{Our Little} Vacation back to the Turks & Caicos!

We are leaving for the Turks and Caicos in the morning!!!  Eeek!!!  We are bursting with excitement!  (Insert a small dance here!)  Scott has been talking about booking something since last year (I've been talking about it since we left almost 4 years ago!).  So far we don't have anything planned, but that's the great thing about vacation!  Camden & Bexley are excited too ~ Camden for snorkling and Bexley for the pool (although, once she sees the beach she won't want to leave)!  We can't wait to share this little piece of heaven with them!  Bring on the clear blue waves, white powdery sand and a whole lot of relaxation!

{1st & Last Day of} Preschool!

Here's our sweet little boy on his 1st and last day of preschool!  Isn't he so precious!

{Preschool Graduation} Day!

Such a sweet, sweet day!  Our little CamCam graduating from preschool!  So many memories from his 1st day of 18mth old class, to switching schools from Greensboro to Apex, to his last week of preschool!  School is one thing this boy loves ~ I'm sure it's more of the social part and the learning part just happens to be a bonus!  In a few months we will be off to Kindergarten!  Such an emotional day, I can't imagine what the 1st day of Kindergarten will be like!!!  We are so proud of you Camden!

The party after the Parent Tea Program with our good friends!

Our sweet teacher!

Singing our heart out at the Parent Tea Program!

After party ~ graduation party at our house!

Graduation food ~ Reese's Cup/Hershey's Grad Hats, Fruit Roll Up Diplomas, Cupcakes, & Cookies!

End of the Year Teacher Gift!

End of the Year Gift to our friends!

{Our Last Days} Of School

I've always taken a picture of our children on their 1st day of school, but never on their last.  I saw this idea on Pinterest (duh) and wanted to make sure I did it!  A picture of them on their last day of school, holding a picture of their 1st day of school that year!  This year is really special for Camden as he will be graduating from preschool and moving on up to Kindergarten this year!  (Insert several tears here!)  We've tried to make this week as special as I can for him really talking up graduating, have a last week of school countdown and getting him involved with presents for his classmates/teachers.  To be honest, he's really only concerned about his graduation party...I should have known not to mention this to him until a few days before it!  Anyway, this is going to be a very busy next couple of days...ones that we will never forget!

{Mother's} Day!

(....from Scott)

I couldn't think of a better day to debut my first blog entry than on Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is always an interesting day for me as it reminds me how we should treat our moms every day of the year.  I elected to cook breakfast for Holly and make it a fun project with the kids. We decided on an omelet and off to work we went. Camden was no where to be found because he was "taking a break" from Mother's Day.  While trying to encourage (more like threatening) Camden to participate, Bexley knocked the scrambled eggs over - on to the counter, side of the cabinet, her clothes and the hardwood floors.  We finally mustered a small omelet from the original 5 eggs. I think Holly was pleased, but lesson number one for me was that she deals with this the other 364 days out of the year.

We decided to open her card and gift outside so I could take some pics for my blog today.  Trying to focus two kids long enough for pictures drove my blood pressure through the roof, so lesson number two was that she also deals with this the other 364 days out of the year.

Finally, we went to dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and had a good meal with the family.  In between trying to quite down the kids and asking Bexley not to bang the forks on the table, I was able have a nice conversation with my wife and enjoy the meal. Lesson number three was that Holly deals with this a minimum of 364 meals by herself each year.

I hope she appreciated her day, but more importantly, I also hope she realizes that we (me, Camden, Bexley) love her very much and can never thank her enough for being the glue that holds our daily lives together.  I love my wife and couldn't ask for a better mother to raise our children.  I know I'll try harder to make everyday a special day for Holly.

I would also be remiss if I didn't also recognize two other special ladies in our lives - Holly's mom Sherry and my mom Sharon. Its a shame that it really doesn't "click" until you have kids of your own and begin to understand just how hard it is to be a parent, especially a mom.  Holly and I reflect on all the times we turned up our nose at a piece of clothing that wasn't the "right" brand or a hard-cooked meal our moms found time to provide while working full time and spending all their hard-earned money on their children.  I think we agree that we both regret certain instances, but we are thankful to have both Sherry and Sharon in our lives and wish many more years with them to try and repay just a fraction of all that they do for us.

I also neglected to mention I'm writing this on a plane headed out for four days with work. Thanks again to my wife as I leave her alone (again) with the kids - I can't thank her enough.  Written by an appreciative husband, son, and son-in-law in honor of Mother's Day - I love you all!

Scott

Photographer Camden took these ~ it's so easy to smile when he's behind the camera!

Gifts/Cards from Camden & Bexley

Grandma's Day Gift!

{Garden Pudding} Snack

It was Camden's turn to bring the class snack today at school!  They are talking about flowers and gardens this week!  My friend, Ashley helped me come up with the idea!  A little chocolate pudding, crushed oreos, and a sign to make a cute edible class garden!

{Fishing at Our Pond} Round 2!

After we got home from the beach we went down to the pond in our neighborhood to see if we would have the same luck we had last time!  (Remember, last time I didn't have my camera and we caught 5 fish!)  This time I DIDN'T forget the camera and we only caught 2 ~ sitting in the same spot, using the same bait.  Scott said he removed the barb from the hook this time...ya know, for the sport of it!  Anyway, always a fun treat for Scott Camden & Bexley!  We might just have to go again this week and try again!

1st Cast of the Night!

2nd fish caught!

Fish #2 caught with bread and a Dora The Explorer fishing pole!

Master Fisherman Scott...gettin' serious with the Batman/Spiderman Pole!