We Made It!

Today was Daniel's last day of K3!

This has been a difficult year for him. And by that, I mean, this has been a very difficult year for me. Daniel started his preschool experience with excitement. After about two days things began to go down hill. The transition just wasn't going well. He was an impulsive, active, rough 3 year old who didn't want to sit for circle time. Each time there was a teacher other than his own (and even then) things went wrong. The first half of the year he got in trouble a. lot. Which means I cried. a. lot. (Don't forget I was an emotional pregnant mamma most of the year.) We were doing everything we could think to do to train him at home and prepare him for the way things worked at school. It just didn't seem to be enough. By November, he had several office visits and a suspension. Boy did the tears run then! 

We decided to make a sticker chart and that worked really well. From mid November until April he had a really good stretch. He was (and continues) showing so much improvement. I had all sorts of people from school and church telling me how they have seen such growth and maturity in him over this year. Wow did I need to hear every one of those encouraging remarks.

Still, I wasn't sure how we were going to get through the end of the year. He is still an impulsive, active little boy. My mother-in-law says he reminds her of Curious George. I agree but there are some things a little monkey can get away with that a little boy can not. Thanks to his teachers and others around supporting his growth, he (we) made it!

One thing I am learning (I wish I could say I have learned but I know I'm not there yet.) is that I can not allow his behavior, good or bad, to determine how my day is but to put my trust in the Lord that He is working in my little boys heart. There were days this year that it was difficult to teach because I was so overwhelmed with his negative choices or the consequences. I think the struggle has been used to draw me to my knees more often than I probably would have had it been easy.

I am thankful to the God I serve for forcing me to put my trust in him. I know that one day these things that are causing so much trouble now will be the very things that make Daniel a strong adult. And I pray he will use those strengths to serve the Lord.

Memorial Day

Bekah can roll over! She's been working on it from back to belly but keeps getting stuck on her arm. I put her on her belly and she rolled right to her back. Now if she could just get past her arm she will officially be on the move.No more leaving her on the bed or changing table. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It is always exciting to see my babies reach milestones but it is equally difficult to see them grow so quickly.

Happy Memorial Day from some of the Pearson cousins.

In honor of Memorial day here is an audio recording we found on Youtube of my dad singing "The Last Full Measure of Devotion" from his Air Force days. Thank you, Daddy, for your service.

Three OHHH!

Yesterday was full of surprises.

Jenn had asked me a week ago if she could take me out to lunch for my birthday. Of course! I am always up for a day out. When she got to my house she walked in with Ang and Chelsea, flowers and balloons!

What a fun surprise!

We headed up to Annapolis where Annie was waiting for us at the Cheesecake factory. YUM!

After we ate, Chris was there to take Bekah while we got pedicures.What an awesome brother!

Like our bright green flip flops?

 All the while, the girls are telling me that Chelsea has to leave by a certain time so her husband could go in to work. We rush home, say our good byes and Jenn "needs to use the bathroom" so she and Ang come up to the house with me...

I walked in to find my house full of people that I did not expect to be there. Then I turned behind me to see Chelsea standing in the door too.

Lies. All lies. Isn't there something in the bible about that?

Apparently this is what they were doing before I walked in.

I can not believe Davey was able to keep this a secret from me. But I am so thankful he did. It was such a blessing. And so much fun to be surprised multiple times in one day!

Thank you to everyone who helped make turning 30 a fun occasion!

A Boy Free Weekend

This weekend Davey went on a retreat with the men at our church. Since it was the end of my first week back to work with a new little one I knew I'd be exhausted. So, we sent the boys up to Davey's parents while he was gone.

It was so nice.

And quiet.

My plan for the weekend? Enjoy the peace and get some scrapbooking done. Aside for a few finishing touches, I finally finished Micah's birth to 1 year scrapbook. Yay!

My girl and I ready for church. My hair is so long!

My guys got home around 5 and after dinner we sang happy birthday and had cupcakes in celebration of Micah's 2nd birthday. Happy Birthday to my happy little boy!

A Surprise Visit

This afternoon looked out of my classroom door and saw my sister-in-law Jenn and her two youngest standing in my doorway. In their hands were flowers and a milk shake just because I came back to work this week. That seriously made my day! Allie and Josiah both came in and made themselves at home in my classroom. I wish they could have stayed longer. My students loved seeing them. I should have taken a picture with them but here are the flowers Allie picked out for me. So sweet!

Back At It

I went back to work today, after 2 months of maternity leave. It has been a sweet time being home with my babies these last few weeks, a time I certainly do not take for granted. It was a good but long day back. My students were really good for me which was a definite plus! It's always difficult going back after a break, and I know I have said this numerous times before, but I am thankful to work at a place where I can bring my kids and see them during the day. I am truly blessed.

ZOO

We took a family trip to the zoo on this perfectly beautiful day! Davey was originally going to just go in with the boys but Bekah and I decided to join them. We don't do many day trips like that as a family so I'm glad we went!

We took the metro in to the city which Daniel loved! He got to ride a "choo choo train!" When we got out and started the trek from the metro stop to the zoo, Daniel looked around and exclaimed with excitement "Look! A trash can!" Clearly he doesn't get out much...I'm pretty sure he was more excited about the trash cans we passed than he was with half of the animals at the zoo.

 
I love the elephants!

Daniel was more excited about little birds than he was about animals like the cheetah and elephant. Though he was very excited to see the gorilla's or "galilla's" as he calls them.

Bekah was very good the entire time. It probably had something to do with the fact that I was carrying her in the ergo the entire time. What can I say? She love being with her mamma!

Mikie kept sliding out of his stroller seat and running away. We have to keep a keen eye on that one! eventually we just buckled him in when we didn't want him going anywhere. It was a fun and exhausting day.

Also, Bekah Mae is 2 months today!