Our Princess Kinsey-3 1/2 years old

Kinsey is our fun, passionate, and expressive little princess. She is definitely wired to be a "performer" . . . she LOVES to dance and sing . . . especially if she is wearing a dress that "twirls" (which is pretty much all she will agree to wear). She told Dave on a "daddy-daughter" date a few weeks ago that she wants to "sing on the stage" when she gets big. We are planning to sign her up for dance lessons this fall, she has been asking for months now. She is also our biggest "snuggler" and is very affectionate. Kinsey can be sassy and strong-willed, but her sweet smile and fun nature wins out every time! Love this girl so much!!

3 1/2 year checkup at health department: 31 lbs (50%), 40 inches (90%).

Day @ St. Louis Zoo

The kids have been anxious to visit the zoo this spring. We promised to take them some Friday after Dave got back from Haiti and this past Friday was our first opportunity.
We had talked with them about some different animals that they wanted to learn a little more about before we visited them at the zoo. So we did some research online, looked at pictures and videos, read books about elephants, komodo dragons, stingrays, bonnethead and nurse sharks, penguins, bats, orangutans, and tigers.















Kinsey's favorites were the 2 baby elephants, the baby girafee and the penguins. Jackson's favorite was petting the stingrays (over and over), seeing the bonnethead and nurse sharks in the tank with the stingrays, the Cheetah, and the Komodo Dragon (and other reptile friends in the "Snake House"). Kayleigh's favorite (or as best as we could tell) was the penguins. She kept pointing at them and waving hi! : ) She also really liked the ride on the train!! It was a beautiful day and the kids were awesome . . . so well behaved and excited to see all the animals they had learned about!! We will definitely be preparing for our trips to the zoo this way in the future . . . such an enjoyable day!!

McDonald's Reopening

Our McDonald's closed on Valentine's Day, was torn down, rebuilt and open again in 87 days! And in a small town in Southern IL, it has been quite the excitement!! This past Thursday was the "Opening Day" with lots of free activities all weekend. We took the kids up there Thursday night for free pony rides, pictures in the cockpit of a F4 Phantom and meeting Ronald McDonald. Then we came back on Saturday for a petting zoo . . . grizzly bear cub, liger (lion-tiger mix), antelope, buffalo, goats, cow, spotted-deer and more.

Jackson's Tball Games-#2 & #3

Jackson had 2 games this past week due to the rain out last Saturday. So we came with sweatshirts and blankets on Tuesday night and in tank tops and shorts on Saturday! What weather we have had this spring . . . crazy! On Tuesday, Jackson played the "Pitcher" position, he didn't make it to 1st base, because of a really good 1st baseman who got him out all 3 innings. On Saturday, he played short-stop and did a great job batting!

Jackson's 1st T-ball Game

Jackson had his 1st t-ball game on Friday night. He was SO excited!!!! He had his baseball bag all packed and in the van ready to go WAY ahead of time!! He did such a good job too!! His team was up to bat first . . . they go through the whole line-up once each inning (3 innings total). He hit off the tee the 1st and 3rd innings, but the coach pitched to him in the 2nd and he hit the first pitch!!!! He played 1st base and did a good job fielding the ball. Dave had to get him to focus a bit during the 2nd inning . . . if the ball was hit to anyone else on the field he checked out . . . not thinking about them wanting to throw it to him at 1st base : ) His game for today was rained out and rescheduled for next week.

Sonshine School Graduation

Jackson graduated from Sonshine School tonight. He was in the Red Class this year (hence the red tassel). They sang a few songs, did the pledges and received a certificate and Bible. He did a great job! Hard to believe he is done with preschool and ready for Kindergarten. And boy is he ready . . . he wants to go tomorrow!! : ) I had to explain that he had to wait until the summer was over before he could go, but he was disappointed! Hope his excitement continues when he HAS to go everyday!!

Sonshine School-Bowling

Today was Jackson's last day of Sonshine School . . . they had graduation practice this morning and then everyone got to go bowling. He had a great time with friends!

Mother's Day 2011

We celebrated Mother's Day with Grammy and Papa in Effingham last night . . . and then at home today! We finally had a warm sunny day, so Dave put together Kayleigh's 1st birthday present (yep, from back in January) . . . a water table from Grammy & Papa! The kids LOVED playing with it this afternoon . . . . as well as going for a bike ride and practicing t-ball. Dave cooked supper out on the grill . . . pork chops, corn on the cob and potatoes! YUM! Kayleigh's first real "corn on the cob" experience! It was a great day.

Mother's Day Weekend 2011

Celebrating Mother's Day with Grammy & Papa in Effingham . . .