Early September

Trying to recap things from early September.  My memory is a little foggy.  :)

One night on Labor Day weekend we had the Bells over for dinner.  We ended the evening with s'mores.  We love our firepit and the girls love s'mores.

Emma stayed the night.  These girls grew up together since their moms worked together and they were at the same daycare.  Now they go to different elementary schools so they were very excited to have a sleepover. BFFs! 

Addison played soccer again this year.  Last year she was doing cartwheels.  This year she actually went for the ball.  Lots of improvement!  Verdict is still out whether or not she will continue with this sport.  Sometimes she seemed really into it and other times she didn't care much.  We shall see. 

 

 

Addie had two great coaches this year!  They were really good at encouraging the kids, were very fair and did lots of good exercises.  The last practice night the kids played the adults in a scrimmage.  I was at practice that night.  I have never played soccer in work clothes/shoes before, but it was nothing that this soccer mom/soccer star couldn't handle!  Ha!

One afternoon my parents watched Dawson so we met them at Brown Park to feed ducks and play.

 

This is now the way Kate smiles for the camera.  She cheeses so much her eyes close.

Love this one of Addie girl.

 

 

 

 

It was Living Organism Week for Addie so one day the students had to bring a living organism or a picture of a living organism.  In true Addie fashion, she brought a container full of worms!  Recently we were talking and she said, "Mommy, the next time it rains, can we go outside..."  I interrupted her thinking she was going to say, "...to play in the rain?"  But instead she said, "No, mommy, so we can go looking for worms!"  She is a nature girl.  Here is a picture of Addie showing off her worms and walking Sadie.  Sadie actually came to the bus stop that day.  Sadie is so old and doesn't do long walks well.  It took her some time, but she made it there and back.  Addie liked having Sadie at the bus stop that morning.

Addie and I went with David and Dylan to a UofL football game.  It should indicate how little we (well, really Jeremy) watch sports on tv when Addison asked on the way there, "So, what is a football game?"  Ha!  It was a very hot day.  Addie got bored, but was entertained by eating game food and watching the cheerleaders.  This was right before I started at my new job at UofL.  It was pretty cool seeing the marching band and being at the game knowing I would soon be working for the UofL School of Music.

More updates soon.  Trying to get to October because I have lots of pictures from all of the fall activities!  I love fall!  

Kindergarten rocks!

It is hard to believe that we have a Kindergartner in our house.  Addison started elementary school in August and school has flown by ever since.

Since she started school on a Tuesday, I took the day before off so we could have a mommy-and-me day, although the morning turned out differently than planned.  I ended up having a job interview that morning which eventually I was offered and then I accepted!!!  More soon.  When I got home from the interview it was time for lunch.  She changed into her new dress I bought her for the day and we headed to Panera.  Her pick, of course.  Girlfriend loves mac 'n cheese!

The rest of the day she picked what she wanted to do off of a list that I came up with.  We first went to "The Paint Spot" to paint our own pottery.  Addie LOVES doing any kind of art!  She really took her time picking out the colors and enjoyed getting to do everything without any help.  Of course she painted a princess.

 

We then went to a salon to get pedicures, a first for her.  We were going to stay for manicures, but the frozen yogurt shop next door was too tempting so off we went.  We ran a couple of errands and then it was time to come home for dinner.  It was such a sweet day that I hope to always remember! 

And in a flash the BIG DAY was here.  I took off work that day as well and was able to put her on the bus and pick her up.  Being inspired by others, I thought it would be fun to make a sign similar to this every first day of school. 

The classic Kindergarten pose: huge backpack and lunchbox.  Her school has uniforms and I LOVE it!  Soooo much less drama in our home getting ready in the mornings!

Walking to the bus stop.  My heart was melting!

 And off she went!

 

Even though our girls are daycare girls and I am away from them during the day during the week, I was still emotional that morning.  It was so many emotions combined.  I think the biggest thing was that it was such a milestone. It is kind of like a loss of innocence.  It's a whole new era for her and for us.  Addie was so excited!  We talked a lot about Kindergarten before she went, went to a Kindergarten kick-off at Slugger field and read a book called, "Kindergarten Rocks!"  Her teacher is a good friend of ours from church, which is obviously wonderful and helped with the transition.  One time when we were talking about school starting she said she was nervous.  And I asked her, "Well, what are you nervous about?"  She replied, "Because I have to hold my toots in all day!"  Ha!  So funny.  Not the response I expected.

I think she was most excited about riding the bus.  Addie catches the bus a couple streets down so I enjoyed talking with her on the way to the stop that first morning.  As soon as the bus came she bolted to the door.  I didn't even get to hug her!  I introduced myself to the bus driver and stepped off the bus.  I didn't get to see where she sat on the bus.  The doors closed and the bus drove away.  I was trying to see where she was, but she wasn't tall enough for me to see her and wave goodbye.  Ha!  So like that she was gone without me waving goodbye or hugging her.  And all of the sudden I was crying.  Everything happened so fast.  At first I was sad that I didn't get to hug her or wave goodbye, but then I just started smiling.  Why wouldn't I smile?  She was so confident, had no hesitation and was genuinely excited to start school.

Of course I thought about her throughout the day and was eager to pick her up off the bus stop. Jeremy and I both met her at the stop.  One of the first things she said was, "Kindergarten rocks!"  Love! 

I did better the next day getting her on the bus.  And within a few hours her teacher was calling me to tell me she thought she was sick.  Yep, I had to pick her up at the end of her second day and she missed her third day of school due to a fever.  Guess Addie won't be getting perfect attendance this year.  Ha!

A couple of months in and Addison is still enjoying school.  She really loves her special areas: music, library, art, Spanish, computer and P.E.  She is learning a lot from Mrs. Mercker.  She is getting in trouble some and most of it is for talking a lot.  Shocker!  But Mrs. Mercker also told us at our parent-teacher conference that she is a leader and gave us examples of her being very caring, polite and giving.  So proud!  Having a school-aged child is a whole new ballgame...paperwork, deadlines, school functions, etc.  I will say bedtime has been much easier because she is pretty tired. :)

We are excited to experience this milestone with our first-born.  We love you so much, Addison, and are so proud of you!

Preschool graduation

Well, it looks like I am blogging about 2 months after things happen.  Ugh.  One day I will get caught up, one day.

In the middle of August Addison became an official preschool graduate.  Her daycare did a nice little graduation for those moving on to Kindergarten and moving on to another preschool.

All of the graduates lined up. Ms. Hope is on the left and was her preschool teacher. Ms. Shashi is on the right.  Shashi is the owner of the daycare and has helped take care of Addison since she was 6 months old.

Cracking herself up.  She loves being the spotlight. :)

Each graduate got to showcase something they learned.  Addie read a book out loud.   I have video that I am trying to get posted, but our internet isn't working well so it may not work until it gets fixed. 

Our graduate looking so old!

Kate was there, but she was more into the reception than the actual graduation.  Ha!

Next up...Kindergarten!  Can't believe we have a Kindergartner in our house!