Puddle Jumpers

Our friend Samiyah was over, and they were all sandy from playing in the sand box, so they hopped around in the many puddles around after a rainy day. 

 

 

Posing

Posing again, under the influence of having a girl around :)

 

 

Close-up. They asked me to, but it turned out cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing off their muscles. We do this with Micah the most because he's always had to remove his shirt because he's always made a mess of himself while eating/playing/existing.

 

Thomas at Tweetsie

Nana and Pop treated us to at trip to see Thomas the Train at Tweetsie Railroad this year. We had a blast!

Micah was a little leery of the train at first. It is pretty big and loud and smokey! 

Little guy was so overwhelmed that he didn't want to bounce on Thomas either.

But he soon warmed up to everything. He enjoyed the ride on Tweetsie, the quieter play room and especially the rides at the top of the hill. Josiah enjoyed himself too, but he wasn't quite as psyched as last year. I'd say it was more Micah's speed this year.

Micah grabbed Pop, and unprompted, began to pose next to Thomas and Friends.

Giving Thomas a hug, also unprompted.

Sniffing the flowers. I have some video of Micah riding the boats and airplanes. Mom and I were just about on the floor tickled at Micah's expression while flying the airplane. It's hard to explain, but it was a mixture of pride, confidence, delight, and seriousness at the task at hand. He also really enjoyed feeding the goats.

Anna's Graduation

Anna graduated on June 1! It was so wonderful to get to celebrate with her this past weekend. We're so proud of her and the woman God is shaping her to be. It's hard to believe she's already this grown-up though! 

Getting some love from the graduate.

The boys did pretty well during the ceremony. Micah lasted until the lollipops ran out, and then we had to exit! We roamed the halls during the speaker and jumped back in to watch Anna perform a song and walk the stage to get her diploma.

Being silly with cousin Caleb at the graduation party the next day. Josiah was most intrigued by the chocolate fountain. It's like a four-year-old's dream come true!

 

Enjoying the bubble guns that Mimi brought for them.

Mimi and Jacob

 

An attempt to get one of the boys and their boys.

 

It was always good to get to see Great-granddaddy and Mama Jo.

National Doughnut Day

 

 

The funniest part of this experience was when I finally realized Micah was eating his doughnut from the top down. There was a flattened circle left where he had eaten the chocolate glaze first and worked his way down.

 

Preschool Graduation

We celebrated Josiah's graduation from preschool. It was a fun chance to hear some songs they learned and performed. We also had a picnic and cupcakes. 

When Josiah's name was called to receive his diploma, his face dropped, and he got this look of utter sadness. He scuffled off to his teacher. She's trying to give him a hug and smile for the picture, but he wouldn't even pause. I asked him later why he was so sad. He said, "I just didn't want her to call my name and have everyone looking at me." What an insight into his personality! Interestingly, when I told Jonathan and his Granddaddy Moseley this story, they completely sympathized: "Well, I can understand that." Clearly he's inherited the Moseley shy humility as opposed to the Pages' love of attention.

He's much happier here with his "self-portrait."

Micah showing his belly-button to Mr. Josh.

With his buddy Conner.

And his other buddy Gareth. Sadly, the Simmons family is moving to Greensboro this summer. Our whole family is heartbroken about it, as we've all grown very close. I'm trusting God will provide just as good of a friend for both of Josiah and Gareth. They get along so sweetly and easily, and Gareth is such a patient encourager to Josiah. We're so grateful for this precious friend.

 

With his teachers, Ms. Jackie and Ms. Sherry. They have been such a blessing! They have loved and cared for those children so diligently. The best preschool teachers we could have ever asked for. We will definitely be sending Micah back when he turns three.

For next year, we've decided to send Josiah to a transitional Kindergarten program. It's a half-day program run out of a different church preschool. They go through a Kindergarten curriculum, but in a more laid-back, nurturing setting. We truly debated this decision, and the Lord really pointed toward this option. His birthday is just days before the cut off for Kindergarten, so he could go, but he would be the youngest in his class. While he is certainly bright and fairly mature, we thought he could use another year before starting elementary school. His teachers agreed this would be the best decision.

Mother's Day Tea

Josiah's preschool held a beautiful Mother's Day Tea on Friday. It was so sweet. A friend watched Micah, so I could have some special time with my big boy.

They called in the mommies one by one, and the child escorted the mom to her seat and pulled the chair out for her.

He gave me this poem and plant. There was also a portrait on the wall with why he thought his mom is special: "Because she takes me to the library and gets me books about animals and countries." The director read a few for the whole group and needless to say, I could pick Josiah's out of the line-up.

They also prepared these beautiful songs. Melt my heart! He gave his Daddy a reprise latter and sang them all perfectly.