Party Time!

This was the pre-party celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

This was at Chuck E Cheese. Grace LOVED her cake.

Below are pictures of friends and family having fun with us!!

 

 

 



 

All the kids did a great job eating, playing, and having fun!!! It couldn't have gone any better!!!

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Then came Chuckie!!! Grace and John LOVE him. She was so excited to see him. All the kids enjoyed him too.

 

 

 

 

Hmmm I guess my pics aren't in the best order- but I had too many to post- so it was hard. Anyway-it was a great birthday celebration and I thank everyone who came to help us celebrate Grace's special day. 

 

OH and I have more birthday pics to post. On her actaul day we had more company- more cupcakes- and more fun!!! SO soon to come!!!

3 Years Old

 

 

Well tomorrow is the big day. Grace will be 3 years old!!! I just can't believe it! I bet you knew I was going to say that. Ha ha  But seriously - time goes soooo fast that sometimes I wish it would sloooow down a tad. I thank God for her and love her so very much.

 

We had a great party last night. I will post pics at a later day- but I am so thankful that everyone came out to help us celebrate her birthday. However.... it's not over. We are having another mini party tomorrow. Can't wait!!

My Tired Princess

 

 

This was Grace after DAY 2 of school. She was all tuckered out. However.... today she was so wound up that she totally skipped her nap ON a school day. But that means early bedtime!!!

 

Tomorrow is her bday party. I am so excited for her. She is still excited and I think she really understands what's going on. She had her bday at school today. She said they put a crown on her and sang her a song. Awe- so sweet!! I am still not 100% sure about what to do about Monday. Part of me thinks  I should send her- part of me says don't. I think I will wait until that morning and ask her what she wants to do. If she wants to go- I'll take her and if not- then we will hang out with Meme and Papa.

 

I am a tad nervous for her party- as it's the first party I am having. Previous celebrations would just be at someones house or something simple. SO I am just praying everything goes well and that it's not too crowded for the kids to play. I am also hoping the food is good and that ALL the kids have fun. I can't wait to post pics of this special day.

First Day Of School

 

 

 

This was the first day of school. As you can see, she was very excited from the time she woke up- until we arrived. Then she got shy- but still went right in! She wanted pancakes (as usual) and we had a great talk at breakfast. She told me everything she was going to say to her new friends. However, I knew she wouldn't say any of it- as it takes her a good month to open up. But it's the thought that counts!! ha ha.

 

Tomorrow is her birthday celebration at school. I have her favorite book, birthday treat, and 5 oz cups packed. We are ready for her 5 day bday celebration to begin!!

Orchard Time!

Today we went to the Orchard with Grace's best friend Autumn. They are in gymnastics together and we have had several play dates. They love to play and be around each other. Autumn is such a sweet bubbly little girl. They are like 2 peas in a pod. I love when they are around each other. They have the same hair texture- just a shade different. Her mom is Puertorican and her dad is Caucasian- so they are both biracial but look so different. Cute as ever!! We've joked that it looks like we could trade kids or that people probably think Grace is hers and Autumn is mine.  Ha ha. We have Autumn's birthday party this weekend too. It's on Sunday evening- so we are excited for all the parties to come. We have her other friend Luke's party on the 27th. They all have Fall birthdays. Kind of funny! But of course it keeps us busy. Luke has been busy at school now so we don't see him much. But we are going to make more of an effort. He was the little boy that Grace went to school with last year. I posted pics of them running in the sprinkler at Luke's house- oh and eating together at the picnic table. Grace will be so happy to see him Saturday for her party. Tomorrow at school they are going on a morning nature walk. It's a good thing I just bought her a winter coat. They sent home many reminders about having appropriate clothes for the weather change. Few..... good thing!!!

 

 



Canada Pictures - Update

 

 

I still have some pictures from Canada that I forgot to post. This is Adeyiza's oldest sister. Grace loved her hair- so I think that's why she wanted to get hers done. Ha ha. They sure did have fun together.

 

Grace had a really good day at school today. Last Friday the teacher said she said a "few" words. Ha- she's so quiet for a while until she feels comfortable. At her old school they said she started talking a month later- and then she was ALWAYS talking and SINGING!! LOVE it!! So I told them it will just take time. I know she is slow to speak.... and slow to walk. She's always the last one and very slow. But that's my Grace. She does things at her own pace. I've stopped rushing her (well for the most part) and I try to be extra patient. OK yes- not all days I have patience- but all I can do is try.  This Friday they are celebrating her birthday.  I know right? Friday....her birthday is Monday. But because another kid has the SAME birthday- Grace gets Friday. NOW- I usually don't complain about things- but that to me is ridiculous. As a former teacher and now a parent- I couldn't imagine celebrating one of my kids one day- and not another kids with the same birthday. It doesn't make sense to me. You find a way to make 2 kids feel special. After all- they share the same day. Trust me- it can be done!! Been there, done that!!! Also- how on earth could I wake her up and tell her it's her special day, and then get to school to celebrate another kids bday. Call me crazy- but that is not only confusing for a 3 year old- but heart breaking for the mother (ME). So... since good ol Meme and Papa will be here- I am keeping her home- and we will have our own celebrations ALL DAY!!! I know- I am probably sounding silly- but she is so excited this year- so I am TOO!!! We are having her party on Saturday with friends and family. She keeps talking about it. She will go down the list of everyone coming. Some people she may say ARE not coming- like her family in Cananda. But she will still say their names and I will tell her not this time. Anyway- it's so fun to see that she is so excited and knows what is going on. Until age 3- it's like not a big deal to them. But now.... watch out!! She's excited more than ever!!

Story Time

Grace and John love reading their books together. John is really getting into animal books. He can say most of the animal sounds. It's so cute! His favorite is the cow. He gives a big "mooooo" sound.

 

Grace had another great day at school today. She was so excited once again. John and I ran some errands all morning before we picked her up. That's about all tonight. Kind of tired now- until next time.



Baby Avery's Visit

 

She was so happy when she arrived!!

Grace and John were so excited.

 

Grace couldn't wait to hold her. Avery was such a trooper.

 

 

 

 

Of course she had to have her first Halloween present from us.

 

 

She loved playing with all the toys. Ummmm yes - which means I need to get them older toys. I've known that for a while- I just hate to buy more things now. But I will need to upgrade to more age appropriate things I guess. It's time. ha ha...

She loved the Jumperoo!!

 



And now to the park!! Grace was so excited to push her.

 

 

 It was so nice out.

 



 

Oh did she love the swing. She giggled and everything. It was so cute!

 

She was watching John swing next to her. Grace was being the "BIG" cousin and helped us push the little ones.

 

Oh and she just had to help cousin Lindsey feed her.

 

Lindsey enjoyed reading books to the kids. They sure did have a great time. When I look at our kids playing together- it's kind of weird to me. I mean sometimes I still feel like we are still little kids when we are all together - but I guess we aren't. We are all grown up and now OUR kids play together. It's just so neat. OK that concludes all the pics of Avery's visit. She is such a good baby I can't wait to see her again.  

Second - First Day of School

I say second because technically she already went to school last year- however, this is a full blown preschool so this could be her real first day!  ha ha.

 

I do have better pictures than this- but I wanted to post something today since this was the actual day. These are from my phone. We started the morning off with a big breakfast. Her favorite..... PANCAKES and raspberries. Then we got all packed and ready. She was so excited. She couldn't wait to go. I did get a sitter for John for a little bit so that I could take her alone and give her special attention. We get to her school and the teachers, director, and other parents were so welcoming. She put on her green name tag and found her locker. Meanwhile, I am in tears already. The first day is always the hardest on me I guess. She was excited and ready the whole time- and I'm trying to hide my tears. Another mom was like are you ok? I start laughing and said I was fine and that it's just a little hard to let go sometimes. So.... the director came and took her from me and walked her to her class. I said ok Grace bye! She just kept on walking and away she went. I got a cute text from the teacher later with a picture telling me she was doing good. I was happy to see that and appreciated her taking the time out to do that. Later John and I went to pick her up. See lunch time here is usually 11:30 and naps are around 12:30. So.... we will be a tad off for a couple weeks but it didn't go too bad. John did fall asleep for about 10 minutes on our way over- but I woke him up right when we got there. I have to work hard at not letting him fall asleep at all. We shall see. They had a late lunch and a late nap - but overall it went good. She was happy as can be when she got home. Her lunch prayer was the following, "Dear God, thank you for my school. Amen." I love her prayers. They are precious. OK that's all tonight.



Baby Avery

 

 

 

We were all excited to have Avery come visit us. She is such a good baby and oh so happy!!! She came to me right away - with open arms and a BIG smile!!! I was so excited. I have so many great pics that I will post but this is my favorite. She is sooooo cute!!!! Grace and John LOVED playing with her.  We stayed here for a while and then we all went to the park. She had fun in the swing. I have pics of that too- just can't do it tonight. I hope  we can get together more often. We used to have many sleep overs as cousins that were so much fun. Can't wait to have Avery stay with us. Who knows- she may even yell out the window, "I'm from Texas!" , sneak downstairs for a snack, stay up late, go to Major Magics, get ice cream from Friendly's, ...... the sky is the limit right? (All things we used to do.... plus much more.) Anyway- we had a great visit!!! She sure is a doll.

A Blast From The Past!! Crazy hair day!!

I love going through old pics of the kids. It's so fun!! I look at her hair in some of them and crack up. She's always had such a full head of hair. Her 4 month pics (I'm looking for some to post) shows just how thick her hair was and always has been. Love it!!! I am glad I finally retired the bow though. 

 

We had swim class today - which she loves!! She is becoming such a great and independent swimmer. John goes with me now and we play while she swims. He will pull at the door to the pool and say, "opin - wa wa ". It's so funny. He wants to get in so bad. Anyway- after that we went to Farm County Park. It's a park they love!! I love this weather- so I'm taking full advantage of all these cool Fall days.

 

So I am doing old pics of Grace until I download more new pics- but also bc she's about to be 3 in 2 weeks and I just can't believe it. So from time to time I will post an old picture of her comparing then and now.

 

Oh and she keeps telling me to go jogging so that she can stay and watch John. I say Ummmm NO but soon enough I will take you up on it!! Ha ha silly girl!

Boys will be Boys!!

 

 

 

So... I had to run to the bathroom for 2 SECONDS... YES only 2 Seconds.... and John managed to climb up Grace's shelf. I mean- he will climb anything he possibly can. When Grace was his age- NOPE NO WAY would she ever do anything like this!!!! I do think it's funny though. It truly shows the difference between boys and girls. I had to take a picture of him. He was as happy as can be playing in ALL Grace's shoes, hair things, and lotions. Such a silly boy. Love him to pieces!!

 

He is changing daily. He's talking more- knows what he wants- and his skin is Marvelous!! When we were in Canada my mother in law gave me a chunk of pure Shea Butter to try on his skin. It works soooo good!! His skin as NEVER been softer. I finally found the solution to his dry skin. Who would have thought. Well I guess I didn't - with the help of Mummy of course. I still need to use steroid cream once in a while- but it's so much better now. He does still scratch a bit- but not nearly as much and I think most of that is habit. Anyway- thankful for the pure Shea Butter.

 

He is eating ok. Not the best- but ok. Still has his favorites- and will occasionally try new things. But overall he is still pretty picky. We had his 15month apt. 2 weeks ago and he is still pretty low on the charts. But that's ok b/c he's healthy. That's all that matters.  So funny story- John got his 2 shots- and the doctor told me I could do Grace's flu shot since we were already there. So The nurse got everything ready- and I'm trying to talk to her so she doesn't get scared- and the whole time she's so interested in the shot that she just watches the nurse and doesn't make a peep. No tears - nothing. We were all done with her- and then John had his 2. We got home and Grace realized that John had 2 shots- and she only got 1. She started crying saying she wants 2 like John. I couldn't believe it. I swear she's going to be a doctor or nurse. She loves the doctor and LOVES getting things done. He even said they are the best 2 kids he's had. Perhaps he tells everyone that- but it's true- during exams and such they just sit there letting him do whatever. Even when looking in ears, throats, eyes- they both just sit and let him do his thing. Anyway- that's all for now. Swimming tomorrow and then playing at the BIG park. 

Look At Her!!

I was just looking at old pics and found this one of my little Grace. Man- time goes by too fast. I need to slow our lives down a bit. I just can't believe it. I miss how little she used to be already.

 

Next Monday she starts preschool- so I am getting a little nervous/anxious all over again. I know she will be just fine- it's me who gets a little worked up. But it will be good. I have planned to take John to open gymnastics (tumbling) and all sorts of other fun things. I love having one on one time- so this will be good for all of us.

 

Nothing else is really going on. We are just busy playing outside and such. Love this fall cool weather!! I do not miss the Texas heat. I love getting us all bundled up to play outside. I can hardly wait until winter. Snow will be super fun with these two. Well... I hope I don't get too cold. It's usually me who wants to go inside early. But I know they will have tons of fun playing in it. Oh and I love Starbucks this time of year. Egg Nog latte and Pumpkin Spice latte - ARE THE best fall drinks. Wel Egg Nog comes later - but those 2 are my favs!!!