Family Vacation to Missouri Part 1

Audrey's 1st Flight. She was a great traveler!

 

The kids got the full Aunt Susie and Uncle Michael experience of my childhood. Bedtime stories, pancakes, favorite meals, a nature hike, animals to play with and lots of love!

 

 

Tia Julie arranged for us to visit the Colemans in Columbia. Seeing a real live farm in the spring was a great learning opportunity for all of us. Willem loved collecting the eggs and Ellie was a huge fan of her donkey ride.

 

 

 

 

Love cousin time!!

 

We celebrated Cole's high school graduation in Columbia and caught up with the family before heading back to the lake.

One memorable part of this trip was our collision with a deer at the lake. In all my years of living in MO we'd never hit a deer before. But out of nowhere a deer ran across the road and jumped and hit the side of the van. It was really scary as Willem's window shattered but he was totally fine. Led to a series of crazy situations with a van full of people and an open window, a torrential rain storm and a 4 hour drive to St. Louis. But now that will be a story we don't forget.

Ellie's Last Day of School

Ellie took to school like a fish takes to water. She loved everyday of preschool this year. Her favorite thing about school was the baby dolls. She also liked doing the arts and crafts and learning new songs. Each day when I picked her up she'd tell me about her friends and what they had done that day. When we observed her in the classroom she would be pushing her baby in the cart and pretending to grocery shop or play in the kitchen. Her teachers said she didn't talk much in school but she would sing and was a great listener.

 

 

First Day of School                                                               Last Day of School



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willem's Last Day of School

 

                                  

                                       Last Day of School                                                     First Day of School

                                                                    

 

Willem truly blossomed this year in school. He became a confident, outgoing kid. He was friends with every child in his class and was in his element in the classroom. He took great pride in being a 2nd year and having additional responsibility to mentor the 3 year olds grown up so much this year. He got to set the lunch table, help with dishes, and get the meals from the cafeteria. It helped that he had a new teacher this year, Ms. Denise, who was amazing!!

 

By Christmas he was reading Bob books on his own and by the end of the year he could read Step 1 & 2 books. Reading has opened a whole new world to our Curious Willem. We had lots of interesting conversations en route to school as he was reading the signs we pass along the way, the advertisements, etc. 

 

 

Ms. Denise and Willem

 

Willem is sad that this is his last year at Faith North, he wanted to collect all of their phone numbers so he could stay in touch. Willem has really come into his own this year and is such a social butterfly. Was sad to say good bye to the community we'd created at Faith North but a new door has opened and we're excited to see what comes of our move to Villa next year. 

Family Day at AZ Sunrays Open Gym

Jason was off this weekend so we took the kids to Sunrays Open Gym. The blueberry pit is so much fun!!!
 

 

 

 

 

Spring Recital

Willem has really gotten into playing the violin. Getting through the Twinkles seemed to have been key. He now is a total ham with his violin skills and loves playing concerts for friends and family. The Spring Recital was a culmination of all his efforts this year and his teacher felt he was ready to play Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich Twinkle. He readied by giving lots of concerts to the family at night and to his stuffed animals. When it was time to get up on stage he did great.

 

It's been really neat to see how the kids have bonded over the past year. Willem takes group classes twice a month with the older kids and it was neat for him to get to see the younger ones perform as well and see how far he's come.

 

To celebrate the end of the year all the kids went over to Paw Paw's house for a pool party. No pictures were taken as Mom and Dad were busy the whole time but lots of fun was had by all!

Audrey is 6 months old!

We cannot believe Audrey is 6 months old already!! Audrey is very social, calm, happy, and in her element when her siblings are around.

She's at the end of wanting to play on her activity mat and swing and is ready to go out and explore the house. She's not one for the Bumbo or high chair, but is a big fan of the Ergo.

This is Audrey every morning with a big smile on her face.

 

 

On her 6 month birthday we gave her food for the first time. The banana was a hit. Wasn't quite sure what to do with it but quickly got the hang of it.

 

 

 

 

 

Audrey's favorite place to be. Each night at bedtime she lays with Willem and Ellie during story time. They beg us to let her sleep with them, all too soon she'll be a big girl sleeping in a big bed.