Kindergarten graduation

I will just say it...I think Kindergarten graduations are a little silly albeit super adorable.  I think it is just like the "everyone gets a medal" thing with sports.  However, I did enjoy seeing Shortstop sing songs he had practiced all year and get a cute little diploma.  He was excited, nervous and "so embarrassed mom" the morning of but he did great.  I also had his teacher write a note in a copy of "Oh the Places you"ll Go."  I am gonna have each of his teachers do this for him and give him the copy when he graduates.  He doesn't know about it but I am excited to have those memories for him to look back on in 12 years, but what I am sure will feel like a few moments.  In fact I already have a copy for each of my kids so they can all have one too.  I cannot believe he is going into the 1st grade and will be gone all day now.  It makes my stomach turn when I think about it but I have a few months to get ready for it so I won't stress too much.  So happy it is summer time and I have him with me at home all day every day!

First and last day...I was happy to see he has not changed TOO much this year

He wasn't super thrilled about "another program" since he had just done his Kindergarten play last week

This was his little friend, Oakley, who was the sweetest girl.  He was a big fan of hers

Ms. Dalebout

Lakeview Academy had this big sign for everyone since it was the last day of school and Shortstop wanted a picture with dad.  I am so grateful for Mark's flexible schedule where he can come to any play or school activity.  He even volunteered at the field and science day this week!

Fullback wanted a picture too!

Getting his diploma!  I recorded them singing the Star Spangled Banner but the video is too long.  Mark was super proud and patriotic as his son sang the whole thing.  

Surgery

So our little Fullback had surgery on his face for deeper removal of his spitz nevus mole.  It was shaved off in September and tested but then started growing back so they wanted to put him under so they could do a football incision and get all of it.  The night before the appointment, Mark gave him a blessing.  It was sweet and reassuring and helped me more than anyone else, I think.  Fullback was nervous and asked a lot of questions, got a little slap happy before bed, but said he would be brave as long as I stayed with him.  We went in bright on early on May 18th, just me and him, and sang songs the whole car ride to American Fork hospital.

When I woke him up he said in his groggy voice "Mom, you get everything ready and I will meet you at the car.  I just need a few more minutes."  He then laid on the couch waiting patiently for me to finish gathering everything we needed

I got him all ready in his little gown and pants which he didn't love.

But once he saw how nice everyone was, he seemed much more calm.  They gave him a new pillow case, doll to draw on, new blanket to keep, toys to play with and full and sole access to the remote control.  What could be better!?

Such a thug gangsta

He did soooo well!  He was agreeable and kind and so sweet.  When they wheeled him away, I thought my heart would break but thankfully he was fine, didn't cry and Mark happened to be there at that moment cause I needed to feed ACE.  We waved goodbye, then Mark and ACE headed home and I waited for Fullback to come back.  It was the longest wait..even though it was only 45 minutes.

I loved the nurse cause she thought I was taking a picture and wanted to photo bomb it...little did she know it was a video.

The doctor came in and said it all went perfectly and then they wheeled him back to me.  He was so tired but happy to see me.  He enjoyed his slushie and cartoons and was so brave when they took out his IV.  He was happy once his "fever medicine" was taken out of his hand.  That is what he called his IV.  After 45 minutes of observation, they said we could go home and he couldn't get to the car fast enough.  He just wanted to be away from the hospital and "home to cuddle with mom".

Looking at his new helicopter Mark bought for him

Showing me how they taught him to "blow up a balloon" and breathe when he got the anesthesia

We stopped by the store to get some treats, came home and set up a nest on the couch so he could watch a movie with his big brother.  He was back to his energetic self that evening as if nothing had happened.

The surgery itself was not a big deal but having anything happen to your baby that is not in your control, which is most things, can get the "what ifs" dancing.  I am so glad it is over and glad that he did so well and was so brave.  The nurses said he got the gold star patient award for being so cute and sweet.
My favorite was that for the next few days, Fullback would pretend to give his little sister blessings and would constantly tell people to be careful of his "mole cut".

The sad news is the next week when we went in for a follow up, they said they did not get it all so they have to do the exact same surgery and anesthesia all over again in the fall.  Right now the mole is not a big deal but if left alone it can move to his lymph nodes and turn in to melanoma so obviously we want to get it taken care of now.  Since it has already grown back once, we know it is alive and we don't want to take any chances.  Fullback was not thrilled when he heard he had to have surgery again but I told him it was a long ways away and he didn't need to worry about it all summer.  And I guess I should take the same advice for my worrying mother-heart.

Annie turns 4 months

ACE turned 4 months on the 14th.  She. Is. Amazing.  We love everything about her and love seeing her interact more and reach more milestones.  She is growing perfectly and has the happiest demeanor.  She falls asleep wherever she is for naptime which is such a blessing with our on the go lives right now.  She eats like a champ but still won't take a bottle so she really is connected to me at all times...no complaints here.
She is 13 lbs 11.5 oz which is the 40th percentile and is 24.5 inches long, also 40th percentile.  Her shots were just a mild annoyance to her and she barely cried and only for about 3 seconds.  The doctor commented on how cute and happy all my kids are, which of course I love hearing.  She delivered all three of my babies and has seen them grow so she knows.
We are so blessed to have this sweetheart in our home.  She has a special smile just for her daddy but I think she is a fan of me too.   Her brothers get so excited when she looks their way and love being near her.  She is pretty fond of them too!  How did I ever live without her?!  Picture overload!!

 Those thighs!

 He loves snuggling up to her 

 Tutus for days

 She wins all the naps!!

 Post bath yumminess

 You can see how they adore one another

 Love spending my mornings with these two cuties

 Little princess

She has her dad wrapped around that little finger

Telling us all about everything

Kindergarten play

Shortstop had his kindergarten play today!  It was entitled "The Wide Mouth Frog."  He was nervous about being embarrassed and having everyone look at him.  I explained that everyone was there to see their own kids and that he could just look at us and we would be smiling and proud.  He was one of the monkeys and loved practicing his song with his little brother....unless I could hear him then he would get shy.
He did great!  Knew all the words and actions and was sometimes the only one doing them.  Then of course in between the songs he acted bored, rolled his eyes and shook his head.  This kid and his facial expressions!  But no matter what, I was a proud mom.  Mark was able to make it too along with Nana so it was a great moment for our 6 year old.

I had to put all the pictures I took of him looking bored out of his mind.  Such a stinker!

He was so excited to look at us and perform, he forgot where to stand.  "Luckily" the girl he was standing in front of "helped" him find his spot.

Jack turns 6

After seeing all his friends turn 6 this year in kindergarten, his day finally arrived and he was ecstatic!  The night before he talked all about feeling older and thanked me for all the work I was putting into his (surprise) cake.  He is so thoughtful and appreciative.  It makes it fun to do things for him cause I know, for the most part, he will be truly grateful.
We did the streamers and balloons in the doorway and room for him to wake up to.  He woke up and came in, poked Mark awake and said "Hey dad...I'm 6 now."  He then showed me his arms and said "Look how long they are now that I am 6!"
I made him birthday waffles and then off to school he went.

As he was getting ready for school he said this was his birthday dance

ACE, Fullback and I showed up to school with treats for him to hand out to everyone.  He wanted Cosmic brownies and Capri Sun.  I am so sad we aren't allowed to make things to take into the classroom!  But this was still fun.
We went to pick up dad from work and had lunch at Costa Vida, the birthday boy's choice.

After that we had a chill afternoon and then he had invited his cousin Ethan over for burgers and opening presents.  Mark made a treasure hunt poem and we hid the gifts throughout the house during the day.  It was fun watching the boys look all over to find them and figure out the clues.

Excitement!

So much happiness!

After that, the rest of the Durazzanis came over for cake and ice cream along with Aunt Emily and Nana who had driven down from Seattle for a few days.  It was pretty special.
Shorstop's reaction to his Geronimo Stilton cake was awesome.  He was so excited and couldn't believe I made it look like a book.  It was a fun reveal and it tasted pretty great too!

Gotta get help from the little brother

After all the festivities, the birthday boy went to bed, thanking me for being such a great mom.  Simple and laid back is sometimes the best for everyone involved.  We love our smart, silly, thoughtful, good looking, challenging 6 year old who keeps me on my toes and laughing all the time.

 Silly boys

Like father, like son

 This little brown eyed boy has my heart

Spring means one thing...baseball!

For the first time, we signed up the boys for tee ball.  Shortstop has never wanted to do it before now and Fullback was super excited to be on a team.  The first practices were great.  Shortstop has a great left handed swing with some power and although Fullback is shy and cried a bit, once he warmed up we saw him use his power house arm to get it to the right bases.  Our week nights are now super busy and we barely have time for a sit down dinner running them back and forth from games and practices but we love it!  And thankfully so do they.  ACE is just happy to be along for the ride and is such a good sport. I was a little nervous when during one practice Fullback got knocked down on accident, had a major meltdown of tears and running away and said "These boys have bad manners!" But thankfully he got over it and has enjoyed his games.
Shortstop's team name is the Lion Guards and Fullback is on the Tigers.

 I love the joy on Shortstop's face!

 First team cheer for Fullback

I love how quickly he goes back for the second swing and he nails it!