Preschool Graduate!

Our baby girl has officially graduated from preschool!  There was in issue with a box of crayons that almost kept her from receiving her diploma, but we worked it out:)

Lauren was so proud of herself and so excited to have all of us there including her grandmas and grandpa!

How about these first day and last day pictures?  Before I posted them side by side, I didn't think there was much of a difference aside from height and that I know she can barely button those red jeans!  But when I saw them next to each other, she seems so much more grown up!

Her school put on the perfect little concert and ceremony for the kids.

And it was the perfect amount of time too...no sitting for hours upon hours, short and sweet and completely delightful!

She was even twinsies with one of her little friends:)

The children had been practicing for months and it really was a sight to see how it all came together.  And kudos to all her teachers who made it happen...getting 3, 4 and 5 year olds to sing, carry out choregraph with props is one tough task!

Accepting her diploma!

Thanks for taking the time to celebrate this moment with us!

I know Lauren will miss her amazing teachers next year, but she is so excited for Kindergarten!

I love this little preschool...the teachers, the families, the environment...all of it!  William will be joining the school next year, so we don't have to say goodbye just yet.

And I'm also happy to report that I've been chosen as the Board of Trustee's new president for the school next year.  It's a little scary, but I'm excited for the new role!

XOXO

Aubrey

Taking the Good.

You take the good with the bad when you're a mama.  And when it's been good, I want to bottle it, remember it.  Because on the bad days, you forget.  In those moments when you're sucked into how horrible it is, how terrible they're being...your mind can't think of any of the good.  It's a lot easier to sulk about the bad then to jump up and down about how good it is.  When you're happy and they're happy, you enjoy...but I'm trying to really cherish it.  

I need to remember that we had a three easy mornings off to school where Lauren got dressed, made her bed, and brushed her teeth without me asking once.  Everyone ate their breakfast without playing the "just three more bite game."  And it was a team effort getting out the door with help with shoes and backpacks.  Not to mention, we weren't flying  into the drop off line by the seat of our pants.

I want to appreciate the moments when they play like best friends, help each other with a task, share, and tell one another "I love you."  When she wants to, she can be the best sister...though it can change on a dime.  Wait, that's not this post.  Focus on the good:)

Just tonight they both started setting the table and asking to help make dinner.  I even asked, "why are you being so nice?"  Lauren's response, "because we love you." Truth be told, it also came from a conversation we had about showing mom appreciation.  Just a simple "thank you for dinner" would go a long way. Remember this mama, they are always listening!  

Lauren is graduating from preschool tomorrow and off to Kindergarten this fall.  I'm sad and happy all at the same time.  I can't wait for all that fun for her and for William to be in preschool.  This chapter is going to be another adventure that you won't want to miss!!

XOXO

Aubrey

All Aboard!

Spring Break last month was pretty uneventful with us, luckily we had a few days of nice weather to keep us outside, but when the temps cooled I still had one trick up my sleeve.  

A train ride to visit dad for the day!

William loves trains and with dad working in downtown Ann Arbor the wheels started spinning with how we could make this happen.  It was really just a few clicks and one question to Billy "can you drive us home if we take the train to your office?"  Done and done!  William was in awe the entire ride, looking out and commenting with excitement at everything he saw.

Lauren was just excited to get the ipad as if it were a plane ride and have Spot from school along too.  Aside from a thrilling trip the grocery store, this was the highlight of Spots second stay with us.

They were all smiles and William especially, was talking about the ride for days!

It was one of my better ideas in quite some time.  I was just as excited as they were!  I didn't know the train could be so fun and will think about taking it on our next trip to Chicago!

XOXO

Aubrey

Easter? Better Late Than Never!

Easter seems so long ago, and I can't believe it is the middle of May.  We have finally packed away our boots here and are starting to embrace the spring weather.  And soon enough we will be sweating in the sun and cooling off in the pool...can't wait!

The kids were excited to see the Easter Bunny a few days before his arrival.  No one was scared and even guy him a hug.  It was adorable!

A jelly bean trail was left from their rooms all the way downstairs to a special movie the Easter Bunny had left...Despicable Me 2!

I tried to limit the candy and couldn't believe that they didn't go for any of it!  Not one piece!  They had the most fun just tearing through the baskets and getting the grass everywhere!

We celebrated at my mom's and enjoyed so much time outside thanks to a gorgeous sunny day!  See William's smile here...

Take Two from his uncles!

The light was perfect after dinner and we got some great shots!

Happy Belated Easter Everyone!

XOXO

Aubrey