It's MY turn now...

Reagan has been asking to join a dance class.  More specifically, a ballet and tap class like sister.  While Alyssa actually opted out this time, Reagan still wanted her turn.  I wasn't sure if she would even let me leave her in a class like this, so we did a trial class.  Well, she did great, and she loved it!  I stayed for the first twenty minutes, then went home for a short time, then turned around in time to be there when class ended.  I didn't want to purchase her ballet and tap shoes until I saw that she actually wanted to do the class, so I told her that if she wanted them at the end of class, we would buy them later that day.  She was so happy at the end of class, we went home and I noticed her doing her different things she learned around the house, like pointing her toes, and tapping her feet, and different stretches.  I guess she is getting bigger than I like to think!!

On her way into the building.  She was excited that she got to bring her new Disney Princess backpack with her (well, her sister's) ballet slippers inside. When we got inside, she opened her backpack, took off her boots, put them in her backpack, then put on her slippers, and put her backpack in a cubby.  She was careful to zip it up and made sure she did each step...she was so cute I was just melting!

In the car headed to the studio.

Waiting for class to begin.

Reagan is seated right next to Miss Kelsie (on the left).  Miss Sierra is my very favorite helper teacher, who is on the left.  By the end of class Reagan could tell you both of her teacher's names.  She has excellent name recognition...something she didn't get from me!

They had to stand on a number, and she picked a number in the back of the room!

She was easily distracted by the parents, so it is a good thing we can't stay!  Once I arrived, she wouldn't look at her teacher anymore.  She kept staring and smiling at me!!

This was the tap segment, and she didn't have tap shoes yet.  I think she felt a little left out, as she was really looking forward to tapping!  Next class she will get to do the tapping.  She loves her new shoes.

Picking up my shoes!!

Playroom-Final Touches

Last weekend I took the t.v. stand outside and spray painted it to match the shelving in the playroom...much better! I also took some Little Mermaid prints we have had sitting in the girls closet forever, framed them and added them in there, since it is a type of water/sea look we have going on in there...hence the netting stuff hanging above the t.v.  Anyway, I'm done in there and happy with it, which is a good thing since I have to look at it often when I cook in the kitchen...which is ALL the time.

I taped off the inside to make it a simpler task. It looks just fine that way, so why not.

Back to School Fall 2011

Oh Summer, you came and went too quickly!  Actually, our weather is getting ready to swing up into a heat streak now that school has resumed, but the kids won't be able to enjoy having no schedule to go along with it!
Tuesday was the boys first day of school, and today, my first-born daughter left us to start Kindergarten.  I can't believe we are already closing one chapter and opening a new one with her.  She is growing so fast, and I enjoy having her in our family more than she will likely ever realize.  It was bittersweet, but I was so happy for her, and she was SOOO excited to go!

Mike and I saw her off on the bus, then hopped in the car and met her at school to see her into the class.  The boys were excited for her today as well:-)  I got a little teary a few different times, but kept it together and have relief that at least she isn't going to be gone full-day (yet). It was a great day and milestone for us!

First day of school for the boys.  They have awesome teachers, and we couldn't be happier!

I met August at school after he got off the bus on the first day, and got a picture of him with his best bud, Aiden.

All great friends and play together often..these boys are all from our neighborhood and stick together when they can. From left: Ryan, Hudson, Aiden, and our August.

This is from today. Alyssa all ready to head to the bus stop.  New backpack, shoes, clothes, lunchbag, and cute hairstyle, plus a positive attitude! She was very ready:-))

I love seeing my kids stick together! ....and happily:-)

She was the first one to get on the bus at our stop of approx. 25 kids or so.

We met her in the hallway at school. Apparantly there was a wasp on the bus, so August had just finished crying, and claims it bit him on the stomach.  The bus was full of kids freaking out, but Alyssa didn't seem bothered. She sat directly behind the bus driver, so I think she felt pretty safe there. She said she heard screaming coming from the back of the bus, which sadly, I discovered, was August.

Her first task of coloring while the kids file in to class.

Reagan missed Alyssa today, and wanted to give her huge hugs goodbye.

August's Soccer Jamboree 2011

August is in soccer again, although this year Mike wasn't able to coach.  August has had a lot of fun in practice, but we are ready for the games to begin!! Here are a couple pics. from the soccer jamboree last Saturday.

August decided he wasn't going to smile for me!

Go Team! I'm not sure what our team name is yet.

Blueberry Picking 2011

We love, love, LOVE fresh blueberries, and the act of picking them.  It is something the whole family likes doing, and we love sampling the different bushes and finding our favorite, and coming up with a good variety of blueberries between us!  We picked 18 lbs. this trip, which I enjoyed making muffins, a pie, freezing a lot, and of course, snacking on!  The muffins were the perfect first-day-of-school breakfast treat for the kids (that post is to come!!).

Bouncy Fun

My Dad got this cool bounce house for the kids, and they love it! It is suitable for August's age down to Reagan.  They turn it on and off throughout the day, and it works nicely in the living room, even though it isn't the most attractive thing when you first walk in.  It folds up easily, and it is a great thing for our family!