Amazing States! :)

So I've started teaching the kids some of the states from this U.S. map we have hanging on the wall, and surprisingly, they love it! I have been so amazed at how quickly they have been memorizing the states that I've been teaching them -- Brielle, mostly, of course -- but even Samuel is learning them too... It's only been a few weeks since I began doing this with them, and Brielle already has a little over half of the states memorized! So anyway, here's some videos of them naming off the states they know -- and also the one of Samuel has him writing his name -- another thing we've been working on with him too.

"Sleepover" & Mother's Day

Last weekend, we decided to have what we called a "sleepover" with the kids -- we all slept downstairs on the couches and floor together, and stayed up watching movies and stuff... They were SO excited! It was a fun little night...

Also, last weekend was my 6th Mother's Day as a Mom! Where do all these years keep going... The kids made me cards and drew pictures -- of course a Mom's favorite thing! :) They all gave me a very special day for Mother's Day! And a little update on me and the pregnancy... I just hit the 20-week mark this week -- halfway!! Yea!! And next week is my appointment for my ultra-sound, where we hopefully get to find out what this next little cutie is going to be! Boy or girl... We're excited to find out! All is going well so far, and I love this stage where I've started getting to feel the baby moving and kicking... So amazing and exciting! :)

Brielle's Preschool Pictures

Well, we haven't had Brielle's picture taken professionally since she turned four, so I was kind of excited when they had pictures taken at her preschool. They even did a cap-and-gown pose because she is among the group starting kindergarten in the fall, so apparently she gets to "graduate" preschool! Anyway, here's our cute 5-year-old Brielle...

Pictures Just For Fun…

Colette has decided she is just as big as her older brother & sister, and insists she be included in the barstool seating now rather than her highchair… She looks so big sitting up there now. How do they all grow up so fast… Also, watermelon season is a family favorite in this house! Yum!

This is a typical get-up for our little miss girly-girl, accessorizing Colette! First thing in the morning, she HAS to put on a hat and a pair of shoes – which she switches out here and there throughout the day – she is all about accessories… And she LOVES all of her pajamas because they are “soft & pretty”! Such a girl… :)

Jared had an Eagle Project to go help out with for Scouts this past weekend, and he decided to take a VERY excited little boy along with him…. Samuel had an absolute blast – for 4 HOURS!! He was actually quite a big helper to his daddy, apparently, and he also was very excited to tell us all about his earthworm he found named Johnny, and the “tomato bugs” as he calls them (in other words, potato bugs) & ants that he got to see, and the yummy lunch that he got to eat! Ended up being a fun boys’ morning together for them…

This is how I found these two cute little sisters one morning in their room, just after waking up, having a tea party… Such cute buddies!

Typical results of me trying to lay down on the couch and get some rest in the evenings… But how could I ever say no to such cute munchkins! So fun to cuddle… :)