He Didn't Know What He Was Missing...

We've offered Will icecream two times before this but he was not interested at all. Big Sis' icecream is a different story though...it must taste better. Here is a video of Will enjoying icecream for the first time.

A Tisket, A Tasket...

Will just loves this basket!

I know I'm not allowed to but I'm going to get this basket again...

Let's see if anyone is looking...

Got it!!!

Polka Dots

Apparently, I love polka dots this evening (morning). I love playing in PhotoShop. Although, I think it may be robbing me of my much-needed sleep.

And....speaking of polka dots...who wouldn't love a 3-year-old wearing green with polka dots and piggy tails?! This silly girl had a playdate today with a friend. While they were eating lunch, she stopped eating her Happy Meal, looked up and asked her friend's mom completely out of the blue, "Do you like Barack Obama?"

Deja Vu and Dancing

This week sure has been an emotional one. At times, I have felt like I'm living in some dream or experiencing moments of deja vu or something similar. How did Emmie get to be a 3rd grader ? I used to teach 3rd grade....how do we have a daughter that is as old as the students I taught? How is Katie in Kindergarten? I was reminded of taking Emmie to her first day of Kindergarten. In the mornings I am at home with Allie and Will and it reminds me of being home with just Emmie and Katie a few short years ago. Taking Allie along to pick up Katie reminds me of when Katie was along to pick up Emmie.....well, you get the point. Then, today it was Allie's turn to be the ballerina for the first time!

I was sitting on the bench outside the class remembering Emmie taking dance class for the first time in Cleveland. Then, I remembered how her teacher would let Katie jump in class for a few dances here and there between snacking on the side. Then Katie took dance for 2 years and Allie was always to my side watching and enjoying a snack. Then, I was reminded of sitting on that same bench pregnant last year and then taking our newborn Will to the classes later that year. I sat watching our 3rd little girl happily dancing the morning away, thinking of Emmie and Katie all grown up at school, with our nearly 1-year-old son at my side watching and enjoying a snack ...sound familiar? :)

Anyway, Allie was so very excited to go to class today. She has been talking about it for days and kept asking if it was 'time to go yet'. She was such a big girl...walking right into class waving goodbye to me, listening intently for directions, changing shoes... jumping right into the routine in such an enthusiastic manner.

Pretty please take me to dance class now!!!

I'm ready to go!!!
At last...I'm here!!!Off I go...
Here is a video from the class.....it was taken through the window and blinds.



Of course, I had to go find my pics of Emmie and Katie as ballerinas...

Emmie (age 3 years, 2 months)Emmie (age 3 years, 11 months)
Katie (age 3 years, 11 months)

Katie (age 4 years, 4 months)

Did I mention Katie started soccer this week? She put on Emmie's shin guards and old cleats and I was reminded of....don't get me started...off to bed!

Pretty Please

I said pretty please don't go but they still went to school again today...

The Difference A Year Makes

August 15, 2008- Headed To Meet The TeacherAugust 17, 2009- Headed To The 1st Day of School

August 28, 2008- First Day Of 4-Year-Old Preschool

August 17, 2009- First Day Of Kindergarten

August 17, 2008- First Day Of 2nd Grade

August 17, 2009- First Day Of 3rd Grade

June 2008 :)
June 2009 :)

And....more pics from today's special day...

Coming Soon....Allie's first day of preschool!!!!

How?

I will write more later when I have the emotional energy to do so but.....

How did our little baby....

toddler...

preschooler...

become this big girl Kindergartner?

Mommy And The Boys

While Grandpa was with his girls (Grandma, Emmie, Katie and Allie), I was with my boys. We went to the Ozarks for a very fun weekend. It was a relaxing couple of days. We shopped the outlets, ate yummy food, took walks and took Will swimming at night.

Here are some things I was reminded of during this little getaway:

• I have a wonderful husband who is so very, very, very unselfish.
• Will is such a sweet and happy boy...sent from God to complete our family.
• Emmie, Katie and Allie are our sweet, and funny, angels whom I miss when away.
• Our children have wonderful, loving and involved grandparents.

...and on a lighter note:

• When in the Ozarks, you can pretend you are on a tropical vacation.
• Lil' Rizzos has salad that is actually better than my all-time favorite in Indiana.
• If you eat too much salad and M&Ms, you can get a major stomach ache.
• I don't like Rum....or atleast dark Rum.
• Hotels should use more bleach on their bathtubs...seriously.

and finally...

• Dads toss babies up much higher than their Moms would...but he does look like he is having fun, doesn't he?

Grandpa And The Girls

Applebee's, Paradise Park, eating pizza, going out for icecream, making icecream, getting pedicures, going bowling, making cookies, Mi Ranchito, playing lots of cards and doing puzzles, Deanna Rose Farmstead, Red Robin....what is all this about? I call it Grandparent-palooza!!

Grandma and Grandpa H came this past weekend. Rich, Will and I went to the Ozarks so they could have the girls all to themselves to spoil! :) So, it was Grandpa and all of his girls for the weekend. Can you believe they fit all of this into one weekend? This was one special weekend the girls are sure to never forget!!!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Paradise Park

Pedicures Making Cookies

Bowling

Deanna Rose Farmstead