Dancing Ella

Ella loves to dance!
Today I found her dancing with her shadow out on our back deck!

It was the cutest dance ever!!!

Kate's First Day of School

Today was Kate's first day at the Waterford School. This morning Kate said our morning family prayer. She asked, "Please bless me at Waterford, that school will never be canceled." It was the sweetest prayer ever. Ella missed Kate A LOT. I took Ella to the park for a date, a picnic and play time with Mom. By the time Kate got home, Ella couldn't stop hugging Kate. She missed her so much! As for Kate, she loved school. We had a party and presents for Kate to celebrate her first day of school!

Good Books

My sister told me about this great blog:

http://angieville.blogspot.com/

This blog has become nationally known. The girl that writes for it often gets books from publishers, before they come out to provide official reviews.
I took a look today, and I liked what I saw. I thought you might be interested as well.

Happy Reading!

Ms Mommy's Preschool

Kate, Ella and I have started our own little preschool.

The girls call it Ms Mommy's Preschool.
Each day we spend some time learning, singing and doing a project!
We look forward to it every school day!
(Notice Ella's backpack....she always wears it to our preschool!)

Today we talked about feelings.
How we feel when we are happy and when we are sad.
The girls made happy faces out of food.
Bananas for the mouth, peaches for the ears,
ritz crackers for the eyes, craisins for the eyeballs and nose.
Pretzels for the eyebrows.
I love watching their creativity!

The Perfect Sunday Afternoon

Today we had the perfect Sunday afternoon!
We all read and napped out on the deck!
I have been completely into my book, "The Devil in The White City." It is about The Chicago World Fair, and since we were in Chicago this past March, I find it extra fascinating!
James is happy to be listening to Mockingjay, the latest Suzanne Collins book. Today, there was a cool breeze, the water was flowing, and it was completely relaxing!

We bought a hammock in Mexico this past January, when we were in Cancun.
We finally hung it out on the lower deck!
Everyone LOVES the hammock!

Abby's First Day of Second Grade

Abby's First Day of Second Grade

It is official! We have a second grader at our house!
On the first day of school, parents and students met for
back to school morning. It was fun to watch the kids parade into the school
with their new teachers and old friends.

After school, we had a first day of school party...
with presents for Abby. We gave her a new school shirt,
and the book "Huckleberry Finn," to challenge her reading skills!
Kate was excited to wrap the presents and host the party!
Abby's impressions of her first day:
"Second Grade is a lot LONGER than first grade."
"It is SO hot."
"My teacher is kind of strict, but really nice."
"I missed my friends!"

Kate's 5th Birthday

Kate had a long wish list for her 5th Birthday.
She had very specific things she has been wanting for months,
including Hello Kitty, and a pillow pet! Her Birthday was a fun opportunity
to make some of her dreams come true!

Kate's 5th Birthday

Kate has had a fun filled Birthday week!

Her Birthday theme: Hello Kitty!

We started her Birthday with a trip to Build a Bear, where
she created Cutie Patutie, her new Hello Kitty!Kate wanted her cake to say, "Kate Kitty"
since both she and her new Hello Kitty were both celebrating Birthdays!
For Kate's Birthday lunch,
she requested homemade
lunchables!

We spent the afternoon at Kangaroo Zoo!
Then out to Robintino's for Kate's favorite....cheese pizza!

Kate also had a Birthday party with
her friends on a different day!

Emma, Sylvi, Kate, Ella, Maddy, Emory and Olivia!

All of these girls have Birthdays between August and January!
They are all turning 5!

Happy Birthday Kate!
We are so glad you are apart of our family!

P.S. Kate finally got her purple unicorn pillow pet!
She has recited the commercial for months!
Hopefully now she will sleep well every night!