Chapter 5

Another chapter closed yesterday and a new one opened.... I am officially 5 years old!  My birthday requests included a trip to Grammy's house, a ride on the pontoon, a stop at Somerset Pub (for ice cream), cupcakes, and several favorite gifts.  Mommy asked me what excited me about being 5 and I said, "I get to go to Kindergarten!"  This was music to her ears :)

 We had a nice surprise when Uncle Ben, Auntie Erin, Kyra and Bennett came to Grammy's to celebrate the Memorial Weekend and my birthday.  We decided to head out on the boat on Sunday instead of my actual birthday (Monday) because the weather was cooperating.  We have to take advantage when we can!  Our favorite stop is Somerset.  I had an ice cream cookie sandwich and I received an early gift~$10 roll of quarters from Mommy/Daddy to waste on their quarter machine game.  Not sure if I won, I just kept spending those quarters!

 Last summer we were toasting to summer and my birthday in swimsuits, this year, we were bundled up!  We didn't want to forget our flag for the boat- Happy Memorial Day!

"Super Uncle Ben" came down in Bennett's cape to make sure we were being safe on the dock, silly Ben!

Gifts- I asked my parents for a new blow-up jet ski boat since mine had an irreparable tear at the end of last summer.  Great news, I got a new one!!!  Although it was too cold to use this, I cannot wait for warmer days to head out on my own motorized boat.  I also received a 2 person ski tube for the Mastercraft, a "big boy" fishing rod and tackle box, a slip and slide, a huge styrofoam airplane, a bow and arrow (not a real one, don't worry), a small air hockey table, and money... I am one LUCKY 5 year-old!

 Auntie Lynn, who owns the bakery in town, made special fish cupcakes for my big day.  The crown was made at preschool for my school birthday.  I have been wearing it for two weeks in anticipation!

 Preschool birthdays are the best!  I love talking about them to my parents and was chomping at the bit in anticipation of mine (ugh, already realizing I am a spring birthday!)  For my special day, Mommy, Daddy and Cooper came to school.  Mommy read the story, The Wide Mouthed Frog and we made funny grassy head frogs to go with the story.  I made my crown and Daddy helped me pass out my snack to the class.

 My best friend, Mason

 Besides my very important birthday, I graduated from preschool!  I told Mommy that I was excited to be done with preschool because now I do not have to miss her anymore (this melted her heart).

 "Me too" came to my last day of preschool for a fun field trip to a dance studio.  He has become a permanent fixture/sibling on our field trips.  Good thing he is a good little boy and has not been kicked out of my class.

My lovely and amazing teachers, Ms. C and Mrs. Lien.  They presented us and our families with a beautiful scrapbook from the year.  Here are a few of our favorite pages....

The page above was recent with my birthday celebration.  Each page has a little design/symbol or picture that I made and on the first page, I must have named my frog Cooper, LOL!  My parents cracked up laughing at my stories that I told on each page.

 We will treasure this special scrapbook forever and ever and ever, AMEN!

 Our last field trip was to a dance studio.  We did some stretching and then danced away.  Daddy was on camera duty since Mommy was on a field trip with her class.

 Mommy organized (go figure) the class gift for Ms. C.  She dreamed up this handprint bouquet, each child's hand is holding a gift card to a local place.  Ms. C loved her gift!

Cooper also finished his preschool, Camp Come and Play two weeks ago.  Mommy organized and created his teachers' gifts too.... a map of our city with gift cards all over it.  There is a heart over our preschool that says, "Here or There, Our Love for You is Everywhere!"

 Cooper's preschool is just 2 hours per week, but they still had a special gift, a mini-poster of adorable pictures from the semester.  We loved the pictures of him, especially the one below :)

 Speaking of projects, Emmett finished his butterfly footprints on Grammy's apron, so here is the finished project!  We did an apron for Grammy and the platter for Grandma Carla.  Both have similarities and differences.  The butterfly feet are just precious!

 This weather "stinks" yet we decided to get our garden in.  We planted a full row of raspberry bushes, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, corn, squash, pumpkins, watermelon, dill, cilantro, basil, lettuce mix, and peppers.  Our garden is very healthy and our rubarb patch rocks!  We are looking forward to warmer days so that our produce can actually thrive. 

 My Mom is not the only crazy party host, our neighbors had a huge beach bash and brought in loads of sand for a mock beach.  We dug for treasures and had a great time, even if the weather was not beachy!

So, there you have it!  I am excited about being 5 and my parents can't stop feeling sad about it.  I look forward to being an awesome 5 year old!

You Are My Sunshine

Mama's Turn....Mother's Day is one of my favorite days of the year.  I am reminded of how blessed I am to have these two beautiful and loving boys.  I can honestly say that being a Mom is my biggest blessing in life!

 Jenny, our daycare provider, sent these happy tulips home with a photo of the boys.  In case you can't see the photo, Caden is holding up a sign that says, "WE" followed by another sign that says "LOVE YOU" and Cooper's sign on the bottom says "THIS" and Caden's says "MUCH!" Their arms are outstretched while holding the THIS MUCH signs.   I loved the gift and the tulips are soaking up the sun on our front porch.

 On Mother's Day, we went to church followed by some gifts at home before we headed to the golf course for a delicious brunch.  Caden was THRILLED all week to give me his special gift from preschool.  He decorated the brown paper bag with Bingo Dabbers. 

Inside the bag was a plaster handprint painted in metallics.  I was thinking, "Wow, he used so much color in comparison to what he typically uses!"  I turned the handprint over to read PRESLEIGH on the back.  Oops, we swapped them out the next day!

Cooper made handprint flowers at his preschool for me last week.  It says, "My Love For You Grows!"  I remember Caden giving me this gift way back when he attended Camp Come and Play (age 2) and this is what I did to his handprints in my scrapbook....

Chris spoiled me with two amazing gifts- the first gift is a beautiful watch from a local jeweler, I love it (sorry, no photo yet of it).  The second gift is this custom canvas that says "The Klay Family...Nesting since 2000."  There are two baby birds (the boys) and a Mommy/Daddy bird all in the tree.  I am so proud of Chris- he discovered Red Envelope :)

 We spent the afternoon at my Mom's (Grandma Carla's) where we saw cousins, siblings, aunts/uncles and had a great BBQ.

 My goddaughter Alexis

 This was our masterpiece (compliments of my creative thinking)!  I found a very simple two flower plate on Pinterest and dreamed this more elaborate and adorable design.  The handprints are all 5 grandkids, the bee and ladybugs are thumbprints and the caterpillar on the bottom are thumbprints from each grandchild.  Isn't it the cutest thing you have ever seen?  My Mom clapped and cried when she saw it, in other words, she loved it!

 My Mom's backyard is gorgeous. We always do photos in her yard when the weather allows us to do so.  We had some shade in the late sun, but these still are so precious.

 In case you are wondering, Lexi has "Thing 1" and Sam as "Thing 2" shirts on.  Stefanie (their Mom/my sister) has "The Mother of Thing 1 and Thing 2" shirt on (not pictured).  They were all like one big happy Seuss family (nerdy but cute for Mother's Day)!

 I love their itty bitty feet, they are still small, right :)

 Backtrackin- We went to "Grammy's" on Saturday to see Ben/Erin/Kyra and Bennett.  The big boys had to put in 5 docks and 2 boat lifts since the resort opens this weekend.  You would never know it by the photos, but it IS spring!  Saturday was blustery cold, so we did not spend time outdoors for too long and I forgot my camera.  We celebrated Mother's Day with Lois as well as Bennett's 6th birthday!  It was great seeing everyone and we can't wait for summer fun on the lake!

 Cinco de Mayo was different this year.  We always hosted with our neighbors Dan and Nancy but with all of our traveling, we decided to not host this year.  Dan and Nancy moved to New Mexico, so the commitment and effort was beyond what I felt I could do this year.  Fortunately, one of my great friends, Kerri, picked up my slack and hosted for us!  The best part was the hot-tub that was just installed on their deck for the kids to pee in enjoy.  In preparation of going, we dug out our usual attire (remember that we always host adults-only Cinco parties, hence the huge sombrero and silly margarita glasses).

 Easton and Cooper

All of the kids... possibly the consequence of too many margaritas and cervesas at previous Cinco gatherings.

 Here is Cooper monkey jumping on the pretend bed.  I have enjoyed attending music class with Cooper this year.  Their preschool offers music class once a week and we love it!  Cooper sings ALL the time.  My favorite was last week when he started singing, "I Love My Mommy....DEEP down in my heart!'  We were in Target and my heart melted.

 Cooper's music class ended on Monday and we will sure miss the songs, movement and friendships made in class.

 Speaking of singing... Caden had his Spring Sing Program at Preschool.  I was floored and so proud of him!  Last year, he was so reserved and would barely sing a word of the songs they sang.  This year, he truly has blossomed.  He sang all of the words (and loud sometimes!), knew the actions, and he was so happy and proud of himself.  The kids sang the cutest songs and there was a special slideshow at the end.  I will never forget this concert--- the songs were cute (mostly about God/Jesus which he will not hear or sing in public school next year), Caden was awesome and his good friend Ethan barfed all over the stage (so glad it wasn't MY kid who did that, LOL!)

Not sure if this video clip is working... I am attempting to get it to play.

 Our weather has been so crazy the past few weeks. Today, it was 80 degrees, so we made the best of it!  We met Lucy, Lily and Laurie Jo for a playdate at the park. 

I sure am blessed to be a Mommy and I am especially thankful this time of year for all of the positive women influences in my life.  Happy Mother's Day!