Happy 5th Stone!

On May 25th Stone turned five! They say you will blink and your children will be grown... I believe it! Stone is growing so fast! Five is the magic age in his eyes. Five will also be a big year of new changes and growth for him; he ditched the swimming vest and is pretty good at negotiating the pool, in July he will become a big brother and will begin pre-K in August. Lots of changes and our little man is growing up!

We decided to begin the day celebrating with a muffin and a candle... of course he was more interested in the big present at the end of the table.

Stone got his present, gave it one shake and decided he know what it was; the Lego set he had been eyeing at every toy store! I love the expression on his face!

He was right and he was so excited!

Since we had so many snow days this year the school year was extended which meant Stone could actually hug Ralph the dog on his real birthday! It was bittersweet for me since he will not be attending chapel at Sonshine School next year!

We took Stone out for a birthday dinner. After being informed that McDonalds is not the place for a birthday dinner he chose to go to Tokyo Sushi! He has great taste and it definitely was fitting. He donned his jinbei and we picked up a little cake from Target and had a little celebration!

Stone is such a sweet boy and it has been a joy and pleasure to watch him grow and change into a little man!

Western Day

Last week, Stone's school had Western Day! All the kids dressed the part and had a fun day of all things cowboy related! One benefit of working at Stone's school is I can get some fun pictures of him with his class!

Here is Stone's class... He has lots of good friends!

Stone and his buddy Aedan! Stone tried to cut Aedan in line hence the reason Aedan is not smiling!

Stone and his buddy, Mac. Mac's daddy and Stone's daddy were roomates in college for a while! (It is neat the see that friendship come full circle!)

A Busy Month

September was a crazy busy month for us! Here is a highlight of the big things that happened, of course there was a lot of fun activities in between!

Stone started Pre-K at Sonshine School! He loves his teachers and was so happy to be back at school with his friends!

Labor day weekend we got to see Aaron and Izumi and play with baby Celeste! She is such a cutie pie!

We hit the first praise and pizza of 2009-2010 with the international students and Stone was so happy to see ALoys!

We were invited to a TCK dinner with the OC students! The activity was to make a pizza that represented the country you are associated with ... we made an Anpanman face pizza!

Feeling a bit homesick we decided to hit Tokyo Sushi for dinner one night! It was delicious and recharged us to focus more clearly on our life here!

Stone and I took advantage of free Chick-fil-A one afternoon so yummy and notice which team he chose to support? Go Steelers!

Lj turned 35 this month... we enjoyed a park celebration with our Japan friends!

Stone and I along with some friends went to go see Thomas and Friends when he rolled into town! Stone had a blast (between the melt-downs)... this is so much fun and free if you chose not to ride the train!

The last weekend of September we headed to Dallas to see my aunt who was in town for a business trip. It was so nice to get away and see the sights of Dallas/Fort Worth.

We got to see the cattle herd in the Fort Worth Stockyards! The Stockyards were such a neat place!

While in Dallas we also got to hit the Dallas World Aquarium! Stone loved seeing all the fish. We had Ruth take our picture through one of the tanks... notice the background?! Is that a subliminal hint or what?

September was busy month but full of fun! We are looking forward to October... pumpkin patch, fall break, cooler weather, halloween!

SonShine School Success!

Last night, Stone had his end of year SonShine School program.  He was so excited to get on stage and sing; his class sang two really fun songs and I enjoyed hearing them over and over again as he practiced them at home, in the car, at the park... everywhere!    

My students did a great job singing their two songs.  One song they sing is about what they want to be when they grow up; I always enjoy seeing what costume they will wear to the show.  They are always so creative and so cute.  

Nine of my students got to walk across stage to get their "diploma".  These students will not be returning to SonShine School in the fall.  They will either move on to first grade or will attend one of the three Edmond schools that will be full day kindergarten.  I was ready to have 6 graduate but at about 1:30 a parent got a tip about the full- day kindergarten starting so we had to add a few more graduates to the line up.  The kiddos handled it great and were real troopers in making the last minute change a success.  I sure will miss my students!  I had a great class of World Explorers this year!  

For the grand finale all the students get on stage and sing two songs they practiced all year in chapel and sign a scripture.  This is by far my favorite part; it is so sweet to hear all of the children singing  and to watch them all sign.  

Stone loves MRCC SonShine School and it is such a blessing for us to be there twice a week.  

*Check out the videos below: they are songs he sang for the program and the sign language!  Enjoy!

Egg Hunts Galore

Stone has been Egg Hunting since Thursday.  It all started with the hunt at Sonshine School before the snacks and party.  He said he had fun hunting with his friends fortunately, I could watch from afar while my students were at recess.  

Then on Friday, Charity and Freedom invited us over for another one.  After a little bag decorating the kids headed to the garage to find eggs!  Stone had so much fun with his friends; Freedom, Heath, Briar and Jasmine.  

Hunting the eggs! 

Checking out all his loot... Lots of candy and stickers! 

Then this morning we headed over to OC to find yet even more eggs!  They were all just in the field right there in the Lawson Commons.

Stone showing off his new Mickey Mouse basket we picked up at a garage sale yesterday! 

Look at that full basket! 

Of course, we got to see a lot of friends from church and Sonshine School... and like all events at OC, there were some moon bounces! Stone loved playing on the inflatables with Mac.  

Look at the air Stone caught jumping!  

After OC we headed home and ran into the Easter Bunny himself.  The bunny told us they hid lots of eggs around the lake so we decided to partake in yet another Egg Hunt! 

Here is the candy from all of Stone's Egg Hunting.  

I think this year more than made up for missing last year... we missed the Easter holiday festivities since we were enjoying Japan!

Zoo Fun with Natalie

Lj had to work on Thursday so we called Natalie and Rachel and headed to the zoo.  We have never been to the zoo with Natalie so it was an extra special treat!   We even got to make a sand necklace, ride the carousal and trudge through the zoo with thousands of other people.  The day started off cool but warmed up quickly; Stone went from long sleeves and a fleece to sleeveless in 2 hours!  

I was surprised that Stone actually posed for the picture... he has been a bit resistant to having his picture taken.    

Enjoying the ride on the carousal.  I love having a pass... usually I only spend about  $1.00 each time we go and that is to do something FUN!! 

Enjoying the turtles! 

We saw the zoo at break-neck speed just so we could get back to the playground... the trip was for the kiddos after all!!  

My favorite picture... 

Stone and Natalie are such good friends and really get along well! 

Friend Day at Gymnastics

Stone's best buddy Mac invited him to bring a friend day at Metro Gymnastics.  Stone got to see Mac and Clara, another friend from Sonshine School.  Stone was so excited to go and he had a blast.  

Listening to Miss Sara give directions.  

Time to begin... pat to the beat!

On the move... following the leader.

Tumbling and climbing... so much fun!

Time for a drink break!

After drinks it was time for the bars, Stone doing a splitso with Miss Sara's help! 

Touch your toes to the bar!

I have to say this was a great way to spend a Friday morning!  

Thanks Mac for the invite!