27 August 2012

Audrey's First Day of Preschool 2012

Audrey began her last year of preschool today. She's in the 4's class that meets three times a week. Same as last year. The other option would have been  to go five days a week, and honestly, even though it's a great program, I just didn't think we needed to do that. She will spend the her entire school career going five days a week. Why rush it? Although, she and another little boy are the only ones who didn't "move up". All the other kids from last year are in Pre-k. Bummer. 

Audrey's teacher last year told me she was more than ready for the Pre-K class.  I know she'll miss her friends from last year. But in the end, she won't go to kindergarten with any of those kids anyway.

In related news I find it disconcerting to have an almost five year old. Nope. Not ready to whoop and holler yet. Give me some time though. I'm sure I'll get there.











the postcard her teachers sent. It arrived today.

09 August 2012

well I'd say it's about time, huh?

It's been a crazy busy summer. We're gearing up for an even busier fall, so I am determined to get this updated before Sept 1--which of course is a few days before we leave for our Disney vacation! :)

A few highlights of what's to come from this summer:

Swimming!

Vacation at the cabin and water park!

The girls debut as flower girls in Abby and Ryan's wedding



an update on the girls. my oh my.

memorial day, 4th of July and a few other fun activities sprinkled throughout. Mercy, I can barely remember Memorial Day. 






Sarah

21 July 2012

Abby and Ryan's Wedding

Audrey and Allie were flower girls today in my cousin, Abby's wedding. (Abby was the junior bridesmaid in my wedding 8 years ago.) 

We had been talking this up for months. Reading books about being a flower girl, practicing throwing petals...just in case. Turns out, all they had to do was hold a pretty flower ball and get down the aisle. Whew. One less thing to think about.

I wasn't worried about Allie. I knew she'd do it. She doesn't mind attention. Audrey though, hates all eyes on her, applause, people singing to her, etc. BUT, she isn't one to be outdone by her younger sister, either.

Rehearsal last night went well, BUT there weren't people in the seats either. This church was HUGE. And it had several aisles, and several aisles meeting up with other aisles as you progressed down. It was somewhat of a maze for a two year old. I walked with them until the "real" aisle began and then went around the back to sit with Jeremy in the front row. When the girls got down the aisle, they could sit with us. They did the same thing with the ring bearer.

Rehearsal dinner was at Avantis. This summer is killing me with non gluten free options.  The brides parents were nice enough to give me money to buy a GF option for the way home. 

I digress.

At the dinner the girls got gifts from Abby and Ryan, a Lalaloopsy doll for Audrey and a Dora ice skater doll for Allie. They loved them.

We got there several hours ahead of time for the wedding today, for pictures and last minute curls in their hair, etc. Allie's hair looked much better yesterday, when I had sponge rolled it. However, being two, she smeared butter from her rolls in it at rehearsal, so I had to wash all the wonderful curl out, and try and use the curling iron. Yes, I said use a curling iron on a two year old. Not the easiest thing I've ever done. I was regretting not paying my stylist to do their hair, several times today. 

After a little push from me and seeing her sister was a few rows ahead of her, Audrey decided to walk down the aisle. And we made it through the wedding without any major catastrophes. Allie did wet through her diaper before the wedding, and get her dress wet, but I don't think anyone noticed. Audrey hates it when people clap at her so the reception was a little rough--walking in and all, but we made it, and the girls did great.

Here are some pictures from rehearsal and the wedding.


I curled the girls' hair. Allie's was super cute this day.


they didn't have to throw flower petals, just carry these flower balls.

this church had multiple aisles, so the girls had to walk down one, turn and then walk down another. 


wedding day

talking with the bride

Allie with her Dora doll she got at the rehearsal

Audrey's hair lost a lot of curl. 





keeping themselves entertained before the wedding with stickers



Audrey with her Lalaloopsy doll she got at rehearsal

Abby made these flowers for the girls' hair. 



waiting for the bride and groom outside

chasing bubbles






watching the balloons that were let go


sweet Ava








Sarah

17 July 2012

Ava 5 months



Sarah

13 July 2012

to the zoo

Today all three girls and I ventured to the Miller Park Zoo with some friends. The zoo was really a side note to the carrousel.





Audrey. Julia. Gabrielle. Allie





Sarah

07 July 2012

Grandmother and Grandpa

The girls with my parents. July 7. 




Sarah

04 July 2012

4th of July

To celebrate freedom and living in America today, we went to the Towanda parade. We met up with friends, and then ran into some more friends.  On the way out, saw more people we knew. That's what happens in a small town.

It was unbearably HOT. I think I sweat off five pounds just standing there.

Later we invited both sets of grandparents up for a cookout. To accommodate the vegan guests I made a slow cooker  succotash. It was good. I substituted black eyed peas for the corn, since I'm watching my corn intake. We decorated a little but it was oh so hot and I got no pictures. The girls changed into their patriotic swimsuits and played outside in the water. We didn't go anywhere this year for fireworks--not with a little baby. We opted to watch them on TV instead. Grandma and Grandpa S. stayed and watched them with us.




all lined up for the parade. 

i can't believe she slept through the heat, not to mention the noise.



i always forget to bring bags for candy. today, we made good use of their hats, which got too hot to wear anyway. 

as soon as she got her first sucker, she was done. We she sat down and proceeded to eat it. Her hair was soaked. Did I mention it was hot?!


love these swimsuits on my girly girls.


Audrey and Grandmother

Ava celebrating her First 4th of July 




Sarah