Preschool Carnival

In the last week of May was Connor's last day of Preschool. (Yea, I know this post is a tad bit late. Chasing around two 1-year olds and a 4-year old doesn't leave much time for the blog-o-sphere). Connor's school put on a dog-themed carnival for the kids:

 They sang a few songs for the parents. All the other parents love this, get teary eyed, and take lots of videos. Connor never sings with the group, so I don't bother with the tears or the videos. He will sing the songs later for just me ...if I beg him. Then he tells me, "I don't really like singing with the other kids." Obviously.

 Digging like a dog for his name on a bone...

 Crawling like a dog through the tunnel...

 Showing off his dog ears...

 Posing with his friend Max in the dog house:

Apparently acting like a dog for the day isn't too much of a stretch for this preschooler. 

Arwooo, woo, woo, woof!

Let's Party!

In case you have never attended a joint birthday party for one 4-year old, and two 1-year olds here is a glimpse of what it might turn out like...

First, the parents need to spend the better part of the month prior planning, the better part of the week prior cleaning (and re-cleaning the house because three children do live there after all), and the entire evening the night before baking/decorating cakes so that everyone is satisfied that each child "has their own cake" (This is how you talk a 4-year old into sharing his birthday party with the "Littles" obviously)

 One train cake and two flower cupcakes to satisfy the agreement.

I'm FOUR!

 Early in the morning, as the phone was ringing, Connor got all excited and started shouting "My guests! My guests! They are calling! Hurry!" Then slightly later around 10:30 am Connor informed me he was ready for his rest time. Ummm, I think it is still slightly early for that, Birthday Boy. He informed me that I could call all the guests and tell them to head over, because he would be done resting soon.

Some Guests have Arrived! Christina, Cousin Carter, Michelle, and soon to be honorary cousin Emma.

Cousins!

Check out our super cute party dresses...

That ultimately got all WET...

 The Big kids ate cake at the kitchen island. The Littles got their own high chair. After the messy cake eating began, Connor came to sneak a peak at the girls, then ran back into the kitchen to tell cousin Lauren, "Come quick, Lauren. You have GOT to see this!"

Kaia barely getting started.

Ashlyn

Kaia at her peak performance.

As if the party contained absolutely no chaos what so ever, we decided to open gifts. Lucky there were enough gifts that EVERY. CHILD. COULD. HELP. What a relief! That made the job much, much less chaotic. Thanks kids!

Although all the gifts were loved by the children, 

the squirt guns were especially loved by the big big kids:

Cheers!

4-Year Old Conversations

Now that Connor is 4, we have had some very interesting conversations...

First, Connor has come up with a new nickname for his sisters..."The littles." This can be used in a number of ways such as:

"Mama! The Littles are getting into my room!"(a tragedy, obviously) or "Come on Littles, lets play with cars and trucks" (the littles usually ignore such requests), and "Mama, are my Littles sleeping? Should I wake them up to play?" (Umm, definitely not).

Today as I am dropping off a movie we rented Connor asks,
C: Is that the movie that you and daddy watched after me and my littles were asleep?
M: Yep.
C: You didn't like it?
Me: No, we liked it.
C: They why are you returning it after watching it ONLY ONCE?
Me: Well, we rented it. That's kinda like borrowing something. I need to return it today.
C: So, you like to just watch a movie ONCE then give it back?
Me: Yep.
C: Please don't return any of my movies! Not Lightening McQueen, Not Monsters, Not Nemo. I like to watch them a LOT! (says the kid who watches the same three movies mentioned here over, and over, and over...)
Me: I know. Don't worry. We own those. They are ours. We don't have to return them.
C: But YOU only like to watch other people's movies ONCE and then give them back?
Me: Yes, I know it is hard to believe.

Lastly, while talking to Connor on the phone from work:
C: Good bye
Me: Good bye
C: Wait! Mama wait! I have one more question for you.
Me: Okay, I am still here.
C: Did you still remember how to get to our home?
Me: Yes, I still remember.

A Fishing We Will Go

Connor has been bugging us to take him out fishing for a long time. 

So, as soon as it turned sunny...a fishing they will go:

On a Men-Only outing, Connor reeled in his first THREE fish! Although that was super exciting, the fisherman was NOT that excited to eat the fish, which was pan fried with the head, tail, and skin all on. And honestly I couldn't really blame him. Fish eyes have a way about giving someone the hebbie-geebies. With the head off he managed to try a small bite. That was one delish fresh fish fry!

Look At Us Keeping Up With Our Brother!

Doing a little In-door camping

Chillin' on his outdoor table

Going Off-Roadin'

And occasionally, we get into some mischief of our own:

Preschool Birthday

 Here's the birthday boy at school! (We had to celebrate early, because Connor has a summer birthday). "Celebrating" at school entails your mom bringing in the snack for the day, wearing the special Birthday crown, and getting a special book from the teachers. Connor had a great time! In our case, it also includes bring in your two 1-year old sisters to crawl all over your classroom, eat tiny scraps of paper, attempt to tear down art projects, grab onto some markers, crawl on top of the train table, and spill their apple sauce all over the carpet. Regardless, the children (including Connor) loved seeing the "babies" at school and mostly followed them all over the room & laughed at everything they did. The "babies" loved the attention.

Happy School-Birthday Connor!