Winter Break

I am so happy the kids love all their new toys and books they received on Christmas, because without all the new things, this mamma would be needing extra coffee!

They are keeping busy with their new things and having a great time!

Christmas 2013

Christmas day is always so busy. First, we open Santa presents at home, then we head to Nana & Pa's for more presents and good food, then finally to grandma and papa Clyne's for dinner and a few more gifts. 

The kids slept in a little bit, which Santa was very happy about considering "he" was up until 2:30 a.m. assembling chairs and a play kitchen! Now I know how my mom felt all those years, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to be sure everything was just perfect for me and my brother and sister. :) 

We started with stockings. Ryker decided it was best to organize and sort all of his goodies. 

KK gave Adam a big hug and told him "Merry Christmas Daddy!". It was just too sweet. 

 Gift #1: Sid the Science Kid experiment kit. This girl loves her some science! Notice her sparkly belt over her pj's. She got 3 of those in her stocking and was a happy girl! 

Opening up her Octonauts "Octopod" toy. #2 on her list. 

Here comes the zig-zag Furby. #1 on her Christmas list! 

Art desk for her room! 

Ryker loves this ball popper toy! 

Ryker opening up some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse figurines. This was the first year he was actually interested in opening gifts, and the first time he's ever opened a present. It was pretty special for us!

 Play-doh!

Every little boy needs a workbench. Especially in this household. 

Looks like he's goin' fishin'! 

Last, but not least, puppet theater! 

There were a few more gifts, but I tried to enjoy them opening and take pictures at the same time. :) It was a great Christmas morning at the Hester house! 

Last First Day of Preschool

Kiddos headed off to their last year of preschool this morning. Ryker's 3rd year and Makaylin's 2nd. I know it's only the first day of this year, but I can't believe that it's their last year as "preschoolers"- this time is fleeting, I know.

Waiting for Miss Jenny to pick him up with the school bus. She had to adjust his car seat straps because he apparently has had a growth spurt over the summer. Way to go, Ryker! 

She looks nervous, but I promise you she is anything but. The girl was up at 5:30 singing and dancing because she just couldn't wait to go to school! It helped that one of her buddies is in her class this year, so she gets lots of playtime with him now!

Preschool Program

KK had a preschool program in May and it was the cutest thing ever. She's just like I as when I was her age- quiet, shy, and a rule follower. She definitely wasn't too keen on the idea of singing, talking, and "acting" in front of a big group of people... but that's ok! She was smiling most of the time and participated when she felt like it. Not any different than any other 4 year old... they kinda just do what they want, don't they?

Her class acted out the story "The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog." She was an Emu.

 ...the cutest emu I've ever seen. She still wears her "hat" around our house. 

First Taste of Summer

Adam & the kiddos got me an ice cream maker for mother's day- talk about getting lucky! I've been talking about one for quite a while now, so I was super excited once I actually owned one. My first quest was s'mores ice cream and KK was my taste tester. I'd say she approved. 

Love this face, although it usually means she's up to something. 

Life via iPhone

Sensory bin fun the first week of summer.
Love seeing them play next to each other, if only for a minute.

First puppet show of the summer. Our favorite way to spend our Monday evenings every summer.

Weather finally warmed up enough to play outside. Water table + dollar store finds=sanity savers.

I hate "selfies", but loved my new hair so much that I had to take one.
I also had Starbucks on this day... Twice. :)

Ryker had a week off and started school again this week (3 days, 2 hrs per day).
He loves his iPad time while waiting for the bus.

KK was super excited to go to DQ with her daddy.
Thank goodness fit that hat- this girl needs a hair intervention. It's out of control. :)

Ryker & Makaylin are 4! (super belated birthday post)

[I don't know if I'll ever be a good blogger. It's just not in my blood, I suppose... but I'll keep trying! :) ]

Makaylin and Ryker turned 4 on April 3rd and we celebrated with a big "art" party on the 6th. It was quite a bit of work, but the kids had so much fun! 

I made "edible art kits" for the party favors and they were a big hit with the kids! 

I had 4 different art stations set up. "Paint your own canvas", "Make your own sidewalk chalk paint", "Decorate a flower pot", and a "free art" station. 

Ryker and Tom became best buddies, fast. :)

To stick with the art theme, we had a cupcake decorating station. We had some pretty creative cupcakes come from that table- I wish I would have taken pictures of them all! 

Ryker wasn't too sure about the frosting, but after touching it a few times he decided to try it. He sat there for a quite a while... just eating frosting. :)

Here is my drama queen- getting overly excited over "Stompeez" from nanny and papa...

 ...and her zebra pillow pet from nana and pa. 

These parties are always a little stressful to plan and prepare, but always so worth it in the end! The only thing I wonder about for next year is... how do I top this one? :)