Preschool Graduation

On Friday we celebrated Kate's year of preschool. The celebration included a play, a musical performance and a dance, and was also the same day as pajama day! 

Kate chose to be in the play performance and played the roll of the narrator. She did a fantastic job reading the story of the 3 Billy Goats Gruff as her classmates acted it out. 

 She even held the book out so the audience could see the pictures. 

 After the performances came the "stick ceremony". All year long the class worked on being as strong as a bundle of sticks, which is much stronger than a stick by itself. For a "diploma" each student got to take their stick home. I must say that I got a bit teary-eyed at this, and can only imagine the mess I will be when it's a real diploma! 

 Kate & her best friend, Willow. 

I am so proud at how much Kate has grown this year. She soared as a reader, and started attending reading group in the kindergarten class this spring, her confidence grew each day as she learned to step outside of her comfort zone, and her kindness to her classmates made my heart sing. 

"Kid, you'll move mountains  You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!"

Random Acts of Vogel

The weather around here finally started to resemble spring and even a day of summer-like temps, so we took full advantage of it and spent lots of time outside. 

Enjoying our backyard...the shade we have is so wonderful, as opposed to the treeless yard at our old house.

 What's more fun than a water table? A bubble table!

 Since daddy was working late one night, the kids and I met Aunt Alisha for a picnic and some fun at the park. 

 While this may look like Andrew has turned into a poker dealer, it's really a innocent game of Sequence Jr. 

 

 Last Saturday we took a family bike trip. The weather was perfect and we found a giant park to play at before turning around. 

 Kate had field day on Tuesday and had fun at all of the games, like the sack races.

 But alas, our weather has turned cold & rainy again. 

We are counting the minutes until we can be back outside again!

Two Little Shadows

"Two Little Shadows" 

I saw a young mother

With eyes full of laughter

And two little shadows

Came following after.

Wherever she moved,

They were always right there

Holding onto her skirts,

Hanging onto her chair.

Before her, behind her--

An adhesive pair.

"Don't you ever get weary

As, day after day,

Your two tagalongs

Get in your way?"

She smiled as she shook

Her pretty young head,

And I'll always remember

The words that she said.

"It's good to have shadows

That run when you run,

That laugh when you're happy

And hum when you hum--

For you only have shadows

When your life's filled with sun."

-Author Unknown

 To my two little shadows who fill my life with more sunshine than I could ever imagine... I love you and am so lucky to be your mom. 

Puddle Jumpers

We have our share of rain this season, and on Thursday the kids and I went on a puddle walk. 

 

Soccer

Build a Bear

Kate got a Build a Bear gift certificate for her birthday, so on the rainy Sunday afternoon last weekend we took the kids to the mall. 

Waiting in line to build their bears. 

Andrew's favorite part was pushing the pedal that filled the bear with stuffing. He liked it so much that he volunteered to do Kate's too...she declined. 

 Closing his eyes and making a wish on the bear's heart that went inside. 

All done!

Kate watching Andrew. 

 And filling her bear with stuffing. 

 There are few things that Kate loves more than her "guys"!

 Putting the bear's heart on her cheeks so that he "always has a smile". 

 The kids then took their bears over to the air showers to get cleaned. 

Andrew holding "Andrew Bear" & Kate with "Honey Bear".  

What a sweet way to spend another rainy afternoon!

Outdoorsman

Andrew loves being outside, which has made this {lack of} spring quite tricky. He is constantly asking to go out, and I hated that I had to tell him no so many times because of rain or snow! We finally got out one afternoon and I had a hard time getting him to come back in. 

Along with his love of the outdoors, he also loves balls. 

 I snapped this photo because I had a flash-forward moment when I pictured Andrew as a teenager shooting hoops in the driveway...it will come much too soon I am sure.  

 Playing baseball. Click here for a clip of Andrew playing last year!

 This is the look he would give if he missed the ball, or if it didn't go very far when he hit it. 

 And this is the one he would give after I put the ball on the tee and right before he tried to whack it at my head!