Potty talk

Wow, it is so different potty training boys!  Landon really doesn't like his underwear...

He would perfer to walk around in the nude.  You can only imagine the conversations we have had around our house.  We spent all day outside last week and he would go over to the edge of the woods everytime he needed to hmmm... relieve himself.  The next day I said, "Landon, let's put your underwear on and sit on the potty today!"  He said, "No!  I go potty in the grass!"

 Oh boy!  I think it's time I purchase that book on how to raise boys!

Brothers

Landon can make Sawyer laugh so hard!

He really doesn't even have to do much.

And Landon loves that he can make him laugh!

They already have such a bond.

We made It!

I took this right before we walked out the door for the last day of school!  I was in a hurry, as usual.  Must be why Sawyer's face is completely fuzzy! 
Wow, what a year. 
I started the year off extremely pregnant!
We went from three to four!

These sweet girls had great years.  We loved both of their teachers.
It was a great Kindergarten and second grade.
Look out, here we come 1st and 3rd!

Savannah's Kindergarten Program

Savannah and all of her classmates filed in.  They each held a letter.  Savannah had to say, "R is for reading stories, even those that bring a tear."

Then they sang and did a little dance. 

Their teacher, Mrs. Conn held a book up while all the children read the words.  Savannah is a great reader.  It's so amazing how much she has learned this year.

Then Mrs. Conn handed out a certificate to each child.  She didn't just call out their names.  She said something about each child before they came up.  Before she called out Savannah's name, she said, "this child is the sweetest, kindest little girl.  She always shares and helps her friends."
Then Mrs. Conn showed a slide show.  And I got a little teared up!

Then they had ice cream sundaes!

Samantha and Anna were two of her friends.  I was so impressed with Savannah's class.  All the girls and boys got along so well.  Mrs. conn got so emotional talking about how this had been one of her best years. 

I'm so proud of this little girl!  And I'm so thankful for good teachers!  They are seriously the hardest working people and in my opinion so underpaid.

This Morning...

Landon woke me up saying, "Sawya poopy!"  Landon has started getting a chair and climbing into Sawyer's crib.  I know, scary!

Savannah found a dollar under her pillow from the tooth fairy.  She just lost her second front tooth.  She says she talks funny now!

Laurel watched Sawyer while I got dressed.  I honestly don't know how I would do it without her!

Mother's Day

I was  so spoiled on Mother's Day!  Seth got up with the children and let me sleep a little longer.  They all came in and surprised me with breakfast in bed.  So sweet.
They all piled on the bed while I ate breakfast.
I was looking at all four of these beautiful children and felt so blessed to be their mother.
I thought back to mine and Seth's second year of marriage.
I came home on the Saturday before mother's day and there were flowers on the table with a note from Seth saying, Happy Mother's Day!  You are going to make a wonderful mother one day. 
He was always so great at helping me keep the faith.
It's amazing what has happened to our family in the past eight years. 
I am so grateful for my children.

Laurel and Savannah brought me home a gift from church.
It was a note that said, M&M Moment {Mom and Me Moment}
It had a package of M&M's attached.
The note had all the colors of M&M listed with a question or something for you to talk about together.  For example, if I drew the blue M&M, the corresponding question was, what is one of your favorite things to do with me?  Or if they drew blue, they had to tell me.  It was such a great idea for a simple Mother's Day gift.
I went to their room with them one at a time.
We took turns drawing and eating our M&M's and talking to one another.
It's really simple what makes children happy.
They just want one on one time with you. And they want to feel special.

I'm grateful for my own mother who I have so much more respect for every day. 
She is always there to listen to me vent.  She never judges.  She is the most compassionate woman I know.
She can decorate like a professional decorator and absolutely loves doing it.  I think this must be where I get my passion of decorating.
She is a great cook and we can spend hours talking about recipes.
Her front door has always been open to anyone.  She never meets a stranger.  Believe me, she can get someone's life story standing in the grocery line.
I love you mom!

Rain Puddle Through a Little Kids Eyes

Rain puddle, rain puddle
lying on the ground.
Why don't you make a sound?

I see you.
I even see me.
Oh! You're wet and slippery.

Sometimes clear.
Sometimes brown.
Sometimes different colors
that go round and round.

I throw a rock and you go splash.
Oh, silly rain puddle
you made me laugh.

On pretty days you go away.
When will you be here to stay?
Rain puddle, rain puddle lying on the ground.
Why don't you make a sound?
{Faith Donogh}