The Graduate

Taylor with her teachers, Miss Lori and Miss Rochelle. (Miss Lori is in the middle of saying "kindergarten", sorry about that Lori)

As previously blogged about, Taylor attended Pre-K this past school year. Well, let me just tell you, her pre-school wants them to know just how big of an accomplishment that is. They went all out!  On the last day of school they had a family BBQ at lunch. That same evening was the 'graduation ceremony'. We decided to make an event of it and invite the great grandparents, have a celebration dinner, etc. Then off to the ceremony we went. I must say it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen! The class all walked in to the adorably decorated auditorium to "Pomp and Circumstance" (which for some reason triggered the mommy tears, she's only 4 for goodness sake. Get it together Carrie!) Once they were all seated on the stage they did the pledge of allegiance and then Taylor did the opening prayer (which again, made Mama choke up a little. I know, I'm a mess!). After that they performed a couple songs and memory verses, showed a slide show of the kids and then presented them all with their 'diplomas'. When they called each child up to receive their diploma they asked them what they want to be when they grow up. There will be no shortage of princesses and super heroes let me tell you. Taylor decided that she wants to be a doctor. That is a large career jump from her last declaration of wanting to be the tooth fairy. It was a really fun evening. Below are pictures of the days festivities. Mostly for family that couldn't be there but enjoy none the less.



Gift time after our family homemade lasagna dinner. Class of 2011 Minnie Mouse.




Yes, my 4 year old has a newer computer than I do. She was given a kids Toshiba laptop (not by mom and dad). She is so excited! She loves it!




Pledge of allegiance. (not sure I like how the little boy next to her is checking her out)




When did she get so grown up?!




Opening prayer.




Telling the crowd what she wants to be when she grows up: a doctor.




The family minus Cameron (he was a disaster so our favorite Sally watched him for us)




Grandma and Grandpa Mahaffie




TOG (The Other Grandparents) Donnie and Juanita Land (Taylor lovingly refers to Donnie as her worst nightmare. They just have that kind of relationship. He loves it!)




Great Grandma and Grandaddy Russell

 So proud of our little graduate. Just think, in 13 years we can do it all over again! I am pretty sure there will be A LOT more mommy tears that day.

Movin' on up!

(Don't be misled by the title, I am not referring to actually moving into a house of our own.)

Dan and I have known that we want a big family since before we were married. After Cameron was born I 'decided' that I am done with pregnancies because pregnancy and I don't get along. At all. Dan and I have always had a huge passion for orphans and adopting so we have been focusing on growing our family in that direction. Well, His ways are not my ways and for that I am thankful. Come January, the Mahaffie family will be welcoming our newest addition into the world. That's right, we are pregnant! And I do say WE because when I am pregnant the whole family feels it in some fashion. Whether it is just not being able to play as long because I am just so tired or because I can't cook certain foods anymore unless I want to be sick from the smells. Either way, it is a family event for us.
When I first realized that we are expecting this little one, I will be honest, I wasn't looking forward to the challenges pregnancies bring. That same day, I was driving home after picking Taylor up from pre-school and we are going through the "what did you learn today" talk. She tells me "Today I learned 'Children are a gift from the Lord." At that point she didn't know about the baby. I just laughed and said "OK God, I needed that. Thank you for all three of my amazing gifts!"
So there it is folks. The Mahaffie's are Movin' on up to a family of 5! With hopes to still adopt someday. But first we need to work on this whole housing thing. The state gets a little picky about wanting you to actually have your own home before they let you adopt. What's that all about? ;)

The Farm Hand

Taylor has had the amazing opportunity to attend a wonderful preschool this year here in town. It is a great, Christian preschool with loving staff whom all posses an amount of patience that can only be explained as divine. But what makes Taylor's preschool amazing to us is knowing that two of our cherished church members work there. Not only does this help mommy in the letting go process but it also gives us a set of eyes and ears on the inside. The stories they come back with about things Taylor has said and done...oh my! I think it was just this past week she couldn't be interrupted at recess because she was busy getting married to her BFF Kaden of course. That girl...

Anyway, that isn't the point of this post. Throughout the year, Taylor's amazing and super fun preschool has hosted fun events for the kids and their families. A few weeks ago they had "Farm Day" come to the school. It was so stinking cute! Here are a few pictures of Farm Day for your viewing pleasure.



"Milking" a cow.





Making butter. Shake shake shake!






Eating the butter she just made.






Shucking corn (which later was cooked and served with lunch).






Ta Da!






Planting wild flowers...



...and watering them of course.



Finger painting chocolate pudding "mud" on pigs.



Meeting a real live calf (no milking involved this time).



Witnessing Nanny the goat being milked. Check out Taylor's stance, she's into it!






So I'm not an expert on the matter but I'm pretty sure this is a donkey ride rather than a "pony ride". Still fun either way.






Cam got the actual pony ride. He was pretty pumped!






And to top it all off, a tractor ride!

 That was Taylor's day as a "farm hand" at preschool. Blessed we were able to be a part of it with her.
On a side note, anyone in the Manteca area looking for a GREAT preschool for ages 2-Pre K, Manteca Christian Preschool on Button Ave is the place to be! (I am not being paid to say this I promise! We just love her school.)