Well, this is it.  So sad.  So depressing.

My youngest just graduated from preschool.

I know I’ve talked about how wonderful this preschool is when Eden graduated a couple of years ago.  But this preschool really is the best!  They’ve really worked with Amanda, she started the first year, so shy and quiet.  She wouldn’t say one word to the teachers or kids for the first several MONTHS!!!  But they’ve helped her become more comfortable in social settings.  She has absolutely adored her teachers and has loved every minute of preschool!

This preschool doesn’t just teach shapes, colors and letters.  No, this preschool has these kids knowing every letter of the alphabet and what ever single letter says.  They know all the vowels and both sounds those letters make.  They know the “th”, “sh”, “wh”,  “ch” and “ow” and “oo” sounds.  Yes they know their shapes and colors, but they do so much more!  Crafts every day.  They sent home several books that Amanda had worked on.  They have the kids come and color for the first 10 minutes of every day.  Then they take those pictures and put them in their own little book so the kids can take them home.

The most impressive thing is that Amanda can read books!  All 3 of my kids went to this preschool and each of them were reading at a first grade level when they left it.

Anyhoo, we’re really sad to say “good-bye” to this preschool.  They’ve really helped all our girls off to a wonderful start for school.

Miss McKenzie

Miss Kris

Miss Sue

Grandma came!!!

Sitting pretty!  Such a little lady!

This is a picture she drew of herself.  I love that she added a flower to her hair!

Congrats Amanda!

I’m SO not ready for you to start kindergarten.

As some, or all, of you know, Ashley’s been taking violin for the last 7 months.  She’s been getting up and going to school 45 minutes early every Tuesday and Thursday (minus holidays) to take these classes.

Her teacher figured that after taking time to tune all the violins, they practiced together a total of 27 hours.

Ashley has loved it!  Hasn’t loved the practicing so much, but she does love knowing how to play the violin.  And I must say, it’s helped with her piano!

She had 3 performances that day.  Two during school for the various grades and one that evening for the parents.  These first 2 pictures were taken during one of the school performances.  She was on the back row.  Now, if you know anything about orchestras and where they sit, I have to put this info in.  None of the kids are sitting according to “chair”, meaning they weren’t placed according to their ability with the better being in front.  According to Ashley’s teacher, she’s one of the best in her class.  She’s just sitting on the back row cause that’s where she was sitting when they made the seating arrangements.

But that’s why these pictures are blurry.  She was on the back row and I need a telephoto lens.  These pictures are really cropped.

These next pictures are of the evening performance.

Wonderful form (I think).

As you can probably tell, we got there really really early for front row seats!  So we had time to goof off.

Grandma was able to come!

Walking on stage!

Ashley with her amazing teacher, Mrs. B.

This video if of the finale song where both the beginners and intermediate (5th graders) played together.  You’ll hear the piano, which I think helps, and some percussion instruments, played by adults (who didn’t really know what they were doing).  But over all, I think the orchestra sounded great!

Sorry you can’t see Ashley’s face very well, but at least the kid who was supposed to sit in front of her wasn’t there, so I was able to get a little bit of her face!

Enjoy!

As promised, here are the pictures (though a bit later than I said I would) of Amanda’s birthday!

She had a princess party the Saturday before her birthday.  Had 4 of her little friends over!

Decorating crowns!

And they made necklaces and bracelets too!

Yup, I’m such a cool mom, that I don’t make my kids suffer with a cake that I attempt to make.  Now, I’m not knocking anyone who does make their kids’ cakes, I think it’s awesome! I just don’t have any talent in that area, so I buy cakes at the store.

She went to preschool on her birthday and they sang to her.

She brought treats to share.

Then we had a small family party for her that evening.

Eden made her an extra large tulip!

Ashley made her a journal.

Read the note.

Surprise!!!

Really surprised!!!

A Rupunzel bike!

Amanda is getting big too fast.  It makes me sad to see time go so fast.  But it’s wonderful watching her learn and grow!

She is such a joy in our family!  Happy, giggly, and very loving.

Happy (late) Birthday Amanda!

We Love You!