June in Review

 Welcome Summer!  We had quite a fun June, especially trying to mark off things on our "50 Things We Want to Do This Summer" List.  Whenever the kids were bored, I'd tell them to go look at the list.  They had fun making pudding pop treats.

 And sock puppets too:

 We scored a great deal on a violin for Hayley.  She can't wait to start learning another musical instrument.

And these three had been begging for weeks to do a "late night" where they took a bubble bath and ate popcorn while in the bath.  Strange I know.  I don't know where they come up with these things.  But they thoroughly loved it.  This looks like a Girls Gone Wild photo:

 Kate and Chloe also had swim lessons.  Chloe swam all across the pool!  They are little fish!

 And Blake and Hayley loved taking cooking classes at Young Chef's Academy.

 We hit a Diamondbacks game with the Lamoreaux family. Oh how my family loves the people watchingat these kind of events! 

 And. . . . one of the biggest newsmakers . . . Chloe went from this . . .

  . . . to this.  She was sooo excited to lose her first tooth (notice the tooth on the end of the string).  But once it actually happened, she got a little sick to her stomach.  

 Quite the fun filled month!

Strike a Pose!

 These two crack me up.  They are double trouble at times.  The other day they had gotten in trouble for using nail polish while on the carpet.  A double no-no.  So I sent them to their room for time-out.  When I finally told them they could come out of time out, this is how they came downstairs:

Apparently while they'd been in time out, they decided to have a fashion show and try on all sorts of different outfits.  I was laughing pretty hard and told them I wanted to take a picture.  Chloe, in her big sister helpful kind of way, says to Kate:  "Don't look at the camera.  Look off to the side.  That's what all the models do."

 Oh you two are cute.  And I'm sure Chloe will be teaching Kate all sorts of new things in the years to come! 

Kate's Big Day!

 Kate has been counting down the days for AUGUST 15th to get here!  Not only was it her first day of Tap Dance class, but she also got to FINALLY start pre-school.  She couldn't wait!

 Luckily she and her best bud, Lauren, are taking the class together!  And they sure looked cute!

 After dance class, we hurried home to change and eat lunch before heading off to preschool.  Kate has watched big sis Chloe go to Mrs. Farnsworth's preschool for the past two years.  Too say she was excited for it to be her turn would be a big understatement.  But I kind of have mixed emotions on the whole thing.  I know she's ready to go, but I'm getting sad thinking that this is her last year with me.  Next year, she's off to all day kindergarten!  These past 10 years of having little ones at home during the day is coming to an end.  I have loved these years and it makes me sad to think that in the blink of an eye, they're almost gone. 

We pulled up to preschool and she jumped out of the car when she saw all her friends.  Here she is with Lauren and Kenzie.  So fun to know so many in her class from church!

 I hope Mrs. Farnsworth is ready for these two gals :)

And they're off . . .

She had a great time in class learning all about the letter A and apples.  She also loved playing with the play-dough and eating snacks!

I have to admit . . . it was kind of weird having her gone for the afternoon.  The house was eerily quiet.  Lucky for me, she's only gone on Mondays and Wednesdays so we'll still have time to go shopping, and run errands, and go to Circle K for drinks, and meet dad for lunch, and bake cookies together! 

My baby girl is growing up on me!

Kate's Meet the Teacher Night!

Finally, Kate!  It's YOUR turn to go to school.  Mrs. Farnsworth had a Meet the Teacher night.  You have known Mrs. Farnsworth ever since Chloe went to her preschool a couple of years ago.  Every Sunday you wave at her in church and inform her how much longer it will be until you get to go to her preschool.  But even still, we were excited to go to her preschool night.

 Your desk is next to Dustin's!  You were able to make your placemat that night and I was able to help make the kissing hand.

 Watch out Mrs. Farnsworth!  Here's Lauren, Kate and Kenzie!  Hope preschool is ready for these 3! :)

 Chloe insisted she come with us that night.  She is still in love with Mrs. Farnsworth and misses being in her class.  Chloe was always known as Mrs. F's big helper.

 We love Mrs. Farnsworth and can't wait for Kate's preschool year to begin!

1st Day of School Traditions!

Our summer breaks FLY by since they are only 8 weeks long.  But even so, my kids are always excited to go back to school!  I set my alarm at 6:30 thinking I would be the first one up and able to get everything ready.  Little did I know that Blake had set his alarm for 6:00.  All of the kids heard it and by the time I rolled out of bed, they were already dressed, lunches made (except for Chloe's) and backpacks were by the door!

Luckily I had decorated the kitchen the night before.  We always have a big breakfast feast on the 1st day of school.  This year I thought it would be fun to make some place settings for the occasion!

 Little Miss Chloe is starting Kindergarten and isn't the slightest bit nervous!  She gets to have Mrs. Moore as her teacher.  Blake had her too and we LOVE her!  I don't know what Miss Kate will do all day though without her best friend!

 Blake is starting the 3rd grade this year with Mrs. Milot.  He is excited that three of his good friends are going to be in his class!

 And I can't believe Hayley will be in 5th grade!  She has Mrs. Shields and Mrs. Chaffey. It makes sending Chloe off to school a little bit easier knowing that her older brother and sister will be there to help her out! 

I told the kids that I want them to make new friends today.  I always tell them to look out for the one kid that doesn't have any friends and invite them to sit by you at lunch or play with you and your friends at recess.  To bribe them, I told them they could get a quarter for every new friend they could tell me about after school.

TEACHER GIFTS:

We couldn't send the kids to class empty handed, so we carried on the tradition of making Teacher Treat jars for each teacher.  They had asked their teachers at Meet the Teacher night what their favorite candy was.  And we printed off the Treat Jar lids from eighteen25.  And voila!

We also dressed up their hand sanitizer with their teacher's initial. With gifts in hand, we were off to school.

 Chloe with Mrs. Moore.  She is due in just 3 weeks and excited to be having her first little girl!

 This is my favorite picture.  Could that grin get any bigger?

 And here is the picture that always melts my heart as I'm leaving the room and she looks back one last time.

 As soon as we got home, Kate asked, "Does Chloe have to go to school again tomorrow?"  Poor Kate.  She is sure going to miss her sister.  Good thing Lauren lives nearby and can help keep her company this year!

And for my YW, I made up these 7-UP bottles with 7 UP-lifting ways to have a great first week of school.  I am dying to know how everyone's first day goes! 

Our last tradition of the day . . . . to go out to eat as a family so we can hear all the details!

AFTER SCHOOL UPDATE:

They all LOVED their new classes and had a great first day.  Each of them made a new friend or two.  Chloe was excited to announce that she'd made two new friends today and was anxious to collect her quarters.   Here's how the conversation went:

Me:  So how did you make friends today?

Chloe:  I just asked them "Do you want to be my friend?"

Me:  That's great.  How did you choose them?  Did they seem nice?  Or pretty?

Chloe:  No...They just seemed lonely.

Awww, melt my heart.  That's my girl.  I hope she always has that desire to seek out the lonely and to be a friend to everyone!  She made her mama proud!