Kindergarten Bill

So Lilly started kindergarten this year. Which is crazy. It has been a big adjustment for all of us. The tardy bell rings at 7:50am and there isn't a whole lot of leniency surrounding tardiness. We learned that the third day of school... after we were 2 minutes late.

Bill was not particularly thrilled with the change in our morning routine. So I can't watch TV at all anymore?!? Just get up and get dressed and go to school?!?!?!?! The struggle is real.

Other then that she has really enjoyed it. She enjoys homework, especially when she receives praise for a job well done.  She has friends (and a 'boyfriend' named Michael who she is going to marry because he gave her money... yeah).

She bravely asked to bring lunch money one day and I obliged giving her as much direction as I could. I felt anxious all day wondering if she remembered to tell her teacher, if the lunch ladies were helpful and kind, if she liked what they served. She got into the car that afternoon and stated: I didn't give them the money. I learned that she had felt unsure/shy so she didn't speak up or give anyone the money. But she did get lunch (not sure how that works) AND she came home with an extra dollar (see above about Michael).

All in all she is learning all about the important things in life: TV withdraw, money laundering, and boys. Amiright?

Peter Pan Birthday Party

Wendy's best princess post // Daddy Pan // Being shy during the HBTY song // Wendy & Tink snuggles

Bill turned 5 this month. We decided to have a Peter Pan themed birthday party because she is obsessed. We had a few friends over, ordered pizza and even had a screening of Disney's 1953 classic. Lilly was Wendy (obvs), Rosie wore her Tink gown and I did my best Smee impersonation.

We had donuts for dessert (because Lilly still isn't sold on cake/cupcakes/cookies) so we had them glazed with Wendy's colors. I made the kids Peter Pan hats out of felt and filled tiny treasure boxes with candy.

I decorated with various Peter Pan quotes around the house including the above pictured "Think Happy Thoughts". It was inspired by this print found on Etsy.

Lilly had "the best time ever" which is really what it's all about. Love my sweet shy girl.

makeup

The girls got some Barbie makeup from a friend. The pictures really speak for themselves and I get teary eyed every time I go through them. Lilly is becoming such a good big sister and Rosie looks up to her so much. Watching them love each other makes my heart ache in the most beautiful way. 

Lilly + Cheetah

This picture is from Nolan's last birthday party. Lilly asked the face painter to make her a cheetah even though it wasn't an option on the board. Cheetah's are her favorite she says. Carolina kindly obliged and she was so happy.

Last month we were standing in line at Animal Kingdom to go on the Kilimanjaro Safari. The girls were playing around on and I was watching the animal info video that runs on loop. When a cheetah came on the screen I got Lilly's attention so she could see her favorite animal. Soon after she laid eyes on the sprinting cheetah it took down and killed a baby antelope. Yeah. Her commentary went as follows: A cheetah! Where? (gasp of excitement) Oh! (concern) OH NO! (baby antelope down) NO! Mommy! Why did the cheetah do that?! Insert a life lesson on the food chain and circle of life that she listened to about a third of and we were happily on the safari. Cheetahs are still her favorite for now. But her reaction to the reality of cheetahs was priceless.

Serious & Silly

Last week my camera died and I was really sad about it. I bought my first (second-hand) DSLR camera right after Christmas and have really enjoyed learning about photography. It has quickly shot up to the top of my favorite hobbies list. So the thought of not having it and as a result losing the capability to take quality pictures of my kiddos really bummed me out.

I took it to a local photo shop that is awesome (Colonial Photo and Hobby) and found out my battery had just gone ka-put. It was such a quick and easy fix! I almost hugged the associate helping me. Thankfully I have some boundaries. 

I took these pictures the day I had the camera repaired. I love these little girls so much. Also- if you are looking for a great photography resource you must check out this blog. 

ps- did you notice that it look like Lil has Rosie in a choke hold in that one picture? LOLZ

First day of PreK

Yesterday was Lilly's first day of PreK. She was so excited. She even told me "I don't need to bring blankie, mama. I'm a big kid now." (cue mama's tears) Her teachers are awesome and we are in love with the school in general.

She picked out this dress from H&M as the first-day-of-school dress in July. Girl was prepared. Can we talk about her backpack for a second too? I mean- come on. We are kinda in love.

She had a great first day. When I came to pick her up she hid because she didn't want to stop playing. She gave her teachers big hugs and woke up excited this morning, ready to go back. My mommy heart is so proud.

For a first day of school gift we gave her teachers some banana bread muffins in a mug. I stuck a toothpick in it with a green tape leaf and attached a note that said "We are excited to grow together with you this year." That's the best my night-before-over-tired brain could come up with.

We are both super excited about this year. 

♥

And thank you Personal Creations for generously providing us with an awesome backpack for the new year.

End of summer

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We did it. We made it. School started today. My plan was to post these pictures last week or over the weekend with some sort of summer wrap up but that didn't happen. I have to remind myself that almost everything in life is a season. And summer was a crazy one. 

We tried to end the summer with fun. We went to the splash pad (even though we couldn't find Lilly's swimsuit), jumped on the trampoline, went swimming and just laid around watching TV. We tried to savor the last few days of summer but -in all honesty- we were all over it. We were craving the routine school brings. Lilly wanted to play with friends and do something new every day. I wanted to lay on the couch and try to gather my brain cells from off the floor. Rosie wanted (still wants) to eat all day long. 

And then it happened. We woke up and it was over. Good bye summer (kind of- it's still like a gillion degrees here in Florida). I'm sure we will miss you in a few months- but right now we are so over you.

Evening Walks

The weather last week in Minnesota was out of control. I must have said "out of control" referring to the weather a million times. Highs in the low 70s (even high 60s!) and sunny. We spent 75% of our awake hours outside. We tried to go on walks every evening and my heart was happy. I miss Minnesota already.

♥