Happy 9th Birthday!

Happy 9th Birthday to Kelsie!
She celebrated her birthday by going to Chick -Fil-A for lunch with her best friend, Brianna. Then all the Peterson's came over for her birthday party. The gifts she got represented the things she loves most: baking, singing, and doing crafty stuff. She got baking mixes and a cupcake apron, a Wii sing it Karoake game, craft stuff, a Barbie with color changing hair, American Girl books, and a sparkly, poofy tutu type skirt that she's been wanting FOREVER.

She didn't get the one thing she REALLY wanted: A DOG! She been begging for one of those since she first learned to say the word Ruffy (her word for dogs when she was little). But Aunt Janae brought Ashley to the party to celebrate and it made Kelsie so happy!

And last but not least, I had to include this picture of my dad from the party. We found grandpa in the corner engrossed in one of Kelsie's new American Girl books. It was pretty funny! He read a couple chapters of her book and said it was a really good book. :) Don't worry Grandpa--when Kelsie's done with the books she''ll lend them to you to read!

What a Week

I can't believe how much Matson learns in just one week! Here are some pictures of him at 8.5 months and here's what he's accomplished this week:

Pulls himself up to standing

Said his first word: DADA

Learned to clap his hands (which is SO adorable)

And he has FOUR new teeth on top (which would explain the misery of last week).

My Preschoolers

Today my little preschoolers graduated. There were lots of late nights (for me and John) trying to get everything ready for the graduation, but it was so worth it when I saw them all in their little caps. They were so cute and so excited. I absolutely love teaching these cute little kids each week and learning and working together. I will miss all my little friends who are headed off to kindergarten next year!

This year was harder than I realized it would be to start preschool right after my baby was born. As the year comes to an end I feel so grateful for the people who helped me through. My friend and neighbor was so sweet to watch my boys and didn't even judge me when they showed up without their hair combed. :) I had never left my babies with anyone so it was really hard on me at first, but it turned out to be a really positive thing. She was so good to my baby and he just loves her and grins at her when he sees her at church. John is worn out from this year too and said he is excited for a little break from his part time job as custodian, cutter outer, and slideshow maker. He always jokes around about it, but this year it was really true. I couldn't have pulled it off without his extra help. I am excited for a little break to spend time with my kids home for summer.

I have a fun bunch of kids signed up for preschool next year and I'm really excited for that. I will also have my own little Carter in the class which will be quite an adventure, I'm sure!

New Smile

Emily lost her front tooth and has a new smile that she is SO excited to show off to everyone. I'm still getting used to her new smile. She looks adorable, but it means my baby is growing up.

BIG BOY!

We moved Carter to a new "big boy" bed. We decided it was probably time since he chose to sleep most nights on the ground or in his tent. He absolutely loves it. He climbs right into bed, looks at books, and stays there until morning. It is wonderful. Now if we could just get our 6 year old to do that! My favorite picture is the one on the bottom. He is sound asleep with his three favorite things: a Nerf sword, his bear Cosmo the Cougar, and his reindeer from Great Grandma Hambly. I asked him why he was sleeping with his sword and he said, "so when the bad guys come in my room I can sword them." I'm glad that little sword makes him feel so empowered in his big new bed. He is a sweet boy.

The other exciting news is that he is officially POTTY TRAINED. Hooray! We are back to only one in diapers. It feels like we gave ourselves a raise.

So Jealous

This is where John is right now. He snapped this picture so I could see where he was having dinner on his business trip. He was sitting right along the oceanside.

I desperately want a vacation at the beach. It is my happy place--literally. When I was started having anxiety attacks a couple of years ago I started doing visualization type exercises to calm my thoughts down and help me sleep, etc... And this is what I picture every time. I'm sitting on a mostly empty beach, soaking in the warm sun, feeling the sand through my toes, hearing the waves crash along the shoreline, listening to the laughter of my kids as they run and gather sea shells. It's one of the most peaceful, relaxing places in the world for me. John doesn't understand it because he doesn't love the beach like me. But he knows I would give anything to be there right now. Aaahh! I am so jealous!

April Review

I celebrated my 33rd birthday and I know I'm getting pretty old. I'm starting to feel it...and see the wrinkles. :( That said, it was one of my favorite birthdays of all time. I had a great, peaceful day with the kids, Carter wished me a "happy birthday" at least 100 times, and to top it all off John got me the camera I've been wanting, wishing, hoping for (for many years). And I love it!


Emily has had a busy month with a field trip to the zoo (which she came home alive from, thank goodness!), a donut date with dad, and a banana split party at gymnastics for getting her splits. She also has lots of playdates with girls from her class. She is turning out to be quite social and is constantly setting up playdates and passing out her phone number to her friends at school. :)

She also got to spend lots of extra time with her bestest friend Lizzie while Lizzie's parents were out of town. They had a blast having long afternoons of imaginative, creative "lizzie and emily" type of fun. They made dandelion rings one day, and created pictures out of leaves, flowers,etc.. to give Aunt Kandace. So darling! Love these two girls and their happy little imaginations!

Kelsie had her school choir performance. She loves singing and is quite happy and animated when she performs. It was fun to watch her!

The girls started soccer season which has pretty much consumed the rest of our month! John is coaching Emily's team and loving it. They are doing great so far!

Kelsie is playing in an all girls league this year. It has been good for her and we are enjoying the change.

Carter is going through a TENT phase. Okay--it's a phase that has lasted a couple of months and isn't letting up. He wants to sleep in his tent every night and have quiet time in there too. He plays so happily in his make shift tent and even stays quietly in his room at "nap" time!

Matson has become a human vacuum cleaner. He can find the smallest speck on the ground and it immediately goes in his mouth. He is fast! I spend a ridiculous amount of time retrieving his latest treasure from his mouth. Outside time is especially fun...wood chips, grass, and rocks...he thinks they are all delicious! He is a busy little guy!