Grace turns 6!

We had a family birthday party to celebrate Grace's birthday and Aunt Harmony's birthday. Unfortunately, Maddie got sick with a fever and didn't get to join in the festivities...much to her disappointment. Quinn stayed home with her while I went for the dinner and then I came home so he could go for the cake and presents. Grace picked out all the colors for the cake while I was making the icing and told me exactly what to put on the cake and that she'd like a rainbow against a blue sky. She knows what she likes! Growing up so fast...I know I say it a lot, but it's so very true...

Grace's field trip to Post Family Farms

Last month Grace's Kindergarten class went to Post Family Farms for their field trip. It was a beautiful day and I was blessed to have someone watching Madison and Faith so Grace and I could go alone. We had so much fun...they do a GREAT job there! From playing in the hay bales to petting the animals (including a cute floppy earred bunny and a baby chick), to enjoying a hayride with a stop in the pumpkin patch to pick our own pumpkin, we had a great time. Post Family Farms isn't too far away from Quinn's work either, so it was a special treat for him to come join us just as we were starting our hayride and of course, in time for the donuts and cider at the end!! Lol! Seriously, those donuts are so good we just had to take a dozen home and Quinn would've been in trouble had he not taken any back to work for the guys! The class also participated in acting out a mini-play about how the pumpkin seeds get fertilized to grow into pumpkins. Grace was a flower and it was really cute - the whole class enjoyed it! Before we left, we ate our sack lunches in the garden and the last picture is of Grace and her friends Reese, Leah and Alyssa posing by the flowers!

More Post Family Farm

Maddie's first big field trip!!

 
 
 
Last Friday, Maddie and her preschool class visited S & S Farm Market. She was so excited and it was fun to be able to go with her and watch her experience her first field trip. We played in the barn, ate doughnuts and drank cider, saw some pigs and a duck, went on the bouncy train, rode the hay wagon and picked pumpkins...and don't forget riding the school bus (she would've been happy just to do that!). There are lots more pics below...

S & S Farm Market

 
 
 
 
Maddie got her face painted with a happy witch, Maddie and Mom on the hayride (self portrait), Maddie in the pumpkin patch and Maddie and Mom with their pumpkins.

More of S & S Farm Market

 
 
 
 

Here are more of Maddie's big field trip including...Maddie trying to milk a pretend cow - she LOVED it!, Playing store with another friend, examining sunflower seeds during the hayride, and Maddie and her friend Amber playing around.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

 
 
 
 

How did we get from this picture (at 9 months) to this picture (at 6 years old)? I can't believe it's been six years...we are so blessed that the Lord has entrusted Grace to us. She is a joy and we are so proud to be her parents...We love you Grace! We're having a family party tonight, so I'll try and post pics this weekend.

The other pics are of Maddie sporting her new haircut (due to a chop job done to her bangs by none other than Maddie herself - thus we had to "fix" it) and then Faith at the mall during the piercing (see below for details)...

Grace gets pierced!!

 
 
 
 

We took Grace to the mall a few weeks ago to get her ears pierced for her birthday. She was so excited and did great! No tears and a huge smile after she saw the finished product, made for a fun evening. We finished with a carousel ride and some ice cream. It's going by way too fast...

Maddie's a Preschooler!!!!

 
 
 
 

It's official...I have two kids in school!!! Maddie couldn't contain her excitement this morning as we arrived at Preschool. She goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 2 1/2 hours in the morning. After watching Grace go for 2 years now, she felt like such a big girl to be able to do the same. As I left her in the classroom she said..."Bye Mom, see you later!" just like that. So ready to be a big girl...When she came out sahe ran to me first and then decided that she wanted to go tell her teacher thank you and give her a hug! What a sweetie. She also has a friend from the house behind us in class with her, Amber. Aren't they cute? My...is it really possible that she'll go to Kindergarten all day next year and I'll still have two little ones at home? Goodness!!!

Grace & Mom

 

This picture goes with the post below...what fun to be able to take her to class and help get her started...oh and I talked to the teacher today and she said Grace did so well in class yesterday!

Goodbye Mom...Hello, world!!

 
 
 
 

Well, Grace started school yesterday, but this year is much different than last year. I've been dreading it a little all summer and now that it is finally here, I am excited for her, yet mourning the fact that she will no longer be at home with me during the day...ever! I miss her already...it's a long day for a Kindergartener! This year Grace gets to ride the bus to and from school - it picks her up at 8:25 and brings her home at 4:15. She was so thrilled to see that bus pull up yesterday...grinning from ear to ear as she climbed on and took her seat. At that moment it really hit me and I couldn't help but start to cry. My first little girl going off to school all day...where has the time gone? And now I have to look forward to this three more times? Yikes!!! I tried not to let her see the tears as she waved out the window while the bus lurched forward. It's a happy day and yet just a little nostalgic for me. I got to go meet her at school when the bus pulled up, and then it was off to her class. The parents get to come and stay for the first hour on the first day and then we have an orientation/breakfast in the cafeteria. She clung to me a little as I finally left the classroom, but I knelt beside her and whispered a prayer in her ear that Jesus is always with her, even when I can't be. She kissed me goodbye and that was it! It was so worth it when she came home beaming in the afternoon...her exact words were " It was the best ever! I loved it, Mom!" And I am so proud of my big girl!!!