4 months!

Height: 25.25 inches

Weight: 14 lbs 13.4 oz

James continues to be an angel baby. He smiles for anyone who smiles at him. He's easy going, patient, and very happy and content. 

He gets lots of compliments on his beautiful long eye lashes:

James started taking good, long naps this month. The afternoon nap started first. He'll usually sleep for 3 hours and it's like Christmas morning when he wakes up. When I come in holding James and say, "Look who just woke up!" Everyone immediately stops what they're doing and rushes to his side wanting to give hugs, kisses, and talk to James. It really is one of my very favorite things.

James had lots of first this month, like:

First time on the swing . . .

Also: First time up the sandhill (did the sandhill twice this month)

First real belly laugh - you've been doing lots of "talking", squealing, and babbling lately which has all of us laughing.

James is still sleeping in his cradle at 4months, but is definitely ready for the switch over to the crib (he doesn't like to be swaddled anymore and will hit his hands on the spindles of the cradle and wake himself up). We're just waiting until after the 4th of July when all our company leaves. I do like how easy it is for Calvin to read stories and the kids to rock him before bed though. Makes me sad thinking this is our last baby to sleep in the cradle (tear). 

James constantly has great entertainers and always someone around to play with him (another thing I LOVE).

Father's Day 2016

I couldn't have picked anyone more perfect for me or my kids! Spence is our rock- always cool, calm, and collected. He has a gift for being able to make everything all better. Thanks babe for being just what we always need!

Just a couple things I never want my kids to forget about their dad:
* He takes them on individual dates every month. Madi just blogged about her most recent date with Spencer - a day at Disneyland - just the two of them. Spencer had challenged her to perfect Canon in D on the piano with a trip to Disneyland as a reward and she rose to the challenge.
* Not all dates are as extravagant as Disneyland - most are a trip to Rolling Pin or errands with ice cream or some other treat at the end.
* He tells the best bedtime stories.
* He's super creative and talented in music and the arts. Dad's a great resource to have around when it comes to school projects and book reports!
* He's an awesome cook and is probably one of the only people who can get our kids to try new things (he's a firm pusher, not a softy like their mother).
* He's always up for fun - "tackle wrestle time" is a nightly ritual for daddy and Calvin, "talking pillow" for daddy and Elle.

The girls wrote sweet letters and gave to Spence Sunday morning . . .

Madi made a cute coupon book with stuff like a 10 min foot massage, 10 min head rub, a delicious breakfast, fold all your clothes, and get along with my siblings for 2 days (now that's a coupon I want to cash in)!!

Elle liked Madi's idea and included some "things to do for dad" on the back of her letter:

Elle's 1st grade year

I have so much I want to document about Elle's 1st grade year. She had the BEST teacher! Ms. Todd is incredible - a teacher who loves, inspires, cares, is genuinely interested, extremely patient, and made it a truly magical year for Elle.  She has a gift for making everything so magical. Every lesson, activity, project, and holiday was well thought out and tied in perfectly to what they were learning. I know a lot of teachers, and Ms Todd is one of a kind. Elle never wanted to miss a minute of class time. I feel so lucky that Elle got to learn from the best this past school year! 

This writing assignment from back to school night summed up Elle's heart so well:

A closer look . . . 

This year they studied plants, made plant projects, grew their own beanstalk, and performed Jack and the Beanstalk play. 

Elle was a cook with her buddy Heidi. They were adorable and did a fabulous job!

Elle's castle:

Elle's giant is the green one:

I had the privilege of helping with reading every Tuesday morning (until James was born - I only helped one more time after his arrival). It was amazing to see Elle go from a level F at the start of 1st grade and ended with being able to comprehend levels N-P. She reads constantly and loves it which is so awesome to see. 

At the end of the year Ms Todd gave each student a little plaque unique to each child. I was so touched by this and how perfectly it represented Elle's talents and nterests:

She also gave them a special bag full of magical things to help them feel confident moving onto 2nd grade! This was a year never to forget! 

Cal's last day of school

Today was Cal's last day of his first year of preschool. I came to his class for their party. It seemed a little silly for us parents to be there, but Cal sure was excited to see me (which I loved)! I snuck in as he and his friends were talking about how huge their bikes are, got in front of him with my camera and said "hi Calvin". Love the sweet smile he gave me.

He finished his ice cream, cleared his dish and ran to the reading area.

When all the kids were done eating they went to the rug for songs and dancing. I love seeing Calvin interact with friends. 

What a great year it's been. Thankfully we didn't have to be sad to say good-bye because he's coming back to Peep in the fall with Ms. Julie  . . . 

and Ms. Barbara! Love these sweet teachers who take good care of our handsome guy! 

And yay for friends who will be returning with him in the fall - Marli also will be in Ms. Barbara's    4 day a week afternoon class next year. 

12 years!

Spencer and I celebrated 12 years of marriage this weekend. We were able to sneak away for massages and Thai food yesterday afternoon and then today we choose a family favorite and climbed the sandhill!

I sure made a good choice 12 years ago. Marriage definitely isn't easy, but I'm grateful to have Spencer by my side. I love what a strength he is to me. I love the amazing communication we have - I know I can always tell Spencer everything, even when I know he doesn't want to hear it. And I love how he always gives me the brutal truth.

Madi's school Open House

Wednesday night was Open House at Cape. What a treat it was for Madi to get to take us around her school and show us all her projects. 

Silly kids! It's the only one I have that James is in too! 

What a great year Madi has had! I wasn't thrilled about Madi changing schools, especially without her sister . . .

and it's definitely been a sacrifice for our family, but Cape is such a prefect fit for Madi. It's been such positive school experience for her and I'm grateful for her wonderful teacher Ms. Upton, for inspiring and motivating her! 

Still can't believe I'm gonna have a 4th grader next year!! 

When I first started teaching 14 years ago, 4th graders seemed so old, and now I'm going to have one! Crazy!!!