Week 2...Much Better

We have had a very good week.  Gracie has been more excited about Preschool, she didn't cry at all this week, but she was still a little unsure in the mornings.  I think she is really enjoying it, now that she has a best friend.  She told Mark last night that her and John Carter had to sit in time out yesterday.  She never said what happened and I am sure if it had been something bad, Mrs. Monica would have told me about it or sent a letter home.  She is going through some phase that she HAS to have on a dress or skirt and she is NOT happy if I lay out shorts for her to wear.  She also has to have a bow and ponytail everyday, like I said not sure where it all came from but all she will say is "I just want to be pretty".   Oh well, at least she is cute and well dressed everyday!!!  

Hayden has had a great week too!   We turned it 3 challenges on Monday and sent her first set of site words for her to be tested on.  She passed all of them, I know no one is really surprised, but I was so excited and nervous Monday to see how she did.  I knew she knew all of it but sometimes she freezes up on things she has known forever, but she did amazing and got a big sticker that said awesome job on everything and Mrs. McDaniel sent home the next set of site words for her to start on.  As of today I think we are going to be ready to send in 2 more challenges on Monday.  We have been working so hard on counting from 1-100 and even though it seems so easy to me, I know it is hard for her...but last night she finally got it all by herself and words cannot describe how proud she was!!!  I am so proud of her, she is getting off to a great start this year! 

Gracie is loving Ballet, she really is enjoying it.  I am so glad that I signed her up this year too.  Mark thought she was still to little and to much of a tomboy to be a ballerina, but I think his little tomboy is turning into a Princess...with all the cute dresses, bows and ballet!!!  Hayden still enjoys Ballet too and she is having a blast at Soccer this time.  She is a Pro, she is the only one on her team that has played before, so it will be interesting to see how she does the first game...whether she is shy or really shows what she can do!!!

As always Colton is wonderful.  I know I say this all the time but he is such a good baby!  He is smiling and talking all the time.  He loves attention and might be just a little bit rotten. 

Gracie and School

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were a little rough for Gracie's first year of Preschool.   Like I said in the previous post she cried for a good while on Monday after I left, she cried for about 15 minutes Tuesday after I left, and on Wednesday she started crying and saying that she didn't want to go when I woke her up!  She kept telling me yesterday that she didn't want to go but I told her she had to because Mommy and Daddy have already paid for this month.  Jake and Katie, which are some of our friends have a little girl in Gracie's class too and her name is Madison.  They are the same age...Madison is only 2 weeks younger than Gracie and they finally became really good friends yesterday.   While sitting in the Preschool parking lot because Hayden has to be at school at 8 and Gracie at 9:15, Madison played in our car with Gracie...they watched movies and talked!  Must have worked because when Katie and I picked them up yesterday, Mrs. Monica said that they were inseparable and that they both had a great day!  Made me feel so much better because I was seriously thinking about keeping her home until next year.  It isn't like she has to go this year but I thought she would enjoy it.  She talked a lot about her new friend, Madison and what she did at school.  Aunt Kim went with me to pick her up yesterday, which was nice because I didn't have to take Colton in too.  Then we went to Chick-fil-a to play inside and have lunch.  Gracie really came out of shell yesterday because she even made a new friend at chick-fil-a named Jessie and Gracie was telling Jessie's Mommy all kinds of things.   I even told Kim that there is no telling what she is saying in there.  She also kept waving to Kim and myself while climbing up the slide and telling us that she loved us!  I guess because she usually follows Hayden around I have never seen her play like that.  Then we went to pick up Hayden from school and the first thing Gracie says is " I saw Kim today and went to chick-fil-a" , Hayden was not a happy camper, she feels like she is getting left out because she has to go to school longer.  I told her that she would get to have special days too, not to worry no one in this family is going to leave her out. 

Hayden has had an awesome week!  She loves her teachers and is making friends.  Sara is her new friend and she is allergic to carpet.  I wasn't sure about that one, but Hayden says she has to sit on a towel when they sit in the floor.  She also told us that Michael wants to be her boyfriend and tries to kiss her.  We told her no kissing boys until she is married.  Never going to work but it is worth a try.  We even told her that Mommy and Daddy never kissed anybody until the day we got married.  I know you all giggled a little after reading that.Right?   It is so funny to hear her talk about it and cute.  I know that all the boys are always going to want to be her boyfriend and kiss on her mainly because she is beautiful and the sweetest little girl ever.  She is excited about school and I hope she stays that way!  I always liked school but I don't think her daddy had the same opinion.  She already impresses me with how much she knows!  She acts like she doesn't like to do homework but I think she really does especially when she knows all the answers. 

I have had an interesting week and lots of sitting in the car while waiting at one school or the other but it is all totally worth.  Tuesday is a very long day because we also have Ballet after school and then Soccer too.  Oh yeah, see I almost forgot...Hayden also started Soccer this week, she has practice on Tues and Thurs. at 7:15pm, which seems late but works much better for me.  Mark gets to stay at home with Colton and Gracie while Hayden and I go to Soccer.  It is much easier that way and Colton and Gracie were both sound asleep when I got back home on Tuesday. 

Colton has been so good all week.  He just goes with the flow and doesn't complain.  He is such a sweet and happy baby boy.  He just smiles and talks to me all the time.  In fact, he is a little bit rotten and I don't know why!!!  Now that is happy!!!

First Day of School 2011

Well the girls did great this morning and so did I until I left my baby girl Gracie and then the tears started coming and wouldn't stop.  Hayden had to be at school by 8am, we were doing so good until I realized about half way to the school I forgot her name tag, so we had to turn around and get it.  We still made it on time but it was close, thank goodness Mrs. Lisa was working the carpool, which put Hayden at ease a little bit.  Even though school is not really new to her, she was still pretty nervous.  It made me think about when I would start school every year with all the butterflies in my stomach.  I love her so much and she was so big this morning and tried to hide that she was a little scared.  She is so worried about knowing her carpool number and I finally told her that all the teachers know her number too and they will help her until she gets used to big carpool.

Gracie did excellent this morning too! She was so excited after we dropped Hayden off, but she had to sit in the car until 9:15am, so she was a little impatient but she watched a movie until it was time to get out.  She got out put her book bag on and held on tight to her lunch box.  She walked right into her classroom and I put her book bag and lunch in her spot with her name and also told her that pooh bear was in her book bag if she needed it.  She told me "I don't need pooh right now." Last night I read her and Hayden both the 'Kissing Hand' book, so I asked her what to do if she missed Mommy and she put her hand up to her cheek, which is when Mommy started to get upset...she is such a big girl now.  When I left she looked a little scared or sad, not sure which one and very shy but she walked over to one of the tables and sat down with some other kids.  I hope she didn't cry after I left, I know I did...all the way home!!!

So when I went to pick them up, I found out that my baby girl (Gracie) ended up crying for Mommy for about 30 minutes Mrs. Monica said that once they got Pooh Bear out of her book bag everything got better and she ended up being fine.  All the teachers said that she is so sweet, it was really good to hear.  She really enjoyed it and has told me all about it...she got to play on the playground, made new friends, played with blocks and some little boy named Tucker drew on her picture on purpose.  She is so funny and so excited to tell us all about it. We went to visit Mimi after I picked her up and she told everybody in the office about her day too!  She was literally all smiles!!!  I am so glad she had a good day and wants to go back again tomorrow. 

We had to wait to pick Hayden up later, so we sat in carpool for a while which was okay because Gracie and Colton both took a nap and I sat there and played with my phone.  Hayden doesn't share as much as Gracie does, she doesn't like to talk about her day until she is good and ready.  I did get out of her that she really likes her new friends and she got to play on the playground twice today.  The best part was while Gracie, Colton and myself were visiting with Mimi, Hayden's class came through her office looking for Chester the Raccoon..from the book 'Kissing Hand', yes the same one I read to them last night...they read today in class.   She was so sweet and looked so big. 

I think they both had great days and so did I after lots of crying this morning.  Can't wait to hear what they have to say about day 2. 

Mommy and Daddy love both of you so much.  We are so proud of you both!

Kindergarten

Friday was Hayden's open house for GWA.  She got Mrs. Lisa and Mrs. Baxter.  I am so excited, I really think she is going to have a great year.  When we walked into the gym Mrs. Sherre and Mrs. Kim were so glad to see her, they gave her big hugs and kisses and me too for that matter.  They were such great teachers last year, Mrs. Kim even teared up, which made me cry too.  Hayden is my baby doll, she is so intelligent and well behaved.  This year she has to go all day and she will have approximately 10 minutes of homework every night, but this may sound crazy but I am looking forward to it!  She has already learned so much and by the end of the school year she will be reading!  Then she can read to me a thousand times at night instead of me reading to her!   It is still so hard for me to believe that she is really a kindergartner, it just seems like she is growing up so fast. 

Both girls start school on Monday and I am sure I will be crying most of the day...It is Gracie's first day of preschool and Hayden is a Kindergartner!!!!  I am so nervous and excited for both of them.  Can't wait to hear about their day when I pick them up. 

Soccer also starts on Tuesday for Hayden...so know we have School, Soccer and Ballet.  I am going to be running around everywhere, but I am just so thankful that I get to do it! 

Open House for Gracie

Gracie went today to meet her new teachers and classmates.  She was EXTREMELY shy, even more shy than I thought she would be, but she did eventually talk to Mrs. Monica a little bit.  Mrs. Monica told me that she actually did great, she didn't want me to hold her or cry like a lot of the other kids did.  Gracie is in the 2 year class room even though she is going to be 3 years old next month, so there are a few kids that are older like Gracie and there are quite a bit that probably just turned 2, it will be interesting this year but I still think she needs this and will enjoy it.  She talked to a couple of her new friends but mainly she got really upset at two of the little boys because they kept taking her blocks away from her, I am pretty sure Mrs. Monica is going to be teaching a lot about SHARING!!!  She looked so big and pretty for her first open house and she is excited about it.  I just hope Monday morning she is still excited and ready for school.

Ballet for Gracie

Well today was the first day of Ballet for Gracie and this is the third year of Ballet for Hayden.  Gracie absolutely loved it, she was very shy at first and I had to walk her to the class and then she was fine.  She went from 4-5pm and she came running out of the classroom to tell me all about it.  She was so excited and can't wait to go back.  Hayden was supposed to do the 6pm class but Ms. Kim and I decided that she is better in the 5pm class, the other girls are a lot older than her and she really wanted to be with her old friends in her old class.  Also works better for Mommy, now their classes will be back to back without an hour in between...it was a Win Win for everyone.  They were adorable today, just can't believe how big they are both getting!  Colton stayed with Nana and Steve today, he didn't want to participate in Ballet.  Nana said he was a little angel and she had so much fun making him smile and talk to her.  I have to agree, he is an excellent baby!

Tomorrow is open house for Gracie, can't wait to see what she thinks about that!

Back to Busy

Well this is our last week of Summer Vacation.  This year has been a little different because we also got a baby boy, who we love more than anything in the world.  The girls have still had lots of fun, but I think they are ready for School and Ballet. 

This year Gracie is going to start Ballet too, she is so excited.  They actually have their first class tomorrow.  Mommy is going to be sitting at Ballet for a total of 3 hrs.  Gracie's class is at 4pm and Hayden's  class is at 6pm but it is worth it.  I hope Gracie does well, I think she will!   Hayden is a pro at Ballet now!

They also both start school on August 15th.  I have mixed feelings about Gracie, after all she is still my baby girl!   She is excited and I guess we will just have to wait and see what she thinks Wednesday when she meets her teachers and classmates.  I just hope she doesn't scream when I leave because I don't know if I can just keep walking away if she is really upset.  Hayden is excited about seeing some of her old friends and making new ones.  She is getting so big she doesn't even care that Mommy isn't there.  She has to go all day this year being that she is officially a Kindergartner, wow that is so hard to believe...Is she really that old already?  I can't wait to see all of their accomplishments this year...they both make me so proud!!!

I will try to take pictures of the girls at open house and update for everyone to see.   Gracie goes Wednesday at 10am and Hayden goes Friday at 9am. 

Recap of Beach days 5 and 6

This post is just for Mimi.  She wanted to know where these days were because they were the best.  I am going from memory so I may miss some stuff.   Thursday Mark, Kim and Pop went scalloping, which they love.  Pop drove the boat while Mark and Kim went swimming and found our dinner.  Mark says next year he is making me go because as much as I love swimming I would love it, I am still not convinced but we shall see.  Also Colton will be a lot older next year and I will be more willing to leave him for longer periods of time.   Mark doesn't believe in sunscreen so guess who got BURNT! You can tell his back was floating at the top of the water.   I think next year he will listen!!!   They ended up having an excellent time even though it was storming.  While they were out on their adventure...We kept trying to go to the beach but it kept storming.  We finally played in the pool for a little while.  Finally after Mark, Kim and Pop got back the sun came out and it got HOT, so we spent the rest of the evening swimming in the pool and took a quick trip to the beach to play for a little bit too.

Friday, our last full day there turned out to be beautiful.  We spent the morning on the beach with the girls swimming and building sandcastles.   Pop stayed at the house with Colton.  We all tried to take turns watching baby boy because it was way to hot for him to be outside at all.  He was so good too!   After playing for a little while everyone came back up and took a quick swim in the pool and then we went out for lunch.  After lunch we came back and played some more in the pool and then went back to the beach for a little bit, but Gracie was so tired that she didn't enjoy it, so Mark and I came back up with her and started getting ready for our family photo shoot.  We got some really good pictures and had a great vacation.  Can't wait until next year!!!

2 Month Check Up

Yesterday was Colton's two month check up and he was such a good boy, he really is the best baby ever!  He weighed 13lbs 12oz and was 24 1/2 inches long, which means he was 90th percentile for height and weight!  Go big boy!!!   Dr. Beeber confirmed that he is perfect and then of course he had to have 3 shots, which almost broke my heart, he was just a looking around...smiling and talking when those shots hit is little legs and then he was screaming!!!   He handled it pretty well until yesterday afternoon and then he got really uncomfortable and ended up getting his first dose of tylenol.   He is back to his happy self this morning, so hopefully he forgives me.  He doesn't go back again until his 4 month check up and he also has to get the same shots again then too! 

We love you baby boy! 

End of Vacation

We had a great vacation and are wishing we were still at the beach but we had to come back home.  Thanks again Mimi and Pop for everything!  The girls were actually kind of glad to be back home, they acted like they hadn't seen their toys for weeks!  I thought that I would post some of this years family pictures, Aunt Kim and Mimi got some good ones. 

We are officially a Party of 5 now!!!