First Day of Kindergarten

My sweet Grace started Kindergarten last month. Many people consider this the start of "real school," but she went all day to the 4 year old preschool program at the same school last year. In a way, it's the same. In other ways, oh so different. Last year I looked forward to the daily reports and comments about her day from her teachers. This year, the only info I'm getting is what I can pry out of her! She has lots of sweet friends in her class, and is having a great year. She breezes through her schoolwork, it comes so easily to her. She likes her teachers, and is always ready to go to school. She is so much like me; I always loved school, and now my heart is warmed that she loves it too.

Meredith is in her class this year! (Grace expected this, and wouldn't have understood them doing it any other way!)

Her teacher did a Hollywood Movie theme.

Her spot at her desk!

Passing The Torch

After the party is over, it's thank you note time. I've written a lot of thank yous since my kiddos were born. I already wrote for Jeremy and myself (not sure if he's ever written one in his life!), but then I added two more little people that I must be gracious for!

This year, for her fifth birthday, Grace wrote her own thank you notes for the first time!! Ahh, my aching hand is less tired already ;) Even the little writing that she did wore her out. As we neared the twentieth card, her writing became sloppier and sloppier!

Aren't they cute?




P.S. Mandi made the cards!

City Park... and ICE SKATING!!!

On our Christmas Eve, we headed into New Orleans to see the Celebration in the Oaks.

Do you remember Marion's visit with Santa this year? Well, she wasn't a fan of Cajun Santa either...

The girls were so excited over this one, Rapunzel is the princess of the moment with her new movie, Tangled.

How gorgeous is this oak, wrapped in lights?!

This rocking horse is a favorite of mine.

We did it! First time for both of us!!!
Grace was nervous to try ice skating, but so proud of herself!!! On Christmas day, we were watching a professional ice show on t.v. and Grace told me she was just as good as they were :)

Reading and Writing... It's Begun!!

Only a few weeks in to 4 year old Pre-K, my baby girl can read very simple books, and spell well enough that I can tell what she means!!

Can you read it?? I CAN!!! Little Miss Muffett was the nursery rhyme of the week at school. Grace made this drawing and wrote out the rhyme all by herself... no help!! Grace amazes me every day :)

The catalogs of Halloween costumes have been coming lately and Grace just loves to look at them. She wrote me this note describing what she thought we should all be (I decoded a bit in the gray marker!)...

Grace has Library class once a week at school. She now writes books at home, sits with them at a desk and has me "check-out" books from her library! It is so cute!!

Here is one of her first books...

"Baby, Hush Please!"
"Made by Grace"

"This (Dis) book has been made in 2010"

"Mom said, "Please Baby!"

"No, said Baby."

"Baby, go to bed!!"
I'm not sure what that last line is, I'll have to ask!!

This is from the first week of school.

Grace made this at school last week. When I saw it in her folder, I wondered if the teacher was as surprised as I was to see Grace spell and write so well!

"My Favorite Colors"

First Days of School

This week has started a new chapter for Grace! On Wednesday, she started four year old pre-K. She is now at the school that we plan for her to be in through high school, and pre-K follows the same schedule as the rest of the school. She goes five days a week, from 8 until 3.

Monday was Open House.

This is the door to Grace's classroom. The theme is "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Look Who's in Our Room." The children's names are all written on the hanging coconuts. They have been using this rhyme all week to learn each other's names.

Grace and Mrs.W. She's great!!

The Playground!! Grace learned the word "recess" this week!

Ready for her first day!! She has on the plaid shorts because Wednesday is her P.E. day. She was nervous, but excited too. There were no tears!!

I took this picture when I got home from dropping her off. We weren't used to leaving the house at 7:30, and Grace isn't used to having to rush through breakfast. Poor girl ate faster on day 2!!

After an AWESOME first day of school!! Watermelon ice cream with gummi bears mixed in... YUM!! ;)

Day 2, in her jumper, and showing off her backpack. It has painted ponies on it. Don't call them horses... she'll correct you!

My Sweet Girl :)

At school, the "school bricks" shot. She's 17 bricks tall, 18 with the bow!

Grace is loving school!! She's made some new friends, and adores her teachers. She comes home from school and draws pictures to bring them the next day! On Friday, she got the "Great Rester" award. Her teacher told her the as soon as she turned around Grace was already asleep. I'm a little surprised, since Grace stopped napping over a year ago. Big girl school can really wear a girl out!

catch up in pictures...

Grace returned to school after her hospital stay and her class had made a get well card for her! :)

Marion chomping on one of her favorite snacks, Baby Mum Mum.

She also eats baby puff snacks, bits of bread, peas and small bits of cheese.

We visited the new "Gatti Town," which is way cooler than Mr.Gatti's ever was!

We took the kids to see Kevin Johnson at the Saenger Theater downtown. He was a ventriloquist on the tv show America's Got Talent. Grace thought he was hysterical and laughed out loud the whole show. She still talks about Matilda (the pink bird puppet) all the time! We kept Marion quiet with the help of lots of puffy baby snacks!

Her first celebrity autograph!

Fall weather has arrived and with it, a change in wardrobe for the kids. Good thing I took a picture the morning Grace wore this... as she put a big hole in the tights on their first wear!

first haircut

Well, first professional haircut at least. I can't even recall how many times I've trimmed on Grace's hair myself.

She had about an inch and a half taken off, it's not really too noticable...

...and insisted on these curls in the front!

my littlest water baby... mother's day

Jeremy, Grace and Marion all helped to make this homemade bouquet for me for Mother's Day. Isn't it lovely?! The did it along with some friends while us mommies were having a girl's night out. Grace was so excited and couldn't wait to give it to me... but she did wait! This was her first successful secret keeping!!! She even teared up one night telling me, "but I just want to tell you your surprise!!!"

She also made me a handprint plate at school. The teacher sent it home wrapped with a note that read, "Do not open until Mother's Day!" Grace handed it to me immediately when I picked her up and yelled as excited as could be... "It's a glass plate!!!!" I did wait to open it :)

Jeremy and the girls also gave me a gift certificate to a boutique... that's already spent ;), and a gift certificate to a spa... that probably won't get spent because I have to go sans kiddos, which is seeming as impoosible as ever with preschool out!

After gifts, we packed up and headed to a friend's pool. We had so much fun! Both girls loved the water and Jeremy and I really needed the break from the unpacking!

Marion relaxing poolside in her bouncy seat!

Grace jumped right in! It was her first time in the pool this summer. I'm loving the floaties now that I have two to handle!

Our attempt at a group shot.

Just Daddy and May May, Grace swam off!

I'm not sure what was going through my head in the following sequence... apparently, I just snapped away as my 3 year old dumped a bucket of water on my 3 month old... not okay!! Marion cried a little, but got over it fast.... Mommy's so sorry honey!

a happy Mommy!