Weekend Project #2

Found this awesome frame at a garage sale (it came with some very ugly art in it!), and originally it was gold. A quick paint job, and whiteboard cut to size...wa-la-the kids LOVE drawing and writing on this board!

Gianna drew Shamu here...

Weekend Project #1

HA! If you know me, you know I would NEVER pay this price for a shelf cabinet...and I did not! This was the last one at Home Depot and I got it for $20.66!!!

I decided to reorganize our "pantry" into this cabinet-since we don't officially even have a pantry-just shelves leading into the house from the garage, where everything from food to shoes to coffee cups get thrown!

And here...downsized and organized-I resisted the intense urge to use my label-maker since I figured the contents will change with the times...

Dominic's Preschool Graduation

Tonight Dominic graduated from preschool-here he is with his best buddy Pryce. Can you see how much he loves him??? These two were so wound up before the graduation-bouncing off the walls!

Gianna with her "Hopie" watching the graduation.

The walk down the aisle to start the graduation-there was an ocean theme, hence the crab graduation hats!

Ok-so once the singing started, look who made a place for herself up on the stage! Did we think this night was all about Dom? Luckily Dominic's teachers LOVE "Gia" as they call her. Gianna loves to join in the activities at the preschool, just squeezing herself in where she sees fit, and Dom does a great job making a place for her!

Dominic was VERY into the singing and hand movements at this performance. (I was wondering how he would do in front of so many people, because at the Mother's Day Tea he looked stricken and did not sing at all!) I am so happy we have it on video!

Leaning into the rhythm by shaking his shaker with all he has in him!

Getting ready to say his bible verse-"Shout for joy to the Lord"

The teachers said a few things about each student when they have them the graduation certificate-we heard Dom is very polite, with good manners, and they talked about his love of animals and "set-ups." I really appreciated his teachers this year because they truly know each child and LOVE that child for all of the gifts and quirks. When Dom was in a wrestling match on the first day of school, they took care of it, but afterwards they laughed about it with me-"boys" was all we could say!

Last Day of Preschool...mixed feelings

Dominic's school home for the last two years

Last day of school pic...Dominic has loved this year of preschool!

This was his first day of school picture-I can't believe a year has passed so quickly.

My soon-to-be kindergartener touches my heart in so many ways. He is so inquisitive-asking interesting and thoughtful questions-prompting us to call him our little scientist. I love this boy-God bestowed such a gift on us when he gave us this little guy full of faith-I can't help but see God's love when I look into Dominic's face. How lucky we are to be his parents on this Earth.

Where your heart lies, there is your treasure...

And now you have seen my heart...

A Little Boy's Treasures

When I opened up Dom's "special box" here is what he holds dear to his heart at the age of 5! (Yes there are chicken nuggets in there-he said he was saving them for later!) Dom loves rocks, and bones and balls!

Here are the rest of his treasures that he had set out for display on a bench. He is very into horses right now- he likes to set them up in groups. Yes there is a furniture slider there too-I was wondering where the fourth one had gone to! Dominic also likes to mix up concoctions in waterbottles right now-water, dirt, bugs, grasses, leaves-anything goes!

On this nice afternoon the kids made their "set-ups" and a tent. I found them under this fleece-like blanket, in the scorching sun, giggling, trying to hide from me at nap time!

Whidbey Island Fun

The kids and I headed off on Saturday morning, walked on the ferry, and went to Whidbey Island for a little trip to my best friend Marissa's beach house. (Vinny came over on a later ferry since he was golfing all day!)

As soon as we got there we headed out onto the beach and spent the rest of the day there. It was beautiful! Nick found this dead crab, and all of the kids were impressed!

These two little girls had matching bathing suits and were so cute together! They are 11 months apart in age and they both think they run the show!

The crab hunt is on! Leave no rock unturned!

Fighting over Auntie Marissa! G obviously thinks she has won by the smile on her face.

This time it is a live crab!

A boat ride (on the sand).

Hanging out by the fire-sandy happy kids waiting to roast marshmallows.

Daddy and his boys

Samantha was teaching Gianna the techniques of rock throwing.

Ready, set, throw!

The fire keeper! The tide was coming up and Nick did a good job keeping it going by building a wall around it!

This picture cracks me up! Yes, Vince is wearing shorts! No he is not naked fire man!

This view is what we woke up to in the morning- how gorgeous is that? Thank you Marissa!

Field Trip to the Farm

Dominic's preschool class went on a field last week to Bekkevar Farm. Since wants to be a farmer when he grows up (I was going for veterinarian!) he LOVED being with all of the animals at the farm. They started their trip with a hayride.

Buckin' bronco...

of course little sis had to have a turn too!

milking the pretend cow

the smells of farm life!

The boys had so much fun in the afternoon playing in the sprinkler and skipping their nap!

Eating lunch outside-ahh, summer is close!