Let's get caught up

We have much to share...the end of the school year was a busy time, well last couple of months for that matter, and moving into our home added to the chaos. I'm determined to get caught up on the blog and share some of the recent highlights of our three musketeers...
We'll start with Jace:
Jace finished up Kindergarten with a bang. What a wonderful year he had...so much learned and many new friends made. This is Mr. Jace being ever so tall for his last day of school picture!
Mrs. Stewart, aka Aunt Jessica, was an outstanding Kinder teacher and I worry we'll never be able to "top" this year, or teacher for that matter :)
Receiving his Kindergarten diploma

It's been an amazing year watching him progress from a pre-reader to a fluent one! This boy can sound out just about anything! The best part is he enjoys it, which makes this teacher-mommy so proud :)

I was able to volunteer in Jace's class several times during the year and brought in this alligator skull (courtesy of one of the subs on our home) to show his class. Of course, he thought of putting his head in there for the picture. Always a funny guy.

They learned about the life-cycle of butterflies and here's Jace with the caged butterflies they hatched from tiny caterpillars.

They also had a super fun "beach day" instead of a field trip. All 6 kindergarten classes spent the afternoon playing water games, making crafts, slip-n-sliding and splashing. I love this picture...he lost his tooth the night before the play day then lost the other tooth a week later so he ended the school year with no front teeth.
Stewart cousins at the Kindergarten evening program...Jett & Jace were two of the cutest bumblebees in the room
Jace and his buddy Luke getting ready to perform...
Baseball season was fun to watch...Jace really improved throughout the season and surprised us with his short-stop skills!

Daddy and Uncle Mike coached the team which was special for him too...

In May, Jace was a ring-bearer in my cousin Will's wedding. He was all smiles and took his job very seriously. When the pastor asked for the rings, Jace held his little (ringless) pillow up throughout the vows, pushing it higher and higher to get the pastor's attention until my brother tapped his arm and had him put his pillow back down. It was so cute. I guess he forgot that the rings were in Uncle Ryan's pocket.
Uncle Ryan, Will, Jace and Uncle Jason at Will & Jody's wedding

Now, on to Cader's news...

Cade's all about being original...this is just one of his "signature moves" when you say, "smile" or "cheese". He's also about worn out this shirt. I do have more variety for him but he's content with wearing the same clothes over and over and over. Talking him out of it takes too much energy sometimes!
Uncle Ryan took Mr. Cade on a very fun & successful fishing excursion one day. He caught his biggest fish yet. Also got to ride Special at Nany's that afternoon too. He's still talking about this day. Another memory of Cade I don't want to forget was when he brought a little fish he'd caught (another time, another day) with Uncle Ryan to the baseball games in a ziploc bag. He wanted so badly to turn it loose in a puddle by the dugout...instead, he just walked around with it in his bare hand, showing every kid to see.

With Mrs. Becky going over to Children's one week a month for Jackson's chemo, I was able to sub for her in Caden's preschool class. We had lots of fun...lots of fieldtrips. This was the class at my folk's ranch. Cade refused to dress like a cowboy on this day.

Mrs. Becky and Cade at the preschool graduation. Thanks Mrs. Becky for all of your time and commitment over the years to these cute kiddos! I hope I'll be able to measure up...I'll be teaching preschool now, solo, from the basement of our home. It begins this fall with 12 kids. I'm excited, nervous, scared, and need to get to work! I have some fun things in store!!!

Cade with his best buddy Carter and best brother Jace

After recieving his "advancement" diploma (he has 1 more year of preschool) he started this telescope...was a little naughty on stage but still cute. Cousin Randi Kay joined him in seeking their family in the crowd :)

For Cade's end of preschool party, Mrs. Becky and I as well as few other mom's took the kid's to Moses Lake for swimming and McDonald's at a hotel. It was so fun and with our cool spring, it worked out perfectly for the kids to enjoy some swimming, indoors!

Cade & Randi Kay playing tug-o-war

Now onto Miss Maddie...

Maddie's spent much of her spring/early summer as a spectator at Jace's games. She calls them all a "socca game" no matter what the sport. By the end of the season, she started getting brave and wanted to go play on the playground with the big kids. Our baby girl is growing up.

Her big brother's definetely keep her hopping! Here she is at the preschool swim party.

Cousin Savanna (whom she adores) came over one evening and played dress up with Maddie...Maddie was in heaven and was transformed into an adorable little Tinkerbell or "binkobell" as Maddie calls her.

Smores, smores, smores....love me some smores.

Now these two...they are helarious together. Miss spunky,aka Kylie Rose, and mellow Mooms make quite the pair. Thank God for Kylie...she keeps Maddie on her toes and challenges her to do more than she knows she's capable of.

These are Nany & Ba's youngest 3 grandkids. Poor Tripp, he's in for it with these two girls. Luckily he's a happy-go-lucky little guy and will probably just tune out all of the bossing that is to come!

Most of Maddie's spring was spent with me at the new housesite or in the car. One afternoon she was tootling around outside while I was cleaning up and this cute little dog was following her around. Our neighbors live about a 1/2 mile down the road and it was their dog. She dubbed it her "fuffy" (puppy) and sqweeled, loved on, and bossed this little mutt around. Sweet little dog.

And it hasn't wandered back for more lovin...wise too.

Icecream and waterslide fun at Grandma's house
and fun with cutie-pie cousin Jilly!