Thursday, May 24, 2012

Snippets

I've had a series of posts {formed in my head} covering our activities for the last few months. I really, really want to be a good {family} blogger, but it just isn't happening right now. I just have so little spare time these days. But, in order to preserve some family history, and to save myself from feeling overwhelmed about the sheer amount of posts I need to put together, I thought I'd just throw it all on here in snippet form.

At the end of January, Grandma & Grandpa paid us a visit. A fun time was had by all {although I still am hoping we didn't wear them out too much with all of our crazy activities}. From double soccer games to the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby to an Ellison basketball game, we had a great weekend.

In February, we participated in our first Blue & Gold Banquet for scouts.


Jonathan played on the Killeen Parks & Rec Winter Soccer League for the Dragons. It didn't go over too well at first...he was the kiddo not interested in soccer at all. But, by the last couple of games, he really enjoyed it and got into it a bit more. 

And every single game was COLD!! We bundled up, sipped cocoa and had a good time.

 Benjamin received a Knighting Award at school. Every month, one child per class is given this special award based on nine different characteristics.

The characteristic for which Benjamin won his award was Confidence. So proud!
This is the second year he's won a Knighting Award.

We took our obligatory Bluebonnet photos. The Bluebonnets were gorgeous this year!

We had a wonderful Easter as well. We hosted my whole family over for Easter lunch & egg hunting.

It was a really FUN time! This is my nephew & niece jamming out to Just Dance 2. 

This is another nephew and MY MOM jamming out to Elvis on Just Dance 2!

The littles had a super fun egg hunt! 

And letting the teenagers do the egg hiding was...ummm....interesting.
Trevor was determined to get that egg!

We all sat on the patio and visited for the good part of the afternoon while the kids played soccer & had some great cousin time. 

Jonathan's preschool held a three-day Olympic festival. It was fantastic. 

Jonathan and Gigi carried their class banner during the opening ceremonies.

And some major athleticism was displayed during the "javelin" throw.

An awesome relay runner!

The first grade put on its play: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
 It was so precious! They did a wonderful job.

Jonathan's school hosted its annual Mother's Day Tea. I love this event and will miss it so much!
We also had a great Mother's Day weekend with church, lunch at Freebirds, a shiny new stainless kitchen trash can (that I requested...heehee) and a gorgeous new birdhouse. We had a great afternoon together and David grilled out for dinner. It was a wonderful day.

Benjamin also bridged from being a Tiger Cub Scout to a Wolf Cub Scout (he gave up the orange kerchief and hat for bright yellow ones)! 

This is the whole group of Wolfs (Benjamin is on the far left). Their two leaders (pictured above, one in a scout uniform, the other in his Army uniform) are FABULOUS and so dedicated to this group. 
And another ironic twist, I somehow ended up becoming the secretary for the entire pack next year. Yikes! Hope I can live up to it...

Benjamin wanted Jonathan to have his old Tiger stuff...a year and a half and J can be an official scout, too! Jonathan even sleeps in his Tiger cap...he adores it!

Earlier this afternoon, we went to Jonathan's preschool graduation. How in the world is he already graduating? I was a big boo-hooing wreck today. I can not handle leaving St. Christopher's...I adore everything about this preschool and am not sure how to picture my world without it. Those two to the right of him are the buddy & the bestie. Nate & Katie are both moving away due to change of commands in the Army. I know this is a way of life here...but it still hurts so much. I'm close to their moms, too, and we were all a mess today. Nate is headed to Fort Leavenworth and Katie is going to Fort Knox. Sniff, sniff.

Getting our diploma! 

"Hey, Mom!"

One last hurrah with Katie & Nate! 

Jonathan's teachers: Mrs. Carthey & Mrs. Bickford. Mrs. Carthey is retiring this year after 42 years in education...so happy to have been apart of her career!

Jonathan & my parents who came to celebrate with us!

My girls who are heading away...Erica left today (this is Nate's mom) and Marla is heading out the first week of June (she's Katie's mom). I will so miss our craft dates, coffee times, lunches and playdate fun. Ugh, I'm ready for a big ugly cry.

I don't know what's up with my scary smile, but this is the one where we were all looking at the camera! Congrats, JonJon! We're so proud of you!

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Sunday, April 15, 2012

The Big FIVE: Star Wars Style

Jonathan turned the big FIVE back in February (a month and a half ago...wow).
We had our usual cake for breakfast & let little man open one gift in the morning.

He got his Darth Vader shirt and was super excited to wear it to school that day.

Jonathan had a great day celebrating at school with his sweet classmates.


Our friend, Cassie, made some wonderful cupcakes to share with our classmates. They were a big hit!

After school, we met up with Daddy & Benjamin at Cheddar's for the birthday boy's dinner. We had both soccer practice and cub scouts and then headed back home.

Jonathan opened his presents from us, Benjamin and Great Grandma Dominguez.

Great Grandma sent a precious book recorded in her own voice!

We had Jonathan's birthday party at the beginning of April (we had to wait until soccer season was over...although we ended up having a make up game the day of the party!) Above is Jonathan helping put his favors together for his friends.


We made homemade "Galactic Playdough" to share with our friends for favors.

...lots & lots of playdough!

We had Jonathan's party at the gymnastics place down the street. It was so much fun! 

Lots of sweet friends came to celebrate with us!

Our favorite part of the day was when all of the friends spun Jonathan around on the parachute singing Happy Birthday!
He beamed!


Lining up to head into the party room.


Although I had wanted to make a light saber cake I had seen on Pinterest, Jonathan insisted on a cookie cake just like the BFF had at her party the week before. How could I argue with that? 











 Star Wars goodies for our guests.

Sweet friends. 




 After eats & treats, we headed back to the gymnasium to open presents.


 Jonathan and one of his good buddies, Izzy.


Handing out his favors! A great time had by all!


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