Good Bye Kindergarten....Hello 1st grade!!

Really has the school year come to a close already? Seems like it was only a few months ago I was shedding tears because my baby girl was starting Kindergarten and now she is heading off to 1st Grade. Each month brought so many different activities, projects, school parties, homework, etc. which made the year seem to fly by. I enjoyed this year of school. Taelor made some great friends and I got to know and meet some wonderful parents. It was such a joy watching all these cute little kindergartners grow up over the last year and literally it is just 1 month shy of a year since we are in a "year-round" school.These kids went through 3 teachers, Mrs. Vose started the school year out until mid September and then had a full time job offer at another school so she headed there to teach. Then Miss Muranaka was their teacher until April after Spring Break when Mrs. Wang was able to return to teaching. I loved them all and could not have asked for better teachers and teachers aids.

Taelor, you have grown up so much this last year. You are becoming such a sweet, caring, respectful, little girl. You received many compliment slips this year and were able to bring Mighty the Mustang home quite a few nights. You learned to read and write which is such a joy to see you do (and to sometimes decipher the words you are writing). This year is your first year of many years to come and yes mommy will shed a tear each and every year. May your life of school be filled with many friends who only better you, who stand by your side and you do the same for them. I pray that school work comes easy to you, that you enjoy school, even when it seems hard. I pray that God uses you to touch other people's lives and that you are a blessing to everyone you meet. Your teachers had all great things to say about you and it fills our hearts with so much joy hearing how kind and thoughtful you are. Continue to do good and always try your best and remember Mommy and Daddy are always here to support you!

You and Mallory met on the first day of school and remainded Best Friends all year! 

A few days before school ended you were given an award for "Compassion", and yes you are certainly a compassionate young girl and I hope you will always hold that close to your heart. We are so proud of you.

The last day of school you had a little performance which my eyes were filled with tears as you sang the song "It's a Wonderful World"....yes it sure it! The 1st Grade, 1st Grade song (to the tune of New York, New York) was so cute. All the kind words your friends said about you that Mrs. Wang read off made us so proud and melted our hearts. The day was filled with joy ( a little bit of mommy sadness, only because I am selfish and I don't want you to grow up, just not ready for it yet). You are ready for 1st Grade my sweet girl! So here's to new beginnings on your next chapter in your life, to your time to shine because I know you will, to all that you will learn this next year. Here's to the girl you are becoming! May you be blessed, cover the world with your quiet, yet beautiful smile. You are our world! Good Bye Kindergarten....Hello 1st Grade!

Beach Days

I think they could live at the beach in their bathing suits all day every day!

Kindergarten Open House Night

Our first Open House was so special. Grandparents joined us as Taelor was our little tour guide of her classroom showing us all the things she has done throughout the year. It is so amazing to see how far she has come in just a year. Her journal was so cute to read, and it will be something I will cherish forever. She loves school and has had a great year in Kindergarten. Even though she went through 3 teachers (Mrs. Vose, Miss Muranaka and now Mrs. Wang) she and all the kids adapted well and learned so much throughout the year. I will be sad when the school year comes to an end, but tonight I enjoyed seeing all the hard work the teachers and staff put into these little kids who are sponges for learning. I appreciate so much all the work they do! Taelor we are so proud of you and all you have accomplished this year. We LOVED your classroom and especially loved your self portrait of you! Keep up the hard work always!!

Pool time...my little swimmers

The kids have been taking swim lessons and they are now little fishes in the water! Coach Brooke was so great with them. Taelor can swim the entire width of the pool doing the breast stroke and Ethan has his "superman" swim down like he is off to save the world. Such a good feeling to know your kids can swim in the water. It is going to be a great summer! Now if I can only get them out of the water!

Poor little Owl...

Over the weekend I cleaned and purged out some junk....I mean... non-used toys from the kids room and organized them all back into their places for the umpteenth time. Why is it that every.little.doll. has something so miniature to go with it! Tiny shoes, cupcakes, hair clips, you name it, I found it. I realized after sorting through boy vs. girl toys that little missy is the the culprit of so many pieces of toys! Ethan's toys consist of cars, trucks, diggers, more cars, train tracks, helicopters, super hero's, more cars, army men, more cars and more cars (did I mention he has A LOT of cars), but at least all of these things are big and can be put into it's  own bin and not get lost! Taelor on the other hand has enough tea cups and saucers to have tea time with the entire neighborhood, a bakery full of every pastry possible that are the size of, oh..a thumb tack, barbies, dolls, mini shoes, play food, more mini dolls with purses and accessories, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, dress up dresses, clickity clack shoes (which by the way are VERY loud on the wood floors), more dolls with hair that always seems to be in a permanent knot, baking stuff, cupcakes, cakes, food....which by the way, all of these toys should be in every girls toy box!

Then I got to the stuffed animals....I am pretty sure we own over 50 stuffed animals. So I took it upon myself to "purge" out the old, non sentimental stuffed animals. I came across this little bean bag owl that was a hand me down and I knew I had to part with some of them so I chose this one, snuck it a bag and threw it in the trash can. Well then, Tuesday came (trash day) and it just so happened the kids were sick today so they stayed home from school, the trash man came and they ran to our bedroom window (which you can see the top of the trash truck and all the trash in it) to say hi to the trash man, but yet they saw poor little pink owl getting thrown in with the trash!!! They ran to tell daddy that the trash man had the pink owl in his trash truck, how did that happen?!? Well needless to say, daddy of course said he didn't do it and maybe it was mommy, goodness I was sure thrown under the bus! So yes I threw out the owl, and I feel bad, but yet Taelor made light of it when I got home, but yet was a little disappointed that she was now gone! What's a mom to do, you can't keep everything right? How do you choose what stays or goes? Guess it's just the story of kids growing up and parting (or not parting) with toys. Sorry little owl, I know Taelor is very concerned that you will be in the "fire" just like Woody and Buzz and the gang were about to go into but we reassured her that maybe a trash man will find her and put her on the front of his truck! Good bye little owl...I promise to not throw away anymore stuffed animals without having the kids OK!

Tutu's are a girls best friend...

Only my little princess would chose this outfit to walk down by the beach....I mean don't get me wrong I wish I could walk around in a zebra tutu along the beach with no worries! Yes this is my little girl, always needing to be fancy, and I LOVE it!

Spring Photos

When did she get so big?!? My beautiful little girl...just seems like yesterday she was learning how to walk. Yes life goes by way too fast. Enjoy. Embrace. Slow down time. Stay small. Stay my little girl forever!

Cousins are forever friends

These four are as close as ever and when ever they are together you can hear nothing but giggles and laughter. There is definitely no lack of being shy with these kids! I love that they are so close and I hope they continue to be this close as the years go on. My cousins were a big part of my childhood and they still are, there is something special between the bond of cousins, a love that is forever and most of all, a forever friend!

Friends since birth...

These two sweet little girls Taelor and Hailey melt my heart. They are only 9 days apart and have know each other since birth. They have a special little bond even though they don't get to see each other all that often. I hope their friendship will always remain close and will forever be friends. They did a photoshoot for Raskulls and they were just too darn cute!

Twins...or so they hope they could be

They dressed themselves today so they could be twins. I think somedays they really think they are twins since so many people ask now a days. I guess that's what happens when you are only 14 months apart! I love them!

Walks around the lake...

A little scooter ride around the lake can wear you out and sometimes you just need a break to sit on the rocks and pretend to fish with a stick...

Taelor is 6 {S.I.X}

6 years ago our lives were changed forever...our baby girl was born and now she is a young girl turning 6! It has been a great year watching her grow from a preschooler to now a kindergartner. Taelor you have blossomed this year and have come out of your shell (in your own way). You have a love for everything girly, you wouldn't miss a tea party, dress up time, coloring, art, singing, dancing, or anything that has to do with sweets! Taelor, you are such a joy, you listen as well as a 6 year can, you follow directions and obey almost every rule (and that is apparent in class as Miss. M says she uses you as an example most days), your neat and tidy, you LOVE your brother, you take care of him and he takes care of you. Ethan looks up to you as such a great big sister. Even though he still wants to love and kiss you, you shrug your shoulders and make sure he misses your cheek every time.

You love dolls and dresses and never leave anywhere without little Hoppy. Your choice of clothes everyday is a dress as you love to be fancy no matter where you go... such the fashionista already. Thankfully you don't fight (much) with me on your outfits for the day, as long as it's a dress or pink you are good to go. You are a daddy's girl who thinks your daddy is nothing but the BEST. You love to be with me and you can't wait till the day you get to wear my high heels and wear my makeup (sorry but that will not be for a LONG time). You are more then words can even express. Your sweet smile and quiet nature is what makes you, YOU!

You learned how to ride a bike this year and you are beginning to read and write ( I love seeing how far you have come), you LOVE school and your heart for Jesus makes my heart smile. You ask a million questions, especially when we are watching a movie, you find so much joy in making things for other people. I have received SO many cards and drawings from you that I will cherish for a lifetime. Taelor you are a one of a kind daughter, one who we are so proud of, our love for you is overflowing and we are beyond proud to be your mommy and daddy. You brighten a room with your sweet little smile and your meekness. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your 6th year. May you bring light to every one's life you meet, may your world be seen with such happiness through your eyes and may your 6th year be your best yet. You are our little princess who has so much to offer this world. May you always stand tall, believe in yourself , stop to smell the flowers and don't rush to be older (that will be here sooner then you will know), be SIX not sixTEEN, always use your imagination, because I think you have one of the best. Thank you for being so precious!! We love you!

1 Peter 3:3-4
"It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No your beauty should come from within you- the beauty of a gentle quiet spirit, this beauty will never disappear and it is worth very much to God".

Happy 6th Birthday my sweetness! We love you!

Your birthday celebration lasted all weekend!! First we started with a birthday Tea Party (of course) at Queen's Bakery with a few of your close friends, it was so cute seeing you 5 girls act like little ladies sipping away at your tea and giggling like all little girls do!

I LOVE that these two are still so sweet with each other. Taelor has known Hailey since she was born, they are only 9 days apart. LOVE them! 

Lunch and Tea for these sweet little girls

Then the next day we celebrated with family, COWGIRL style! Our my sweet little cowgirl, yee-haw....we all had a great time!

Then it was your birthday! The best day in the year to have a  party...New Year's Eve!!! We started the day off with mommy's french toast bake (birthday girls choice of course), then we headed to Island's for lunch with Gamma, and then it was celebrating with the world and ringing in the New Year! I mean, if "celebrating" means making homemade party hats and watching the NY New Year's Eve, then that's just what we did....oh and we also had a "concert" put on by the one and only Taelor and Ethan! We know how to party on New Year's....let's face it, I only have a few more years and then I am sure my house will be filled with little girls that will be over for slumber parties, so for now I will enjoy the "party of 4" that we have!!! Taelor just thinks it is so great that the entire world is celebrating for her...something tells me she will think this her entire life!

I mean , this was the "BEST" concert, plastic cups, boxes, pencils and all!

Yes the clock says 9:00pm...Happy New Year NY!

Happy Birthday my love and Happy New Year to all!!!