1st day of Preschool - 2014

 Well I cried. But if you know me, you wouldn't expect it be any other way. I honestly have been a wreck about her going to school for a few weeks.  First panic set in that I didn't do enough with her or even teach her enough in the 4 years I got to be home with her! (Her first year she was in daycare).  Then sadness came because I'll just plain miss her! She's my sidekick, my helper. Honestly, she's my bff (her words). 

Tuesday night we had Preschool Open House and if you came in contact with her AT ALL that day, you would hear about it! We got to go to the school and meet her teacher and see the class. Surprisingly, she was a bit on the shy side and a little overwhelmed I think. To be honest, I was too. The classroom was packed with kids and parents, so I can only imagine it in her eyes! She got to see where she would sit and hang up her book bag. She loved it though and I think she become even more anxious to go to school the next day. 

So the morning of, she was up bright and early at 6:30.  We cuddled in our bed for a few minutes and then I have a little video of her telling me what was happening that day and all that jazz. And then I cried. It pretty much went downhill for me from there.

 I set up all her stuff for her! Her sign to hold, her outfit I had made, book bag and first day of school donuts! Because those were pretty much mandatory! Her book bag I actually got at walmart of all places and had it embroidered with a L. Outfit is from Elle Couture and was a total last minute thing. I had another cute outfit planned but then I felt sad she didn't have a 1st day of school themed outfit and ordered something! I'm a nut. I know. But I'm totally ok with that. 

Then we had the obligatory first day of school photo shoot! I know she is mine, but she is such a pretty girl! ;) So much sweetness with a side of sass! 

She seems soo much older to me than 5. It doesn't help that she's mature for her age. but goodness. my heart can't take it!

The obligatory sign!

Then every year I want to capture in some way of what she wants to be when she grows up!  i ADORE that she wants to be a mom! Best job ever!

Then we headed to school. I was sick to my stomach and on the verge of tears. As we were walking up to the school we ran into Renee, Sean's sister,  and I pretty much lost it then. Collected myself and we managed to make it to her class. Though I'm sure to everyone else that we passed, thought I was a hot mess. Which, I was.

Her teacher, Mrs. Broyles.

Last picture before we left.

And cue the waterworks. I managed to keep me hot mess of a self together in her class but as soon as we were out the door, all control was lost. A few people we passed had pity for me and reminded me it would be ok. And yes. I know. She will thrive. She will do great. Except she is MY baby. And I miss her.

And hows this for keeping it completely real. Sean snapped this. Might be the worst picture of me ever.

 I wasn't able to be home when she got home from school as the other two had doctor appts but Sean video'd her getting off the bus. Which to her is the best thing about preschool. 

Lyla :: 4 years ::

 It is SO hard to believe that Lyla is 4 now. Sean and I were talking how crazy it is that she was JUST a baby in our arms. How is she now 4? Seriously.

You weigh 34 lbs. You were around the 25% for all your stats. You are wearing size 4t (though slightly big) and size 9 shoes. You are in a phase where you dislike wearing jeans and just want to wear leggings. You have officially started giving your opinion on what you want to wear and can be dramatic when giving your opinion aka... "I have to wear this old thing" (about a new dress).

 You sleep in your bed by yourself and hardly come into our room anymore. You'll sleep anywhere from 830-930 to 730 in the morning. You like to wake me up by saying the sun is up so it is time to get up! You are a night owl and would stay up late if we let you. You also like to come out of your room multiple times trying to let us keep you up. It only works when I feel like cuddling! :)

You still nap and will nap anywhere from 1-3 hours though most of them are around 1 1/2 hours.

You are a pretty good eater, depending on what it is. If you don't want to eat it, we make you eat 4 bites (since you are 4) and then you can be done. Sometimes you even end up eating the rest of it!

You also have a sweet tooth like your daddy!

You are a mother hen and loves babies. You also love bossing Cohen around. We often here you mimicking things we say when Cohen is in trouble. You are super excited to be a big sister too!

You have recently really started giving us your opinion and back talking. You can be the sweetest thing 1 minute and 2 seconds later your are a sassy pants. Definitely checking out your boundaries.

You are a chatter box and if you aren't 100% into an activity (crafts, IPAD, movie) you are constantly talking. You've also started stuttering a little bit because you have so much to say and want to say it all right away.

You love learning and want to constantly know things. You like doing "homework" and counting and trying to teach Cohen his letters. You can write all the letters of the alphabet and some of the numbers. You can count to 30 really well before you start to get distracted. For your age, you are right where you need to be!

You know your full name, our full names, your address, and phone number. 

You are not going to preschool this year but will next year. For now you are doing a program at Hays High for about 2 hours a week and really enjoy it! 

You are a social little girl and have no trouble talking to others. You are great with your manners and people comment how good you are and how sweet you are! We agree!

You are dramatic with everything you dont want to do! If we ask you to clean, you tell me you are so worn out from playing that you can't. Or that you need help because there are just way to many toys. 

You love to sing and dance and your imagination is in full swing! You like to put on shows or practice your dance for us from last year! You and Cohen can play really well together and Cohen will just follow you around and agree with whatever you tell him! This has included him dressing up in your dress up clothes too!

You love crafts and arts and like doing projects! We have circle time sometimes at our house and you love singing songs and learning new things!

Favorite things:

babies, KU, the Steelers, coloring and working on "school work", watching umizoomi, Sofia or Lalaloopsy. You also love movies and want to watch Princess and the frog a lot.  You love helping us do whatever it is we are doing! 

Here's to growing up sweet girl! I hope you keep your sweetness and little bit of sassyness. You make mommy and daddy so happy and we are SO proud of the little girl you are becoming!

Keep shining, sweet girl!

Pictures above taken by Aimee Marie Photography
Pictures below taken by me (at 39 weeks pregnant!)

Halloween festivities

I didn't get to do everything I wanted with the kiddos during October for Halloween. You know, I was kinda busy having a baby and all! :) But we did manage to paint some pumpkins, do some carving and lots of trick or treating! 

Mimi had brought the kiddos some mini pumpkins and so we painted them! Cohen picked yellow, Lyla blue and I picked red! We didn't plan it but we ended up having KU pumpkins! :) Just in time for the start of KU basketball! 

The kiddos LOVED the painting and of course, Cohen managed to get it everywhere! :) 

I love this picture because of the way Cohen is looking at Ly! He LOVES his big sister SO much!

Wednesday night we carved our pumpkins! We stuck to the traditional jack-o-lanterns! This is what Miss Stella did while we had lots of fun! :)

I carved the little one and Sean carved the big one! 

Thursday afternoon, after nap, I got the kiddos dressed up in their costumes and snapped a few very quick pictures of the kiddos. I had told them we were going trick or treating early in downtown Hays at all the businesses so they wanted nothing to do with pictures and everything to do with candy!

My "GOOD" witch!

Cohen was our little scarecrow!

This is how is little session started! :) It's not in focus but I love it because it depicts Cohen to a T!

Oh, his smile melts me! Love his wrinkle nose!

And Stella was hungry and wanted a boob more than she wanted her picture taken! 

But if you can't tell, she was our little Dorothy.

I really didn't have the plan to do a wizard of oz theme but my parents gave me some of my old costumes and Lyla found my old witch's hat and so that was easy! Then a client of mine was selling their son's scarecrow costume and I thought that was perfect for Cohen. And then since Lyla is so little I wanted something easy so I sewed the skirt and bow and Dorothy was born!

This was the best picture I could get of the kiddos before we went trick or treating. They were just way too excited! 

They both got TONS of candy and had some much fun. Cohen caught on super quick and would walk up and say ick eat and then then thank you! :) Love him! Next year Halloween will be even crazier with a 5 year old, 3 year old and 1 year old! Eek! :)