Confirmed!

Our plans are finally taking shape: we got confirmation of our pack out date of May 28th, they will be coming this week to do a walk-thru to see how many days (1-2?) they will need to box up our things before packing them into the moving van.
Workers will be coming Tuesday this week to repair the termite damage surrounding our garage door, they should be finished in time for closing on the house!
We purchased our plane tickets to Ketchikan yesterday! After we close on the house May 29th we'll drive to Columbus to visit with Kristian's family & leave Jasmine in their capable hands for the summer. Then we'll drive to DC to fly out on Alaska Airlines for June 3rd. Kristian was able to use miles and a companion fare only IF we flew out of DC (we originally hoped to leave from Ohio) drastically reducing the ridiculous cost of airfare for 4 to Alaska! Kristian will enjoy a week up north, the kids and I will stay through early August, returning in time for Eleanor's Kindergarten Prep Class!

Oscar's First Dental Appointment

He was SO good the entire time...we didn't talk much about the appointment until the night before when we read 3 books about going to the dentist. I wasn't expecting any concerns, I just despise the nigthly battle we have trying to get him to let us brush for him! AND I know how much he loves chocolate milk, which I know is bad for him!?!

He hopped right up in the chair, loved the ride, and the orange sunglasses! He would tell you right away about me getting squirted with the water when they rinsed off his teeth after "sparkling" them with the toothbrush (he closed & it sprayed all over...I hate it when that happens!) "The chair goes up, up, up and then down, down, down!"
He even had two occlusal x-rays taken. He got to hold the film while she took the first x-ray, and told him to bite it like a cookie which of course he had NO problem with! And he liked the striped heavy "Blue Blankie," reminded him of his two blue blankies at home.

Dr. Exam...No Cavities!

Big Boy! First Prophy at 26 months!

AND...the best part is he isn't fighting us to brush his teeth every night! Phew!

Mother's Day

My Mom made these yellow pj's for me when I was a little girl, so cute to have Ellie wearing them now!

CURLS!

Kristian & I went on a wonderful date Saturday night while Jeri watched the kids. She fixed Eleanor's hair in little buns so it would be curly! Last time she did braids, such a fun sitter, we will miss her dearly.

On Mother's Day, Eleanor got up like it was Christmas morning, super excited and ready to make me breakfast. They made Swedish pancakes and each had a card and a red rose for me, so sweet. After church, the boys took their afternoon nap while Eleanor and I went on a girls only date to Baker's Crust and enjoyed crepes & chocolate cake...YUM! Then we all went to the beach for a swim, even Jasmine! What a wonderful day, I love my family!

Botanical Gardens

We counted over a dozen turtles AND saw a snake near the pond by the Children's Garden!

My sweet growing rose...she can't wait to turn "5 years old" in 2 months!
Eleanor, a newfound playmate, Emma & Oscar.

And he's off & running!

Eleanor & Oscar

Yup, this is mostly what I see of Oscar. His backside as I am chasing after him.

The new clubhouse is cute and has great animal puppets & a mini-theater so the kids can host their own show!Riding back to the car in style with shade & a cool drink!

The "Princess Rose Arbor"...hurry-up Abbey!

Eleanor & Emma: friends forever

It is so hard to believe that we will be moving soon...we are trying to soak up every opportunity that we can to be with our friends. Kristian finally got his orders to arrive in DC for June 15th and we are still on track to close on the house May 29th. (Gulp. That's 19 days!?!) We still need to solidify our pack-out dates of May 26-28th, nothing like waiting till the last minute, eh? :) There is a lady in an office somewhere that promises it is going to happen, but I'm not holding my breath...I don't want to buy 4 plane tickets to Alaska and have her be wrong! I'm sure we'll learn more this week so we can solidify our plans.

Zoo-Riffic!

We went to the zoo twice this week! It is by no means a large zoo, but inclement weather (thunder & lightning) and the need for naps took us home. It was nice to break up the Barnyard & Reptiles from the African exhibits too!

Oscar still enjoys feeding the goats
Mr Peacock strutting his stuff

Climbing on the spiderweb

And they're off!

Eleanor found a baby turtle on the pathway, it was really cute & we found a zookeeper to turn it in to. She declined having her photo taken with it, I think she was sad to have to turn it in. We also got to see an armadillo eat it's lunch!

We can't seem to keep him out of this water feature...

Peeking at the lions.

Though they are not yet on display, our zoo's momma lion had FOUR babies last Saturday! We can't wait to see them fur real vs on the cub cam.

"The lizard has a ladder!?!"

Roses are in full bloom

A little sisterly love/trying to help Mommy get him to look for the photo! No such luck...boys, I tell ya!

Future Transportation Engineer?

Oscar playing with Thomas & his "train trackezz." He tends to add "ezz" to anything plural, ex: Truckezz, Giraffezz, Snakezz...cute!