School is Fin-tastic!

We had a fun back to school party the night before West started school.  

We had pizza for dinner at a park and then the boys came home to this surprise set up:

The yummy dessert:

West had to add fish for the sharks to eat, of course:

We made a fun little shark craft (the teeth spelled out their names)

Weston was one happy kiddo to be heading off to school the next morning:

Our cute Tave could NOT wait for his turn the next week. (9-05-2012) 

He was so thrilled to start preschool. His favorite part about it (so far) is the little tree house:

I can't believe both my boys are at school now. They are LOVING it and so happy to be learning!

Hee Haw Farms Fieldtrip!

We took a field trip to HeeHaw Farms with our little Preschool group. It was SO MUCH FUN!! 

We went at the perfect time- right as we arrived a bunch of school buses full of kiddos left, so we had the place to ourselves! 

We learned about cows/milk/dairy and all about seeds. The kids got to plant and take home a sunflower seed.  We fed and pet the animals, went on a hayride, and played in the corn box. 

It was AWESOME!!  

My kiddos especially loved that Nonny & Grandpa came along!

Ryder on the tractor:

The Corn Box - WAAAAY better than sand!!!

I couldn't get Ryder to leave, he had a blast in here:

He also loved chasing the chickens:

Enjoying the hayride:

 Isabelle, Michael, Hailey, Ryder

 Weston, Jaron, Noah

 Tave & Ryder with Grandpa

These ladies are some of the best friends I could ever ask for. We had so much fun doing preschool together this year. I just love them to pieces.

Me. Geniel. Jenna. Rachel. 

Feeding the animals:

The boys were so sweet with the little baby rabbit:

The best part of the trip was this AMAZING slide:

We loved Hee Haw Farms!!

Superhero Week!

Tave has been requesting a super hero week at school. Typically we try to stick to educational themes...but I couldn't say no, he was just too excited. Aaaand, he's only three, so no biggie.

It was a hit (since there are 3 boys and 1 girl in the class, Hailey was a trooper and played along)!!

Each child got to pick the super hero they wanted to create and then I drew them on our rolls and the kiddos colored them.  Tave still has his batman!

I might have had to help a little...these kids LOVE their play time together. Spiderman is completely colored by Noah, though. Impressive, huh!

During part of our super hero training we had to save the good guys from Mr. Freeze:

It was definitely the favorite activity of the week!

Then we had to knock over the villians with a ball (like bowling):

We also did some super hero packets and talked about being super heroes every day by serving others and doing something kind.  

The kiddos earned their masks at the end of the week:

It was a SUPER week!!!

Weston's Preschool Graduation

Weston has been attending pre-school this year.

He has a WONDERFUL teacher and a really fun class. 

He has learned so much and grown up faster than I ever thought possible.

Since he missed 2 weeks of their practice for the graduation (while in CA) his teacher made him a cd of the songs to practice with. That cd became an instant favorite on our road trip. I loved hearing the boys belting it out in the back seat and I could picture Ryder bobbing his head along to their singing. 

It paid off when they performed all their songs for Graduation:

Mrs. Marrott had the kids write their names on the board and she was so sweet to let Tave do it too

(he loves doing everything West does)

Since Ryder is crawling (and moving ALL over) Jeff kept him occupied for the graduation:

 My silly guys:

I love this boy more than I could ever possibly say. He is so sweet and constantly teaches me how to be a better mom. I am so scared for this next phase of our lives together, but he is absolutely THRILLED to be heading to kindergarten.

The amazing Mrs. Marrott:

I could not have asked for a better teacher for my Weston. She helped this big, scary thing called School, not seem quite so bad. And she helped Weston grow tremendously. I know that he will do amazing in kindergarten, in large part due to her. 

Thank you, Nicole (Mrs. Marrott), for all that you do for your students. We  love you and will miss you!

Field Trip to Thanksgiving Point

The day after we got back from CA, we went to Weston's last preschool field trip.
We had tons of fun doing some activities there that we hadn't seen before.  

There were also lots of baby animals!! 

The baby horses were SO cute and friendly. The boys loved getting to pet them!

N is for....

Nest!

Once a week Weston's preschool has Cooking Day. A mom comes in to do a fun cooking project that starts with the letter of the week. I came in this week for letter N.

Weston & I picked out this fun treat to make. He was SO excited for me to come and told me all day that I was the best mom ever. He also couldn't wait to show off his brothers to his preschool class. It was so sweet & such a blast. The nests were a hit: fast, easy, and super fun to make! Triple win!!

Here's the recipe. I've also included some yummy variations.

BIRD NEST CLUSTERS

(this is the recipe I used. I want to try it with butterscotch chips now)


1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter (I used creamy & it was great)

4 c. chow mein noodles (6 oz. bag)
Jellybeans, M & M's or little candies

Put chocolate chips into a large glass bowl. Melt in microwave or stove top. Remove the mixture and stir. Place it back in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes more or until chocolate is melted. Add the chow mein noodles. Mix the noodles by using one or two forks or spoons to get them evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.
Lay a piece of waxed paper over two cookie sheets. Drop golf ball clusters on the cookie sheets to cool and set. Add a few colored candies as eggs to the nests.


EASTER BIRD NESTS

1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1 (12 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips
1 lg. can chow mein noodles
Jelly beans

Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips over slow heat. Pour over chow mein noodles. Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Put a large tablespoon of chocolate-covered noodles on waxed paper. Form like a bird nest. Put 2 jelly beans in nest to look like bird eggs. Refrigerate until firm.


CRISPY EASTER NESTS

1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow creme (about 2 c.)
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp. butter, melted
1 (5 oz.) can chow mein noodles (about 3 c.)
1 c. chopped holiday plain M & M's
Holiday peanut chocolate M & M's

Combine marshmallow creme, peanut butter and butter; mix until blended. Add noodles and 1 cup holiday plain chopped M & M's; blend well. Drop by 1/3 cupfuls onto greased cookie sheets; shape with greased fingers to form nests. Let stand until firm. Dust bottom of nests with powdered sugar if desired. Fill with holiday peanut M & M's before serving. Makes 10 to 12 nests or 18 to 20 smaller nests.

Enjoy!

Fire Station Field Trip

Weston's preschool class went to the fire station.

Tave LOVED being a 'big' boy and getting to go, too.

We loved meeting the fireman and learning all about safety!

Preschool Field Trip/Graduation

This past year I've participated in joyschool with Weston. I love all of these awesome moms and Weston LOVES his little friends. We had a fabulous school year together and ended it with a fun field trip to the park. Sharla gave each kiddo their graduation certificate and then a fun cape.

We had tons of fun and can't believe summer is already here!