Last Day of Preschool

I couldn't get this to rotate but it was the cutest cake ever.

I cannot believe that this day has come. I remember Allison's first day of preschool and how apprehensive I was in dropping her off. I knew she was ready but this was such a huge step for us. The Ranch is a wonderful place for preschoolers to grow and learn. Allison has gained not only a ton of knowledge but confidence and self assurance too.

I wanted to take a picture of Allison with her teachers and put it in a frame for the end of the year gift. The disadvantage to involving your kids in everything? She wanted to plant flowers for her teachers and there was no talking her of out it. So that's what she did. She picked out the pots and flowers and planted everyhting herself.



Circle Time


Weather person...one more time


Playtime


I haven't had the heart to tell Allison that she gave up the swings at preschool. There are no swings in elementary school. I think it might be her biggest disappointment.


Gracie, Allison, and Mrs. Campollo


Alli and Mrs. Dunn


Gracie, Blair, and Allison alongside Mrs. Akin


Congrats Alli Girl!

Come Meet Us at the Zoo

Each year Alli's preschool class puts on a presentation for the parents at the end of the year entitled Come Meet Us at the Zoo. The kids represent a letter and memorize their part to say during the presentation. They also sing the songs that they have learned all year. Last year the weather was extremely hot and I worred about Allison over heating in her Ellie the Elephant costume. This year we battled the rain. It started raining about 3 minutes into the presentation so everyone had to scramble to get their umbrellas that we hoped we wouldn't need. It als made it really hard to see. Ryan took a few pictures from our seats, but there should be more/better pictures to come from Papa. We were very proud of our Allie Alligator. A try on at home befor the big show Ryan and Kate's view Getting ready

Pink Guitar

Kate has been asking for a pink guitar for months...we finally gave in but are so glad we did. We get to sit for concerts all of the time. This is one of my favorites... 5 Green and Preckled (should be Spreckled) Frogs

Sacramento Zoo and Fairy Tale Town

All's preschool went on a field trip to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairy Tale Town. Kate has been talking about going to Fairy Tale Town since we went with Shane a couple of weeks ago, but she was fighting a fever over the past few days so she got to stay with Nana while Alli, Sarah, and I went on the field trip. We made a quick trip around the zoo and watched an animal show and then we headed to Fairy Tale Town for lunch, a puppet show, and our usual visits on the crooked mile and the many slides throughout Fairy Tale Town. Sarah was a great traveler and Allison and Grace had a good time together.

I tried to get a picture of the girls before we went into the zoo but the sun was in their eyes and it didn't work very well. I kept trying though...I have three pictures that all pretty much look the same.


The brand new, beautiful carousel at the zoo

3 silly monkeys


The only animal picture I took. I guess it's no suprise that Allison wasn't all that enthusiastic about the zoo either


Kanga and her joey

Allison's best friend Grace...she's a cutie



Cinderellas

Sarah's First Bath

It seemed like the umbilical cord took forever to fall off completely, but finally it did and Sarah was able to take her first bath. I learned from Kate to make it just about as hot as I think she can stand and then she was happy in the bath. The same holds true for Sarah. As hot as the thermometer will read and don't touch her with cold hands.


"Cold hands, Mom!"


Happy Again

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day...to me. Last year I got to enjoy a totally kid-free Mother's Day with some girlfriends at a spa. With a three week old baby, that wasn't an option for this year and my friend was nice enough to just leave me out of the planning as not to rub it in. This year, Ryan and the girls let me sleep in and then made me breakfast. We headed to the Terrace for lunch and then cruised the mall for a bit. Not exactly a pampering Mother's Day but we had a nice time I enjoyed spending time together.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there.

Happy Half Birthday Kate Girl

There really isn't a reason to celebrate Kate's half birthday since her real birthday is during the school year, but since we do it for Allison we have to do it for each of them so this week we also celebrated Kate's half birthday. Besides, a whole year is a really long time to wait for your birthday so she requested her cupcake type, frosting color, and our course we had to have "Prinkles." On Tuesday, we made cupcakes and had a low key family dinner celebration and now Kate is 2 1/2 and pretty good at telling you too.

Sarah even woke up for the celebration

The Stork Came to Visit

Thanks to Nana, Papa, and the Martin Family for our stork visit announcing the arrival of Sarah Reagan.

Sarah's First Checkup

Monday morning we took Sarah in for her first checkup. She is already back to her birth weight and Dr. Bud said she looks great even though she screamed during the entire examination.

Sarah was happy once it was over and we told her it was time to go home.


We always leave behind a piece of artwork for Nurse Lisa


Kate couldn't wait to play with the tongue depressor once she knew it wasn't going in her mouth


Allison takes the doctor's words very seriously

My heart is full

Sarah had her first doctor appointment on Monday so that morning we packed up (I forgot how much gear you need anytime you set out with a newborn), loaded up, and set out for the doctor. During our 20 minute drive to Folsom, Kate and Allison sang the entire way there. Sarah slept while Allison and Kate sang everything from "The Good Morning Song" to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with ABCs and counting in the middle. I love those drives that I can just zone out and listen to them converse. I also love listening to them work out their differences. At one point Allison started counting and Kate started after her thereby distracting her. Alli got upset, but I told her to ask Kate to wait until she was done before she started counting and she did. Allison counted to 100 while Kate waited and then Kate started singing the ABCs. It's moments like that that make me smile and I know my heart if full. I love being a mom and I cherish my three girls more than anything. I'm a lucky girl!