What I will remember about Natalie's last day of school

Today was officially the last day of Natalie's K3. They mostly had just a party scheduled for today. I knew they were getting lunch from Chic-fil-A catered in (we sent in the money last week). However, I should have looked at the note just a bit more closely.

Dropping Natalie off this morning, I planned on running an errand or two before going back to the house for one last quiet morning. She had picked out a new outfit from her grandma, which was kind of dressy but very cute. The lady opening the car looked at her and asked me the last question I thought she would ask. She asked, "Does she have her swimsuit on under that?" Giving her the completely clueless look, I answered, "Umm, no." I was then informed that they were running through sprinklers and working with sidewalk chalk during the party. So, this began the race back home. I usually am not in a hurry leaving the school, but this day was an exception. Nicole & I went home and quickly grabbed a swimsuit and other clothes, plus a towel, and went back to give these to Natalie. I changed her quickly in her classroom and then went back home to feed Nicole and have her nap.

Since Nicole was late for her nap, she was a little later waking up. I had wanted to get some pictures at the party, but these were all we had. At least I have a picture of her with Mrs. Brogden! When I entered the classroom to pick Natalie up, Mrs. Brogden informed me about Natalie's most recent activity. Mrs. Brogden had told the kids to sit in a circle while she went to each one of them to help them undress the wet clothes & put on dry ones. She looked around and Natalie was running around without a stitch on!

Natalie and Mrs. Brogden (with clothes, thank goodness!)

Last view of the room with everyone!

It's kind of sad, seeing the last day of school! All Nicole will remember about this is getting in and out of the car seat several times!

Having Fun

Catching up on some blogging today! I had to post a picture of our family exercise. Nicole won't be able to ride the doodlebug until 1 year old (the carrier behind my bike). So, when we do family exercise, she has to go on the jogging stroller with Woody. She doesn't seem to like a helmet yet, so that is something of prayer that she will like. Too bad I couldn't get a picture in action! Also, it would have been nice to have one that you see more than just Nicole's legs!

Some of the most fun things are easy. We put up the play tent in Natalie's room and the girls loved it! Natalie slept in it for a few nights with her sleeping bag. Definitely a way to add a new dimension when the weather is a little rainy.

The tent was still up when Grandma & Grandpa arrived to watch Nicole while I took Natalie to a birthday party this weekend. They had a lot of fun with just 3!

Natalie went to Maddox's party. He is a little ladies man who evidently puts on aftershave each morning. Starting early at 4, I would think!

Although we were the first and for a while the only ones, everyone else arrived soon and Natalie felt good about playing with her classmates.

Cake & ice cream were welcomed after all the activity! Natalie went full blast for most of the time, even getting a little damp from perspiration for all the running around! A good nap day that was!

Weaning Now

We have been blessed for over 6 months past the blog where I thought it was the "End of the Road." Breastfeeding has been very much an added blessing during this time. We've probably saved over $800 in just that time frame for formula. But, since Nicole has been adding a lot of teeth and Natalie is finishing school, it seems like the right time to start weaning. The only negative is that Nicole does not seem to be liking the cup right now. So, it is back to bottles for now, still showing her the cup everyday as an option. It's hard to believe she will be 11 months soon. Almost a year! Please pray for this transition, with no mastitis or any other issues, and with Nicole being more eager to accept a cup.

Even Better!

This was Natalie's preschool program on Wednesday. Grandma & Grandpa drove up to hear her sing with her group. She did great! Even more singing and motions than her Spring program at school. They all did really well and seemed to have a great time. It was great to hear them singing about loving God and His Word.

Doing the motions!

My little angel!

Da-Da

Nicole's favorite word of the week is Da-da. She knows who Da-da is, and loves to say it! Don't you think Woody picks her up more quickly while she is crawling towards him saying "Da-da!"

Spring Fair

Today was Natalie's end program for her school, although school isn't over yet. Last winter, she didn't really sing in the program, but just stood there. This time, she was really good, doing the motions and singing. We were so proud of her!!

The pictures are blurry because we were kind of far back, but she did really good and enjoyed us being there to support her. Afterwards, we went to her classroom to see some of the artwork that has been done.

Here was her cubbie. She did a great job on her artwork!

She showed Mimi and Poppa all the pretty things she had made. It definitely looked like springtime in the classroom!

She did a great "self-portrait." Always smiling!

She had a book of the different seasons that was great too of all the trees.

She gave sister a hug. Nicole was really good, even though she missed a nap in all of this.

This was her frog!

Activities were after seeing the classroom. The first one was cookie decorating. Natalie put chocolate icing and sprinkles on the cookie. Then, she ate the icing and sprinkles and left the cookie!

She made a picture frame for the craft.

They did a cute fingerprint frog for her.

The artist left right before we were to get our face painted, and we had waited quite a while. So, mommy became the face painting artist! She wanted a smiley face and a flower!

Posing on stage with Daddy. Since the theme was love notes from God, they had a mailman theme. The director, Greg, dressed up like a mailman and had his picture taken with the kids.

Posing with Greg!

Back playing some basketball!

We had a great morning and enjoyed celebrating Natalie's year in K3!

Prayers of Protection

Here's a picture of my sweet girls. Nicole is now a full-blown cruiser. While it is great to see her reaching this milestone, it also has some hazards for her. She's already had a couple of minor bruises. This morning, while both Woody & I were within inches of her, she fell and hit her mouth on a wooden chair support. One of her emerging teeth was hit, and it began bleeding. After a while, it appears to be back to normal but a little sore for her. But, she is eating good. Praying that this has no lasting effect & heals super fast. It just makes you ache when one of your little ones gets hurt. Praying for protection around my little cruiser! And, of course, around Natalie too!

Happy 10 Months!

Nicole is now 10 months old. It is hard to believe! She is now starting to try sippy cups (some days are better than others). She also is able to eat some finger foods, praise the Lord!
She loves dropping things right now. She has always been good at throwing the pacifier out of the crib, but now crib toys are being dropped to see what they can do. Anything given to her on the feeding chair also is dropped. She loves investigating things in every way, and this one is the most fun right now.
Nicole is also cutting more teeth. As the 4 front ones are coming in, more are peeking out of the gums. She is getting them all at once I think!

Happy Mother's Day!

My scene when I woke up this morning, plus a couple of balloons...

Breakfast definitely was special. Mother's day started at 12:35 am this morning. On Saturday, we went down to see Woody's mom and dad and had a really special time with them. Then, we came back, intending to eat back in our town. However, about halfway home Nicole became hungry. So, we stopped at a Sonic in the town we were in. I thought the outdoor experience would be good (the temperature was great!). But, the food wasn't and at 12:35 I was really regretting it! But, this was a welcome sight in the morning and I was feeling much better. I love my drawing, cards, and new car shade on the way. We went to church together as a family and had very good service. Then, we stopped and picked up a rotisserie chicken so I wouldn't really have to cook lunch. After a good nap (for everyone!) this afternoon, Woody surprised me with a great dinner grilled out. So, it really was a special Mother's Day!

Tut-Tut and BooBoo

We've been having a lot of rain lately. Natalie has really enjoyed splashing in puddles. She has some new rubber boots to do that in! Of course, pink is the color of choice. Reminds me of Winnie the Pooh, "Tut-tut, it looks like rain..." Actually it did rain after this photo until we had really big puddles. This one had to be helped along with a little spray from the water hose.

I've started calling Nicole "BooBoo" for whatever reason. Maybe it is because of her finger boo-boo, or because she loves playing peek-a-boo. Here's a picture of her finger when it first happened.Her fingernail still hasn't started growing back. We're definitely praying that happens soon! But, praise the Lord it hasn't gotten infected. It is hard to keep it clean and medicated. No way we can keep a bandaid on it because she just chews on one if it is there.