Well, of course Elizabeth woke up soon after, but for a few minutes, there was complete peace in the Decker house, and I ate my lunch in peace, with out getting up to get anything for anyone! Happy Mother's Day, indeed!