A feat of engineering...

With determination...

...and thought...

...he engineered...

...an afternoon...

of serious fun.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the yard...

ALMOST Summertime....Almost

I will be posting about Benjamin's big kindergarten graduation soon...but the fact that he still has three more days of school left next week makes me want to wait until the "for real" end. I'm pretty sure we're the only district in the country that has school three more days after the Memorial Day weekend. I'm just very ready to be in all-out summer mode. We've got trips planned, play dates booked, now if we could just get past this minor detail of you know, school getting out, we could actually start enjoying those lazy, hazy crazy days! ; )

But this past Thursday was the official last day of preschool for Jonathan. It doesn't quite seem over since we're so in love with our St. Chris peeps that we've booked time with them three days this next week. And four days the week after that. Yeah. We're all in complete denial about going our separate ways for three months. It's kind of sappy, really.

Do you remember where this journey began? I was really apprehensive about moving Jonathan from our church's preschool (where he'd already been for two years) over to one here in Killeen where we literally didn't know a soul. Since Benjamin was starting school over here, we wanted all of us to be in the same city and St. Christopher's was highly recommended.

And let me say for the record...IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!
This year has been amazing in so many ways and St. Chris has been a HUGE part of it. I've made three very close friends myself through our new school. Ladies who live within a mile from me who love my kiddos like their own. It's just wonderful the doors this has opened up in our life! AND....one of these gals is a lifer (in Killeen speak...her husband is out of the army and they are planning to stay here for good! Whoop!)

We are very sad to say goodbye to one of our teachers this year. Although, Mrs. Susan will be teaching at preschool again next year, Mrs. Mary's family received orders to move to England in July. She will be missed so very much. Tea, crumpets & pinky fingers up, Mrs. Mary. We adore you!

Mrs. Susan & Jonathan showing his "All about Me" collage back in September.

The kids got to explore a fire truck early in the year. I'm amazed at what a baby face he has in this pic. He has certainly grown up a bunch this year.

Getting ready to trick-or-treat in the preschool halls.

Trike-a-thon day

Jonathan & his sweet friend, Brighid at the Thanksgiving feast.
With the traditional Capri Suns. Just like the pilgrims.

Christmas Play

Valentine's with the BFF Artem (we miss you, buddy!)

Easter Egg hunting.
And hand-holding.
Funny, nobody else is holding hands.

Family picnic day at preschool

Splash day!

Oh, St. Chris....thank you for a WONDERFUL year full of precious memories and amazing friendships. Can't wait to return in August. For just one. More. Year. Gulp. 

May? Really?

Where has the time gone? It seems like all of the end of the school year activities have kept us super busy. And, of course, it's banquet/graduation/prom/awards ceremony season for David...we realized the other night that we probably won't see him too much until June. This week alone, he's only home one evening. We're getting more used to the high school life, though. And we know in June the schedule will be a lot easier and he'll get his Fridays off again! Wahoo!

A couple of weeks ago, David & I joined Jonathan at his preschool for "Family Picnic Day". The weather was gorgeous, food was great and the visiting was even better. Here's Jonathan with a couple of boys from his class. 

The mom with the bubble machine was very popular.

Enough with the pictures, mom. Let's eat.

To say our preschool spoils us would be an understatement. Last Thursday was the event I had been told so much about...it's all the moms' FAVORITE event. I was eagerly anticipating the Mother's Day Celebration! It did not disappoint at all. It was such a lovely event and all the moms felt so special. 

The tables were decorated and lined with handmade gifts from all of the children. I've been enjoying my homemade (by JonJon) bath salts, my flower pot & pen and of course, the poem.

Me & my sweet JonJon at the Mother's Day Celebration

Last Friday was Career Day at elementary school (actually it was a week full of dress-ups, but this one was the most fun). Can you guess what he is? A principal. Complete with his own smartphone to fiddle with. He said he had the best day ever as a principal. His own principal, Mr. Coleman, was so impressed with his get-up that Benjamin was invited to the office to help with the morning announcements. He also got to help sing the school song over the PA. It was one awesome day.

Mother's Day was wonderful, too! The boys made me breakfast in bed and after photos, we headed to church.

David made us reservations at our new FAVORITE restaurant, Megg's (we went there on Easter Sunday, too). I can't describe how YUMMY this place is. We had Crab Cakes Benedict this time...WOWZERS. Our waitress also brought us a BIG sample of a Brown-Butter Pancake. I WILL find that recipe.....MUST have it. 

*****

And the BEST part of Mother's Day....a gift certificate for an afternoon at the spa. What an incredible surprise. I didn't wait long at all....I redeemed it today!! I am so blissfully relaxed right now I can hardly keep my eyes open. 

(for the record, this isn't actually me in the photos. I mean I know I take my camera everywhere, but I draw the line at the spa). I enjoyed a "Berries & Bliss Pedicure" and an hour-long deep-tissue massage. And the best pomegranite tea I've ever had....another recipe I'm after.

Ahhhhhh. 

Love that husband of mine. Could he be any more thoughtful?