Hello Summer!!

We have officially welcomed summer!  Jackson had his last full day of school last Thursday and was more than happy for school to be out!

His end of the year pictures-- 

 I was really shocked when I put these side by side.  Obviously, it's been 9 months and he's grown, but I wasn't prepared for how much older he now looks.  He started the year off with baby teeth on top and now he's lost both top front teeth, and I guess that makes a big difference.

He's not looking forward to 2nd grade.  We were chatting a month or so ago on the way to school and he was asking how many grades he had.  I told him 12 and quickly added college was after that.  Of course, he told me he didn't want to go to college, and when I asked why, he said there isn't a playground at college.  Sweet little fella!  He also asked if I could go to college with him.  I just hope he'll still want me around at that age.

Kindergarten Bound

I just love this little picture of Katherine from yesterday,

so I'm putting it at the top of the blog again!

Katherine had her graduation ceremony this morning, and of course it was so sweet.  After hearing their songs, now I know why in October she kept talking about witches' brew (sung to the tune of Row, Row Your Boat) and singing Rockin' Robin last month.  The little stinker never mentioned they were singing these songs at school!

Katherine is still so little, especially compared to all of her classmates.  The majority of the students didn't have any problem with their class shirt fitting.  We got the smallest size and had we not tied it up on the side, it would have hung below her shorts.  It's tough being little!

Katherine receiving her Key to Kindergarten from her 6th grade reading buddy, Catherine.

Remember I mentioned on her birthday that I took her to my office after school and she went into the hallway and started signing Rockin' Robin?  Here they are!

Following the ceremony with my proud girl!  

Kindergarten, look out!!

A Little Side by Side Comparison

Today is Katherine's LAST day of Pre-K!!

She's a little excited!

 I made her go outside and take some pictures for comparison

to her first day of school in August.

And here it is . . . 

the left picture is from her first day in August and the other is today.  Of course her face looks a little older, but look at the bottom of her skirt in each picture and how short it is now to see how much she's grown!  Tomorrow she graduates pre-k and receives her key to Kindergarten!

Magic Kingdom

I'm finally getting around to Disney World!  We started off Disney with the Tea Cups!

Zach and Jackson decided to break spin records.

Katherine and I were about to lose our breakfast.

Katherine's faces tell the story.

Finally, it's o-v-e-r!!

Katherine and I used our fast passes for the day to see princesses!!

We waited through the line for Dumbo, only to find that the one we were in line for was just starting to malfunction.  We were sent back through the tent to get on the other Dumbo ride.  Dumbo was a bit of a frustrating experience!

Jackson headed for a blue Dumbo and someone else wanted the same one.  He gave his up and found the one behind Katherine and me.  Unbeknownst to us, one of the workers saw Jackson give up his seat and gave him coupons for free snacks for ALL four of us!!

What Jackson thought of "It's A Small World" about halfway through the ride.

I discovered on the first day that if we were going to move quick through the park, Katherine was going to have to be held.  And, if the sun came out from behind the clouds, she immediately wanted to be held.  Jackson, on the other hand, was a trooper.  He kept up with us the entire trip and only once asked to be held after hearing Katherine ask.

That night, the kids begged we talked the kids into riding the Haunted Mansion.  After the ride, Jackson was not a fan at all.

What they thought of the Haunted Mansion.

We didn't go near it again the rest of the trip!

 To make up for the Haunted Mansion, we took another spin on the Tea Cups.  Jackson was thrilled to go fast and try to throw me and Katherine out of the cup.

We also rode Pirates of the Caribbean for the first time that night.  That was definitely a hit with both of them and we rode it countless times throughout the week.  Katherine bought this set in the gift shop and wore it the rest of the night.  She would say, "ARRGHH!!" and make this face to anyone we passed by!