First Day of Preschool- Creighton

Today was Creighton's first day attending Leapin' Lizards Preschool!

We have been talking to Creighton about attending preschool all summer. He has been excited! His teachers even stopped by to visit him at home a few weeks ago. He was glad to have them visit and showed them all of his toys and how he plays with them. He gets along with them great! Then Monday night there was an open house at his school where he got to see his different classrooms and explore with a "scavenger hunt". He got a "special" preschool haircut and new school clothes. There has sure been a lot of preparation on our family's part and his teacher's part to make this transition easier and to make him comfortable.

This morning I could not take him to preschool which was a little sad for me. It is one of those milestones as a mother you hope to be a part of. But if it couldn't be me- the next best person is Creighton's best friend, grandpa! But surprise- daddy got to leave work for a few minutes to see Creighton attend his first day of school!

I worried about him all morning, Will he make friends? Will he wonder where I am? Will he have fun? Will he listen? Surprise- I was able to pick him up from school because I had a patient cancel. When I picked him up though, he told me that he did not have a good time and he did not want to go back ever again. I was so sad but tried to stay positive. All he wanted to know was if it was time to go back to grandpa's house.

Then I worried even more about him that afternoon.

But a little time to process the morning helped I think because when I went to pick him up he was telling grandma how "awesome" preschool was and then later when Grandma and Papa called he told them it was "so fun" and that he was going back tomorrow.

I really hope this will be a good experience. I know that it will be. He needs the structure and to spend time with other kids and begin learning to take direction from someone besides his parents and grandparents. 

His school, Leapin' Lizards, is wonderful and I am already so impressed with the schedule and learning centers and all that he will be offered there. 

I hope to be able to blog in May 2015 about his wonderful experiences in preschool over this coming school year!

"Baby, You're a Firework"

Our little sparkler, Miss Macey Jo, turned 18 months the day after Independence Day.

Now that she is 18 months she attends Nursery at church!

Macey Jo is a sweetie and at 18 months...

She learns new words each day and tries to say what you do. She imitates a lot of words once and then it is difficult to get her to say it again!

She is a fast runner! When she wants to get away from you she gets those little legs pumping and is quick.

She is close to potty training! She brings you a diaper and wipes when she is messy and wants to be changed immediately. We will try to start soon... wish us luck!

Macey is growing taller and not wider. She still wears mostly 18 months clothes.

She loves the summer-time weather and lucky for her is getting a tan!

She loves the summer because she gets to play in the water. She is a water-lover and will play in any water she can find. She doesn't even mind when the pool water is chilly!

Miss Macey Jo sings along with the radio in the car. It is one of the most adorable things she does.

She is a dancer and will dance in the car to music, in the kitchen to "Frozen" music, or on the bench in sacrament meeting while the congregation sings.

She is an awesome eater and is always up for trying new foods.

She loves to play with blocks and Legos and also her kitchen set and her baby doll. 

She wants to be where Creighton is because he is so much fun.

If she makes you laugh, she will repeat whatever she did that made you laugh, over and over and over....
Macey Jo loves shoes and tries on any pair she sees laying around. She also brings her shoes to you when she wants to leave!

It is hard to believe my little babe is 18 months. How time flies!

We love our big girl!!

Arkansas Trip 2014

We decided for our big vacation this year that our family would head to Arkansas to see Big Daddy and Inonna.

We also decided that we would drive- straight through! A lot of people thought that we were crazy! Maybe we are a little crazy. But we survived!

We made ourselves cozy with lots of blankets and pillows and toys to keep us company!

We are grateful that even the smallest of cities have McDonald's because chicken nuggets and french fries make for happy children!

Thank goodness for Creighton the co-pilot! After 18 hours we reached Burlington, Kansas where we could play with our Giraud cousins and stay the night. Then the next day he directed us another 4 hours to Fayetteville, Arkansas where Big Daddy lives! 

Truly, he loved looking at the map and would let us know "we are heading north in the forest!"

Great-Grandma Betty Jo passed away April 24th and we had a graveside service for her on June 24th (her 80th birthday and my 6 year anniversary).

 Her remains were buried with Grandpa's at a tiny cemetery in Bismark Arkansas (another long day of driving).

Grandma as a teenager/young adult.

It was a nice day to celebrate grandma and her life. Grandma Betty Jo was wonderful.

We even celebrated with some famous McClard's barbecue and her favorite cake- red velvet!

Grandma Betty Jo's 4 granddaughters and 3 great-grandchildren.

We had other good times in Arkansas... 

Macey Jo was such a silly girl and insisted on trying on all of the flip-flops lying around. She also enjoyed all of the treats Big Daddy was willing to give to her, like ice cream cones!

 Relaxing and watching movies is always a good thing to do on vacation!

We just HAD to make a trip to Chuck E. Cheese and it did not disappoint!

Of course the highlight of the trip was the swimming pool... I am sure it is the only way Big Daddy and Inonna convince anyone to visit during the summer- the humidity is miserable!

Macey Jo was fearless in the pool- which was no surprise! She is a brave little soul and is always pushing the limits.

She loved the thrill of this little slide.

And also throwing all of the toys in, then back out, then back in again...

Macey Jo was treated like the Queen Bee and even had a special float chair!

But it was more fun riding with Big Daddy!

 Big Daddy is a whole lot of fun in the pool...

It took Creighton a few days to be comfortable in the pool. At first he was timid which surprised us- but something he wasn't shy with was using the squirt gun!

It took some patience and coaxing but by the last day he was happy to be in the pool and didn't want to get out!

We had a fun visit at Big Daddy and Inonna's house but the drive is daunting... It may be a while before we head back- unless we fly!

Thanks Big Daddy and Inonna!

Mother's Day Family Pictures

For Mother's Day this year my sisters and I bought my mom a family photo session!

 

Photos by Audrey Houghland.