New Picture

So, Neno was ragging me, the other night, that I needed to change our main picture on our blog because it didn't include Adalyn (technically it did, but details, details). Since then, I have been trying to figure out what to do, because the only family pics I have are one of all of us at AG's swim party and Adalyn's newborn pics. I pulled out my digital scrapbooking skills and threw this new one together. I was so proud so I decided to show it to Neno. I thought he would say, good job, about time, I like it, etc. His comment - "what about us??" Are you kidding me? He is just going to have to live with it for a while!!

Walking Home From School

So today, I loaded up the double stroller and headed to school to get Ava Grace. Walking away from the school she told me she wanted to push the stroller, but she was thirsty. I gave her my glass of water and not 60 yards from the school she tells me she is tired and wants to ride too.


I am guessing that this is what we looked like minus the out-of-shape mommy that was pushing.


The look on Adalyn's face is totally Neno and it just makes me laugh. She must be thinking - what was God thinking when he made me the baby sister of these two?? You can't help but smile, laugh or maybe cry (I guess if you feel sorry for her and some days I really do).

3 Months

So with all of the school excitement, I didn't get around to posting pictures of our sweet 3 month old on Sunday. I know I say it all the time but where does time go? In three months, we have packed in a lot of stuff. Our sweet Adalyn has grown so much. She is the smiliest baby and in the last week, she has found her voice. She just sings and coos. I have even gotten her to laugh a time or two. It will absolutely melt your heart.

Annabelle goes to school, too!

I obviously made a big deal of Ava Grace going to Kindergarten yesterday - understandably! But, what I didn't mention is that Annabelle got to go to school, too! She started PDO yesterday. She will go every Monday and Wednesday. It is a good thing, too, since this is what she looked like when Ava Grace headed out yesterday!

























Of course, she had all the gear too! I appliqued her backpack with a cow - we love cows!!! Her Nana made her a nap mat cover, too and she had her very own lunch bag. She was set.

























I dropped her off at 9 and she was ready!! I told her I was going bye-bye so she gave me a kiss and this is what I heard as I walked out the door:

"Bye-Bye, Mommy" "Lub ooo (love you)" "Bye-bye, Mommy" "Lub ooo, Mommy"

I took this as Annabelle speak for see ya, go away, I got this! She is so big!

She had a great day, but I did get a little note that she didn't always get along with the other girls in the class. We gotta work on that. She might just be putting her sister aggression off on those poor girls. We will see how that goes.


Ava Grace"s first day report:

Me: How's was school today?

Ava Grace: Mrs. Wood asked me to stop whistling and I promise that I stopped.



Me: Did you fall asleep during rest time?

Ava Grace: Nap time is too quick. I might not got to school tomorrow so that I can rest. It was just too quick and I was super duper tired.



Neno: Did you make new friends at school?

Ava Grace: I met Hunter, Lucas, Joshua... (does anyone else see a pattern)

Neno: What about the girls?

Ava Grace: Oh yeah, I met Ellen and Keeli, too.



It was a great day for both girls and for this mommy, too. There just wasn't enough time for me to get my list of to-dos taken care of. There is always Wednesday.

Kindergarten!

Today was Ava Grace's first day of school!! She has been looking forward to this day for so long!!

We live only a few blocks from her elementary school so for the last year, she has been asking when she gets to go there... today was the day!

We have been getting ready since her birthday. We bought her school supplies, new clothes, new shoes and all of the stuff you need to head off to kindergarten. She got a fabulous backpack from her cousins and Aunt Molly and Uncle Bubba. Nana even made her a nap mat cover that is uniquely hers. She was set!

Last Thursday, was back to school night so Neno and I took her to meet Mrs. Wood. I have prayed since last Spring that she would be Ava Grace's teacher. We are so excited to have her in Ava Grace's life. She seems to have an amazing touch with the kiddos. Anyway, after meet the teacher and a few kids in her class, Neno and I took Ava Grace on a date. We talked all about how she needed to act in class and the things that she would get to do in school. It was such a special night. Thanks Aunt Bess for watching Annabelle and Adalyn!

She has known since last week that she would start school on Monday. So, last night, she knew what today would bring. After her bath, we finished packing her bag, picked out clothes for today and talked about what she wanted in her lunch.

6 a.m. came awfully early for me, but I think I was so excited that I didn't even think twice about hitting snooze. I jumped up, showered, started breakfast, fixed coffee (which I don't even drink), made lunches, switched around laundry and all before 7 a.m. We woke Ava Grace up at 7. Without any hesitation, she got up and got dressed!

We made breakfast casserole, pancakes and cut-up fruit for her first-day breakfast. Jeremy and Beth joined us to help send Ava Grace off to school. I was so glad that they were here. I know it made Ava Grace feel special and they kept Annabelle and Adalyn at home so Neno and I could walk AG to school.

I think she was a little overwhelmed by all of the people in the classroom when we arrived - parents, kids, brothers and sisters. But she grabbed a chocolate milk from the teacher and found a seat. It wasn't until I hugged her good-bye that I began to tear up. I managed to take a few deep breathes and hold it together for her. Only now, are the tears falling as I think about the tight hug that she gave me. I don't know if it was Mommy don't leave hug or a hug to reassure me that she would be okay. I know she will be okay. My social child will eat it up!

We are so proud of our sweet Ava Grace. Today is a big day!

Ava Grace is Officially 5!!

Last Friday, our sweet Ava Grace turned 5!! She has been so excited about this birthday for lots of reasons that I will get to, but first we had to celebrate - all weekend!!

She had spent the week with Neno's parents - Granna and Grand Pappy and her cousins Noah and Brynn. She came home on her birthday. We were waiting with hugs, kisses, presents and cupcakes. Her daddy also made her an extra special gift that will be a blog all its own.

On Saturday, we got up early so that we could PARTY!!

You can see by the invite (that my fabulous friend Monica made) that we had a pool party on Saturday morning so instead of cake or cupcakes, this mom served donuts. I would say they were a huge hit, because not many were left!!

She had a great time and got lots of great gifts.

But, the fun didn't end there. We went back to our house with all of our family, rested a little and then played somemore. Oh, and opened more gifts.

Sadly, everyone went home on Sunday and the birthday weekend came to an end. But now, she is looking forward to KINDERGARTEN - - EEEEEKKKKKKK!!! She has wanted to be five all year so that she could go to the school by our house. Well, sweet girl, much to this mother's dismay, you will start in about 20 days and yes, I will cry!!

To our sweet 5 year old girl - you are the sunshine of our lives. God put you in our lives and we thank him everyday for you. You are a wonderful big sister, full of life and personality and you have the most fabulous expressions. You amaze us everyday!! We are so proud and blessed to call you ours.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!