Family, especially Dads

Ethan and I had the following conversation earlier this week.
E: Mom, I love our family.
Me: Yeah, me too, Ethan.
E: I feel bad for people without a family.  I bet they are lonely.
Me: I bet they ARE lonely.
E: I'm so happy I'm a part of this family.

I am also so happy to be a part of my family. I tear up regularly as I contemplate the blessings I receive from being a part of my family.  Each of my children brings immeasurable light and joy to my life.  I am blessed to share my children with a wonderful companion.  Jared is my favorite guy in the world and I'm so happy to share adventures with him.
Talking to my dad tonight to wish him a Happy Father's Day, I became a little choked up telling him how grateful I am to be his daughter.  My dad loves me and my siblings unconditionally and I have never doubted that.  I have fond memories spending quality time with my dad, especially during my middle school years.  Dad drove me to school every morning on his way to work.  School started around 7 AM, so we were often the only ones up in the house that early.  He would make me breakfast and we'd talk on the way to school.  I think I mostly talked and he listened.  (Probably it is the same now.) I am grateful for his love and his counsel and his example of service.  My dad is always giving of himself to his family and to others. I love you, Dad!

My dad hanging with my boys. We love you, Papa!

4 Months

Miriam is now four months old.  We had her four month check up yesterday and baby girl weighed in at 17 POUNDS! She is 25.5 inches long and reaching expected developmental milestones. 
Now that she is no longer troubled by acid reflux, she is a pretty happy baby with a calm disposition.  She loves to watch her brothers and be outside.  Sometimes she can get overstimulated around here, but after some alone time or a nap she is happy again. 
The boys are loving her more each day.  I think they like that she smiles and interacts with them now.  Ethan loves to sing to her and is such a help to me.  Grayson recently moved into Miriam's room and they are perfect roomies since they both love to sleep in.  Here are some photos of her and her 17 lbs.  Please swoon over her adorable ballet shoes.  I know I will over and over again. 

What a year

Ethan finished up VPK (voluntary Pre-kindergarten) last week.  I must admit, at the start of the year I was sad and nervous about him being away from home so much each week.  I promise I am not a helicopter parent!  I just had always had him around and sending him off to another's care for the bulk of the day left me emotional.  All in all, it was a wonderful experience.  Ethan learned so much!  He made some great new friends, too. He really seems to enjoy school, both socially and academically. I love when he decides to write all his letters or numbers, when I hear him counting to 100, and coming up with some random fact about caterpillars or narwhals or something else.  It was a fantastic school year and I hope that he continues to feel successful in years to come.

Preschool Graduation

Devon, Brian, Braden, Ethan, Max, Kyleigh, Taidryn, Abigal, Charolotte, and Kaya

 

 

I ended up as lead parent for the end of the year party.  We decided to do a water-themed party complete with a huge water slide, slip n slide, water balloons, water guns, and BBQ.  It was so much fun.  The kids and parents had a blast.  Did I mention that we hosted the party at my house?!  Jared stayed home from work and Miriam stayed with Aunt Myndie.  It was actually much less stressful than I thought it would be.

 

Note: Day before party, one of the other parents offered to have her brother come mow my lawn (he's in the business) and I graciously accepted.  While here, his employee disturbed a yellow jacket nest in my front yard.  I had seen one or two stingy bugs flying near there, but dismissed it because it really didn't seem like a huge deal.  Well, with the nest disturbed, I saw that it was an enormous deal!  I had to call a professional to eradicate the nest.  It was the size of a basketball and I was told it was home to approximately 90 to 100,000 yellow jackets.  What! So glad we got that out of the yard before 35 people showed up.

 

 Max's parents, Chad and Sara, brought their water slide and manned it like professional Wild Waters lifeguards.  It was definitely a highlight of the party.

 

 Slip n slide!  Don't you remember these from childhood?  I really wanted to go down it, but am pretty sure I would have broken something if I had.

 

 Filling up water guns.  We had an awesome water balloon fight too. Seriously, it was a super fun day.

Thanks for a great year, Mrs. Fisher!