Madison's Photo Shoot

How could I forget this post!  A while ago I was playing around with my camera and the only subject I could get to cooperate was Madison...the kids refused me.  I realize these pics aren't that great, but man, they make me laugh every time I see the series.  She was trying her best to please me and posed every way I asked her to...such a funny little dog and we LOVE HER SO MUCH!  Love you Mad dog...stink and all:)  You have to scroll down the whole series to appreciate the humor in this because they were taken one right after the other.

Skyler's Preschool Celebration

Today was Skyler's Preschool Celebration.  It was so cute...they did some skits, sang some songs, and then we saw a slide show of all the 'graduates'.  I didn't get teary eyed, but was feeling a bit sentimental that his preschool years already over.  That he'll be leaving all of his friends and the safety and comfort of this school to go into a completely unknown territory.  It's going to be tough for him next year, but I'm so happy that he had such an amazing experience this year at Beth Ami...last year, not so much, but his teachers were FABULOUS this year in every way.  

He wanted Michael to wear his choker whites...I got him to settle on just Daddy's khakis:)

 Yep, she said she was all dressed up for school.  I didn't argue...hey, why not:)

 He took this all very seriously:)

 What can I say...he's a ladies man:)  These two ladies have been his friends for a couple of years.

 These two...so cute.  At the end of the show, Izzy planted a very big kiss right on his lips!  I asked him later how he like it, and he said, "It was great!".  Oh boy....

 Thank you Mrs. Bortz!!!!  This pic is blurry but it was crazy in there!

 And another big thank you to Ms. Kragen.

 Snagged my little graduate for a pic.

 One of his best buds:)

Skyler's 5th Birthday!!!!!

Skyler has been anticipating his 5th birthday since the day after his 4th~  He's been planning and just plain wishing it would come fast.  Somehow, the year flew by and it finally arrived.  He was thrilled...appreciated everything from the decorated house to his presents to the sweet phone messages, to everything about his party.   

His 4th year....when he learned that not all kids are nice, he experienced hitting rock bottom breaking my heart, but now appreciates all of the good...the amazing friends he has made, the teachers who loved him and cared and taught him what school is supposed to be about, he learned patience, how to be an amazing big brother, an amazing boy whose heart is full of so much love and goodness, his intelligence, desire to learn more and more, his love of museums, wanting to do right by everyone and I'm secretly happy when he acts up or sticks up for himself.  Skyler....everything about you is beautiful.  You have taught me so much about love and I can't wait for another year with you.

Career goal:  baker/cooker

Favorite colors: purple and green

Favorite places:  Any museum

Favorite activity:  LEGOS

Skyler plans everyone else's party, so why not his own?!  We asked him if he wanted ice cream cake, but oh no, he had to bake his own cake.  So here he goes!

I know this picture looks bad with a knife in his mouth...but I promise it wasn't sharp!

 Of course Sadie wanted to help too...She kind of had a hard time not being in the spotlight!

 Talking to Uncle Matt on the phone:)

 Done!

 Skyler got a new scooter for his bday...and we got Sadie one too, for Skyler, so she won't steal his!

 How old is she again?!  2 going on 12!

 Cake time!

So, Skyler fell in love with magic from his friend's bday party and insisted on having a magician at his. My fingers were crossed because I randomly found this guy on the internet.  Thank goodness he was amazing!  Fun, entertaining, and had the attention of every child.  By the end, even the shy kiddos were in the front row laughing hysterically.  Thank you Mike the Magician!

Skyler's theme was transformers...

 The party room..I guess I should have decorated a bit more!

 There he is!  Not the greatest conversationalist, but a great magician with a way with kids.

 Skyler couldn't wait to be the helper....

 This trick had him hysterical...I wish I could explain it....had to do with coins though!

 This girl had a problem with sharing my attention.  She clung to me the entire time, which is why all of my pictures were blurry or from a weird angle because she would hardly let me move!  She finally became interested at the end.

 Do you not just love his face here?!

Air Show

We had an AWESOME time at the air show.  Michael and I used to go to one in Virginia wayyyy before kids and loved it then.  It's even more fun with the kids!  We haven't gone until this year because Skyler had some fears of noise and unpredictable situations for a while and an air show has it all.  But, my sweet boy has grown up and has outgrown all of that.  So, off we went and saw a ton of airplanes/helicoptors/tanks and airplane shows.  They loved it, we loved it, perfect weather=great time!

We had to take a school bus from the parking lot to the air field...the kids loved it.

 Michael and the kids got to sit in a real helicopter!  The picture of the one they were in is just to the left of Skyler.  

 And a coast guard plane....

 And another...if you look closely, Skyler is actually sitting in the pilots seat!  Awesome:)

 And another...this one was a WWII plane...or I...somewhere around that time.

 Checking out the air show with his new toy.

 Are we in trouble or what?!  I guess she can't resist a marine in uniform:)

Standing on a tank....

 And, she's done:)