Lila Loves School

This year Sissy has the kiddos in a pre-K curriculum, and, so far, I'm pretty impressed with the things that Lila has been bringing home. The two big girls do a journal everyday where they tell Sissy a sentence that has to do with a story or where they simply answer a prompt. Sissy leaves the learned letters and words as blanks, and they have to fill in the sounds -- by writing the letters themselves. Lila is doing really well with this and is so excited to show me her journals in the afternoons. Not only is she getting the beginning sounds, but also a few sounds in the middle. So thankful that my sweet girl has a love for learning!

 "I played at my house with my sister."

Clare at 14 mos.

My busy girl is 14 months old today. Time is flying and I sure do wish it would slow down a little bit. I love this age that she is, but she definitely keeps me going and on my toes. I tried to grab some cute pictures in the driveway this morning, but the best picture I got was in her carseat -- strapped in and no where to go!!

Clare still adores Lila, and I am so thankful that Lila is as good with Clare as she is. They play so well together, and Lila is incredibly patient and kind to her. Clare though is showing a bit of a possessive side, and I've noticed her trying to snatch toys away more lately or push Lila out of the way. She's definitely fiesty!

Clare is a mess ... here are just a few pictures to justify that claim.

A few more things ... She loves her lovies (she has about 3). She's a great eater. My sister thinks that she's hilarious with a sippy cup. She's warming up to school, but my heart smiles that she's so excited to see me in the afternoons. She's saying a few more words ... backpack is a new one. I picked her up this afternoon and asked if she'd been sweet -- she nodded her head yes. She'll say nuh-uh if she doesn't want to do something. She likes to color (and is better about not eating the crayons). She's a great sleeper and is especially good about going to bed at night. If you tell her she's cute, she'll grin and pat her belly.

We love her sooooo much.

Fun Sunday

Myself and these two beautiful girls below have had some major adjusting to do this past week. I think they've handled it pretty well. Clare is a little iffy whenever I drop her off at Sissy's in the morning, but as far as I can tell they both have had really good days. Lila is loving being back in school -- they both have bookbags with folders that hold their work and they are super excited to share them when we get home.

I, on the other hand, am tired...really, really tired. I get my new little ones tomorrow, and I am very excited to see their little faces and get to know their personalities, but I know it's gonna be a busy and exhausting week. I was dead to the world by 8:30 Friday night ... I can only imagine how I'll feel this next one!!

I missed hanging out with my girls this past week ... going and doing the random little things. I loaded them up this afternoon and headed over to the Overall Co. in downtown. They have homemade popsicles, and I was in the mood to try them.

Clare and I shared the cookies and cream and it was delish.

Lila tried the strawberry-banana cream one and it was really good -- Clare and I ended up finishing that one up, because Lila wanted mine once she figured out it was chocolate. :) It was a really nice place -- not too sure I'll take the kiddos back right now, but those popsicles were great so I'll definitely be utilizing the drive-thru!!

We headed to the park this afternoon and played and rode the Rockybrook Rocket. We were happy to run into some buddies -- the girls had a blast!!

Here's to the next week!! Bring it on!!

Building a Village

Lila insists it's simply a tower ... but I see a little village with roads and houses and tall buildings. She worked very diligently on it and was way proud when she was done.

She's kind of gotten out of that "tthhrreee" stage ... you know, the stage that's worse than those terrible twos?? The stage where everything is a fight and a temper tantrum and total independence is a must in her book. She still has some moments, but I adore this stage that she's in. She's so stinkin' smart, and I love our conversations. She never fails to make me smile.

I love my Lila so, so, so much ... to the moon and back :)

Just Because...

She's just too cute for words!!

**2 More New Posts Below!**

Ballet

Lila started ballet tonight ... I'm not sure which one of us was more excited!!

She was tickled that her buddy Emory got to take ballet with her!

1st Day of School

Our Back-to-School pictures for this year.

This was this time last year ... man oh man, how they've grown!!

My big girl was super excited to head back to Sissy's. She started asking if it was time to go around 4:45 this morning. :-)

Clare was a little confused as to what the fuss was about and wasn't too keen on picture taking.

I actually took this one when we got home this afternoon. She was in a much better mood. :-)

Our first day!

Sissy sent a few pictures throughout the day ... I think they enjoyed themselves!!

Today is the Last Day

Today was our last day of summer vacation. Let me shed a tear. Today was our last summer morning to wake up, snuggle, and rock out to the "Hot Dog" song. These two sweet girls have definitely made my summer mornings.

We have had one of the best summers on record. We have beached it, gymnastic camped it. We have done Vacation Bible School. We celebrated a first birthday and visited with all kinds of family. We have had lots of playdates at the pool and at Frog Legs. We've shopped and gone on walks and had girl lunches. I.have.loved.every.minute.of.it. I will miss my sweet girls terribly tomorrow.

Today we woke up late, went on a walk, and hung out with each other. Lila had an appointment for a hair cut this afternoon ... I got a good before shot, but I'll have to do a better after shot tomorrow morning. I took her along to my pedicure too ... she loved getting to be a big girl and have her toes painted -- she was very specific in that she wanted pink with a flower.

Before her haircut -- first time sitting in the big chair. :-)

Clare carried on as usual being the HUGE mess that she is. I won't lie...I'm a little nervous about her and school this year. She is a bit of a stinker...I hope she stays out of trouble! Now don't get me wrong ... she's extremely loving and sweet and adorable, but she has a streak. She's found her sliding clost doors and hides in her closet quite a bit...today in her tutu with her hair hanging in her eyes.

This is a usual dinner picture -- food strung through her hair and all over face. She's cheesing here.

I'm going to miss our little threesome during the day. Their love for each other and their little personalities have lit up my days all summer long. Lila's excited about going back to school, and she's promised to take care of Clare ;-). I know we will have a great school year. So, say a quick prayer for our morning tomorrow...we would appreciate it. :-)

Whirlwind Weekend

We had a quick weekend back to Madison before the school year gets started ... blah. The girls got dolled up for Grammy and Casey in their San Diego Minnie Mouse shirts. They were pretty stinkin' cute!

Just an fyi...this is what over half of my pictures look like!

Saturday, we got to go and celebrate this sweet little lady's first birthday! The girls had fun playing -- Lila loved the big girls and was so excited to get to play with them. Clare was her usual get-into-everything self. :)

Today, we headed to Boaz to visit with family and go to our annual family reunion -- that would be the 107th family reunion. Love this time to hang out with family that we don't get to see very often.

Love this picture of Clare and her Papa.

This box and the balloon below were life savers...let me tell you!

Group Shots

Brother and Sisters