Lily & Violet's 5th Birthday

Hannah got to go to Lily & Violet's 5th Birthday, which was Doc McStuffins themed.  Josh actually took her and picked her up, as I was very sick that day (morning sickness=all day sickness).  It seemed like she had a blast!  Lily & Violet have been her best friends since she was born!  Several other church girls were there (Taylor Remole, Lily Georges, and Karli McGee).  Karli, Hannah, Lily, and Violet were all born within 2 weeks of each other!

First Day of Preschool

Our family schedule changed drastically this fall as both of the kids are in preschool.  Hannah is attending 4 days a week (2-2.5 hours/day) and Jacob is attending 1 day a week (2 hours).

On MWF, Hannah attends our church preschool.  Her teachers are Mrs. Jadawn Myrick and Mrs. Jennifer Church.  She already knew several kids in the class.  She is still unsure as to whether or not she really likes it.  They have a Green-Yellow-Red discipline system.  She (as well as most of her classmates) have been on yellow several times.  It is just a warning, but Hannah takes it hard.  I have no doubt she deserved to be on yellow and that it's good for her; she just isn't so sure about it.  Most days she stays on green and reports this to me as soon as she comes out the door, but if she is not on green, she is very sad!  One day when she was on yellow, she came out crying.  I stayed to talk to her teacher for a minute, while Hannah and Jacob went and had a pow-wow.  After a few minutes, Jacob came back down the hall, ran up to Hannah's teacher (who he didn't know), and very sternly said, "You be nice to my sister!"  I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or be angry.  It was very out of character for Jacob.  I guess it was sweet he stuck up for her, but she was in the wrong, and they both got quite a lecture after that one!

 First day of Thursday School

Jacob and Hannah both are attending Thursday school this year, which is a free program at a church in Danville.  It gives mommy an opportunity to run errands alone once a week!  Jacob really loves his class.  I wasn't sure how he'd do since he doesn't always like his church class (he goes to Hannah's a lot, which I often teach).  But, he didn't really have any issues!  He started doing puzzles on the first day and said, "Bye, mom!"  He has seemed a little nervous a few days going in but is putting on a brave face.  He hasn't cried, which surprised me a little.  I'm so proud of him.  He is quick to tell me ALL of the things he did each day too.  He has some really sweet teachers, so that helps.  Hannah also really enjoys her Thursday school.  It is a really great program!

Summer 2013

We packed a lot of fun into our summer.  Here are some random highlights:

Homer, a nearby town, started a soda festival this year where you could go try hundreds of sodas!  The kids had fun jumping in the bounce houses, we had some really yummy food, and Josh bought lots of soda to bring home!

We had playgroup at the Homer Spray Park!

We had family movie nights!

Our family worked at a fundraiser for Love, Inc. in Danville.  The kids got to join in the fun!

We had a little kiddie pool in the backyard.  You could often find naked children in it.  

Thank goodness for our privacy fence!

We had playgroup at the Sidell Pool a couple of times!

Josh's mom took us to Pizza Time after Hannah's T-ball game!

We visited Sholem Pool and Crystal Lake Pool in Champaign!

Jacob loves the pool!

We had a 4th of July cookout with my family!

Les and Sarah got to come stay with us a couple of times before leaving for Japan to be missionaries!

We visited the Champaign Mall carousel a couple of times!

We visited a new park in Tilton which was lots of fun!

Hannah took swim lessons at the YMCA!

Hannah's 5th & Josh's 31st Birthdays!!!

Josh and Hannah had quite a week (or more) of birthday celebrations!  We are blessed to have lots of family and friends to celebrate with!!!

A little before Hannah's birthday, Grandma Jody took Hannah shopping in Indy for her back-to-school wardrobe, backpack, and Halloween costume!  We had a yummy lunch at The Cheesecake Factory!

On Hannah's actual birthday, Grandma Teresa and I took the kids over to Champaign to meet Papa Ed at Monical's and to go ride the carousel at the mall.  

Grandma and Grandpa got Hannah a toy violin.  She has been asking for a violin for a few years now; she was so excited!

Hannah has been asking for quite awhile for me to make her a castle cake.  I did my best!  She really wanted it to be pink and blue.  I added a little purple.  She's a girl who knows what she wants!

Josh and I got Hannah a pin lanyard for DisneyWorld, a charm necklace for Marie Grace, some clothes, and a princess game.

Our family celebrated at home the night of her birthday.  I told her we could go out anywhere she wanted or I could make anything she wanted.  She chose homemade broccoli cheese soup.  Sounds good to me!

The next day, we invited a few of her girlfriends over for a little tea party.  I think anyone who has planned a "little" party knows it ends up being about as much work as a big party!  It was her first friends party, and the girls had lots of fun.  We had lots of cute tea party food, decorated jewelry boxes, made necklaces, etc.

 Grandma Teresa and Aunt Emily came over to help me out.  I'm glad they did!

 Lily, Violet, Brenna, Hannah, Jillian, Lily

 She got some cute presents!

 The next day, we celebrated with my family at my parents' house.  

 Hannah got some more cute presents!

 Grandma Teresa made Hannah a dress for her and Marie Grace for Disney World!!

 A few days later, we had Josh's dad's side over to our house to celebrate.  

Hannah got two umbrellas for her birthday!  She's so excited about both of them!

For Josh's birthday, Jessica Pittman and I surprised the boys by meeting each other at the Illini game!  It was Jon's birthday weekend too.  It was really fun to catch up with them.  It had been waaaay too long!  It was miserably hot, so we only lasted through the first half, but we went to Kamakura and talked for hours!

 The next day, we went to Josh's moms for another celebration.  

 Hannah got her Sofia backpack for preschool, and Josh got a snow cone maker!

That is A LOT of birthday celebrating.  I'm always exhausted when that week is over!!!!!!!