Crabby Sibs

Look what I found.  A picture of 1 1/2 year old Tyler in his then favorite crabby pajamas and Dada's safety glasses. 

Like brother, like sister.  2 year old Lydia in her now favorite crabby pajamas and Tyler's (inherited from Dada) safety glasses. 

His Heart Glows

Tyler gave this drawing to me this morning and said, ‎"Here Mama. It's a heart and it glows because you make my heart glow."

Well, my own heart was glowing pretty brightly right then.  Thank you, Tyler.

Tyler's Preschool Graduation

We have all really enjoyed Tyler's preschool this year.  Smarty Pants Preschool was a wonderful choice!  Tyler learned to make friends his own age, prepare for Kindergarten, and he loved the cute and really clever arts and crafts.  I liked that it was only 2 mornings a week, but they were long, quality mornings.  Lydia was the only one who didn't enjoy dropping Tyler off at preschool.  "Ty Ty?  Ty Ty?  No go!"

Tonight was preschool graduation.  Tyler has been so excited for the program.  His teacher, Miss Kristin is pregnant with twins and had to sneak out of the hospital to come.  Everything was so nice and went so well.

Tyler had a lot of family support show up for graduation.  We took up the whole front row - Tyson, me, Lydia, Grandma, Opa, Aunt Kristen and Aunt Lisa.

His class: Kate, Tyler, Solomon

Jaxon, Millie, Gray

Paige, Jaylee, Kaden

Kaden again, Ryker, Sammy

One blessing of preschool is that it taught Tyler to sing.  He's still quiet, but he never used to sing before.  Ever.  Now he teaches me songs at home and in the car and he sang for his program tonight.  I was so proud!

Tyler and his cousin-in-law, Jaylee (Aunt Michelle's niece).

Miss Kristin and Tyler

Miss Jenn and Tyler

Our little graduate.  He's growing up so fast!

Ladybug

This is a post about a cute girl in a red ladybug dress.

A Father's Heirloom - Tyler's Bed

Since he keeps growing (despite me telling him to slow down!), it's about time to get Tyler out of his "big boy bed" (toddler bed) into a "bigger boy bed".  I found several lovely (okay, and maybe expensive) beds online and at the furniture store, but Tyson really wanted to make the bed himself despite having very little woodworking experience.  Fine.  Turns out my dad has access to a woodshop.  They spent a few days in there and then Tyson spent a couple of weeks in our garage.  Tyler was on hand to help.  So was my dad and Tyson's dad.

  I'm starting to believe that letting my husband build the bed was a good idea after all...

 Um, wow, Tyson.  That's gorgeous!

 We just couldn't wait until his birthday in June to present the bed to Tyler, so on May 1st (Happy May Day!) when Tyler arrived home from preschool, this is what was waiting for him. He got so excited, the 1st thing he did was run and climb under the bed.  He is really pleased with his big sturdy bed and the astronomy bedding.

Simon the Snake

 Tyler came home from preschool last weekend with the class pet, Simon the Snake.  

Here is Tyler drawing Simon's portrait. 

 They read books, played with toys, even cleaned up together.

 Simon came and cheered Tyler on at his soccer game resulting in Tyler's most kicks ever (13)!

 When it was time for Simon to go back to preschool, Tyler and I journaled in his class notebook about his stay with us.  

They had lots of fun!

Superhero

This is Tyler the Superhero.  

Notice the confident smirk on his face.  Blue Blanky tied firmly as a cape around his neck.  His superhero power lights swirling around him...Lydia opening up the curtains before the slow shutter speed capturing said lights was finished.  Foiled again! 

Yellow Dress and a Swing

Welcome to Sunday afternoon on our deck.

Red Butte Garden

Red Butte Garden had a free admission day on Arbor Day and since I had never been there, I was pretty excited to check it out.  While the kids took a nap, I took my camera and Tyson sent me on my way.

It was beautiful and I was feeling all nature-y trompsing around the mountainside in the spring air.  I would have hiked even further up and around, if not for all the rattlesnake warning signs everywhere.  And the staff who averted their eyes while passing me, carrying a suspicious looking covered bucket and snake poles.  

Instead I stayed in the safety of the gardens.

I'd love to come back and sit on this bench with a good book.

This was begging to be sat upon.

Look closely...Can you spot the waterfall?

Review: Very well done, gardeners of Red Butte.  Very good imagination, Heavenly Father.  I could not keep track of all of your different varieties of beautiful plants and trees and flowers.  I would like to come back someday and bring the family and a picnic.