First Day of School....Finally.

I just realized I never posted the pictures from Connor and Kylee's first day of school.  We start the morning with a picture on the porch.  Here are big smiles from our third and first grader!

We then move on to school for another photo op:

Connor's teacher this year is Miss Gleason.  He has really enjoyed working with her.  Both the kids' grade levels added a 4th class this year, so class sizes are much smaller.  This has also created the opportunity for both Connor and Kylee to meet new friends, as many of their friends from last year are now in different classes.

Kylee's teacher is Mrs. Wise.  Kylee has really settled into the first grade routine and has enjoyed her new class, too.

We feel blessed to be at a good school with strong teachers.  We have our first parent teacher conferences next week, so it will be exciting to hear an update on what our amazing learners have accomplished already this year!

Haddie Lou, too!

Hadley and I really enjoy our time together at home during the day.  She's an independent spirit, much like her brother and sister, and enjoys doing her own thing most of the time.  Unlike her brother and sister, however, she will occasionally ask me to do puzzles or build blocks with her.  "Mommy, you come and play puzzles with me?"  I love it!

Hadley and I have started attending a Kindermusik class one morning a week.  It is a 30 minute class that, quite literally, makes Hadley's whole week.  She absolutely LOVES playing with the rhythm sticks and shakers ("sticks and eggs", she calls them) and sings songs and dances along with the best of them.  She asks about her "music class" several times throughout the week and singing one of the songs from class is sure to bring a huge smile to her face.  I am learning to let go of any dignity that I have and just sing and dance with her.  It's a good time.

Hadley dabbles in a little of everything...playing with Barbies, puzzles, books, coloring, playing with babies, and "cooking" in her kitchen.  She has also developed a significant affinity for "her" iPod and can be found watching videos on it as she moves around the house.  She can also be found declaring that she is a "rock star" or a "monster" as she plays.  The highlight of her day, however, is when our 12 year old neighbor, Hayley, comes over to play.  Hadley loves being with Hayley and Hayley takes excellent care of Hadley when they are together.  I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of the afternoon Hayley and her sister, Renae, were riding skateboards and invited Hadley to come along with them.  What a riot!

Hayley and Hadley

Renae, Hadley, and Hayley

I treasure every moment with our littlest one.

Our rock star in action (note the baby's sunglasses, too)

It's Football Season

'Round about August, the men in this house begin celebrating the start of football season.  A big part of our football experience is watching Connor play in weekly flag football games.  Connor is playing on a team with the same Coach and several of the same teammates from last year, so it is fun to see the team take things to a new level in their second year as a unit.  Connor has developed a passion for playing offense and LOVES to run the ball.  It has been a blast to watch him.  He has also become quite adept at using his speed to position himself to grab flags off the other team's ball carrier when he's on defense.

We love it!

Birthday Party!

It's been awhile...so let's start with Kylee's birthday party.

Kylee opted to celebrate her 7th birthday with a party at Shear Madness, a local salon that provides haircuts and styling for the littlest folks among us.  They offer a birthday package where birthday girls and their guests can get their hair, nails, and makeup done.  In addition, each party guest gets to pick out a special outfit to wear during the party and gets to participate in a....wait for it....FASHION SHOW at the end of the party.  It was quite an event with a great deal of glitter involved.

Getting nails painted (orange to match the dress)

Waiting for make-up

All finished!

Cousins!

Close view of the masterpiece

Kylee's birthday present from Mom and Dad was getting her ears pierced.  She was an absolute champ, and despite a brief moment of uncertainty (captured below just before they pierced her ears), Kylee came through smiling.  She has been meticulous about cleaning her new piercings and has loved wearing earrings.  In fact, just today, we took out her studs and put in a new pair of earrings (thank you, Grandpa and Grandma Carlson!).

This bag says "Just got my ears pierced!"