Last Week before Kindergarten: Day 3

 Lily Grace chose pineapple scented shampoo.

 With their new cuts all glittered up

 Lily Grace chose pink toenail polish of course.

Some cute little girls and very proud mommas

 Posing on the Runway

 Oh yes! Pinkies up of course

 Post chocolate covered strawberries

Even a fancy girl gets tired

Today we joined friends Gretchen and Claire for one very fancy and special day.  
Both Lily Grace and Claire started off the day with a haircut and mini-pedi at Sweet and Sassy.  Oh! And of course you don't show up for such a fancy day without doing so in your fanciest jewels and a twirly dress.  They were so cute.  They giggled and really got into the whole thing.  Gretchen and I got so tickled at how relaxed they were to the point that they acted like they have standing appointments and do this every Wednesday.  So funny!
After getting all glittered and painted, we were off to a quaint little tea room for High Tea.  It was a first for all of us and we all enjoyed it. Lily Grace was in awe and thrilled to see them bring sweets like chocolate dipped strawberries and scones with the tea sandwiches. (no waiting until the very end for the sweets)  The girls loved sipping tea (lemonade) from their petite tea cups and the teapot played music each time you picked it up to pour from it.  
We  all had so much fun!!!  Today was really a special day.  I will be  honest and admit that it didn't start out that way. I woke in tears at the thought (ok more like the realization) that we are another day closer to Kindergarten.  The tears flowed easily and hard so I called Matt simply to say, "I am not ok and I don't think I can let her go each day."  Selfish I know...but tell that to a momma's heart.  That made today all the more special.  While it is true, I will not have Lily Grace with me all day every day anymore, I will have special memories like this one that will last forever.  Lily Grace, I already treasure it more than you know.
Matt I have told you this before, but I don't think that I could ever say it enough.  Thank you for working so hard and for the sacrifices that you make so that I can be a stay at home mom and share special moments like this with our precious girl.  

Last Week before Kindergarten: Day 2

Lily Grace and Mia spent Tuesday enjoying NONstop play.  From the time we walked through the front door at Mia's house to the time we pulled out of the drive, these two stayed busy.  That house was filled with explorers, princesses, pirates and least of all giggles.  They were so much fun to watch and listen too.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch and both Lily Grace and I had the best time visiting.  Those are some of the best days, the ones where you get together with friends and just hang out.  
Susan and I met and became friends while still teaching at separate schools and waiting to travel to China for our daughters.  It's  hard to believe that we will walk back into a school building next week, not a teachers but as parents.  

Last Week before Kindergarten: Day 1

So how do you spend the last week at home before starting Kindergarten?  You pack the week with as much fun as possible.  
These 3 have been having playdates since they were babies.  They've ran the gamut, from Kindermusik and Gymnastics to Preschool and on Monday, bowling.  
Elliot has really held his own with these two girls.  When Kindergarten starts,  I think they will both miss seeing him as often as they do. 

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Lily Grace got quite the special delivery today.  She received a much anticipated postcard from her Kindergarten teacher.  She's been anxiously checking the mail each day in hopes of its arrival.  The card had a handwritten note of welcome from her teacher.  She was so excited to see that her Kindergarten teacher will be the sweet lady she's been hoping for.  What a special delivery for all three of us.  We immediately face timed Daddy and shared the good news.  We love sharing in your special moments Lily Grace.  You are going to have a great time in Kindergarten!

Happy BIrthday!

 Lily Grace definitely gets her happy a.m. disposition from her daddy.

 She did a great job wrapping herself and surprisingly there was some tape left.

 You can always count on Molly being in the mix.

 The "tub" of Tiramisu

It's official!  You're old!  ha! I just love being married to a much, much older man.  wink-wink

This weekend we celebrated Matt's birthday. His birthday was actually Friday so Lily Grace and I got up at 4:30 am (Yes, Matt gets up EARLY for work.) and made him a yummy breakfast to start his day.

Lily Grace also made him a beautiful card and wrapped his gifts herself.  Matt lost his favorite hat to a wave while we were at the beach recently so we decided that we would replace that as part of his gift.  We also made him a special dinner and met his sweet request, Tiramisu.  I have made him homemade Tiramisu before and Matt has also enjoyed this dessert at restaurants and even in Italy, but according to Matt, nothing compares to the Tiramisu that Costco carries. (Gotta love Costco) Matt loves this stuff and so we obliged. 

Daddy, we hope your birthday made you feel special.  We happen to think that you are very special.  We love you very much!!!!  Happy Birthday!

I prayed for skinned knees!

God does hear our prayers.  I remember longing for days of skinned knees and pleas for momma's help. (A long drawn out "momma" being Lily Grace's official cry in times of need.)  And now I have it.  I am so very blessed.  I wouldn't trade my life for the world.  

Lily Grace had her first "real" accident Monday evening on our walk.  She tripped and really skinned up her knee.  It was pretty much her whole little knee cap and it has oozed like crazy.  With that said, I took her to the doctor yesterday to make sure it wasn't infected with all that has been coming from it.  (Yes people, I took the kid to the doctor over a skinned knee.  It's the first for both of us and she's my baby.)  I have wiped many tears over this knee, but of course a trip to the doctor makes everything better.  She even posed for me to get a few pictures.  No worries, the tears resumed as soon as the visit was over. Ha! Ha! I will admit that these pictures don't do the gross factor justice. 
I am so proud to be your mommy Lily Grace and cherish each day I get to take care of you!!

Time Out???

We are pretty strict around our house.  Now with that said, let me also say that Lily Grace doesn't visit "time out" very often.  When she does, she never seems to be alone.  I started noticing that any time Gracie was sent to time out, Molly would follow.  I had to capture this a couple of times because it's so cute.  Apparently Molly has missed the concept of time out, as in- "alone time".  She is however pretty good about sitting (or laying) patiently beside her sidekick as she waits for "their" time to be up.  Too cute!  Molly you are a true friend through the good and the bad. ha!

Mud Island Park on the Mississippi River

Staying cool...

...on a hot summer day with friends.