Random days of September

A few new pics I took trying to "play" with my camera settings. 

Riley practicing her new letter making skills with the letter "R"

Avery drawing - one of her favorite things!

Painting pumpkins

Her own creation

Posing with pumpkins - Riley tried to paint eyes on hers (can you tell?)

This pose is for Aunt Jaime!

Great weather to ride a bike!

Craft Night

A few of my friends and I have started trying to meet every once in awhile and have a craft night. We started it a year ago at my friend Kristen's house - we got together for her birthday and made mesh wreaths. It was so fun! So, we decided we needed to do it more often. Well, we haven't done it as much as we had hoped but we did recently get together and decorate some pumpkins. It was a great time for us to reconnect after being so busy over the summer and have some fun. I am so thankful for these wonderful women! God has blessed me with some amazing Godly friends in my life!

The girls

Shelley, Karen, Caroline, Me, Sarah, Kristen, Courtney

Our pumpkins

Thanks to Courtney for supplying the Cricuit machine so we could print out all those cool letters and polka dots. :)

Riley is T.H.R.E.E.

Riley Kate you are THREE!! Wow what a fun year we have had!

This past year (since your last birthday) you -
1. Started preschool
2. Became potty trained
3. Started talking -  in words we could understand
4. Visited Disney World for the first time
5. Graduated to a big girl bed - or the bottom bed on Avery's bunk

When Mommy thinks of you a few words that come to my mind are
"funny, fearless, sweet, loving, cute, adorable"

You enjoy
1. putting puzzles together - you've mastered a few of our big 24 piece puzzles
2. anything and everything Strawberry Shortcake
3. swimming, jumping off the diving board, going down the slide at the pool
4. doing anything your sister does
5. jumping on the trampoline
6. spending time with your friends
7. being dropped off in the preschool carpool line - you think you are big like sissy
8. eating waffles - you can't seem to get enough of them
9. doing flips on the floor
10. dressing up - your newest favorite is Super Girl :)
11. putting your shoes on yourself
12. helping mommy in the kitchen & with the laundry
13. giving mommy kisses
14. reading books

We are really enjoying this stage of life with you Rudy Roo. You are such a joy and huge blessing to our family. xoxo

Ballet

Both the girls are doing a ballet class at a local church called Tehillah dance. It is a Christian based, studio styled dance ministry. It is definitely a more relaxed environment than Avery's dance class last year but I think both of the girls love it. Riley was thrilled to get to do dance just like her big sis. They have 3 other little girl friends that are taking the class too. So, it's really fun to see them each week and for me to talk and catch up with my friends too. I'm looking forward to the next few months to see what becomes of this class. 

Rainey Grace, Anna Belle, Riley, Lydia & Avery

Kindergarten is here!

I've avoided posting about Avery's first day of Kindergarten because I was still in shock that it had actually come and gone! Even as I am typing this, I am still in awe that the last 5 1/2 years have gone by so quickly.  But like every other stage in parenthood, so far, this one is really fun.

She was 100% ready to go to school. It was all she could talk about for the last few months and I could tell she had gotten to a point where she was really eager to learn more. So we bought school supplies, uniforms, new shoes, new book bag and all that fun stuff. I loved all the preparation and I think Avery did too.

First day of school snack.

We even picked out a fun little gift to make to bring her new teacher - Mrs. Mullis and her assistant Mrs. Whitlock. 

Avery was a champ. She was so big and brave. I think she's gained even more independence with Kindergarten - if that was possible. I want my children to have confidence and know they can do things on their own but OH BOY, can it be hard to let them do it!

She's just like me though.

The day I started Kindergarten my mom says that I was a new kid! I found my own independence and didn't "need" her anymore. Well, we all know that isn't true but I guess that's how she felt....I can relate.

Assistant teacher Mrs. Whitlock

Her teacher Mrs. Mullis

Avery, I am so excited for you and this new adventure you are on. You will now be in school until you graduate and go to college. AACK! It's a long road ahead but I know that you have the ability to accomplish anything you put your mind to and never forget this verse Phillipians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". God has blessed you with a complex and very smart little mind - in all you do, give him the glory! I love you little girl and I am beyond proud of you!

Her class waiving goodbye to the parents.

Riley was upset after we dropped you off. After I assured her we were going back in a few hours to pick you up she calmed down.

2nd day of school