Monday, August 19, 2013

First day of Pre-K

Well, it was the first week of Pre-K for Elise. She was so excited! She even kept telling strangers that she was starting school soon and that she would be in a new classroom (4 year olds) and have new teachers. We went to check things our on Monday and Tuesday was the first day. She is going on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12:30. I thought she would be going on M/W/F, but we decided we still liked having the freedom to do 3 or 4 day weekends if we wanted. Next year we will be subject to public school schedules, and there aren't too many breaks since we are on a balanced (aka year round) calendar.

Down side to taking down the tree out front, the front porch is flooded with morning sunlight.

Elise was trying to hold her eyes open when I kept telling her to look at me. She kept saying it was too bright. (We were in the shade, by the way.)

So we went to the backyard, and got a much better picture. Well, the background isn't too pretty, but I wanted at least a couple outside. 
Of course, her two best friends had to make the trip this morning. They didn't go to school, but they usually get to hang out in the car while she is at school. Then she gets them when I pick her up.

At school, next to her name. Can you feel the excitement?

She had a great week! I know she will have a great year and once things really get going she will have a lot of fun with all the new things she'll learn.



This is from the first day last year. She seems so much taller now. I am pretty sure the bags are all the same size. The bag seemed huge last year, and this year it is perfect. She looks so young! But notice the same friend, ha!

10 months

Well it finally happened, I totally spaced on what day it was and actually missed Maggie's 10 month birthday. I am surprised it hasn't happened yet. Oh well. These pictures are actually the next day, the 18th. 
 Maggie is gaining all kinds of personality and moving all over the place. Having a mobile this time around is completely different. There are so many more toys and she is willing to put anything in her mouth. She responds really well to her name, and sometimes even 'no.' She is increasingly harder to photograph because she is pretty quick, so she tends to be a blur or gets too close too quickly for me to get a decent picture.

 I kept trying to get far enough away from her to take picture, and get some good natural light coming in the front windows. She was very fast down the hallway, but not without a stop at the diaper bags behind the couch. She loves to chew on straps.
 This is her on her knees trying to stand up while holding onto my let. She does a type of tripod stand all the time. Usually I can't sit on the floor because she is constantly crawling and standing on me. She is definitely not close to walking, but she does like standing and getting her sea legs.
 "hey, Elvis!"


 She starting to venture out more and more. Occasionally she gets a hold of Elise's things. Luckily there aren't too many things that will cause problems. She likes the shiny box. And she REALLY likes shoes. She will get along great with Aunt Kristina!
They were trying to get Leinie to play. Obviously he was highly interested, ha! And of course, Maggie had her own thoughts on what she could do with it too.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Fair Tradition

Since Elise was 1 we have been going to the county fair with Aunt Kathy. We just go one morning and look at the animals and walk around a little bit. The last 2 years we have had lunch out at the fair, but this year we decided to change it up. Elise has because very picky in what she is willing to eat, and the food out there (that is open) was questionable whether or not she would eat it. So this year we decided to go to Musillami's. It is a little seasonal drive-in near the fairgrounds. Last year we went there to get ice cream after lunch, so this year we decided to go get lunch their because they sell burgers, fries, hot dogs, and such. It was very good! Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from lunch because they were pretty busy and Maggie was really fussy. I didn't really have an extra hand to take pictures. Hopefully next year!

 She loved petting the goats. Luckily they were all very friendly.


 Yep, nose to nose.



Children's Museum 7/31/2013

Yesterday(or almost two weeks earlier) we went to the Children's Museum! It was the last time we would be able to see "Rapunzel." We got to see it the last time we went, and Elise really liked it. And I have to say they did a great job! It was a shortened/edited version of a full musical. They shortened it to about 45 minutes, with lots of singing and dancing. The museum was a little crazy and there were tons of people, but it still wasn't too bad. I am sure that most people were trying to make one last visit before school starts. (BTW-I can't wait for school to start! Oh, and Elise is excited too, ha!)
This picture is a view of the floor with the reflection of the Chihuly sculpture, just thought it was cool.

Aunt Kathy got to come with us this time. She just loves playing with Elise. This area is in/under the Chihuly sculpture. There are plastic pieces that kids can put together in these black containers and create their own masterpieces. Elise was carrying them back and forth helping all the other kids put the colors together.

 Riding on a train!



Elise has never had much interest in the fun mirrors right outside the carousel area, but this time she walked back and forth in front of it. She thought it was hilarious.




She does like the carousel!

Picture with Rapunzel! She was a little nervous, but she did it. She did it the last time we came, and I was so proud that she was brave to meet her. 

Dancing on stage! She seriously danced for about 5 minutes and I have some video of it. So funny.


Playing in the house and market in Egypt.
She will play anywhere that has play food! There is another area that is kind of like a restaurant, but it was a mad house so we didn't stay there very long.


Maggie hanging out with Grammie!


Sweet face! (I think she really looks like daddy here. Look at the cheeks!)



Puzzling with Aunt Kathy.




"Elise look at me." (Classic Elise, Ha)