PreK Graduation

Berkeley had her official PreK graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 17th at 7:15 pm. It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen and my face hurt afterwards because I couldn't stop smiling. The kids sang about 7 songs complete with hand motions and they did a magnificent job. I thought Berkeley might be a little shy and reserved up there in front of a packed auditorium, but she was actually really into it and gave it her all. I think she loved the roar of the crowd! I was stunned when she (one of the shyest) and another girl held the flag for the pledge of allegiance. It was so fun to watch and we were so proud and also a little sad to see this sweet season come to an end.

Friday, May 20th was her official last day of PreK. The kids and parents got to enjoy a picnic afterwards (and a beautiful day, thankfully) before the kids went inside one last time to sing a couple of last songs with their teachers and say their goodbyes. It was an emotional day as we also had Kindergarten round up at her new school that same morning and I found out that they are starting full-day kindergarten next year instead of half day like they have always done. I was prepared to have Berkeley "home" with me for one more year and I am a little heartsick that that's not going to happen. I feel pretty sick to my stomach about the whole situation and feel like a couple of months isn't enough time to prepare myself for not having her at home anymore. People have told me that once they start school the time just absolutely flies by until they graduate. I feel like it can't go any faster because the weeks absolutely fly by already. At the end of the ceremony her teacher announced they will be graduating in the class of 2024. When I heard that I got chills because it will go by in a blink. I know all I can do is hang on to every precious moment and enjoy her as much as I possibly can. I know she is only "ours" for a very short season and then we have to let her go. Why does that seem so impossibly difficult and unfair?

Swimming Lessons

We started swimming lessons about a month ago. On the way to their first lesson I told the kids that the water was really warm, around 92 degrees, like a bath. After the lesson I was going to take them to Grandma Potts' house to play. They hadn't seen her in a couple of weeks because she had been sick with the flu. Berkeley kept her window down the whole way there so that the water would be extra warm when she got in. She said "I'm thinking about getting in that warm water" and Oliver chirped up from the back and said "I'm thinking about hugging and kissing Grandma." I thought it was so cute that he was more excited to see Grandma afterwards than going to his first swim lesson.

The kids are loving it and doing wonderfully! I'm amazed at their progress. At first they didn't want to get their eyes in or their heads wet, but now they go off the diving board and down the slide all by themselves and go under water without freaking out! We have a blast watching them and cheering for them. We are so proud of their accomplishments! They, too, are quite proud of themselves. Every night when they go to bed they want to know if tomorrow is a swimming lesson. I know this summer they will turn into little fish being in the lake every day. Good job you guys - keep up the good work!

She Won!!!

Grandma Potts had Berkeley color a picture to enter into a contest at a local pizza shop and she won! She won a family size one topping pizza! We were so proud of her and I think she was pretty excited and proud of herself too! She loves to color and always puts lots of time and detail into her pictures. Way to go Berkeley - awesome job!!!

Beautiful

We keep seeing beautiful rainbows, so the other night Berkeley asked if she could take a picture of it. This is what she took - nice job Berk!

Easter 2011

We had a wonderful Easter with my family this year. The kids had a blast hunting for eggs. In fact, Grandma hid Berkeley's 3 or 4 times so she could keep hunting for them and then Berkeley hid them for Grandma so she could participate in all the fun. We ate and ate and ate and then the kids helped Grandma make dessert. It was a really fun day.