Elliott the Preschool Graduate

Elliott is a preschool graduate! His graduation ceremony was last week. The kids did a program first where they sang a few songs. They sang “Jesus, You’re My Firm Foundation,” “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” and “Special, Special, Special Me.” Elliott was quite the entertainer. He was very silly and at one point shouted out to the audience, “Savannah, don’t you laugh at me!” He must get that from Matt. I was more like the little girl who Mrs. Michelle had to escort down the aisle because she’s so shy. After the kids sang their songs, they went out and put on their caps and gowns, then the director Mrs. Brittany called their names as each one marched in to Pomp and Circumstance and got their medal and diploma. The graduates did one more song (complete with scarves that had been rolled up in their diplomas) and then they got to throw their hats up in the air. Elliott must have missed the directions to go sit with your parents when he was searching for his hat, because he sat back down in his chair on the stage and stayed there by himself while Mrs. Brittany honored the teacher of the year and parent volunteers.

After the ceremony, the families went downstairs for a reception in the gym. The boys had cake and punch, and we picked up Elliott’s scrapbook that his teacher Mrs. Michelle had made for him. It had some pictures from the year with his friends and teachers and some of his special artwork. He also got a little Bible.

When I picked him up at school the day of graduation, Mrs. Michelle said that Elliott told her that he was wearing his tuxedo to graduation. This is the tux that he wore a year and a half ago and is very short on him now. I had to break the news to him that he couldn’t wear it anymore except to play dress-up. He handled it well though.

Elliott really enjoyed preschool. He only went one day a week, but he liked playing his friends there and he had the sweetest teachers.

Family pictures from Easter

Incredibly random post

A quick update and some pictures...

- We are officially homeschoolers! Well, actually I am a teacher for a remote campus of an online school; but it's much easier to say homeschoolers. Elliott is registered for Kindergarten, and I have ordered our curriculum for next year. I can't wait for it to start arriving in the mail. Our postman might be really tired of me soon!

- Elliott and I made "giant" pretzels yesterday and as he was eating he said, "This is just like Man vs Food."

- Aaron is talking! His speech has really improved in the last month or so. We are happy to be able to understand him. He is less frustrated. And he and Elliott are playing really well together now! Hooray!

Aaron enjoying the sand table

Welcome to the world of Legos.

Elliott hooked his bike up to the camper so he could pull it to his pretend campsite.

Then he got Aaron involved for some extra manpower.

Elliott's 5th Birthday!

March pictures

We went camping with Matt's parents last Friday night. They had the camper out for the weekend, so we joined them for the night. Elliott enjoyed creek stomping with Pops in the chilly water.

Aaron was a little more reserved. He threw plenty of rocks into the water before he ventured in, but he eventually waded into the water.


Back at home, Aaron put on his winter hat and sunglasses on posed on a chair in our living room. I have no idea why he's holding a dirty soccer cleat.

Batman and Superman! The boys chilling in their superhero pajamas.

Before and After

We recently had our master bathroom remodeled and are very pleased with how it turned out. Before, we had an original 1950's bathroom with a shower that hadn't worked in over 2 years. Now we have lovely earth-toned tile, a solid-surface countertop, plenty of storage in our new vanity, and the prettiest 1 inch mosaic tile that Lowe's had to offer. I love the mosaic tile. I looked for ways to add more of it to the bathroom.
Unfortunately the main bathroom is covered in peach tile and could really use a face-lift...maybe in another 5 years. We're all enjoying the new bathroom though. The boys insist on taking their showers in there and the peach bathtub has barely been used since the remodel. Aaron refused to take a shower before, but now loves to use the bigger shower.
Please don't be offended if you visit and are asked to romp through our bedroom to use the new bathroom. That's actually probably your safest bet that now that we're potty training a 2 1/2 year old boy! Here are some before and after pictures because who doesn't love to see those?

What a character!

Some recent pictures of Elliott are the perfect expression of his creativity. The other day he broke apart one of those pressed foam packaging things that should be made illegal. Just imagine my whole living room covered in white foam like Elliott is in this picture! Thankfully the best mother-in-law ever was here and we eventually got it all cleaned up. Well, most of it, I still find rogue white foam in the corners occasionally.
A few minutes ago, Elliott came in wearing his tuxedo from a wedding he was in 1 1/2 years ago. It is now quite small on him. He first put on the tuxedo a couple days ago so we could have a fancy party and do some dancing. He turned out the lights in the living room and put on some dancing music. Then he promptly told me that I wasn't dressed well enough and should go put on a dress. Today, he's wearing the tux with a hoodie and swimming trunks over it pretending to swim on the couch. I just love his imagination!