Graduation 2016

Dear Eliana, 

You graduated from Preschool this year!! For being so pregnant, I did a great job holding it together! I only teared up a little during the final video. I was kind of crazy and thought everyone would want to get to the graduation early to get good seats (I'd never been to this auditorium). So we went right at the moment we could so I could get a good seat and we ended up being the only ones there for like 10 minutes, before the next parents came. But that's alright, we ended up getting some great seats...in fact front row directly in front of where you were sitting :) 

You grew and learned SO much at preschool this year! You learned your name, how to spell your first and last name, your address, your dad's phone number, your birthday, all of your letters and how to write them, how to add, a little subtraction, patterns, how to color within the lines, how to read a clock to the hour, etc.

Walking in! 

Singing songs, making faces at all of your adoring fans, and saying the pledge of allegiance. :)

Singing the Wheels on the Bus

Getting your diploma from Mrs. Megan!

We're all so proud of you!!! 

Bekkah, Elijah, and Jami came to support you too! 

Mimi, Grandpa, and Grandma were all so proud of you! 

Your silly brother ate a blue cupcake!! You and your friend Haidyn and below is your friend Piper! 

I'm not ready for your to start kindergarten. I think about how busy school is and how you're expected to follow so many rules and be as grown up as you can, and I'm not ready for you to have to grow up -- I want you to enjoy being a kid a little longer!! I pray so hard for your kindergarten teacher, I pray that she or he is understanding and firm but gentle. I pray that you get a good teacher and that you make friends that are positive role models and that you are a kind friend to your peers as well. There are so many things that make me nervous about you going to school....but you are an amazing girl that loves to learn - so I"m sure you'll do just fine!! 

I am so proud of the way you learn and your love for learning! I hope that you always have this zest for learning! I can't wait for you to start reading!!! 

Love you my Preschool Graduate!! 

Mommy

Visit from Papa

We were so happy Papa came to visit for a VERY long weekend! We had lots of fun, Papa parked his motorcoach in our driveway and you two had lots of fun visiting him in our driveway! :) 

Night one Papa took us out for icecream! yummy!

Yummy and Messy! 

The main reason Papa came was to help us build our new swing set!! Daddy, Uncle G, Uncle Glenn, and Papa built our wonderful new swing set! 

Easton, you were so funny playing on the slide before it was even built! haha

Building the swing set in the garage to stay out of the heat!

While the guys built the swing set Grandpa painted Eliana's new bedroom!! 

Painting while the building took place.

It's done!!! So much fun to play on!! 

Uncle Andrew came to visit and play as well! 

So happy to see Papa and visit with him for 5 days! :) 

Mommy is 30!!!

30....yep....I turned 30! Your daddy made it a great, great week! We always do birthday weeks for each other, your dad and I, sorry kids you don't get a birthday week.....yet....

Besides the normal birthday week gifts, which I can tell your daddy planned ahead for this year, he planned two other big surprises for me!! 

The first one was when we visited Buhler for the MCC sale. Daddy told me he wanted to go to Taco Hut for dinner, so you kiddos stayed with Mimi for dinner and we went out on a date. We got to Taco Hut and ordered our food, then I tried to sit down at our normal table. Your dad said, no, come back here....I started to refuse, but finally gave in. Luckily I did because sitting in the back room at Taco Hut were my 3 best friends from high school!! I was truly, truly surprised and definitely cried I was so happy to see them! Your daddy is such a sneaky planner! The girls and I had a great time hanging out and getting ice cream after Taco Hut! So thankful for them! Kiddos, I hope you guys have friends that last a lifetime like I do! Despite any up and downs we have stuck together! 

Then, daddy planned a KC weekend for me on my birthday! Your mimi, Aunt Jami, Grandma, Auntie M, Auntie Omi, my bestie Kellie, and I went out to dinner and for pedicures! Then your Aunt Jami, Kellie, and I went back to Kellie's house where we played games until midnight. Then it was off to a wonderful birthday dreamworld for me! :) 

Sunday - was my actual birthday! You guys came up to Gardner to meet Kellie and I for lunch and a little park time!! 

We had so much fun!! I had a FABULOUS birthday!! You all spoiled me to the max! I'm very happy about my 30th year and I think it will be fabulous!! 

Love you all!
Mommy