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!!

Dance Recital

Today was Claire and Oliver's dance recital.  They worked so hard all year and today all of their hard work paid off!

Claire looked so grown up on stage today.  This was the year that she went from being an adorable little dancer to a big kid dancer!  She did a great job!

Oliver did a great job too!  He LOVES being on stage and it shows the entire time that he is dancing!

Claire and her dance buddies.  Little Divas.

I loved Claire's costumes this year!  She was so grown up!  I can't even take it!

Of course Nana and Papa were there to cheer on their grandbabies.

And Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't miss it for the world.

And we couldn't be more proud of our babies!!

This year I was pretty pleased with their dance pictures too!

Claire and Oliver!!

Claire ~ Route 66 

She LOVED this costume.  When we got home she wanted to just wear the vest and the gloves around the house.

~Route 66~

Claire ~Tonight

This was my favorite costume!  I love the head piece!

Oliver ~ Friend Like Me

Seriously?!  Who doesn't look ridiculously handsome in a bowtie and suspenders?!

~Friend Like Me~

Daddy and Me

This year they were able to move up the beginner swing class!  It was adorable!!

I am so very proud of my kids!  They loved going to dancing and never once complained about doing it.  They had fun and worked hard!  And the end result was perfect.  I love watching them dance on stage!!  

Buffalo Marathon

Today we spent our morning downtown to support Mark while he ran the Buffalo Marathon.

He did a great job!  His time was 4 hours and 9 minutes.

Here is Claire getting a smooch at the halfway mark!

Oliver loved hanging out with Miss Amy while we waited for Daddy.

 Claire and Oliver found stuff to do to pass the time while they waited for Mark to finish.

The kids were so proud of their Daddy!

Great job Mark!!!!!!

Kindergarten Orientation

Today was Oliver's Kindergarten Orientation.  He was so excited to see his new school and he was even more excited when he saw some of his pre-school buddies there too.  He is currently in love with Ella, so he about lost his mind when she was there.  After his special orientation he got to pick any restaurant that he wanted for lunch.  He chose Denny's and we had a very nice lunch just the three of us to celebrate his special day.

I cannot believe it is already time for this guy to go to Kindergarten.  I am so excited for him, although a touch sad that my baby is going to school!  He is going to have so much fun and learn so much in Kindergarten! Oliver is so ready to start this phase of his life and I can't wait to see what elementary school brings for him!  I love you buddy and I am so proud of you!

Mother's Day!

This year I had an amazing Mother's Day!  I got a gorgeous vase from Oliver (with some gorgeous flowers from the grocery store), a delicious smelly potpourri bag from Claire with an adorable homemade card, and half of a camera from Mark. All complete with breakfast in bed!  I couldn't ask for more!

I didn't get a picture of me with the kids but we did get a nice family shot.

And then a great picture of four generations of amazing ladies.  Without these two amazing woman I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't be who I am today.  Love you gals!

This Mother's Day I am blessed to be a mother to two of the most amazing kids in the world.  I am also blessed to have my mother still with me.  Last year on Mother's day we were still reeling from my mother's fight against breast cancer.  But this year she is here and she is strong.  And I am so lucky to still have her.  Without her I wouldn't be the mother that I am today.   I am also incredibly lucky to have the best mother in law in the world.  She is so amazing to my children and she is pretty good to me too ;).  Tonight I can sleep well knowing that I am one lucky lady.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Discover The Dinosaurs

 

A few weeks ago we took the kids to "Discover The Dinosaurs"!  

 It was an amazing event that showcased different dinosaurs.  The dinosaurs were gigantic and they moved!!! Needless, to say that Oliver was in HEAVEN!  He video taped every single dinosaur and is still watching the videos.

The kids got to dig for bones.

Even Mark had fun.

Some of the dinosaurs were dangerous.

Super dangerous.

Clowns.

I even got to be in a few pictures.

My favorite dinos.

They even had dinosaurs that the kids could ride.  Oliver almost lost his mind.

Even Claire liked riding the dinos.

Oliver rode each dinosaur.  He just kept going to back in line.  I am pretty sure this was his favorite part.

I love these two.  The event was really cute.  Besides the dinosaurs there was mini golf (which Claire got THREE HOLES IN ONE), dino rides, and dino movies playing.  We really had a great time.

After the dinos we went down the street to the Hard Rock.  The kids loved eating there because we just went to the Hard Rock in Toronto so they thought this was so awesome that they had one in Niagara Falls too.

And since we were in Niagara Falls of course we had to take a walk over to the falls!  

It was a beautiful night and the falls looked really pretty. 

They made Oliver a little nervous though :)

It was such a great night!  Oliver loves dinosaurs and it was so fun to see him study each exhibit.  He wanted to learn so much, I was so proud.  

Please ignore the quality of photos in this post.  I got a new lens and after using it that night, I realized it was not in perfect condition. It is currently being repaired and hopefully we will be back on track soon :)