Dentist

 This is how we started our day.  I love just getting up and sitting on the patio having my coffee and hanging out with these clowns.  It has been a little chilly but I will take it!

Yesterday we did our annual summer dentist visit.  

Of course Oliver said yes to the sunglasses and brought his dragon along to have his teeth cleaned by the dentist.  

After the dentist Claire had her first lacrosse game!

She did so well and kept up with those big girls!!!  I am so impressed with her skills!

Oliver's Birthday

Today was Oliver's first friend birthday party (even though his birthday was on June 12th).  He was so excited to have all of his friends come to his birthday party at Gymnastics Unlimited.

The kids all had a blast and the weather was perfect for some indoor gymnastics fun.

The really do an excellent job with the kids for these birthday parties.  They had all kinds of games for the kids to play.

And they kept bouncing the kids in the air and catching them.

And then of course the foam pit is always a huge hit!

After a lot of fun, it was time to eat!

Oliver loved his "How To Train Your Dragon" cake (which was MUCH MUCH better than his old cake, which you will read about later in this post).  

He loved it when all of his friends sang to him.

And then he made his wish.

Oliver loved reading all of his cards.

And opening all of his gifts.

And then of course he loved playing with all of his new toys when we got home!

A few weeks ago (closer to his real birthday) we had our usual family party.

The cousins!!!

This is when we had the epic cake fail.  I ordered this cake from Orchard Fresh, where they assured me that it was noooo problem and they could easily make this cake.

 And when Mark picked up the cake, we got this...

Yeah...not even close.   But after convincing Oliver that this was in fact a dragon of some sort (and a few supportive text messages from some friends) I could easily see the humor in this debacle.

Overall, I think that Oliver had a wonderful 5th birthday.  He loved celebrating with all of his friends and family.  I still can't believe my little man is 5 and is going to Kindergarten but it has definitely been the most amazing 5 years with this guy and I love him more than words can say!  He has grown into a sweet, smart,  kind, and hilarious little person and look forward to seeing what the future brings for him!!!

I LOVE YOU OLIVER!!!  Thank you for an amazing 5 years!!!!

Eternal Flame

Yesterday was our first official day of summer vacation!!  Since it was our first day off we decided to do something fun, so we hit the trails and hiked to the Eternal Flame!

It was really beautiful and the kids really enjoyed the hike.  There were so many gorgeous waterfalls and other great naturey things.  Oliver was very concerned that we were entering "dangerous territory".  He did not stop talking the entire time we hiked, it was adorable.  Once he got comfortable and got over his fear of the "dangerous edges" he became a dragon and roared throughout the forest.

We were so excited that when we made it to the flame is was already lit (apparently it goes out from time to time).  I was thrilled that there lots of people around so I could get a family shot.

On the way back to the car we found a random picnic table and ate our lunches that we brought.  It was such a great day and a perfect way to start off our summer vacation!

And later in the evening was Claire's last soccer game.  She did a great job this season and had tons of fun with her new friends!

It was the perfect way to start vacation!  

BRING ON THE SUMMER!!!!

Pre-K Graduation!!

Yesterday was Oliver's Pre-K graduation.  Yes that's right, my baby is going to Kindergarten. 

 Not only did yesterday mark the end of Oliver's Pre-K year, it also ended our time at Doodlebugs (well besides summer camp). 

Every morning for the last 8 years (since Claire started at Doodlbeugs) Mark would drive the kids to school and I would wave from the front window as they pulled away.  I realized last week that we are at the end of me watching the kids pull away in the morning while I wave.  Now they will be staying with my father in the mornings while I drive off to work.  Maybe they can wave to me now :(

Here is Oliver ready to head out for his big graduation.

Claire was there to cheer him on.  I can remember going to Claire's Pre-K graduation like it was yesterday (click HERE to check out Claire's graduation).

Here is my little ham making his way to the stage.

He was so excited.

 Oliver sang his little heart out!  He is my little performer!

 Finally, it was the magic moment.  Oliver was proud as a peach when they called his name to get his diploma!

So proud.

THE GRADUATE!

My babies.

Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, & Papa were so proud of their grandson.

Mark and I were pretty proud too.

Oliver was so thrilled to see Miss Briana there to cheer him on!

Oliver loved having Miss Ashley as his teacher.

He loved Miss Taylor too.

Oliver and his best girl Ella.

Oliver, Ella, and Caleb.

Oliver and Ethan.

Oliver and Victoria.

 He was so proud of himself!

This is the scrapbook page that I made for Oliver for his graduation.

Oliver did so well in Pre-K.  He learned so much and made so many friends that he will miss so much next year.  Now..ON TO KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!

Kindergarten Screening

Last week Oliver had his Kindergarten screening.  He did so well, I was so proud of him. He was even a trooper when they gave them the colorblind test (although he failed).  And yes, he was dressed to impress.

After Oliver did a great job at his screening he was able to choose anywhere that he wanted for breakfast.  He was very torn between Moe's and Denny's but he eventually went with Denny's.  He told me it was because the last time that we went there I ordered the wrong thing and I wanted my salad, so now I could get my salad.  He is seriously the sweetest thing ever.

After a delicious Denny's lunch we headed over the art gallery.  Oliver really loved it!  He was really into the sculptures but he loved the landscapes pictures.  He made up all kinds of stories to go along with the pictures, it was so sweet.  Of course, all of those stories had to do with dragons but it was great.  I love to watch his imagination work!

I cannot believe that my baby is going to Kindergarten!  But I am so excited for him.  I can't wait for him start this chapter in his life.  I really think he is going to love it!!