The Dude's final year of preschool

Joseph, our middle little, "the dude", begins his second and final year of preschool this week. The innocence of singing nursery songs, finger painting, playing with toys, making Jesus crafts, and only being away from Mommy for  hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Those stereotypes that you hear about middle children? He makes sure to bring truth to each one. He's the kid that's running down the street naked, dangerously climbing to the top of the pantry, always grabbing our attention in the most outrageous way. He's also the most loving, cuddly, little sweetheart....always ready to snuggle up as close as he can get to you. His best friend is Madeline...he would go to the ends of the earth just to make her smile. His imagination is amazing, and he can make me laugh until I cry. A wonderful friend to all of our neighborhood buddies and such a sweet pet owner, as he adores to love on animals.
I cannot wait to see what this new year of preschool brings....

"I want to be everything!"

"I want to be everything" is what Madeline answered when asked what I should write as her future career. You want to be everything? What does that even mean?

"Well, Mom, I really want to be president, but I think you have to be older to do that. So, first I'll be a teacher, maybe a doctor too. I know I want to be a Mommy and I also want to help children that are not mine. I could be anything, so I will be everything." 

My wish is that this amazing little girl always has these colossal dreams. The world is a scary place, it gets scarier by the day. That only means I need to push even harder to help her grow into this powerful girl that she dreams of becoming. Heck, she's already so strong and independent that she surprises me daily. 

When asked what she was most excited for today, she replied recess and lunch. That's our social butterfly...ready to soar. I will miss her so much, as she goes off to school each day. But, school is her happy place. She longs for the independence, social interaction, and filling her brain with new information every day. 

Happy first day of first grade to our little bug! You will do great things!!

 

And please, please, please, ALWAYS blow me kisses.......

Goodbye, high school!

So, it's been an entire school year since I've blogged. It's been a busy year, an emotional one, it's had ups, downs, and everything in between.
It's the end of a very long chapter, yet also just the beginning for Joshua, as he completed 13 years of school. A very proud, yet emotional time in our lives, as we watch him piece together the path he will follow.
These years are the hardest. It's hard to let go and embrace that this is their choice.
When you look at your 18 year old, you do not see an adult...you see your baby. So, when you look at these pictures, you may see a bearded man. I, however, see my goofy grinning, wrestling, spider-man undies wearing, silly little sweetheart of a boy.

Graduation pictures:::::

And THIS is the real us. HAHA!!!!