School is out!

It seems like just yesterday we were talking about which preschool we'd go to, now we're done. With one at least! Samantha finished up her last day of preschool last week (I know, I've been neglecting the blog). She has absolutely loved her teachers, who she had both years and Cole will have next year. We love them too!!! So many fun memories were made and we will always have a special place in our hearts for Ahwatukee Preschool.

Last day of preschool!
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And now summer is here and we have the challenge of filling our days with fun things to do. One such thing was playing store. Sammie and Cole organized all of the play food we have and turned our living room into a supermarket, complete with signs, conveyor belt and cash register! It was fun.

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And today Sammie wanted to draw in her journal. It's a journal she started at preschool and they left a bunch of empty pages for us to do this summer, smart teachers:) The theme for today-missing Maura. She was sad when she came across a picture of Maura, one of her besties that moved to Baltimore last November. So I said, draw a picture and we'll take a picture of it and send it to her:) Art therapy! We miss you Wests!

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And on a total side note...Cole is just about potty trained!!!!! While Peter's mom and dad watched the kids for us this weekend Grammie sat Cole on the potty and he actually peed!!! (something he had not yet done, even though we had been trying for quite some time). He wore undies all day yesterday and all of today without any accidents! Can't believe it! Thought this day would never come, but so glad it has. this morning he peed in the potty and said, "Daddy will be so proud!" Love you ColeTrain! Good job!

Kinder

Yesterday I took Samantha to her future school, Colina to the "Day in the Life of a Kindergartener". It was an introduction to the kiddos of what Kinder is all about and a little tour of the school. As I was sitting in the library of the school watching her listen to the Vice Principal read a story I teared up a little thinking about the fact that next year that's where she'll be. That's where the majority of her memories will be made, new friends, etc.

We are moving on to the next chapter and I have to say I am way excited but also a little terrified. I wish I could keep her little forever! Ok, that's not true but some days it is:) I love her smile, sense of humor, gentleness, kindness and just how smart she is.

When the kids got to the kinder room they got to sit at a table and color with a big kid. Sammie sat down, wrote her name and started coloring. One of the other moms turned to me and just started pouring out the compliments, "Wow, she can write her name so well", "She colors so nicely". I was so proud. I know you really shouldn't compare your kid to others, but I totally was. And I know she's going to do great next year.

Daddy and I just love being your parents Sammer Jammer are are so thrilled to see what's to come...

Saguaro Lake

Last Sunday started like any...went to church, thoroughly enjoyed it and planned to spend the day together "as a family". What we were not planning on was the beautiful day that it was. 74 degrees and breezy...not a typical April day in Az. So we threw out our original plan for the day, sped home and packed lunches and fishing gear and headed to Saguaro Lake.
It was so fun listening to Peter tell the kids how he used to work out there. He actually put in most of the fencing around the lake when he worked for the forest service in college. Then at the lake he took the kids on a little walk to show them a trail that he helped dig out. So cool.
The day was perfect, kids loved fishing even though nothing was caught. Loved just sitting and being together on a pretty day. These will be the memories that we'll come back to when we're old and grey:)

Easter

Easter was fun this year. We got home from Tahoe Saturday afternoon and decided by that night that we were going to opt for the "sleep in" option and go to 10:00 church. And good thing we did. Kids slept in, a little, but still...it was like Christmas morning when they woke up. They ran out into the living room to find their Easter baskets and eggs hidden all over the house. It was so cute watching Cole turn around and say every time, "I found an egg". And if he found two at the same time he'd give one to Samantha. What a guy.
Then it was off to church, where we celebrated outside. It was a little warm, but under a shade tree it was beautiful. Sitting together as a family singing songs together-my favorite part of the day for sure.
When we got home Peter made a delicious Easter lunch-steak, grilled vegetables, cucumber salad, warm bread. It was good.
After we woke up from our food coma naps we dyed eggs and had a quick little trip to the park to fly our kite-it was quite breezy on Easter! Then home for Easter-egg-salad sandwiches. New tradition-I think so.
Ok, so I said that church was my favorite part of Easter but I think I lied. I think my favorite memory was asking Samantha why Easter was important. I was fully expecting to hear something about a bunny, candy or presents and she blew me away with this: "Easter is important because Jesus died on the cross. He died to save us. On Easter God made him alive again so we can be with him forever." That pretty much sums it up.

Family Time

Last weekend we celebrated my aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary. It was a huge party, but the best part was being with all my family. We had family come in from all over to be here for the weekend of partying:) I especially loved spending time with my sister and her husband who live in Virginia. We miss them when they're not here...


Me and my sis.


Sammer Jammer.

Sammie, Katie and Allison.

Grandpa and Cole.

Cole and his new BFF Uncle Adam.