Pre-K Graduation & Memorial Day

So I melted when I got back in the car at drop-off today.  Andrew requested our "hugs and kisses" personal drop-off instead of the drop off line with teachers today...sniff, sniff.  I wondered how on earth I would make it through the graduation celebration.  Then reality hit and I realized how.  I was working during the ceremony.  Take a video, snap a picture, pop a binky back in, fix a pigtail, move the stroller out of the way, pause, breathe, repeat.  So I held up fine there but then after I fell apart when we got back in the car.  We had hoped to picnic with the class, but it was entirely too cold and windy for Matthew.  So we decided to go get ice cream instead. Pulling out of the parking lot, before I'd even had a chance to engage Andrew about the morning he exclaimed, "I wish school never ended.  Bye-bye, school.  I'll see you....Hmmmm?"  Direct quote.  I kid you not. 

Processional - Margaret is trying to wave at Andrew.  His response is classic.  Such a first born rule-follower! 

 

All 60 Pre-K Graduates - lucky for us, he was in the front row.

 Singing

 

Receiving Diploma

 

Mrs. Balcells - a truly sweet relationship developed here. Her kids even knew about Andrew and the notes that she wrote to him!

Our sweet Isabelle wearing white and Andrew in a sport coat.  Wonder if we'll ever see this again? 

Crazy faces

The boys - Wilson and Edward

 

This is exactly what I fear in 10-12 years...Margaret after Andrew's friends! (Edward, Wilson, Davis, Jack B. and Ben)

 

 

 

Too windy to picnic, we headed for ice cream instead.  Andrew chose chocolate and mint.  Go figure?  No idea where that came from, but he loved it!

 

Last summer at the beach, we couldn't get anyone to eat ice cream.  I think we'll be okay this year:)

 

 

Polo at King Family Vineyards was cancelled, but we still enjoyed a beautiful day with church friends.

 

Yep.  Backyard camping.  It's what you do when the baby's sleeping has taken a deflating turn for the worse and we can't all go somewhere together.

Can you see Margaret peering out?  She was making sure Baby Doll was ready for the night.

Ah, negotiations.

An unexpected surprise while grilling!

Look how small a HUGE balloon can get!

Roasting marshmallows

Mmmm, s'mores!

I think it's safe to say that Margaret's first s'mores went over just fine.

Night, night....but go away with flash, mommy!

 

 

Beach

We had a great time at the beach this summer.  The kids all did exactly what we hoped they would:)  Andrew's fear of the waves was gone and he was excited to swim in the ocean, but had no desire to go in alone.  Perfect.  Margaret was thrilled to be there, but was content playing in the sand and wading in the tidal pools.  Perfect, again!  And Matthew took several naps on the beach in a pack n play in a tent.  He only consumed a few mouthfuls of sand.

 

Sweet pea, her watering can, and her VT chair.  She needed nothing else!

 

 

Matthew's first pool experience!  (Notice Margaret's face in this series...)

 

Super Dad!

FINALLY!!!  He eats soft serve at the beach!

Third kids really do grow up faster.  Andrew and Matthew had their first Ferris wheel rides together.

 

 

The alternative to the Ferris wheel was just as delightful, evidently. 

Matthew's sleeping quarters, with a sheet delicately balanced for privacy.

While the kids have done GREAT with our 1-room hotel arrangements the last few years, I think we're all ready for the next step now.  A house with more than four walls and a few doors would be quite nice!