Preschool!

Our little blondie started preschool today!  This little thing is our sensitive soul.  Evie gets her feelings hurt more easily, is more afraid to try new things, and gets embarrassed quickly.  She's also the first to compliment you, tell you she loves you, and is the best little hugger and snuggler.  

Our Evie Joy is still a little bit of a diamond in the rough, but she has matured so much in the last several months.  She has gained so much more confidence, been willing to get up and try again when something went wrong, and became the sweetest big sister.  She's even an official member of the neighborhood "friend team", according to Lyla.  :)

Last year, when Lyla was in preschool, we had so much fun in our couple of hours alone.  She would talk about getting to go to preschool herself, and when Lyla's new school also offered a 2 day, 2 hour preschool program for 3 year olds I knew it would be the perfect first step for her.  And she was pretty excited to get to go to school with her big sister!

I felt the tears coming on last night as I pulled her little dress out of the dryer in preparation for today.  We had gone to Target on Lyla's first day of school for her own little clothes shopping trip and when she saw this dress she said, "Oooh, my favorite color! Teal!!"  I don't even know when she learned teal was a color, but needless to say, she got the dress.  Pulling that little thing out of the dryer made me want to call the school and tell them I'd made a mistake.  She was too small for preschool and I was keeping her home for another year!  But I resisted the urge, and this morning when the fits started bright and early I was relieved to get a small break from the precious girl.  ;)

She was so excited to get dressed and put on her backpack and be a big kid with her sister.  When we got to the school she said "This is the first day of my LIFE!" and hurried to her class.  We hung up her backpack and took her jacket off, and when her teacher came to greet her she hesitated just for a minute, then realized there was play doh to be played with and ran right in.  No nerves, no tears, just a brave little 3 year old, spreading her wings.  Lyla went to her room next door, and I took off for a little alone time with my tiny guy.

Two hours later we were back and a small herd of 3 year olds came running to us parents yelling "Mommy! Daddy!!"  It was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.  I scooped up my 3 year old and we headed for the car.  We sat and ate snacks and played I Spy as we waited for Lyla to get out.  She told me all about her day and how much fun she had and how much she liked her teacher.  It was the perfect first day for my girl.  Can't wait to see her shine!

Proud of you, Sissy Sue!

- K

You and Me, Babe

There are so many things to love about Lyla being in preschool.  She's having so much fun, making such great friends, and soaking new information up like a little sponge.  But one of my favorite things is all the precious alone time with my little Evie Joy. 

The first time I took Evie out on a quick mommy-daughter date she was so confused about why Lyla wasn't in the car seat next to hers.  I said "It's just you and me, babe!"  We headed to Target and Starbucks and shared a cake pop while we meandered through the aisles.  We weren't even there to do grocery shopping!  It was so fun to relax a bit and just focus on her.

Ever since that little date whenever we get into a car alone Evie will say from the back "Just you and me, babe!"  It's so darn cute, and it makes me so glad to have this time together.  Some days are spent just running around doing errands, but we also manage to sneak in play dates.  Whatever we're doing, just spending that time with her is my favorite. 

Here are some pictures from a recent park trip.  :)

- K

 

We were in the area, so I took her to the park by our old house.  Man, did it bring back memories.  Lyla and I LIVED at that park when she was a toddler.  This bouncy grasshopper was always a favorite back then too.  :)

 

We picked up the movie Land Before Time the other day, so Evie kept calling this dino Cera.  :)

 

When we first started going to this park Lyla was too tiny to sit on that bench by herself.  We'd lift her up onto it and her tiny legs would dangle.  That feels like just yesterday!

 

Swinging has always been both girls' favorite thing about the park.

 

They had a new cool swing that let us swing together.  It was so fun!  Such a good day.

Everly's Birthday Party!

I think if I could add a sixth love language it would have to be throwing birthday parties.  I told myself going into this year that I wouldn't do the whole big birthday party thing for the girls this year.  But then their birthdays approached and I just couldn't help myself.  And it doesn't stop with the party, it's the actual birthday too.  I can't resist the balloons and the banners and the sparkle in their eyes when they see it all.  On the one hand I tell myself that it doesn't matter, they won't remember, it's unnecessary.  But on the other hand their birthdays are kind of the biggest deal in my world and I can't stop expressing my excitement in these silly little parties.

Everly spends about half her time crawling on the ground, meowing and demanding belly rubs.  The other half is spent chasing her kitty or giving him treats.  She loves all things kitty so much I decided on a kitty theme for her birthday.  She threw in a little wrench when the night before her birthday I was talking excitedly about her turning two and out of nowhere she says "Go cake?  On cake?"  Go is what she calls Elsa since she sings Let It Go, and On is obviously Anna.  :)  Which meant she was asking for a Frozen cake, which was not on my radar at all.  I think she was just remembering Lyla's Elsa cake I had made, and relating that to birthdays but over here on their birthday it's kind of like what baby wants, baby gets.  ;)  I made sure we had a Go cake, On cake for her party and it paid off.  When she woke up from her nap right before the party she asked about it again and was so excited when I showed it to her.  She's still talking about the party, randomly listing everyone that was there then the kitty pops then the Go cake, On cake.  It's pretty darn cute.  :)

I did a little kitty dress up station for the girls and settled on swords and fart themed prizes for the boys.  Because all boys like swords and farts, right?  I really have no clue.  ;)  Amazingly it was a beautiful high 60's kind of day, so we were able to bust out the jump house too.  It was a fun day, and one Evie is not bound to forget for a long time.  Thanks to our friends that came to celebrate our little miss!

- K

Disclaimer: I didn't make a SINGLE thing myself, and it was glorious.

All I wanted was a picture with the birthday girl.  All she wanted was Goan Goan.  :)

The girls with Joan and Dave - their forever guests of honor.

This sweet hug inspired me to try for more "posed" pictures...

...it didn't work out.

They love me so much.

Ryan drew this cute "pin the tail on the kitty" game!

It took a whoopee cushion to get this smiling pic.  :)

This is the exact baby that Sis found at Target and wanted SO BAD.  I had already gotten her presents so did not get it for her.  A friend happened to pick out the absolute perfect thing.  She was beyond thrilled!

All she really cares about is the frosting.  :)

Two!

On Tuesday my baby turned two.  Now to the rest of you "normal" people that sentence probably makes you think "how exciting!" or "that's great!" or "2 is so fun!" or "watch out!  terrible twos!" or any of those other silly things you normal people say about babies getting older.  But that's not exactly how my way too mushy-gushy-tenderhearted head works.  It's more like "NO!!" and "WHY?!?!" and "Where are the brakes on this dang thing called life???"  and then I cry and then eventually force my brain into submission and all those silly normal things everyone else says about birthdays.

Don't get me wrong, I love it.  I love them getting older and experiencing new things and the proud look on their faces when they accomplish something big in their little worlds.  But the thing is I just don't want to live in a world without a warm, cozy baby in my arms.  Or a little one year old stumbling around, learning to take their first steps.  Or a chubby-legged pig-tailed toddler running through my halls on their tippy toes.  I just can't get enough of every stage, and I think if I could create an alternate universe it would be one where my babies are all those ages at the same time, only without the restraint of time so I could avoid the complete exhaustion that would surely accompany having 50 baby stages running around me at all times.  :)

But I think the key to all these stages is just to enjoy the heck out of them, and believe me, that I do.  I literally cannot get enough of my sweet little Evie Sis.  She is difficult and feisty and stubborn at times, but mostly she's funny and sweet and she can turn on the charm like nobody's business. 

I love how her eyes dance and lips curve into a little smirk when she's teasing you.  I love her fuzzy duckling blonde hair she's had since she was born, and her slightly flushed face when she's just woken up.  I love the warmth of her skin when I grab her out of her crib and she holds on to me tightly, finding her comfortable place on my hip.  I love when she's tired and she's in that same spot on my hip and rests her little head on my shoulder.  I love that she still has a nice, healthy layer of that buttery soft baby fat all over her little body.  I love how she climbs all over you, standing on your legs, and sticking her face in yours when she's being goofy and wants your attention.  I love how out of the blue she'll ask to cuddle, and it suddenly becomes time for the family to pile up on the couch and watch some show together.  I love her love for fancy shoes and dresses.  I love how she'll fight you to the death if you try to take something from her, but she'll gladly hand it over when asked politely.

I just love HER.  Every little bit.  And I even love watching her grow.  I know she won't be my little toddler forever, but what a blessing it is to get to be her #1 fan on the sidelines of life, cheering her on to all the big plans God has in store.  And believe me, nothing small is going to come out of all that feisty.  :)

Love you sissypoo - forever and ever! 

- K

Lyla had a hard time grasping that all the presents weren't for her too.  :)

Evie's favorite present ended up being these awkward balloons.

This girl and her tippy toes.  :)

Two!!

Had to bust into the new art supplies right away.  Drawing and painting has always been a favorite of hers.

This was before Lyla tackled the "2" balloon, broke the string and set it free.

We headed to the donut shop in our jammies.

A Goan Goan visit was probably the highlight of her day.

"If I smile sweetly no one will notice the tail pulling..."

We finished the day with a trip to the MOA to ride all the rides our little shorty pants could get on, followed by dinner at the Rainforest Café.  I think it was probably the very best day of her life.  :)