Sneak peeks: Little Miss A

Thank you, for allowing me to come and meet this sweetie! Here are just a few...







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Sneak Peek :)

I had so much fun playing this Sunday morning! I'm grateful for the opportunity to share a gorgeous fall day with such a fun and loving family. Thanks again!

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Miss S's first day of Kindergarten

And so, here we are: no more babies at home. Our little Miss S is no longer so little, for she is now a school aged Kindergartener! This is her response to, "How are you doing?"

This is our typical, first day of school outside the house shot; every kid has one.

The bus is stopped, waiting fore her to climb aboard. I can almost hear her thoughts, can't you?

She is so lucky to have a big sister, goading her on, cheering for her, racing down the hill to the bus stop...

This one almost hurts to look at. The anxiety in her face, her curled up little fists. The good news is, this was one brief and flashing moment.

Just in case you thought Miss K was being ignored, we have a shot or two of her as well- much trickier at her bus stop with casts of thousands (well, at least 10).

And this was my way of fighting back the anxiety of Miss S's bus home being 14 minutes late... smile for me, Dad! For the record, Dad was calm and never once imagined the calamities I gave in to. When did I become anxious Momma???

Miss S reports her first day was great, that she "LOVED IT!" and is excited about returning tomorrow. She was full of news, and remembered more and more fun details to shower us with (which of course we ate up every bit of).

I went to my office to set up for school's start for me next week. It was too hard to stick around an empty and quiet house. Still, I didn't cry.

I saw a mom and young girl strolling to get their mail, and then walk hand in hand to their car. I was saddened that I don't have my Monday (day off) sidekick anymore. BUt still, I held it together.

But now that the kids are in bed, my pictures are up, and it is again very, very quiet, I can't quite stop the tears from pouring. When did my girlies get to be so big?

Don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge the beautiful girls they are growing up to be. I celebrate every moment (well okay, a lot of moments) and cheer them on as they leap closer toward the fabulous people they are developing into.

But the Momma in me just can't help being a little sad the golden moments of young childhood are coming to a close.

I love you, my girls!

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Love you guys!

We miss you already! Miss S has been practicing "burps" so she can email CJ- ?I don't get it either, but hey, she's four and he's an Amigo. And the glow sticks Jamie put up during our sleepover are still up, because Jamie made them. You are all so much fun, I wish it wasn't a once a year/decade event!

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rain, rain

Miss S recently hopped up on her grandparents's window ledge to watch an intense thunderstorm. Her grandfather came to get me to ask I take her picture. This is what I found when I got there:
Thanks, Da, for looking out for photo moments!

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Playing with backlight

This was my last attempt:getting closer. I wish I'd read the amazing updates to Anne's original post, with great information from Paul and Anne. Then I would have known that I'd end up battling the green cast.

I know- too much flare, not sharp enough- but I just love it. It feels like my SIL- just cool.
I was lucky to catch a happy Miss K, who had just run under the hose at Nonna's. She really is a fish- ahem- mermaid. She's most happy when in water! Just look- a REAL smile :)

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The amazing four day growth of a determined four year old.

This is the story of a girl who decided this year was going to be her turn to learn to swim. She talked about it all year.

So Friday the 10th, she got in the pool. She kept saying, "I need to practice. I'm learning to swim" although she wasn't floating or putting her face in the water yet. But she was sooo determined. So I offered to give her floaties, not inflated all the way.

She swam. She swam in the deep end. She swam across the pool. She kept telling herself, "Concentrate. Concentrate!"

Mind you, this was TOTALLY coming from her. I encouraged her, but did not put any pressure on her. When she got stuck, I'd give her a helpful hint. But this was totally Miss S, being her determined, self motivated self.

Once she swam across the deep end, she was hooked. She took the floaties off, and went back to practicing.

At the beginning of the day, I told my parents, "She'll be swimming in two weeks! She's so determined to do this!" After the deep end, when she got herself moing a stroke or two without help, I told them "One week! Can you believe this??"

Then, she slipped off a step. Her eyes were open. She saw her sister's mermaid fin swim by. She burst out of the water shouting, "I did it!!! I saw (Miss K) swimming!!! I was UNDER THE WATER!!!!"

That day, she jumped in the water from the steps. She went under the water over and over. And SHE SWAM. I'm not exaggerating. She was swimming.

The next time she was in the water (the 12th), she discovered she could jump in from the side of the pool. And she held her breath a little longer. And swam a little further.

The next time she swam was the 14th. She was a little more reluctant, and hit an obstacle. Toward the end of the day, I taught her the game of having an underwater tea party. She was hooked. And she realized going LOW in the water was FUN.

Now we're up to the 15th. I kid you not, this kid is SWIMMING, underwater. She is swimming under my legs. She is diving for diving sticks. She's having underwater picnics with her pool turtle toy, "Cookie." She can swim about 10 feet underwater, a quarter of the distance of the pool.

And I am so proud, and so amazed by my four year old kid, who decided she was going to swim. And did.

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Our vacation week *PIcture HEAVY*

We spent 10 days with Nonna and Poppy, which of course was a blast! Here are a few highlights:

Miss S, being a model for a new lighting technique.

Miss K, being Miss K.
My favorite ride in any amusement park, with Miss K and Poppy!

The kids started our amusement park adventure with a ride on the ferris wheel with their grandparents.

Sing it with me: Up on the Roof...

And yes, they are nuts! I was being the nervous mom INSIDE, watching from the window. Of course I made them pose for me.

The coolest! The local children's museum has a mock SportsCenter studio. The kids LOVED it!

Miss S's kite.

Miss K's kite

Miss K's turn.

It was a fabulous vacation- the same one where all the photos in the slideshows below came from. We can't wait to go back :)

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My godson's Baptism... hoping this works!

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and this one too... YES, I AM GETTING CARRIED AWAY!

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OuR LiL GrAdUaTe

It's funny how these little milestones creep up on us and to remind of, "One day you will look back and realize the Little Things were actually the Big Things". I simply love that quote, and it is so totally appropriate today. Our little Imp did great in the circus as a performer, and was reportedly "scared" as a graduate- though she did great during that piece, too. We're so proud of you, S!

Opening parade.

The grands came to see you, too.
A little scared.

Pomp and Circumstance- yup, I was teary!

Performing her juggling rountine!

Please leave a note for me to read to our little star- you'll make her day! :0)

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Labor Day, a week later

We had a great time relaxing and playing with the Grands! It almost felt like summer, enjoying outside and each other.

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