Seth's Preschool Graduation

Seth was fortunate enough to be a part of the 4 year old Cougar Cub preschool at Quince Orchard High School.  Tade was in this program three years ago and we loved it so we were very happy when Seth was able to do it.  It is an amazing program at the high school where the high school students are the teachers.  The preschools love it.  The learn a ton and are pushed in new areas.  I don't think there is a better program out there.  Plus it's fun for me because I was one of those high school student teachers years ago.

The graduation program is way over the top, but totally adorable.  It's in the auditorium, the kids wear caps and gowns, there are speaches, performances and diplomas.  The kids just eat it up and feel so special.

Here's our little graduate.

Seth was chosen to lead the Pledge of Allegiance for everyone there.  I had no idea and was shocked.  I was such a proud mommy!!

Getting his preschool diploma from Mrs. Mangene.

The kids did a fun dance to the lion king song.

Then it was Cougar Cub comedy hour.  Each kid told two jokes.  It was adorable!

There were two teachers we often heard about from Seth.  Here is Miss Abby.

This is Miss Stephanie.  She was the third student who chose Seth as her special student for the year.  She worked one on one with him all year long.

Afterwards I sent my camera to the car with my mom so I just have some so so cell phone pictures.  I did want to get some of Seth with his buddies Ellie Anna and Dillon.  They were good buddies before preschool and were able to get into the program together.

Little Bits of May

The boys have spent a lot of time in the creek in the backyard.  They usually come in covered in mud.  On occasion they would find a frog or two.  They would play with them then I would tell them to put them back before they died.  One day the boys came quickly inside and ran up stairs.  Then Seth came down and said, "I don't have a frog in my pocket."  Of course all the red flags went off for me.  I asked where the frog was.  Seth said in his room.  I told him to get it.  He came back with it in his pocket.  Then Tade came in and he had one too.  I told them to take them outside right away, but of course not before I got a picture.

Some gardening help.

Tade's Baptism

In Tade's birthday post I mentioned that turning 8 is a big deal for many reasons.  One was the start of the scouting program which Tade was so excited for.  The other was his baptism.  Tade was excited about this too, but a little nervous.  People would be watching him for this one.  Plus he had to start being nicer to his brother :)  Tade chose to be baptized and we were so proud of him.  Our good friend John Grimsley flew in for the day so Tade asked him to do the talk on baptism.  He was so happy John took time to come for this special day.  Tade asked Sister Farnes, his piano teacher and past primary teacher, do give the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Grandma Paul and Auntie said the prayers.  One special story to go along with the prayers: Tade's uncle Sean's brother was just diagnosed with leukemia.  Before the baptism Tade talked with Grandma and made a special request that she prayer for Ryan during the prayer.  Jake and I thought he requested this because my mom had maybe mentioned it, but it was 100% his idea.  Tade is such a special little boy who is always paying attention to the needs of those around him.  He has such a caring heart.

Since his baptism I have noticed him always trying to make good choices.  One time Seth came into the room crying and saying Tade had hit him.  Tade came into the room upset too.  I told Tade to apologize to his brother.  Tade kept assuring me he hadn't done anything.  He looked more upset so I asked what was going on.  He said mom I was just baptized and I am not hitting my brother because I'm trying to be good.  Tade we love you!

Our goofy little stud.

Tade with our good friend John.

Ninjago Party

An 8th birthday is a pretty big deal.  It's the beginning of so many wonderful things.

Tade chose pizza for his birthday dinner.  He didn't want a normal cake.  Tade actually isn't a big sugar fan so he was having a hard time picking a birthday dessert.  I am very capable of making a birthday cake, but he didn't want one.  He actually wanted donuts, but had just had them in school to celebrate so I told him he needed something else.  I suggested we head to Safeway and look in their nicer bakery section.  They had a chocolate mousse cake which Tade chose.  Can I say that we will be buying that cake again.  It was DELICIOUS!!

One of the big deals for turning 8 is starting the scouting program.  Tade has been watching his grandma each week get ready for scouts and it has made him so excited.  He's been counting down.  For his birthday Grandma and Grandpa Paul got him his cub scout uniform.

Tade didn't really want or need anything this year.  He's at the age where getting money is pretty darn exciting.  So that's exactly what we did.  I told him in a couple months when we buy a house we will be poor so if he wants anything special it's all up to him.  Now he tells people he's saving all his money for when we move and are poor so he can still have new stuff.

Grandma and Grandpa Wangberg followed suit with the birthday money, but also got him his first suit for his baptism.  Suit shopping in May is not easy.  We are actually still looking to the perfect one.  Thanks Owen for letting us use yours for the baptism.

The Saturday after Tade's birthday was his party.  Tade chose the Lego Ninjago theme (ninja legos).  Thanks Kellie for creating such a great birthday invitation for me to use.

In the story of Ninjago there are 4 golden weapons, the weapons of spinjitsu.  I created the weapon out of water noodles, cardboard, and gold spray paint.

Here are the four weapons.  The nunchucks of lightening, shurikens of ice(ninja throwing stars), scythe of quakes, and sword of fire.

My ninjago pinata. Painting this one was totally easy.  I like it when some of the creative parts of parties turn out fast and easy.

When the kids arrived we got them dressed as ninjas.  The head gear looked really good at first.  Then they ran around like crazy to it got a little loose.  The ninja masks are just made from a tshirt.

See Tade's is a little better.  Here he is standing on his ninjago spinner.  It found it in the exercise section at target and it was perfect.  I think it a balance thing, but for us it was a ninjago spinner.

We started with ninja training.  Owen and I were Sensei Woo.  The kids copied us as we taught them moves.  Then they were tested by breaking boards (brown painted foam board).

After ninja training they had to go on a quest for the 4 weapons of spinjitsu.  We provided this map which was more for fun than direction.  The directions were actually scavenger hunt clues.  In the end they all got the sword of fire.

 Our ninjas were well trained at this point and need to be nourished with pizza.  These cup were another easy thing that added the perfect touch to the table.

After lunch we headed out to the deck for some target practice.  I know ninjago doesn't use guns, but shooting marshmallows is too cool to pass up.  We had the kids balance on the ninjago spinner and shoot marshmallows at a target.

Then it was time to the pinata.  These kids hit hard, but we had a tough pinata.  We went through several rounds and in the end just had to rip it apart.

  

Tade once again didn't want a cake.  He wanted donuts so I told him I would do a donut cake.  Seriously the easiest cake EVER!!!  Didn't even have to cut it.  We served it with ice cream sandwiches.

Annual Trip to Williamsburg

We usually take a trip to Williamsburg at least once a year.  This year we went in the middle of May with grandma and auntie.  We were supposed to go for a week, but between field trips and a fathers and sons camp out the Williamsburg week got shortened.  We made the most of our time there and it was lovely.

We had a unit with the hot tub again.  After cooling it down a bit the boys went in for a swim.  Tade was loving it.

Andelyne had fun watching.

We took a ferry ride to Chippoakes across the James river.

Chippoakes is beautiful.  Just the walk down to the water is gorgeous.

Cypress swamp with cypress knees. 

Arriving at the beach.

This is what it looks like all along the beach.

The boys found so many wonderful treasures.

There was a little hole in the shell that Andelyne was trying to look through.

On the way back to the ferry we passed strawberry picking fields.  So we pulled over to pick some to go with ice cream for dessert.  The rows were nice and raised which made picking so fast and easy.

They ended up not being too tasty, but the color was perfect.

Our ferry ride back to Jamestown.

The seagulls became our friends probably because Tade was feeding them crackers.  If you look closely you can see the cracker mid air as the seagull flies to get it.

Tade had a brave moment and was going to feed the gull from his hand, but then chickened out last minute.

Auntie on the other hand fed several seagulls.

On the way back to where we were staying we stopped by the glass blowing house next to Jamestown and a beach right next to it.  You can see the ships in the background at Jamestown.

Andelyne loved the little pebbles along the beach.

She really wanted me to take pictures on the rocks.  This one was a little slippery.

Back at out time share we had a pond out the back door.  The boys had fun poking sticks in the water and watching the tadpoles.

Seth found some slimy stuff in the water.

There was another pond on the plantation that had a gazebo over it.  Andelyne and I went for a walk to see the turtles in the water.

Here she is showing puppy the turtles.