Picking Your Battles

Gerrit had his preschool graduation this week. 

This is Gerrit's graduation robe and stole:

 Gerrit hammin' it up before things started:

 After 20 minutes of me trying to force the robe on him while he was kicking and screaming and trying to come up with every bribe in the book, I gave up. His friends even tried to get him to put it on (even his girlfriend). One friend said: you need to face your fears. How cute! I finally said we were leaving (as I was holding back the tears because this was not how I envisioned preschool graduation and I felt awful that Oma made a special trip and wouldn't see him graduate). I asked his teacher to tell Adam and Oma (who flew in special for the graduation) that we were leaving. We got 100 yards outside when I asked one more time if he'd go through with the graduation if he didn't have to wear the cap and gown. He agreed, and this is how he looked walking in:

The 17 graduates - can you find Gerrit?

He doesn't look thrilled but he did sing and join in on the ceremony.

Receiving his diploma from the principal:

When asked to hold up the diplomas....classic - story of our day!

This is better:

The graduating class of Kids of Christ preschool 2012:

Smiling nicely now that it is over with his 3 teachers:

A quick shot with mom and dad (don't I look sweaty - all that hard work I put in before the ceremony!)

In front of the school:

At home I was able to get him to put his stole on (briefly):

And the last cooperating shot was with Oma!

So I lost the battle of the kid wearing his cap and gown but was proud he was able to bounce back and go through with the ceremony. He'd graduate regardless of the cute cap and gown everyone else was wearing. Like Adam said, at least he was dressed decent! I can only hope high school graduation goes better and maybe Emmit will give me my dream photos of a cute little 5 yr old in a cap and gown!

Annual Bike Rodeo

We almost forgot about the bike rodeo in town yesterday. Luckily we talked to Luke and he reminded us. Last year Gerrit wanted to go but then didn't want to go through the stations. This year was different. He was ready to go and did well. Even Emmit tried the stations - well, he followed his big bro.



During the bike inspection, Gerrit didn't pass the reflectors part - meaning, he doesn't have any and should according to officer Gene (aka Barney Fife). I didn't have the hear to tell him that his dad doesn't believe in reflectors and went with it. Dave Dahlen's quote when I told him about the reflectors: I'd give the kid a $500 light before I'd put reflectors on that bike! It is OK to say it - Adam (and Dave) are bike snobs.

Why I'm Called Mom

Mother's day turned out to be a great day. The boys surprised me with new charms to add to my Pandora bracelet before church.  We did church and brunch afterwards before attempting the annual mother's day photo:

 

This was the best we could get:


I'm a little nervous for the large family photo shoot my parents are planning this summer! I can only hope the photographer can get all the kids to look decent at the same time!

I had a great day and even though there are times I want to quit or take a break from being a mom, at the end of the day I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm thankful the Lord blessed me with these 2 little guys and love that I can be called 'mom'.

Resourceful

This is what I found Saturday:

I was working in the yard and knew Emmit had gone inside but didn't think too much about it because I knew Gerrit and Luke were inside too. I guess Emmit was hungry and couldn't wait any longer for lunch! That is a donut box (empty) on his left and a bag of crackers on his right! 

Gerrit's Big Debute

Tonight Gerrit had his spring program at school. We took our own video of his part for your enjoyment.

Gerrit's 'girlfriend' is in the pink next to him. The lighting in the church is not the greatest, hence the yellow cast....

The first song was School is Cool and they spelled out cool (O in the top right photo). The 2nd song was the Funky Chicken which are the middle 2 pictures, and the last song was Jesus Loves Me - Go Fish style.

The teachers do such a good job with the kids we will be sad to leave them but it won't be for long - Emmit will start 3 yr old preschool in January. He's well on his way to starting school too - he is sort of potty training himself! He's asked to go 2 times and both times he actually went (usually he just sits there). I was hoping to train him when I was done with school, but we might not make till then! I won't complain! :)

Party 2 and 3

Tuesday we had a little party seeing it was the 'official' day. Dave and Pam stopped by for cake and visited with Oma and Opa. Dahlen's stopped by too to say good bye to Oma/Opa and enjoyed some leftover cup cakes as well. Gerrit received a few gifts from everyone including an MSU basketball jersey (which Emmit is trying to put on in the bottom right photo). Emmit too received a gift and is trying out his crayons. 

Seeing Oma and Opa were still here, Gerrit went to preschool to celebrate with his friends and then spent the afternoon with Oma/Opa. He beat Oma at numerous games of Uno. I took a picture of them playing after dinner while we waited for dad and Langley's to come and open presents. 

I think he had a fun filled day yet was anxiously awaiting his 'friend party'.

Saturday afternoon was filled with 4-5 yr olds and LEGOS! I had a lot of fun planning the details (even if the kids didn't notice). The games went way too fast but thankfully the kids just wanted to play so we filled the time we had left with nerf guns and playmobil!

Olivia (in the pink) is Gerrit's 'girlfriend' and based on how she conducted herself - she's a keeper! I can only hope he sticks to girls as sweet as Olivia is towards him! She enjoyed putting together one of Gerrit's gifts (from her). Pin the Lego head was a hit for a few minutes, decorating their own Lego head dudes (aka baby food jars) went over well (except when Adam spayed clear coat it messed them up so they didn't take them home). Gerrit helped me make Lego dude candies as well as Lego dude crayons which were in their goodie bags. I made a litle Lego necklace for Olivia as Gerrit requested. The hide the Lego dude was the most exciting seeing everyone had a chance to hide the 5 Lego dudes while the rest waited in the kitchen. Spending 1.5 hours with these kids just reinforced why I don't teach elementary and I could never do pre-school! I'll stick to secondary!!

Gerrit had a blast and is already talking about his next birthday party theme! Guess I'll start surfing the web now!

Party #1

Sunday was a fun-filled day for Gerrit. Following church activities, he went golfing with dad and Opa. Max had given him his old set of clubs and he was excited to use them. From what I've been told, he does pretty well with them and they are the perfect size!

Uncle Travis and his friend Millie came over in the afternoon to celebrate Gerrit's birthday. Millie did a great job knowing what to get Gerrit - Legos!

 Unfortunately that was soon put to the side because Gerrit opened his gift from Uncle Travis (the helmet) and his gift from Grandpa Bob (the jersey).

Emmit wanted in on the action too:

Next came Grandma Marcy and GG's gift - pads and a number plate. This all was to go with his gift from us - a new BMX bike:

Emmit wanted to show off his cycling skills too:

 The boys paused long enough to get a group photo:

And of course, Emmit wanted to try out the new bike as well:

After we were too cold to be outside any longer, we came in for cake. Gerrit picked out the skateboard cake himself:

It was a little hard blowing out candles with a helmet on (and he wondered why his neck hurt at the end of the night!)

This is better!

Emmit loved the day too - especially the frosting!

This is one happy kid who is very comfortable on his new bike! He can't wait for the races to start this summer!