We went to Sandy Pines for the 4th of July (okay, the 3rd). The kids had fun gettitng candy at the parade and playing with cousins
James and Greyson waiting for the parade
Greyson loves to play with water - he had a good time in the kiddie pool. He loves sprinklers even when he has his clothes on...makes such a mess but he has a good time!
His sisters in a full-on-take-down fight!
And the winner is...Sydney (by a mile)
Raleigh had a great last week of first grade - Primer Grado. I went to her class party this morning - I was glad the rain held off for the games outside! Raleigh REALLY liked her teacher this year. I think she is going to miss her alot. I am truly amazed at all she has learned this year. Her Spanish amazes me the most. I have a whole stack of books she wrote during the year that she has to read to me. I wish I could read them for myself - they seem so cute. She wrote a bunch of stories about Greyson - his first Christmas, first Easter, his favorite hat... 
One of her classmates looked at me today and said, "You look a lot like your daughter!" I thought that was so funny that a first grader would notice that.
Raleigh and her best friend at the zoo last week. I went along - even got to ride on the bus. Cannot remember the last time I was on a school bus - probably soccer games in high school. It has been fun to help out with her class - even though I have no idea what the teachers are talking about. 
Ummmmm.......I am sure this will not be the only time.......
and...Sydney insisted the other day that I give her the camera - "I NEED it mommy - to show you something..." So I gave her the camera and she came back with this! The Peonies are blooming! I had no idea! We moved some of the peonies from our old house earlier this year - they are on the side of the house so I cannot see them most of the time. Thanks Sydney - I'll check there more often!
James and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary a couple of weeks ago! 10 years has flown by! I am posting this picture of the flowers he got for me just to prove that he does not always pick up flowers from the trash at the grocery store. I told him these were the best flowers he could get for me - they were beautiful!
Apparantly Sydney and Raleigh lost their fear of worms and toads over the winter. Sydney found a toad and was quick to pick it up. They tried to make a house for it but Mr. Toad didn't like the house so back into the grass the toad went after a photo session and lots of hugs. Raleigh is learning about animals in school so she wanted a picture to show her teacher. I still have not printed it out for her even though she asked 14 times.
Thanks girls for showing me the toad but I prefer to stay about 10 feet away from it - worms too - stay away...yuck.
Greyson did great this morning for his tear duct surgery. I was expecting a lot worse because of the stories I have heard. He even woke up pretty well - I was glad to have his pacifier and blanket - it quieted him right down. Then I gave him food...he wolfed down a breakfast bar and his sippy cup of milk - I tried to take it away one time to give him a break and he grabbed onto it so tight I could not pry it out of his hands. He did not love the IV in his arm or the thingy on his big toe but if his blanket was covering those 2 things, he was fine. I am so glad this surgery was so minor - it makes it a lot easier. Greyson seems to be doing well now too - a little bloody nose but that is it. I am looking forward to having the green eye gunk GONE!
Here is a Kuipers Family Photo Dump - we have had a lot going on and have taken a few random pictures here and there... Raleigh lost her 2 front teeth a few weeks ago - she looks so different. We can't see the adult teeth in there yet - I am sure it will change her look when they grow in.
Sydney started to play soccer this spring. She likes to play - very much like Raleigh - not too aggressive but has a fun time. She scored a goal in the first game - it was in the wrong goal (but they don't keep track at this age, right??) We didn't tell her that part of it either - her whole team is a little confused - I guess they have to start somewhere.
Greyson just likes to get into the Fruit Loops - Every day the same thing - he loves them (probably because Raleigh eats them - he loves her). I am too lazy to put locks on the cupboard doors - I guess a little sugar won't kill him).
We celebrated Baby Hudson's birthday on May 2nd - He would have been 2 - time goes by FAST!
Sydney made sure I got 2 pictures of her - one with her eyes open and one with them shut - this is the one with her eyes open...or is it shut...or open...
