Parks & Outings in September

We seemed to do a lot of walks and parks and outings together in September. So, I thought I'd put a few pictures here. I take the kids to places regularly, but I love having Vic along and us doing it as a family.We had a looong trip to Lowe's one day which was so fun because the kids had so much to look at and they played and played on this fake porch. We played at the parks, rode in wagons, did a lot of swinging and a lot of sliding. They will only be young once, so I'm glad we get to have these memories!

Pajamas

Well, I'm still not on track to catch up the blog, but I thought I'd post these fun pictures I took tonight. We got new pajamas in the mail and they were excited to wear them. So, I took some pics. Also, here is where I want to note that Atticus and Grace are really, really into stuffed animals right now. To be honest, Atticus has been into stuffed animals since his first stuffed dog that Grandma made for me when I was little. He loves them and I mean, really loves them. He carefully chooses who to take on trips, in the car, who to sleep with; he and Grace will have birthday parties for them; they will take every stuffed animal and put them in their sleeping bags to watch a movie; I mean, he loves his stuffed animals. He has big ones, little ones, ones from surprise eggs, some from when Vic or I were little, and many, many that I have secretly put in the attic when I think it's been out of sight, out of mind for awhile. Although some have names like "zebra-e" or "giraffe-e", he really has named most of them. Anyone recall Fan the Cow or Waffle the Dragon or Humphrey the Dromedary Camel? I say all of this, because sometimes I think maybe he is getting too old for stuffed animals and I think that we are past time for buying any more. But, gosh he loves them. And why make him grow up so fast? One day, I'll be sad when those stuffed animals are no longer important.

Anyways, he has convinced Grace to love them too, and while she isn't quite as addicted, she loves hers. And they are most recently into Beanie Boos - those small sparkly eyed animals. OH! And, I should say that Atticus and Grace know that there are many stuffed animals in the attic. Earlier this summer, they asked so many times to get them down, that I finally told them they could in November. Why did I do that? Not only do they remember and still ask me regularly when November will be here, but now I have to actually follow through. So, that will get added to Vic's to-do list very soon. And, oh my, they are going to LOVE having every single animal down...I can't wait to count them and see how many different species we have! The hardest part will be when they have to decide which ones to go back up...

And, finally before our cute pajama pictures, I should also note that Everly is more in love with her baby dolls than stuffed animals. I mean, she LOVES them. She has a few and she will sometimes take one to the car and regularly drags them around the house. She sleeps with 2-3 for every nap and night. The other day, I let her have one in her Sunday School backpack and when I picked her up, they said she never put it down...for 2 hours! She's so sweet when she holds that baby or drags it around. She will kiss them and hug them. Oh my; my heart soars when I watch her. And, occasionally, she will pick out a stuffed animal from Atticus and Grace and love it and hug on it too.

So, all of those thoughts are for me to remember long from now. But, here are pictures from today!

Everly was SO into this book; when I tried to take it away, she kept getting mad. So, by all means, Everly darling, read away.

 

 

 And then, for some reason, when I tried to take one more in front of the fireplace, Everly sat on her bottom and just started spinning on her bottom in circles. The kids started laughing and couldn't stop.

And these two: in the best of times and the worst of times (in the life of siblings), they are the best of friends.

Then, we started to calm down and Everly took her baby to her chair and just pretended away.

 She sat in her baby's lap.

 Then, she got up giggling.

 And she walked back to her baby.

 And acted silly.

 And then she sat down, picked up her baby and hugged her, like any good mommy would.

Be still my heart. 

Well, back to reading! She was making monkey sounds here.

 

 And finally, I told them to each get their blanket and any stuffed animal or baby they wanted in their individual picture.

 Atticus, at 6 1/2 years old, grabbed some favorites and squeezed them tight.

 And Grace, 4 1/2 years old, made a special setup for her animals too.

Everly, at 17 months, was done with her photo ops.

If you've made it this far, hooray! And see you next time!

First Day of Ballet & Tap - Year 2!

Grace enjoyed her preschool ballet and tap class so much last year, and we had such success with her confidence and performing, so we signed her up for another year this past year. It was still held on Friday mornings at 11 at Expressions Dance Studio. Although the same class, she was one of the older ones in the class this time. We bought her some new ballet slippers and a new outfit and off she went to her first day! She had a great time, even after having a break during the summer. I just love this little ballerina!

 She's just the most beautiful little thing!

 Waiting for class to start with Everly and her baby.

If she continues to love to dance, then one day I will take this exact picture of her all grown up. I'll have to cry about this later.

1st Day of Pre-K For Grace

Grace started her first day of Pre-K on September 7th. As in years past, she would only attend Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2:30. A couple of days before, we met her teacher, Mrs. Tiffany and found out her best bud from last year, Dani, would also be in her class. This was Grace's 3rd year to attend Sonshine School, so I wasn't expecting her to be nervous or scared and she did a great job on her first day! She looked cute as a button and it was hard to believe that only one year from then, she would be starting Kindergarten! Don't grow up Grace!

 Meet the Teacher Night

Labor Day Weekend in Huntsville

For Labor Day weekend, we were invited to go to see the Veretts and Christian families in Huntsville! Nancy and Gary are always so nice to include us when Kristofer and Katie come into town, and this time was extra special because we got to meet Charley for the first time! Charley was born in June (a couple days after Kirsten got married) and was as cute as can be! We visited, we swam and the kids played and played. It was a really fun afternoon and evening!

 Meeting Charley for the first time!

 This was a big moment! Everly let Katie hold her! Everly is very particular about who gets to love on her.

 The Christian's have a great pool and the kids had a great time! Even Everly liked the water on this weekend.

 Sisters are the best.

 The new parents with sweet baby Charley!

 Everly walked and walked this stretch. This is also the path that Katie and Kristofer walked to get married just a few years ago!

 Atticus and Grace loved watching Charley kick and play. It's easy to forget how little they can be, and Everly had definitely outgrown this fun stage.

 Yep - Kristofer needs a girl one day! It was a great day to be with our friends!