Random notes of love and cuteness

Can you tell I’m on a plane with some uninterrupted offline work time?  It’s so fun to have time to sit down and go through photos, trigger memories, and think about how much I love my kiddos, and how much they are growing.  Here is a collection of some fun random moments from the past month or so.

 

Joey playing at Sami’s school. Does that sweet face have mischief written all over it, or what?! Babe, I just bought you a shirt that says “Trouble Magnet”. You wear it well, but you are sweet and cuddly and have the most gracious manners!

 

Sami learned how to tie her shoes (on Auntie Erin’s shoes!) and got her first pair of lace up shoes!  They are called “Twinkle Toes” because the sparkles on the toe and sides light up – when you take her into a dark room it’s like having a disco ball!

 

Just some shots of my first baby’s sweet face.

  

Joey the artist!!  He’s quite the little painter and drawer. 

Sami with a rolly-polly on her nose!

It’s rainbow season in Si View!  They show up quite often this time of year, always in the same place, and often a full double rainbow! 

Sami’s Preschool Graduation!

It seems like just yesterday when we took Sami to North Bend Montessori for the first time!  We were so anxious to drop off our baby, with confidence that she’d make great friends and be a great student, yet with hesitation that our baby would miss us. She of course became an amazing student – quietly watching the first year, and soaking it all in.  And this year, she’s been so excited about learning.  It’s so wonderful to see her blossom, and to see her light up when she talks about all she’s learned about a new subject, like butterflies, airplanes, letter combinations and more.  Her writing and artwork have come so far, and now she’s learning to read.  And she’s a great friend – it’s so fun to see her in school being silly and sweet with her buddies.  Sweet Sami, we love you so much, and we are so very proud of you!  Congratulations, mini graduate!

Our graduate with her diploma!

Sami and some of her best friends – Summer on the left, Jake and Sawyer on the right.

 

Miss Dawn read a lovely note about each graduating child.  She is the best teacher – we feel so blessed that she has been such a big part of Sami’s life, our life over these past years!  And we look forward to Joey’s years ahead with her!

 

Daddy and Mommy are so proud of you Sami!  May you always love school and have the passion for learning that you have now.  You are so precious to us!

Swimmie Swimmertons

It’s summer, time for fish school!!  Both kids are taking swimming lessons and are really improving their swimming skills, and having a great time doing it!  This was Jojo’s first class, and he went under water, floated – he loved it (and he’s such a little water baby – we knew he would!)  Sami also did great – floating, diving under, diving in from the side, and she passed from level 1 to 2.  She had the fun surprise of having Meg in her class – just the two of them, which was like a fish school play date!  Jojo lucked out and got a 1:1 class, which was so great for his first class!

Joey’s teacher was Taylor.  she played “rocket ship” with him, which was his favorite game.  In the above middle, you can see they want all the way under water together!

Sami waits patiently for her brother to finish his class. Well, at least in this photo ; – )  She and Meg floated, dove and swam their little hearts out, and enjoyed their graduation lollipops!

Fun in the sun

This time of year, we Seattleites really freak out when we get a warm sunny day.  This winter feels like it’s been especially brutal.  I’ll never forget the day we were driving home a few months ago – the sun had been out, and then it started to rain.  Joey started crying “NOOOOO RAAAAAAAIN!”  And the first song he learned was “Rain, Rain Go Away…”  But not this weekend – it was beautiful, and the backyard pool is officially open! Joey had fun playing with the hose for the first time.  Sami had fun rescuing baby beetles out of the pool.  Mom – thanks for buying this swimsuit for Sami when she was THREE!  She still loves it and refuses to wear anything else!

 

Starting Young

Jojo may have been a late walker, but today he’s a little ahead of the game. He’s proudly singing his ABC’s, and is counting to twenty of you don’t count 14.  This weekend he added dating and driving to the list.

Here’s Jojo with his date Zoe, a 3 year old fashionista. 

Since he’s so young, we made him double date with his sister &  Zoe’s brother Carson

Always the gentleman, Jojo checks on the comfort of his backseat passengers

Let’s put this thing in gear and get outa here!

Well, his first date didn’t land him a second -  Zoe’s Dad was pretty upset when he found out Jojo swindled the keys to his car, and decided to move the family to Australia to stay well clear of Joe Yoder.  So onto the next victims – off to go flirt with Rachel and Hannah.