Kendall officially finished her preschool years at Young Children's World about 2 weeks ago.  We went to her graduation ceremony, which was so precious and so much fun.  They did the pledge, sang some patriotic songs, and then sang some songs from chapel, both fun and serious.  They sang "JOY", which the kids had a lot of fun with singing, "J is for Jesus, and O is for others, and Y-y-y-y is for You, and You, and you and you and you and you."  Another favorite song they sang was the "Rainbow" song.  Even Kendall, who is usually serious on stage got into it and was smiling and enjoying herself.  They also played "Jesus Loves Me" on the bells, and signed and sang a beautiful song called "Create in Me."  I think they were a lot of teary eyes in the crowd watching the kids sing those precious words and lift their sweet little hands to God.  Besides hearing angles sing, I don't think there could hardly be a more beautiful sound!  Then they put on graduation caps and came up on stage one at a time to receive their diploma and tell what they wanted to be when they grow up.  Kendall said she wanted to be an ice skater, which was no surprise to me.  After the program, they had a reception with cake, punch and plenty of picture-taking opportunities.  It was a memorable night and we are so proud of you Kendall!

sassy pose before the graduation

I can't believe she already graduating from Pre-K!  It seems like we just did this with Avery!

Singing "Your a Grand Old Flag"

singing "God Bless America"

more patriotic songs

singing "JOY" - a favorite chapel song

walking into the auditorium with her graduation cap on

Getting ready to get her diploma and say what she wants to be when she grows up

Receiving her diploma.  Her tassel was in the way the whole time and her teacher forgot to move it over!

The proud Pre-K graduate waiting for all the kids to receive their diplomas

YCW Spring Show

Kendall at her last YCW Spring Show

sweet Judson

At the end of April, Kendall and Judson performed in the YCW Spring Show.  It's been several years since we have had a little toddler in the show, plus we had one in the Pre-K group (which is always the best) this year, so the show was really fun.  The theme this year was "Rockin' the Armor of God," so naturally the kids sang lots of songs about the armor of God, which was great for them to learn.  Judson did a great job up on stage.  He did lots of motions to the songs and sang many of the words too.  One of my favorite parts though was when he spotted us in the audience and was smiling and pointing.  The little toddlers are always so precious with their sweet faces and voices.  Kendall did an awesome job as well.  She sang every word and did every motion to all her songs, some of which were pretty complicated.  They signed and sang the words to one song, and Kendall did a great job on that.  Overall, I think the kids had a lot of fun and it was a great last YCW Spring Show for the Bedichek family.  Next year, its off to Kindergarten for Kendall, and off to Southlake Christian Preschool for Judson!

The Pre-K kids leaving the stage.  Kendall is on the front row, 4th from the left

Kendall's record that she decorated was front and center as part of the set.

"Hey, there's my family! I see you guys!"

Dinosaurs!

Back in April,  we went up to school to watch Avery perform in the first grade musical, "Dinosaurs!"  By the time the performance finally rolled around, I think everyone in our family knew most of the songs because Avery had sung them so much.  They kept the lights low and had a really neat set with dinosaurs, volcanoes, etc.  Judson was mesmerized the entire time and was sad when the show was over.  The kids were separated into groups and each group was wearing a different color shirt and mask representing the different kinds of dinosaurs.  Avery was a T-Rex.  Her group was down on the floor playing the xylophones at the beginning of the program and then switched off with another group up on stage.  The kids sang lots of songs together, and then each group sang one about their specific kind of dinosaur.  Avery's group had their turn in the spotlight as they sang, "Tyrannosaurus, nobody can ignore us.  Tyranosaurus, King of the dinosaurs!"  They had one of the cutest songs in the whole show and Avery did a great job singing and with all her expressions.  You can tell she loves to perform.

playing the xylophone

not sure what part this was that the kids had such funny expressions!

Avery is on the second row in the middle

She thought it was so funny that her head was coming out of the tyrannosaurus's mouth when she had the mask on.

Not certain if this is it, but there was a song called "Dinosaur Rumble" that we could not get out of our heads for days after the performance.

singing their fierce Tyrannosaurus song

Avery spotted us and is smiling and looking directly at the camera.  (second row, dead middle)

Phew! That's all folks!

Soccer Time!

Our two cute soccer players

Well, soccer season has rolled around again, and this year we have two players out on the field.  Kendall was old enough this time and decided she wanted to play too, so we signed both the girls up to play in the Upward league at Harvest Church.  Kendall is on a Pre K/K team called Angry Birds.  She has had fun learning some basics and usually kicks the ball at least a couple of times during every game.  But at this point, she seems to be just as interested in running around the field swinging her arms as she is in kicking the ball. Ha!  Not sure if she will decide to play next year or not, but it has been good exercise and a good experience for her.  This year Avery is on a 1st/2nd grade team called Dynasty, and the skill and competitiveness has really kicked up a notch from the previous 2 years.  She has done great though, and we have seen quite a bit of improvement in her skills this year.  She gets in there and kicks the ball some on offense and does a great job of anticipating where the ball is going and heading it off on defense. Last week she ALMOST scored a goal, but the ball lost a little steam on the way in and the other team was able to stop it (they don't have goalies).  Scott and I have had fun watching the girls play, but probably the one who likes going to the games most of all is Judson.  We take a soccer ball and football out there for him every week and he wears himself out kicking the ball and running all over the place.  He also likes to bring a little plastic megaphone I had from high school and yell "Go Avery!", "Go Kendall!", "Go Angry Birds!", "Go Dynasty!"  He is their #1 fan for sure.

Kendall keeping her eyes on the ball and running with the crowd

Kendall and two of her teammates trying to get a piece of the ball

running. . .

and running some more. . .

and sneaking a look at us on the sidelines while running.

Kendall throwing the ball in

Avery is the girl in red getting ready to kick the ball.

Kick!

Avery was flanked by her two friends while kicking it off.

more Dynasty aciton

Judson loves to play his own little game of soccer every time we go to the fields.

Judson and another little brother checking out the pond at the park behind the fields.

Avery kicking it in. One . . .

two. . .

three!

Avery and Kendall's #1 fan