Lil Avery

Avery is adjusting to being an only child during the day. She has mentioned several times how much she misses her "sissy". Every morning we walk Alexandra to school and as soon as we get home she says "mommy, can we go get sissy, now"? I know exactly how she feels. Each day when we get home my goal is to keep Avery busy so she doesn't think about sissy. I have a schedule that we follow everyday! Avery loves it! She paints, makes crafts, learns with shaving cream, plays games, barbies, reads, naps, and then by the time she gets up from her nap it is time to pick sissy up from school. I can't believe how fast the days go by! Here are some pictures of Avery enjoying her day.

Surprise!

We wanted to make Alexandra's first week of Kindergarten special for her. So we came up with some fun things to surprise her with after school.

Monday - we surprised her with a new art room in the house. We changed our guest bedroom into an art room. There is also a desk in there where Alexandra will do her homework! She LOVED it! Actually, her and Avery have spent a lot of time in this room lately. Alexandra and Avery had decorated the walls so well with their art pictures.

Tuesday - We surprised her by daddy coming with us to pick her up in her limo (red wagon) with a sucker! Toby is usually gone most of the day on his pool route. He was able to make it home by pick up time. She was super excited to see him, the wagon (so she wouldn't have to walk), and her big sucker! I don't have a picure of that so I posted a picture of them from Alexandra's first day of school.

Wednesday - Alexandra has been wanting her Beta fish in her room for a while now. Instead of moving the fish tank from downstairs to upstairs we bought her a new fish tank for her room. So when she came home on Wednesday I had her go into her room for something and it was the first thing she spotted. She was amazed and couldn't believe he was finally in her room! She enjoyes watching him go in and out of the castle and feeding him every morning.



















Thursday - It was time to go to Sonic for a slush!!





















Friday - I gave her a shirt with her name embroidered on it! It was a big hit!!!!

We had so much fun making the first week of Kindergarten special for her. She enjoyed her first week of school and says after she rests for a few days she will be ready to go again!

Alexandra's 1st day of Kindergarten

This day came way before I would have ever thought. It amazes me how fast my babies are growing up. I remember pulling the girls in the wagon passing the school telling Alexandra in a few years you will go to that school. It was like I woke up and sure enough it was time to walk her to Kindergarten. Alexandra had a great day! She got up, ate breakfast, brushed her teeth, and got dressed! We were excited to have Nana come and join us for this special day! We met Kaitlyn and Madelyn close to the school and all the girls got to go to school together! What a great time for the girls! There are two of Alexandra's friends from preschool that are in her class. She enjoyed seeing familiar faces and she has already made new friends. I am so proud she has adjusted to Kindergarten so well. She is adjusting to going everyday instead of just a few days a week. She is always ready to go to school when she wakes up! Have a great year sweetie! We love you big bunches!!

Meet the Teacher Night

Alexandra was excited all day to meet her teacher! Meet the Teacher was from 4-6. Toby and I thought we would get there early while everyone else was at work. We drove to the school because we had all of the school supplies. We got there t 3:59 and there were no parking spots. People were parking in the streets. It was very crowded. We decided next year we were waiting until 5 or later to go. Alexandra was very excited to meet her teacher. She started talking right away. I guess I was nervous because I don't recall introducing myself to her teacher. Again, as a teacher you don't think twice about introducing yourself to the child's parent but as a nervous first year parent it is a little different. The room looks awesome and is child centered! After talking to Mrs. Scamparino we sorted the school supplies and went to the cafeteria for some Culver's ice cream..............Yummm. It was a fun meet the teacher night! Alexandra is looking forward to her first day of Kindergarten.



















Alexandra and Mrs. Scamparino

Alexandra enjoying her ice cream!

Happy Kindergarten

Toby and I took Alexandra to Great Wolf Lodge before she started Kindergarten. She LOVES this place and was elated that it was just the 3 of us. We had such a great time! She could ride all but 2 slides. She kept us busy climbing those stairs to ride the slides. She also enjoyed playing in the kiddy area, lazy river, wave pool, and getting water dumped on her. We had such a great time! I can"t believe my baby is starting Kindergarten.

Rainforest Cafe

Kindergarten Luncheon

Our church had a luncheon for all of the children that were starting Kindergaten this year. This sign was the first thing I saw and I think my heart stopped. I definitely teared up! Wow, my baby really is starting school. When we walked in, each child got a bag full of candy, markers, pencils, and a notepad. This is their bag for church. What a great gift! Once they get into K they go to big church with their family. Alexandra has been going with us and really enjoys it. I knew it was coming so I wanted to "practice" before it was the real deal. They were taught about cafeteria etiquette. How to hold their trays, make choices, eat in a given time, and dump their tray. The moto was line up, eat up, clean up, and listen up! It was very exciting to see the children do so well. We did not have one spill. Everyone had fun and even the moms and dads had a great lunch too! It was good to see Alexandra could do so well on her own. I know she will love school and enjoy every minute of it. She loves to play school at home. My sweet little girl is ready for K now it is my turn to be ready and let her go.....A small gift I gave her was a cross charm. I want her to remember that God loves her and He is with her even when I am not. I know God will take good care of her when she is out of my hands! That is what is going to get me through the first day of school!

The Lord is always with me. Acts 2:25a











Gracie and Alexandra















making choices














carefully carrying her tray

Mommy and Avery Day

This weekend Alexandra is staying at Nana and Papa's. So Avery and I are getting to spend some one on one time together! I wanted to do something special for Avery so I decided to surprise her and take her to Build a Bear! She had a wonderful time choosing her animal and filling it with stuffing, giving it a bath, and especially dressing her up. The look on her face was priceless when she was carrying Kitty in her special home. Mission Accomplished!!! Avery then wanted to take Kitty to the water fountain. It was HOT outside so we headed back to the car and went to Sonic for Happy Hour. What a fun day with my sweet Avery! I guess this is a glimpse of what it was going to be like when Alexandra starts school! I am so blessed to have two amazing daughters.