Camera Roll

Erin wanted to let me know that the tupperware cabinet needed to be reorganized.  Duly noted, child.

 Elise said "you should take a picture of us getting along."  Good point.  It happens less frequently these days.

 I don't do it very often because I hate to clean up the mess, but I can build an epic tent.  Ask these yahoos.

Something I didn't know about Elise going to Kindergarten: we go to a LOT more birthday parties these days.  This was Jake's party at Doling Park Aquatic Center.

Elise is a Kindergartener!

 I loved this!  At Orientation, we were given a "Me Bag" that Elise was supposed to fill with things to help her class get to know her.  She picked a Barbie (because she likes to play with Barbies), a Bookmark (because she likes to read AND it was from church), a jewel and shell from the tree fairy (because she loves the tree fairy and likes to collect shells), her work gloves (because she likes to work with Daddy), and a picture of her family.  The only suggestions we made were the picture of her family and the bookmark.  Everything else she came up with on her own!

 The big day arrived on 8/13/14.  I went to Hobby Lobby to get a chalk board for an idea I saw on Pinterest.  I was apparently not the only parent with this idea because this was the smallest one I could find.  But it was adorable, and it was 50% off, so I decided I'd get it and we could hang it in Elise's room as a "Yay for Starting Kindergarten" present.  She has drawn on it every day since!

 Elise was so excited she could hardly stand it (as you can tell in this picture)--she was struggling to sit still for pictures!  Luckily for me, she humored me all morning and didn't complain at all!

Erin wanted a bag like Elise, so she grabbed her purse!

 

 

Elise looked so tiny getting on that big bus with her big bag!

The Kindergartener at her desk!

 I think out of all of us, Erin was the only one who really struggled with Elise going to Kindergarten.  She wanted to do everything Elise was doing, and she was so upset when Elise got on the bus that she cried all the way back to the house. 

 I think that once we got to school and she saw that Elise made it there okay, she felt better about the whole big bad bus thing.  She does ask multiple times a day where Elise is, though--so I know she misses her!

It was looking like Daddy wasn't going to make it to the first day of school.  He had to work at the fire station the night before, and that meant he worked until 7am.  However, he can't leave until his relief gets there and the guy that was supposed to relieve him called in sick.  So he had to wait until they found someone else to cover.  Luckily, the first day of school didn't run on time, so he was able to make it at the very last minute to wish Elise a good first day!  He was also able to pick her up!

Overall, Elise loves Kindergarten.  She's got three days under her belt now.  A funny story from her first week: when asked on the first day if she made any friends, she said she made one.  Sean asked what the friend's name was and Elise said that she didn't remember, so she just called him "Hey."  When Sean asked if she made any other friends, she said "I'm working on it."  She gave us the same answer yesterday and today.  But she did remember one friend's name yesterday!

It's still hard to believe that we have a kindergartener, but she sure was ready to be one!

Kindergarten Orientation

 Before Elise could get started in school, she needed some new school clothes.  The girl (and her little sister) was set up by Mommy, Daddy, Mammy, and MawMaw.  Look at all of their stuff!  She's definitely set well into fall.

 Orientation was tonight.  I thought Erin would enjoy seeing where Elise was going to be going every day, so we brought her along (plus, it was only supposed to be 45 minutes long).  She struggled to sit still, but in her defense, she's not about to start Kindergarten!  Elise had a much easier time sitting quietly and listening to the teachers and the principal.

 Since Strafford is building a new elementary school (which Elise will enjoy as a 1st grader next year), the theme for Kindergarten this year is "Under Construction".  Her Kindergarten teacher had all sorts of fun stuff for the kids at their desks to fit with the theme. 

Elise's classroom even has a lego table--which Elise immediately went nuts about!  After orientation, she decided she was ready to start school, and was bummed that she had to wait one more day before she got to go!  

T Minus two days till Kindergarten!

Kindergarten is Coming

6 weeks old

 This sweet little baby girl is starting Kindergarten this week.  I'm pretty sure I'm not one of those moms that is going to sob on the first day (but that day isn't quite here yet, so we'll see!)

1 Year Old

 However, as I sat this afternoon and watched her playing with her toys without a care in the world, I did start thinking about how it seemed like a blink of an eye between bringing her home from the hospital to sending her off to Kindergarten.

2 Years Old

 The girl tests me, there is no doubt about that.  Since before she could talk, she has been very opinionated, full of drama, and SO sassy.

3 Years Old

 But these aren't the traits that define her.  She is silly, loves to make people laugh, so friendly to everyone, is sensitive to others, and is a huge animal lover (aside from spiders).

4 Years Old

I am so anxious to see what her first year in school brings: the things she will learn, the friends she will make, and the experiences she will have.  She is so excited, but also a little nervous, too.  She wants to ride the bus to school, but did decide that on the first day, Daddy and Mommy better take her to her class.

5 Years Old

 Big things are ahead for you, Elise Joann.  We are already so proud of you and can't wait to see what your future holds!

***NEXT WEEK: First day of school pictures!!!***

Camera Roll

I have a friend who has a blog who calls it "Camera Roll" when she posts random pictures.  So I stole that idea for myself.  (HI, CASEY :))  Below are some randoms from the last month.

It isn't very often that both girls want to cuddle Mommy--had to get a picture of it!

Erin is only allowed to have her pacifier during nap and in the car.  She stashed one, and when I tried to take it away, this was her idea of a getaway.  Plus, she hates to miss the washer filling with water.

I was working on the computer one day, and I heard Erin hard at work, but wasn't paying a lot of attention to what she was up to.  When I turned around, I saw she had made herself a train!

Elise wanted a picture with her "monster blueberry".

Slumber party at our house, and Daddy (Uncle Sean) made cookies.  Just look at Erin.  Seriously.

Father's Day Musings

These girls...they have my heart!

I sort of failed father's day when it came to photographs.  I did get one of the girls with Sean, and some of Sean with his dad and his grandpa, but after that I didn't get my camera back out.  I do want to take a moment to give a shout out to all the amazing dads in our lives, though.

Elise's cheeseface--I don't know.

Sean.  No lies (and this isn't news to him, either) that I wasn't sure if he was ready to be a dad when we started trying for a baby.  The man had only held one baby at that point in his life, and that was by force.  The first diaper he changed was Elise's when we were in the hospital.  But he took to fatherhood like he was meant to be a dad.  Elise adores him, and Erin loves him to pieces, too.  He works hard to provide for his family, he makes sure to spend plenty of quality time playing with the girls, and he is definitely the "fun" parent most of the time!

Sean, his dad Mike, and the girls

Mike, Sean's grandpa Dave, Sean and the girls

The next dad in our lives that I want to say a big "Thank You" to would be my dad, Link.  I am thankful that my husband gets along with him so well and respects his opinions as much as I do.  Dad never pushes--he always lets us make our own decisions--but he is diligent in being there for us and supporting us.  Even when we do something "crazy" like moving one town away from him! :)  It's been so much fun watching him be a Popa to the girls.

Mike, Sean's dad, is another dad that means so much to us.  We have so much fun when we spend time with him--camping, trips, and holidays are always special with Mike.  The girls love to use him as a jungle gym, and he makes a good Papoo.  Elise always has a great time when they go on their "special days". 

Terry is Sean's step-dad.  He is steady as a rock, patient with our antics, and a fantastic PawPaw to the girls.  He likes to teach them things (imagine that from a retired teacher!) and they like to learn from him and spend time with him.  

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, but a special "I love you" to the fathers who are near and dear to MY heart!

Swingset Excitement!

 We bought the girls this sweet swing set on clearance last fall.  We showed them a pic of it at Christmas, and told them when we got moved, we'd put it up.  Well, other house projects ended up taking priority over their swing set, and Sean was just able to get to it this week.  They were THRILLED.  I think the bronco (the red thing) is definitely their favorite.  The monkey bars are still a little high for Elise to reach, and Erin can't do much more besides slide and ride the bronco, but they'll definitely grow into it and it's awesome to have a place for them to play in our own backyard!