McKenzie's Last Day of School

McKenzie's last day of school was Friday, May 17th. She had a fabulous end of the year party. They did several whale activities that they got to bring home. They ate all different whale treats and even had ice cream sundaes! It was a great last day of school. McKenzie was very excited about it being the last day but also very sad to say goodbye to her friends.
 

First day of school, September 2012

Last day of school, May 17th, 2013...she has really gotten tall!

Landon hanging out at at the party!

McKenzie and her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Hawkinson

Painting a whale bank

Making a graduation frame

Ice Cream!!!

Grace and Landon

Grace and McKenzie

Whale hats...McKenzie, Grace, and Micah

Fola, MG, Grace, and Micah

McKenzie's ELC Graduation

Thursday, May 16th McKenzie graduated from the Early Learning Center where she has attended the last 4 years. It was so bittersweet. She has grown up so fast and it is so sad to see her graduate from preschool but at the same time kindergarten is so exciting! He class did a wonderful job singing with the other classes. After it was over with we all went back to her classroom and all the kids received a diploma and got a certificate with a superlative on it. McKenzie received the most artistic award. That girl could do art all day long, every day and not run out of things to draw or create. Her creativity is simply amazing. Nana and Papa Norton were able to come to the ceremony. Papa T was on the road and Grandma was in Norway visiting Jeffrey.

We had a pizza party for dinner at our house to celebrate McKenzie's Graduation followed by a cookie cake. That is exactly what she wanted! It was a very fun night. I know I have said this before but I truly can't believe that she is going to kindergarten in the fall and is all done the ELC.
  

McKenzie was in the whale class so that is why she has a whale cake!

Mommy and McKenzie before graduation

In the hallway they have an art show set up.  Each student has two pieces of art in the art show.  The teachers choose the pieces and the parents don't see them until the art show.  This was her first piece titled "Melissa"...simply hysterical!

This was her second piece titled "Landon"...So precious!

Singing her little heart out

McKenzie and her friend Grace

McKenzie receiving her awards!

After graduation...we left Landon home with a sitter.

MG, Daddy, and Papa Norton

Nana and MG

Mother's Day 2013

I had a wonderful Mother's Day! We got up and went to church where I got a rose when I picked up McKenzie. Then we came home and I took a nap! (That is what I asked for for Mother's Day!) We had a lovely dinner out and the kids were very well behaved so then we finished off the night with ice cream! It was a fabulous day!

This is as close as Landon would sit by me.  He is for sure going through the "I hate pictures" stage.

My sweet girl!  And in that huge box...the most beautiful sounding wind chimes you have ever heard!  I just love them!

This is what Landon was doing while McKenzie and I were taking pictures.  I just wanted one of the 3 of us all together up close, however, I guess I will just have to settle for two different pictures!

Mother's Day Party at ELC

Today was the Mother's Day Party at McKenzie's School. I look forward to this day all year long. They always do the sweetest things and make the most precious keepsakes. Today, we moms were to wait in the hallway and each child came out to get their mom with a pink rose. It was precious. MG sat me down at my place mat she made which was adorable and I put my rose in the vase she made with finger prints. Then she served me snack and punch. It was wonderful. I felt just like a queen. The teachers also put together a recipe book of the kid's favorite food that their mom makes. Each child had to tell how the recipe was made and every mom got a book with all the kid's recipes! Priceless! McKenzie's recipe was pizza, which we never make, always buy. It was hilarious! Each mom also got a beautiful card and a drawn picture of what we looked like. Along with the picture was a bunch of questions that each child got to fill in. My favorite one that McKenzie filled in was that I am 30 years old and weigh about 50 pounds! It was a fabulous day with my precious girl!

My place mat (If you click on the picture you can see all of it!)

Here is the picture of me and my answered questions!

The cookbook...

(I'm not sure why this picture turned and I don't know how to turn it back on the blog)

 



Here is McKenzie's recipe!  (Click the picture to see the entire recipe!)

McKenzie's Field Day

Wednesday, was McKenzie's Field Day at her school. The teachers tie-dyed every child a shirt so they could all wear matching outfits for the day. The shirts were awesome! Field Day was very fun! Landon and I joined MG for the day. There were all different stations set up and the class rotated through them. It was a very warm day here on Wednesday so it was great to be outside.
 

Slide time on the playground

Painting...MG's favorite thing to do!

My sweet girl is growing up!

Landon loved the bubble stage...he loved dumping them out!

More painting...

Pillowcase races

An obsticle course

Here sweet class eating popsicles

The Pots and Pans

Every kid loves the pots and pans! I remember McKenzie playing in them all the time too. It is so funny how they just know when you bang them together they make a loud noise! The new favorite thing to do at our house is to take all the pots and pans out and hide in the cupboard! Such great memories or laughter while I cook dinner!

LJ found MG!

Landon is 19 Months

I'm a few days late posting but these were taken on May 1st, the day Landon turned 19 Months. 19 Months! How did that happen so quickly? Check out all the hair he is growing! It is growing fast too. It won't be long and I'll be posting first haircut pictures of him. He continues to be so happy and smiles nonstop. He is climbing everything that is still long enough for him to get onto, including Baxter. He has just learned about spinning in circles so he does every time he hears music. It is hilarious to watch! He spins and falls over and gets back up and spins more! He is talking a mile a minute and most things he says you can clearly understand. His new obsessions is "Mouse" as he calls it. That means Mickey Mouse. He just loves anything Mouse. Yesterday, we were in Walmart and he spotted a Mouse balloon and right away he started yelling, "Mouse, mouse, mouse" followed by rubbing his chest (the sign for please) and saying please! It was adorable. However, the balloon was almost deflated so we found some Mouse plates instead! He has turned into a more picky eater these days and foods that he has loved in the past he no longer will eat. Also, throwing his plate is a new favorite. He laughs and Baxter loves it and I get to clean it up. The mom life!

 

McKenzie's Alphabet Parade

Friday, McKenzie had her alphabet parade at school. Every child was given a letter and they had to dress up as that letter and then they had a parade. It was super fun and the costumes were fantastic! McKenzie was given the letter Q. So, she dressed up as a queen. She has tons of princess dresses so at first she wanted to use her Cinderella dress as her "Queen" dress. However, after thinking about it longer she came to me and asked if she could wear the dress she wore in Uncle Steve and Aunt Maggie's wedding. So, that was the dress she decided on for her Queen dress and she looked adorable!

Walking in the parade right behind letter "P" Popcorn!

Her class

The Queen!

McKenzie's 5 Year Well Check

McKenzie had her 5 year well check last week and is doing great!  No shots... that was the best part!  She is healthy and growing like a little weed.  She is still very tall and full of life.  She loves to paint and do art projects and is very creative.  I had her conference at school and her teacher said she is doing great!  We are getting ready for kindergarten!  I can't even believe how fast the time is coming for that. 

McKenzie's Stats:
Weight: 45 lbs (81%)
Height: 46 1/2 inches (98%)

We are blessed with happy, healthy children!