Always a sad day...

The last day of preschool each year is a sad day for me. Pilgrim is a wonderful school but they end the year so darn early! Maggie had her last day on Wednesday and then today was "Preschool in the Park." It's an annual event held outside at school where the kids can run around, jump in the bouncy house, play on the playground, do bubbles, obstacle courses, etc. Well, thanks to our 50 degree and rain coming down sideways weather today, it became "Preschool in the Fellowship Hall." Not nearly as fun but she still loved being there with her friends!

If the sun would just come out to indicate that summer is on it's way, then I might be a little happier about school ending. I don't think I can spend the next few months indoors hiding from the rain!

Mrs. McTaggart was a fantastic teacher and both Maggie & I will miss her!

I heart LA!

I absolutely love going to LA. I LOVE the sunshine and warmth! I love being able to see my brother and now his new family. I especially love flying to LA without my children (love them dearly but also really enjoy uninterrupted US Weekly reading).

Last weekend my mom and I flew down to visit Uncle Mark, Aunt Melissa, Tiana & Elijah at their house in Studio City. It was the weekend of Melissa's bridal shower so we wanted to be there which also gave us a chance to visit the site of the wedding. We had a great time and the spot they have picked out for their wedding is gorgeous! They're getting married at Calamigos Ranch in the hills of Malibu.

We also stopped by a spot called Malibu Family Wines which is an outdoor wine tasting room. This place was fantastic! We had a great time sitting out in the warm sunshine, drinking a bottle of wine, listening to music and discussing wedding details.

As always it was sad to say goodbye but we look forward to Mark & Melissa coming to Seattle in July for a Davidson family wedding shower.

.

The blushing bride with her special wedding wine glass

Tiana & Melissa

Me & my baby brother

Mark & me with our mom at the
Melissa, Mark & me

All About Me

For Ragen's "special day" at school to celebrate his birthday, he made an "All About Me" poster. On his actual birthday, he brought his family to school so he could introduce us (having daddy at school is always a special day for Ragen!). He stood in front of the class as they sang "Happy Birthday" and then he discussed his poster in detail with his friends. I also put together a slide show for his friends to watch and thought I'd share it here.

I created a donut cake for breakfast and of course had a Star Wars balloon (and no, he didn't eat them all and yes, he shared with Maggie)

Mrs. Koch leading "Happy Birthday
Newest Kiefer family member...Scuba Doo the betta fish! Ragen was ecstatic to have his "first real life pet!"

Blessed

I am truly blessed to have been trusted to be the mom to these two special babies!

Ragen is 6!

How is it possible that my baby boy is SIX and finishing up kindergarten!?! Ragen was such a typical toddler boy. He was into everything and he was ALWAYS on the run! He didn't walk anywhere...always running. He rolled early, walked early, and talked early. Because of all this, his baby years seemed to go that much faster. He didn't sleep all that much though. That killed me! There were a couple of years there where I wasn't sure how I was going to survive him and his buzy ways (as my playgroup can attest to!). I really never would have expected that by the time he was 6, he'd be so grown up, so responsible, so compassionate, so goal-oriented, and all the other amazing things he is. The conversations we have floor me. The fact that he's writing and reading so well is astounding. All by the age of six. My little boy is growing up at light speed and I want it all to stop. NOW! Happy birthday buddy!!

For Ragen's birthday party, he of course wanted Star Wars. To say he's obsessed would be the understatement of the year. However it couldn't be a plain old Star Wars, it had to be LEGO Star Wars. And they don't make Lego Star Wars party stuff so I had to make it all myself. Of course I did... We had the party at the Bellevue Club and it was a great spot! We took over the gym and they put up their inflatable bouncy slide. They also set out all their balls, hula hoops, etc. So the kids just played. I think the highlight though (and what kept them the busiest) were the light sabers Jeremy & I made out of swim noodles. It was a riot! They each had a light saber with their name on it and we let them beat the heck out of each other. They LOVED it!!
.

The centerpieces which were personalized with things like "Ragen is 6" and "May the force be with Ragen" (I made the wrap-around portion and I can't take credit - I saw the idea online somewhere)

Ragen loved this part - YODA SODA! I put lime green sherbert and Sprite in the cups and the kids loved it. I wish I'd taken a picture of the cup full of green sludge!
The "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU" banner and sign I made to coordinate with all the party stuff

Customized cupcake toppers. This was a huge hit!

The kids were in heaven when they realized this bag was full of light sabers! (By the way, if you don't already own a Merin Designs tote bag, you must get one for summer!!)

The kids battle the dark side!

Trying to get a group pic

Ragen's oldest friend Davis couldn't be at the party so we celebrated

with him that night

Mother's Day Tea

Not only has Ragen loved his kindergarten year in school but I'm loving it too! There are so many fun activities that are unique to the kindergarten students (not sure how I'll feel about it next year during 1st grade). The kids put on the most darling Mother's Day Tea at school. Ragen was talking for a week about how he was so excited because the kids got to serve the moms their food!


The kids had prepared 3 songs that they sang to the group and it was so fun to see how seriously they were taking it. During the song "What a Wonderful World" each child had decorated a poster with a phrase from the song and they revealed each as they sang that part. Ragen's was the 1st line of the song "I see trees of green". I'm teary just thinking about it!


They had also made us several homemade goodies and they are things that I will treasure forever!

.

The kids singing one of the songs (They're seperated boys & girls because of the choreography. Yes! There was choreography!)

My sweet boy singing his part of "What a Wonderful World"

With each verse of the song, another kid would hold up their drawing

Mrs. Koch reading a section of Ragen's book about his mom. "I like it best when my mom..." Ragen's answer was "lets me break the rules." Hmmmmm...

I am so proud to be his mom!!

Zoomazium

Multiple choice question here...

Zoomazium is either (a) the name of the indoor play area at the Woodland Park Zoo or (b) a term that is fitting to describe our life these days. If you chose (c) all of the above, then you are a winner! What a ridiculous blog drought I've been on. Then again, all 7 of you checking this blog probably don't care. Just kidding :)

We went to a private birthday party for Ragen's friend Reese at Zoomazium. I must say, if you ever need a spot for a unique private event, this is a GREAT choice! The party was after-hours so they had the run of the place themselves. They started at the flamingo's exhibit and had a private talk with the zoo-keeper about the animals. Then they went to Zoomazium which if you have ever been during regular zoo hours, it is a "zoo!" This was so great because even though there were probably 60 people there, at least we knew they were all a part of our party. The kids had a fantastic time running around! The zoo-keeper also brought an armadillo for the kids to experience live & in person. He was such an odd but cute little creature. The zoo has a caterer they use and the food was all really great. They even had a kid-sized buffet full of hot dogs, sliders, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, shot glasses with tomato soup, etc...A big hit with the kiddos! Happy 6th birthday Reesie!

.

Keri, Dee, Vanessa & Liz with the birthday girl!

Ragen petting the armadillo

Kiefer family