July so far...

A typical week in July looks like this:

Monday:

Bible Adventure

William's school hosts "Bible Adventure" on Monday mornings. It is awesome- geared for preschoolers. Short bible story, songs, crafts, play and a snack. 1 1/2 hours of pure fun.

This years theme:
Build your house on a strong foundation

Matthew 7:24-27

Craft time: building a house

Tuesday: Swim lessons

kicking and blowing bubbles
All set and ready to swim

Wednesday:
playdate with friends and water fun
Afternoons at the mall for their covered playground


Thursday:
Summer School 9-3
Mommy says "awe"- man those 6 hours fly by
A taste of what is to come this fall on Fridays when both kids will go
Backpacks and lunches packed ready for a FULL day of school
William's class has "Splash Day" so he wears his bathing suit (and rain boots only in the car)

"Who's ready to go?"
"ME"


Coleson does this
(love the hands up)

Afternons tend to be long since naps are taken at school.
So when they walk in the door I have a cooking lesson or art project all ready to go.
One day we painted with peach seeds. painting with peach seeds


Annabel's finished project
(I am saving this for wrapping paper)

William shaking his seeds for the perfect look


Fridays:
Adventure days

here we are at the river at the zoo


great way to get a break from the heat

Can't wait to see what August brings!

William's Class Easter Party

Egg Hunt with classmates

And they are off...

Each student found 12 eggs. They were thrilled to be looking
for their own name on the eggs.
Look at the darling baskets they made!

Lunchtime-
Chick-fil-A, cheese, fruit, juice box AND decorate your own cookies.
Any kid's dream party!

Annabel even joined in the fun.
(she thinks she goes to school too
And YES, she has an Elmo bandaide on her forehead)

Stain glass crosses
The end of a great party!
Happy Easter!

Fiesta Time

Battle of the Flowers - aka Fiesta
History of Battle of the Flowers:

By 1890, San Antonio, Texas, was a thriving trade center with population of 38,000. In 1891 a group of citizens decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto with a Battle of Flowers.

The first parade had horse-drawn carriages, bicycles decorated with fresh flowers and floats carrying children dressed as flowers. The Belknap Rifles represented the military. The participants pelted each other with blossoms.

The Battle of Flowers Parade is the only one in the country to be planned and directed completely by women. Today it’s the largest parade in Fiesta. It’s second in size nationally only to the Tournament of Roses Parade.

William's school had a "Fiesta Party".
It was so FUN! Lots of games, food, music, etc.

William at the music table

"Confetti eggs"
Eggs filled with confetti- the kids LOVED this. They would find a classmate,
teacher, parent, anyone they knew and would "crack" the egg
over their head leaving them with confetti filled hair.

William, Brenden and Annabel

Classmates- Reid, Ryan and William

Annabel had a blast cracking the eggs.

William found Mrs. Swift (his teacher) to bless her with confetti hair

Face Painting- William asked for a rainbow
I was shocked that both kids wanted to do have their face painted.
They usually shy away from this.

Annabel- purple flower of course!
It was a blast! But boy were we tired and hot after.
We ALL took great naps.

Daddy reading to William's class

Ryan came to school today to read to William's class.

He read Olive of my Love and How to Become a Pirate.

Two of William's favorite books.

Ryan had the kids total attention as he read-
even with Annabel on his lap

Class picture

Ryan, Franco and Annabel
Annabel thinks she is one of the class. She knows the
morning routine and gets mad when I tell her we have to go.

William Turns FOUR

HAPPY FOURTH Birthday

John William!

We can hardly believe that you are four!

You bring so much JOY to our family.

As you grow be are becoming more observant, talkative,

questioning, articulate, chatty, joyful, funny, and silly.

You are incredibly resilient and mature.

You soak up information like a sponge.

(we have to be careful what we say when you are within an ear shot)

You help with chores and actually do a decent job sorting clothes

and sorting the clean silverware.

You are quite the little fish.

You love the water and look forward to your weekly lessons.

You still love to run into my arms, yelling "Mommy!"
You still love to snuggle in our bed in the morning,
wiggling your way between Daddy and I
and giving us sweet kisses and loves.
You have started AWANAS and we are amazed at how
eager you are to complete your workbook pages and love earning your patches/stickers.
You treat your sister with such tender kindness.
You are sensitive and well liked by your peers.
Your teacher tells me that you are a "social confident butterfly"
Naptime is becoming a thing of the past.
However, he always takes a rest.
We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

William waking up and running downstairs to find the kitchen
decorated with streamers to run through
The Birthday Boy!

This is FUN!

His chair had 4 balloons.
Orange being his favorite color
He had the red "You are Special Plate" for the day

William and his buddy- Luke climbing trees
after Stroller Strides

Grinning ear to ear

We got him a bike. He walked outside and said
"Who delivered this bicycle?"

Got right on and rode like a CHAMP

So excited to ride a BIG bike

Going out for ice-cream

Make a wish

YUMMY!

Making fruit skewers for school and AWANAS.

Yummy Treats!

At school they attend chapel on Thursdays and when it is your birthday week
you are called up on stage. You are given a crown and everyone sings
"You are special" song

Leaving chapel holding hands with Taylor
Ryan and I went round and round on what to do for
William's birthday. Having just moved, we don't know families
super well. William was talking about his San Antonio party.
So we had to do something. At the ripe age of 4 he knows when it is your
birthday you have a party. At a birthday party you have either
hot dogs or pizzawith juice boxes, and cake/cupcakes.
So we thought we could bring pizza, fruit and juices boxes to school
and call that his party. He was THRILLED.
Ryan was able to take an early lunch and join us at school.

Annabel, William, Juliane
Megan, Ryan, and Taylor
(Annabel thinks she goes to school as well)

Happy Birthday Buddy!

William's First Day of Preschool

SCHOOL:

WOW! Fall is here and that means school. William has been asking
ALL summer when school was starting? Well, this week buddy!
We are lucky to live less than a mile from school so that means that
almost everyday since we moved here we drive by school and I hear:

When does school start?
LOOK- This is my school!
I see TWO playgrounds
Why am I not in school?
I see children on the playground!
Well, Buddy, school is here! :)

Meet the Teachers:
Tuesday was "Meet the Teacher" day. William was so excited to meet
his teachers and see his classroom. Annabel was equally excited
to play in Big Brother's class.

Ms. Audrie and Mrs. Swift
These two ladies are so warm and loving!

William and Annabel playing "office"

William quickly found his way to the sand box.
He says this is his favorite thing to do in class.
Who would have a sand box in a classroom?
NOT me!
All I think is:
MESSY!
But hey- it is not me and the kids love it!

First Day! He was SO excited
New backpack= check
lunch box= check
smile= check

He was READY!

He walked right in, so confident, so excited and so grown up!
He looked around, found a seat and started playing.
However, he did not like his new friend crowding in his space or
helping him.

Oh the joys of sharing!

So focused! So Proud!
We left after begging for a hug. He waved good bye and
got back to learning.
He asked me on Friday WHY he only goes to school 2 days a week.
Well, I explained that school days were Tuesday AND Thursday
from 8:30-2:30 and that is too long for Mommy to be away from you.
Since he just misses the cut off for school (Texas cut is September 1)
he will be have a couple more years of preschool and we will add
more days- eventually. I just LOVE hanging out with my buddy.
Poor Annabel seems so lost without him around. But it is nice to just focus and
have special time with just her. But man is lunch quiet!