Secret Confessions of Addison

Alright, so it's been a while for me. I've been pretty busy growing up. I don't have much time to sit on the computer these days. I have to watch Cole and Emily's every move and try to copy it. If they are sitting on the couch, I want to get up there too. If they go outside, I'm banging on the door until someone let's me out. If someone tries to make me sit in my high chair instead of at the table like everyone else, I move my plate to the table when my Mom and Dad aren't looking.
Maybe I'll learn to read by age 2. I have lots of good examples to follow!
I love to copy Cole and Em so much that when they have to get their pj's on, I bang my chest and say "Pj's" until someone puts them on me. My Mom thinks it's because I'm ready for bed, but really it's so...
I can lay in bed and watch "non" (Noggin) with Em. (I even make my Mom get my milk cup for me, so I can be just like Em.)
Or, if Em goes straight to bed, I like to climb in bed with Cole. He hides me from Mom and Dad!
Once Mom got wise to that trick, I learned to pretend I was sleeping. It would make my Mom and Dad laugh so hard that I would get to stay up at least 15 minutes longer!
In my spare time (when I'm not bugging Cole and Em of course), I love to dress up.
Whether it be in my Mom's shoes, Or, my hat and purse.
I know I look sweet and innocent, but I do have to admit that sometimes I do stuff that I probably shouldn't.
I really like the color purple. So when Emily left out her purple lip gloss, I really had no choice but to see how I would look in it. The only problem is, sometimes I get my lips and cheeks confused.
Then, since I looked so cute with purple on my cheeks, a few days later I decided I needed to try again. This time, I couldn't get a hold of Emily's makeup. But she did leave a marker down where I could reach it. (My Mom thinks that maybe this is better than on the walls. But as much trouble as I got in for this one, I would hate to see what would happen when I draw on the walls!)
Every time Mom catches me doing things like this, she shakes her head and tells me she is afraid I might be the first one to break a bone. But what's a kid to do, I needed a seat and a table for my goldfish. I thought I was quite inventive! As I get a little older, I'm rapidly learning to communicate better. One day, our friend Jami was here cutting Cole and Em's hair. I really wanted my hair cut too because it was always getting in my eyes. I finally whacked my head and grunted enough times that my Mom finally got the hint that I wanted my hair cut also. If only she could understand my grunts when I want a cookie or don't want to go to bed. Oh well, I guess I still have a little work a head of me to train her.
See, a little long.
Because I watched Cole and Em go first, I knew all I had to do was hold still and close my eyes.
I winced once or twice when she was getting a little close, but it wasn't too bad.
Don't I look even cuter now?!!?
Have I mentioned that I love Cole and Em! I can even say their names and the names of any of their friends that come over. I've found they are more likely to pay attention to me if I shout their names at the top of my lungs!
Uhoh, here comes my Mom. I guess I'd better go pretend I'm asleep so I can stay up for a while longer. I'll be back sometime though. I have plenty more of my cuteness to share!

Preschool Fun

Not to be outdone by Cole finishing kindergarten, Emily also finished her first year of preschool. To celebrate, her teacher invited all of the parents over so the kids could show us what they learned this year.
They learned to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
They learned their shapes, letters, colors, and numbers.
Their favorite book to read was Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom. In fact, they read it so much that Emily has it memorized now.
Emily loved her preschool and is so excited for next year. She had a great teacher who taught her so much! (There was one boy in the class, but he had already left.)

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Daddy!
We didn't get to sing to you today, but we wanted to (or at least Mom wanted us too). So, here is the Father's Day song we were supposed to sing.

You are a great Dad and we love you very much.
Have a good trip.
We miss you!

He's Ready for First Grade!

Well, he finally did it! Cole has managed to graduate from Kindergarten. It was quite the year and quite an adventure.
But he had a great teacher and he made lots of friends.
Cole and Miss Harris
Cole and his best buddies
Cole's Original Preschool Class. Thank goodness they all made it through Kindergarten!
Now, he is ready to take on First Grade!
After they swarm their poor teacher, of course!
Here are a few tidbits from Cole's Graduation Program. (These are especially for Weston and Tabitha who like to hear Cole sing!) I hope you enjoy the back of the heads that I managed to film as well.
Cole learned a lot in Kindergarten this year.
Starting with a respect for our nation and the flag.


Cole also learned to sing his ABC's, kindergarten-style.


His teacher taught him to count, by more than just 1 at a time.


They learned how to spell (and sign), but not everything. They have to save some things for first grade! (Does this song sound familiar anyone?)


They also learned an assortment of other things.


Now it is time for the Baby Eagles to leave their nests and spread their wings in all day school!


So, start spreading the news, Cole and his buddies are off to First Grade!


Cole, I am very proud of you. You are so smart and you are going to do great in First Grade!

Happy Birthday Chad!

Although I'm a little late getting this post in, I don't want to leave my loving husband out of the birthday party blogs. So, Happy Birthday Chad!! You are a great husband and father.

Opening presents is not nearly as exciting when you are getting older, although the kids still think it's fun!
Except for Emily, who didn't really want to be bothered.
Until we made her show interest, and then she carried her book over to look, carefully so as not to lose her place, just long enough to get credit for paying attention.
He was very excited about this new yard toy. In fact, I think he likes to work out in the yard just so he can use it. Of course, he also likes to see if it has enough power to blow the kids over. So far, no luck! But, Addy won't really get close enough for him to try blowing her down!
This is the "You are in big trouble because I'm pretty sure this is not on the approved present list" look.
This is the, "Well, since I really want to skydive, I guess it will be ok" look.
While his cake is a little boring compared to the kids, I did make cream cheese frosting from scratch. I think he liked that better than a fancy cake!
Chad, we love you and can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays with you!

We're Going to the Zoo

A few weeks ago, Cole's Kindergarten class had their Zoo Program.
He made a very cute crocodile!
Cole and his fellow crocodile.
His best buddy was a zookeeper.
I expected Addy and Emily to get a little bit restless, but Emily went to sit up front with her cousins and I didn't hear any more from her. Addy sat on Chad's lap very much enthralled with the whole thing.
Cole was very proud of the fact that in addition to his lines and singing, he was also in charge of getting the trampoline up and down at the right times. It was a very big responsibility he told us!
Here is a sampling of the program. (The lighting was terrible, so they are kind of hard to see.)

Welcome to the Zoo


We're Going to the Zoo.


Mexican Woodpecker


Cole's Part


Never Smile at a Crocodile

Wintertime Fun? Not Exactly!

All bundled up like this, we must be doing something fun in the wintertime, right? Maybe sledding, maybe a snowball fight, or maybe even building a snowman!
Nope, none of the above. Instead, we are headed to SPRING soccer! What a delightful spring we had, it's like Winter never left! At least it felt that way every Tuesday and Thursday when it was time to go to Cole's soccer games!
Cole didn't seem to mind though. He was more than happy to get out there and kick the ball around.
Thankfully, the girls were pretty easy going too. We just bundled them up and wrapped them in blankets. (And yes, Emily is working on her workbook at the soccer game!)
Thankfully SPRING soccer has ended. Hopefully teeball in the SUMMER will be a little bit warmer!