Suzanne's bridal shower in Green Bay

I knew I forgot a post! June 4th, I flew to Green Bay to celebrate Suzanne's bridal shower! It was a delight to "host" this shower with my mom and Aunt Jan (who graciously let us use her entire house - including staying there). 

Suzanne - the glowing bride to be! 

 

suzanne's head kept looking smaller than mine because she was putting herself behind me. so i got mad and started to pout.

me, Suz, Mom

The future Mr and Mrs Anderson. 

lunch

the dessert spread. the not by bread alone cookies were our old favorites and didn't disappoint. 

So thankful for Laura and Mary coming to celebrate too. 

Many of the Matzke girls! 

Meg rocked the bouquet. 

my adorable seat mate on my drive to the airport in milwaukee. Nolan - who turned 2 in April - he loves Bieber so when it came on he gave this smile. 

So excited for August! Love you Suz and Grant! 

Family Photos!!

I am SO happy I finally got family photos done. It was hard to find a photographer that was available during times that worked for us (um - no my husband isn't home reliably any afternoon by 4 - or whatever it was). The girls had a photographer come to their preschool in the Fall - Randi - and she did a great job. She also sent out an email saying she was going to do mini sessions for 15-20 minutes, you own the 15 photos or so that come out of the shoot and it was about $100. SOLD. That is my kinda photoshoot - no pressure and no time. If things go badly - we just walk and don't sweat it. If your kids wake up with pink eye the day of the session you don't freak out because rescheduling would be a pain (this has happened to me before).

Anywhoo -- we set up a Saturday morning at Liberty Park and made lots of farting and burping noises and things went great. Claire is in the blue and Ellie is in the white. 

I guess the only "issue" was the kids were acting cold and Ellie wanted to put her hands by her face - which is the reason Bill is holding down her arms. 

THIS. This photo is worth all of it. I love the faces on each kid. It captures them and as always- Charlie rules the roost. These two girls LOVE their big brother and he is so sweet to them. A great little trio they make. 

Charlie - a bit reserved here. 

Full on Charlie. This is when he lets it all out. 

Ellie being joyful -- Eleanore Joy.

Mischievous, sweet, got something up her sleeve Ellie. 

Gregarious Claire - she has the fullest laugh and smile. 

This is Claire. Full of FUN. 

This guy - love him. 10 years June 10th!!! I'll probably have a little bling to show for it in a few days.  

Here is our Schmitt Fam - Charlie -7, Eleanore & Claire - 5 (Bill and I - 34)

Final Day of 1st Grade

Friday - June 16th - the last morning at The Oaks. The parents are there with siblings for most of the day because the whole school gets cleaned up for the summer. Everything washed, etc. The girls played with the kids outside, then watched the movie with the kids and then wrapped up the morning with Charlie's class in a circle. Each child said what they loved about first grade and what they were going to do this summer. It was pretty entertaining. 

Before heading to the last Cantabile for the year we took Mrs. Holland's classic slide picture. She does this yearly with her class. 

I can't say enough about Mrs. Holland. She was a DREAM of a teacher! She was loving, fun, witty and yet set the boundaries of the oaks perfectly for them. 

Charlie is up in the upper left.

being silly

 After this we headed to an outdoor Cantabile with the whole school and many parents. It was lovely, but it was hot and in the sun. Following that we had a big pizza lunch and then I braved the uniform sale. Around that time I found Charlie and the kids playing and Charlie was complaining of a headache and stomach ache. We got in the car and he was having a full migrane (which he has had before). I felt horrible! I thankfully had some advil in the car which he took and then covered up his head and took a break. This photo summed up how we all felt after yesterday. But we made it!!!! 

I am so sad I didn't get a picture with Charlie and Mrs. Holland - hopefully soon when we see her again. 

Charlie's End of 1st grade!

1 week before school was released - Charlie had his last formal day. I had to snap a picture because then I can compare to the first day of school. 

So - here is Charlie is at the END of 1st grade! 

 My how he has grown! Not in just size, but in maturity too. 

Here was his first day of school picture. I can feel the nerves we all had this morning -- what a blessing the Oaks has been for us this year and I look forward to next year! 

 Last official uniform day (Thursday - June 16th). As you can tell everyone was FRIED. Claire is on the left, Ellie is not even looking. We leave the house by 7:20 each morning and these last 3 weeks our carpool buddies the Schmidts (yes - they are the schmitts too - just different spelling) we decided to just survive with driving so we carpooled everyday - it was helpful, but also a lot of coordination. 

 honestly - SO ready to be done with school! 

First day of school family picture. Look how much more put together we were! Maybe there will be hope for next September! 

Congrats to Charlie! We couldn't be more proud of you!!! 

Ellie and Claire Graduate from Preschool

Eleanore and Claire finished their last week at Ms Mary's Preschool (couple of weeks ago) - the classes (morning and afternoon) prepare a play and some songs for the parents so Ms Mary's driveway was PACKED that night. 

Charlie was happy to have Andrew there to hang out with.

People get there early to set up viewing spots. 

The line up - Claire and Ellie are on the right. Claire was wearing the buffalo print dress and Ellie was in the peach and white striped. They were instructed to wear "plain" looking outfits for their roles as Narrators in Jack and the Beanstalk. 

During  this song they had these little bird noses on and of course Claire had to be funny and she was blowing hers up during the song. 

Chicken dance!!

Claire loved the booty shaking part and continued to booty shake at any opportunity throughout the play. 

The Jack and the Beanstalk Play! 

Claire - Ellie knew most of their lines, but Ms Mary would help them out when they needed it. 

 Claire

stepping out and bowing 

 so cute!

the line up. 

the preschool graduates singing their "we're moving up to Kindergarten" song. It is so cute!

Charlie - being so used to participating in things was instantly singing along and doing the motions. 

Love this picture with their beloved Ms Mary. E&C just adore her. Ms Mary was a fabulous preschool teacher. 

 

Monday of this week - we had Ms Mary's Graduation Lunch. 

Mary does a great job letting the kids be big. They sit at the big table with big plates, etc. She had little crackers set out for them to snack on. 

Before this we had had swimming lessons so the girls were tired! Notice she has little bracelets with their names on them on their plates. 

Ms Mary and her graduates! 

top row: Luke, Maggie, Claire, Anslie, Evin, Jack-Henry, Blaze, Ellie and Claire Y. 

 not wanting to let go. 

I am beyond excited about all my kids being at the same place next year so I am not really that sad about leaving preschool. I should probably be more nostalgic about it. I am more excited about having the kids be together at recess, one drive to and from, more than 1 hour free, etc. It has been a great place for the girls to be and I am thankful for the many friends we have met through being here.