Preschool Graduation!

On Friday evening Aurora graduated from preschool!! I can't believe it!

We had a reception at the house before her ceremony with family only. Aurora was happy to get "tons" of money ($30). She also received two chapter books from us to start reading in the evenings (one is the Wizard of Oz) and a Minnie Mouse collectors watch from Grandma and Grandpa S (I still have a similar Micky Mouse one they got me when I was her age).

The graduation theme was 'college', so she was supposed to wear a college t-shirt. We found her a shirt from UNM that was perfect!

At the ceremony, they sang several songs about Kindergarten and then they got their diplomas! Aurora was SO proud of herself. Alex was cheering for her too!

Aurora had a great night, until the end when she said good-bye to her teacher, Ms. Jennifer. She has been her teacher for 3 years, and Aurora was pretty heartbroken. Ms. Jennifer was crying too. Poor Aurora cried all the way home and until bedtime. My sweet girl!

We are so proud of you, Aurora!

Minnie Mouse Watch from G&G S
The reception
The college shirt
Money from G&G K!
Money from Mom and Dad!
New books

Alex cheering for Sister
Singing
Getting her diploma

I did it!


Saying good-bye to Ms. Jennifer

Memorial Day Weekend

Well it's been a long time since I have been able to post! With Aurora's birthday and then a business trip, we've been super busy around here!

We had a pretty good long weekend, despite daily thunderstorms. We are getting into the monsoon season, where it rains pretty much every evening. On the plus side, my yard is looking really good!

We started the weekend with a BBQ/pool party with some new friends from Aurora's school. The weather wasn't very good but we did get an hour or so of good sunlight for the kids to go crazy in the pool!! It really WAS crazy, and I can't even tell you the number of injuries they had by the end! But everyone had a good time and it was good to make some friends with couples that have kids Alex and Aurora's ages.

On Sunday we went to the children's museum, which is always a big hit. They have some great exhibits and I always enjoy seeing the things the kids can do and comprehend that they couldn't on the last visit. Alex was pretty funny; he refused to remove his sunglasses the whole time we were there!

Today we did some shopping and we ended up with a new edition to the family! Aurora has been telling me lately that our rat, Ratatoullie, is "lonely". I did some reading and rats really are social creatures and I thought maybe she was right. We went to the pet store and checked out the rats and talked to the store associates, and I ended up being talked into another one! So we have a pretty little grey one now, who's name is, appropriately, Remy! Both rats are getting along well and are currently cuddled up together in their bed.

We ended the weekend with some grilled pork chops and ice cream that the kids chased down from the ice cream truck! All in all a good weekend! Here are some pictures:

Birthday Party!

Aurora had her birthday party yesterday. At her request, it was Scooby Doo themed. It was also the first year that she was able to invite friends from school. She had a great time. We grilled and had a bounce house and pinata for the kids. She got lots of outdoor toys as presents and several things that were on her list. All of the kids were very well behaved and only got crazy after the cake, which is fortunately the last thing we did! I think she had a great party! Lots of pictures:

The setup
The shirt

The boyfriend (KJ) in their first house!
Grandma and Grandpa K
Grandma and Grandpa S
Eating
Auntie
All the kids
Pinata time!
Alex loved his Little Brother present
The cake

'Uncle' Chris and 'Aunt' Emily (Emily is 5 months pregnant)
Alex wanted to be like Uncle Chris

Five Years Ago Today...

I was ready to get this little girl out! Aurora Christine was born around 11pm at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long. She was a pretty easy going baby and babbled constantly...little did I know that would translate into talking non-stop every waking minute!

Today Aurora is smart, witty, and beautiful. The concepts she understands and the comebacks and jokes she comes up with just blows me away. She can count beyond 100, write her name and all of the letters of the alphabet, and is beginning to read. She loves science just like her Daddy, and can name the planets and many deep space objects. She is also very much into animals and loves to dance. She acts more like a teenager than a little girl! She is an amazing person and I am so proud of her and so blessed to have her in my life. Happy Birthday Aurora!

1 day old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

Now

We Love Summer!

There is just something about summer that just puts you in a great mood. The weather was so warm today that the kids got to play in their pool for the first time this year! They played and played and we grilled chicken and then had ice cream cones for dessert. Being outside, playing in the pool, grilling, eating ice cream - I love this time of year!