Pictures of the Munchkins

Just thought I'd share a few of the pictures I've taken of the munchkins over the last 3 or 4 months...

 (If you look closely, you can see Buddy in the background of this picture.)

I hope they always have a close relationship with each other.  Right now, they play well together and look out for each other.  They are really sweet to watch together... most of the time!  

Last Day of Preschool 2011

May 26th was the munchkins' last day of preschool.  The parents were invited to come to their classrooms for the last hour of class on that day where we enjoyed hearing the kids sing some songs and had a snack of cookies and juice.  Jon went to Buddy's class and I went to Sissy's class.

Here's Buddy with his teachers, Mrs. Meister...

 and Mrs. Maul.  (Sissy also had Mrs. Maul last year.)

He had a great year with his teachers and new friends he met.  

A few weeks ago, we received the munchkins' 'developmental report' in the mail.  Here's what Mrs. Meister had written about Buddy... 

"Buddy is a creative, fun, and loving student.  He always plays so well with his peers and wants everyone to get along.  He loves to explore his world around him and experiment with the science center.  Buddy always readily participates in all activities and listens well at circle time.  Buddy continues to work on making choices and problem solving.  I will miss talking with him!"

I had the pleasure of being with Sissy for her very last day of preschool.  She will be going to kindergarten next year!  I still can't believe it!!

Here's Sissy with her teachers Mrs. Wickman and Mrs. Chang.

 Singing a song with hand motions...

 Sissy with one of her new friends she met this year, Allie...

 and with a friend she met last year at preschool, Sofia.  She was so excited to have Sofia in class with her again this year.

This is what Mrs. Chang wrote about Sissy on her 'developmental report'...

"Sissy is a sweet, cooperative, and well-mannered girl.  She is always applying her highest effort into all of her 'classroom work.'  Over the summer, read to her often.  Talk about the stories with her.  Encourage her to answer your questions.  Sissy is ready for the challenge and fun of kindergarten!  Keep up the good work, Sissy!"

We are very proud of our munchkins for completing their year of preschool!  Next school year, Buddy will be going back to the same preschool for Pre-K (4 hours, three days a week) while Sissy will be moving on to all day Kindergarten.  

Amazing Sunset

This sunset was absolutely breathtaking!  The picture doesn't do it justice, but thought I'd share it anyway.

These sunsets remind me that God is present, He is good, and He is coming back some day!

Happy Father's Day, Jon!

What a great daddy Jon is to our two munchkins!   

 Here, he's being goofy with Buddy...

and being sweet with Sissy.

On Father's Day he opened his Father's Day card from the munchkins...

then opened the one from me.

 Next, he got a great big hug from both of the kiddos.

 After church, we went out for lunch to a local BBQ restaurant.  When we came out, the munchkins spotted a butterfly sitting on some flowers and we just had to stop and look at it.  They LOVE to look at little bugs, critters, animals, etc.!

 This is what we were are all looking at.

 In the afternoon, Buddy helped me make Jon's favorite dessert, Sugar Cream Pie.  The recipe says to use your fingers to mix the ingredients together once they are in the pie shell.  Buddy was happy to help with that, after he washed his hands, of course!  :-)

 Then, we went to a nearby playground to let the munchkins run off some steam.

At night before the munchkins go to bed, Jon reads them a bible story and then prays with them about what they have just read about.  They love their story time with daddy.  Then, after I sing some songs with them, pray with them, and tuck them into bed, they always request a back rub from daddy and he's happy to oblige. 

Happy Father's Day, Jon!
Thanks for being such a great daddy to our munchkins, Jon.  I love you and I know the munchkins think you are, in their words, 'the best daddy ever!'

Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

You are a great Husband to Mom...

An attentive Grandfather to your grandchildren...

(My dad made this wooden desk as a Christmas present for Sissy and Buddy a few years ago.  He made one for each of my sisters' families too.)

 ('Go Cubs!')

 (Taking some of his grandsons out for a paddle boat ride.)

and the best Dad to me!
(Me and my dad at my wedding, October 2002.)

Thanks for being the wise, gentle, funny, tender-loving, caring, always ready to play with the grandkids, wonderful dad and granddad that you are.  We are blessed by you and love you very much!

Muffins for Moms

On May 5th, the Thursday before Mother's Day,  I went to the munchkins' preschool to celebrate their annual 'Muffins for Moms.'  With both of them in preschool this year, I had to divide my time between the two classes. The moms came in from 9-9:30 AM to enjoy some delicious muffins the preschoolers had made for this special day. 

Each preschooler also made a special gift for his/her mom.  Buddy made a magnet out of puzzle pieces and glitter, while Ava made me a little clay bowl to keep my rings in.  These gifts are very special to me.  I know the munchkins spent a lot of time and effort making them and I will certainly treasure them. 

I started my time in Buddy's class...

 then made my way to Sissy's classroom.  

I really enjoyed spending a few moments with each of them in their classrooms and not to mention the yummy muffins they made.  

Playing at the Park

The munchkins and I love to visit the park.  We go almost every day, as long as it's not raining.  There are  five parks we frequent a lot.

First is the 'Yes Slides' park.  The munchkins call it this because there are slides (and other things to play on) at this park...

Then, we have the 'No Slides' park which is very close to our house. This park has, you guessed it, no slides. 

 What it does have is a walk way to a little bridge the munchkins like to go to.  Buddy enjoys throwing anything he can find on the way, like sticks and pebbles, over the bridge and into the water.

Next, we have the 'Tire Swing' park.  This one has a... drum roll please... tire swing!  Not only does it swing back and forth,  it twirls around and around. The munchkins just love it!

Another park we enjoy is the 'Ducks' park.  This one is located at a local shopping center.  There are several shops and restaurants, a playground, and a big 'lake' to walk around.  When we go to this park, the munchkins like to play at the playground, 

then walk around the lake,

and stop to look at the ducks and geese.

This last park is one we have just recently discovered.  The munchkins call this one, 'Howard's Park.'  We had a playdate a few weeks back with a classmate of Buddy's named Howard.  Well, Howard lives in a townhouse very close to this playground.  

We are having a great summer visiting our many playgrounds and we are thankful to live in an area with so many fun parks to visit!