Kung Fu Party!

Saturday we celebrated the birthday boy's big day with a Kung Fu Panda Birthday party at the local theater. Cole invited all his friends from school. He was so excited. (We were just as excited for him!) They spent the afternoon pigging out on pizza, cupcakes and juice boxes. Afterwards, armed with lemonade and popcorn, we took all 17 kids to see the Kung Fu Panda, the movie. Cole had a blast, and I think all his friends did too! Below are some pics and a video from Cole's special day! Thanks so much to all the parents! Cole had such an awesome time!

Make a wish!

Ethan!

Brewer buddies.. Cole and Gannon

Ally and Emma

Carter

Neelay

You try getting 16 kids to say cheese at once!

Zachary

Mason

Brothers and friends.. Nicholas & Issac

Group hug? Dancing? Who knows!

Kate

Presents!!

More presents!!

Ready for the show!

First T-ball game of the year

Last night Cole had his first Tball game of the year! His team is the Brewers and so he was thrilled. Here's some pics from the night!

Big hit!

High Five from assistant coach

giving props to the other team

Gavin chillin' at the game

After the game Cole headed over the playground and climbed this statue!

Watermelon Kings

Kids and Watermelon... make for great photo oportunity!

Graduation

Cole's big day finally arrived! Graduation. Todd and I were so proud of him. Hard to believe he's going to be starting kindergarten in the fall. We have been so blessed, having the Goddard School and all the wonderful teachers there in our lives. They truly are wonderful and I don't regret for a moment our decision to send the kids there. The staff and directors take such a personal interest in your children and always make us, the parents, feel welcome anytime! Cole's teachers Miss Abby and Miss Tammie are so great with the kids. There were lots of tears and hugs at the ceremony. Luckily for us, Cole will attend their summer school program, and we still have little Gavin in attendance there until we move or he turns 5! The school has also agreed to have alumni come back during kindergarten vacations and summer break if the parents need it, so that is really great and a big relief!

Cole got dressed up in a nice shirt and tie, "just like Daddy." The kids had a few songs and poems they performed for us. The teachers also put together a dance number for the kids to perform! Then they got their caps and received their diplomas. The ceremony ended with a video the teachers had been putting together, clips and little moments of all the kids through out the year. It was so nice, and many of the parents, teachers, and even kids were crying! The night ended with a nice reception. Cake, punch and fruit was served. All the parents were given a copy of the video. Cole has wanted to watch it non-stop! The following morning he watched it 5 times! I finally had to set a limit on it. The teachers have since told me that other parents have come in and are telling them the same thing.

Below are photos from the night, and some video clips as well! Cole has a "new face", I'm sure you'll easily spot it in most of the photos.

All dressed up, looking so handsome!

It's official- I'm a graduate!

Drumming during the dance routine..

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT BELOW!

Part one

Part deux....

Father's Day

Father's Day was the same weekend as wedding number 2 so with all that in mind, we were busy! The kids had given me a list of things they wanted to get their daddy for Father's Day they were as follows:

• a book
• a pair of Sketchers tennis shoes
• ice cream
• and last but certainly not least... a sleeping bag in case he wants to sleep at a friend's house

I did my best to accommodate the kids and here's what we came up with...

A pair of Sketchers tennis shoes, hand made by the kids

A book- Cole picked out the name "Daddy's favorite things to do" and then the kids filled the pages with various items...

I love you because you give me snacks and read me stories"

Ice cream

Daddy working out

"my bones and blood, so daddy knows I'm here"

We spent the rest of the day outside, enjoying the weather. The kids played baseball and Todd worked with Cole on learning to ride a two-wheeler.

Following in his brother's footsteps, he's a big hitter too!

Cole and Daddy play catch

Look ma! No training wheels!

Gavin told us he was going for a wagon ride!

Happy Birthday Todd

Todd celebrated numero 33 in typical Todd fashion- laid back! He doesn't want us to make a big deal out of it, but the kids and I want to... so he indulges us! The kids and I had gone shopping the week before for his gift. I am so lucky to be married to such a great and unselfish guy, I wanted to get him something completely frivolous, indulgent and something he wouldn't normally buy himself. Todd loves watches but due to their cost (especially the one's he likes) he doesn't own but one. So, we headed out and the kids and I picked out a really great ESQ by Movado. I narrowed it down to 3 and let the kids pick from there. They of course picked the biggest and most expensive of the trio! That night Todd asked us what we'd done all day and Cole told him we went shopping for his birthday present, but that it was a surprise. A little later Cole came out and asked ,"Mom, your not telling Daddy about the watch we got him for his birthday are you?" Todd was still surprised, he loved the watch. I made us Steak tacos with fresh guacamole and we had one of Todd's favorites, Key Lime Pie for his birthday cake. If you look directly behind and to the left of Todd, you will see even our kitty Isabelle, joined us in song and celebration!

Wedding Bells

We recently made the trek to Ft. Wayne, Indiana for a wedding. My best friends sister was getting married. Coincidentally she was marrying an Armstrong, so we figured the guy must be pretty great- right? It was so wonderful to see our friends and my godchildren again! The kids had a great time at the wedding playing with all the kids and I was thrilled to see my best friend and her family again! The trip home was hampered by horrible winds, and storms but we made it! We came home to hear there had been a significant amount of flooding in this area! Our home thankfully was still here, and without water damage!

After a long day of traveling, the Armstrong boy's sack out.

Cole at the reception, shakin' his booty.

Smiles (for most of us) after a long day and night of partying

The happy couple- Brie and Eric Armstrong

Cole and some of his new found friends

The following weekend we attended the marriage of my cousin Tony to his girlfriend of several years, Samantha. The bride wore a non-traditional pink gown, and looked lovely. The kids, sat in the pews and did a terrific job! They are really starting to get the hang of it- however I hope we get a break on the weddings for a while!

Happy couple number two- Tony and Samantha Kelley