Kindergarten rocks.

We LOVE Montessori Kindergarten.  I could not have asked for a better kindergarten experience ... for all of us.  A small class with 12 of the cutest and sweetest kids on the planet and a teacher who is the epitome of what a kindergarten teacher should be.  They learned so much, and they loved every minute of it.

There were so many fun field trips and activities throughout the year, and I need to go back and update this blog to capture some of those moments.  But one of my favorite things to do with the girls during their spring semester was to work on their big school projects.  We kind of had free reign to do whatever kind of project suited your child.  Then they had to present it at school to their class.  I loved the idea of thinking what best suited the girls, and I enjoyed getting creative with them.

Madeline's presentation day was first.  She did a family tree!!  She loves art and painting, so having her paint the big tree was perfect.  She did it all herself and loved it!  And she loves all of her aunts, uncles and cousins so was super excited about the idea of telling her friends all about them.  We printed off pictures, put them in the right places, and she wrote all their names on it to show who everyone is.  She was so proud of it, and I think it turned out great!!

Then was Annabel's turn.  This kiddo was obsessed with word finds.  She loved working them and often I would see her creating her own.  So that's what we did!  She did a big giant word find that included all of her classmates names.  They got to come up one at a time as she was presenting and try to find their name and circle it.  She did all of the writing and decorations.  And she chose the placement for all of their names in the puzzle, and I just helped her write the letters neatly, and we filled in the rest of it together with her telling me what letters to use.  Then we found a website where she could type in all of their names (she loves computers!), and it generated one we could print out and let her fill in the names for everyone to have.  She was so excited to show off her word finds!

I heard from their teacher that they both did GREAT with their presentations.  I'm a proud mommy of two super smart and creative little girls!  

A few goodbyes

I find myself sentimental in my old age.  Perhaps it was the end of the decade that was my 30's.  And the end of the baby era around here.  Change seems like a daily thing.  Lots of good changes, some sad just because they are a sign of growing up.  So just wanted to say a "goodbye" here to a few of our good "friends" that served us well.

Oh, the first minivan.  Not many people dreamed of driving a mini van.  I kind of did.  I was totally cool with the idea of toting a van full of kiddos around.  And dreams come true!!  In March of 2011, I become the proud owner of this Nissan Quest minivan that came to me from my sister and brother-in-law.  I'm sure they had years of memories in this van.  We did, too!  I had loved my Toyota Highlander and was sad to see it go, but baby number #3 needed a place to sit.  And then baby #4!  I remember the first drive in this van in spring of 2011 when I took the twins to Nashville.  It was the first time I turned the twins front facing, and they were mesmerized!  I'm sure the DVD player in the van helped.  So yes, 4 years of fun memories in this van before we parted in March of 2015.  Sorry, it did not get washed before the picture taking, but the kids wanted to say goodbye!  

     

I'll never forget the way I felt pretty much every time I opened this van door or looked in the rear view mirror and saw this view.  So blessed,  Sometimes overwhelmed.  Always thankful!  Not many people get to drive around with 4 big ol' Britax carseats in the back of their van!    

Later in March, it was time for this little munchkin to say goodbye to his VERY loved "little bed" as he called it.  He was just a few months shy of turning 4!  But even though he had a twin bed fixed up and ready to use since birth, he really clung on to his little bed.  He's such a monkey that we had lowered the side rail long ago, and he just climbed in and out on his own.  So it was basically just like a toddler bed.  But he loved it.  And he was my best sleeper of the bunch, so if that is what made him feel happy and secure at night, I was ok with that.  But when the time came to start sleeping in the "big bed," he did great and was ready to say goodbye to this one.  I have to say I loved his bedding as much the day I took it down as the day I we put the crib together.  Bright and cheerful was perfect for this sweet, funny, and happy (mostly) kiddo ... who now shares my love for dogs!    

He thought he would show me his moves on getting in and out.  

 One last hug before it goes ...

And then in April, the end of an era really hit me ... saying goodbye to the LAST baby bed.  That one was not easy.  This was one of the girls' cribs, so was the first and last.  Served us well!  But Elliot, who is not so much of a monkey, or at least not an agile and safe one, started climbing out.  After last summer's broken baby in a body cast, I did not want to risk it.  Time for a big bed!  And lucky #4 got the biggest bed of all of his siblings.  So a few last pictures of my last baby in his last night in our last crib.  I love watching my kids grow up, but I definitely will miss this ...

And the new big boy bed for Elliot ...

I oped to stick with the same paint and decor and lucked out finding some bedding to match.  Happy with the result.  Elliot was excited too!  Climbed right in with his "friends" and did great with the transition.  

Other winter silliness ...

In my effort to catch up on blogging about our 2015, I wanted to include some of the funny moments and pictures from our winter silliness.  This is just a glimpse into daily life and how we spent our winter 2015.

Like enjoying purple smoothies ...

 
Working on our ballet moves and putting on a show ...

Like sister, like brother.  He could not be left out of the fun!  

Snacking on the couch and watching our shows.

Practicing our make-up skills.

Having fun in the bubble tub ... 

And apparently doing a little water wrestling.

More dressing up and performing.  (And Elliot never misses out on that!) 

Partying with karate kid...

Enjoying a little electronics time.

Staying hydrated.

Lounging in our new favorite "pickle-bull me" (Despicable Me) pajamas.

And even entertaining guests in our new pjs ... and dress up clothes (Annabel) and swimsuit (Madeline).  We love having the Montgomery girls come over to play!

Having a play doh extravaganza ... in more dress up clothes.  (No idea why James is a butterfly.)

Enjoying a moment in the sun walking them home.

Being up to no good.

Going for a spin.

Dancing like no one is watching.

Snuggling with some friends.

Crashing on the couch.

Losing a tooth ... her first!

Playing too hard and falling into the brick fireplace.  

Just looking cute at school.

Taking lazy Saturday morning family selfies.

And probably my favorite part ... and an almost daily scene around our house ... wearing whatever you want!!

Fun times.  Simple moments.  The best memories!