Tiny Dancer

As crazy as it may sound, but one of my dreams came true when I enrolled AK in dance this year. Ever since the day I knew I was having a girl (which was the day I found out I was pregnant - I just knew.) I dreamed of dressing her up in her leotard and tap shoes. I was delighted to get her potty trained, not so much for getting rid of diapers (that was Tommy's reason), but for the doors it opened as far as dance was concerned! Then, bless my little October baby's heart, I still had to sweet talk her into a class. Most studios didn't want to start until three. I convinced them that she was quite mature for her age, etc. Now that we've been in dance for a while, I can definitely tell she (and two other little girls of smooth-talking mama's), is the baby! But that's ok. She's having fun, and looking cute, and that's all that matters! She can learn the steps next year!

Here's my little turkey modeling one of her leotards and her tap shoes. This was the day we bought it. Of course now, this leotard is monogrammed! She has plenty of other leotards, some a lot more "blingy," but this is my favorite!

 As you can see, we clearly need the lessons!



Preschool Open House

Addie's preschool open house was about three weeks after she started. I had planned and hoped to line up babysitters to carry us through those three weeks, but it didn't work out. Plus, with all that we had going on in August (more on that later), it was just best for us to go ahead and have her settled. And settled she was. She took on preschool like she had waited for it her whole life! If only this excitement will continue throughout the next 19-20 years, we will be good to go!

We went on to her open house to meet other parents and children. Addie had a blast and loved showing us all of her things and friends. It made us feel so at peace with her being there, something I definitely had prayed for. 

 My girl with a puzzle - probably her number two favorite activity!

 Addie's teachers! Mrs. M, Mrs. K, and Mrs. D. Mrs. M and Mrs. K are her preschool teachers and Mrs. D is her extended day teacher.

 In the "big room" where they have special events, chapel, and run around time when it's rainy out, they had all the extracurriculars out. Man, was that place loud! And my child did contribute, naturally.

 Getting into the music teacher's goodies!

Thank you Lord for bringing this place and these people into our lives. Our little girl is so happy there and learning so much, especially learning about you!

Cure for a Bad Day

I had a bad day, so Tommy came home and baked me brownies. Addie, of course, had to get in on the action - after bath!

Addie Kate's First Day of Preschool

I cannot believe my little girl started preschool this year! Tommy and I held off on it for a while, but knew that she was not only ready this, but just needed it. She needed the stimulation and challenge. And, bless her heart, she needed to be around more than just two boys!

She is such a smart little girl, that Tommy was, and probably still is, really worried about her being in the 2 year old class, especially since she was almost 3 when she started. When we interviewed them, and they talked to us about their curriculum, Addie already knew every bit of it. She's known her ABC's since she was 15 months old. She's been able to count to 20 since before she was two. She knows all her colors. She knows matches and some opposites. She knows how to count to 10 in Spanish. However, she is learning her letter sounds, bible verses, and colors and other words in Spanish. She's also learning how to wait her turn, be a good friend, be a part of a group, not interrupt, and the list goes on. They've even had fire drills! And she's about to sing herself crazy! She comes home singing all these precious songs, of which Tommy and I remember, but have forgotten. We just sit back, watch her, and usually laugh, as she's always putting her personality into each one. These things are equally, if not more important than academics, especially at her age. So, we are both happy.

Now being there two months she has never been in the "thinking spot." She's a friend to everyone (according to her teachers). She's made some precious new little friends. And she absolutely, positively, loves it. My heart and mind has never been at such ease.

Now on this day however, I was a nervous wreck! Wow were the emotions going through me!

 See? Please pardon the picture of me and just look at my little girl!

 She wasn't used to this feeling of a backpack - cracked me up!

 I wonder how many kids go to school with a bottle of sunscreen in their backpacks?

 And, let's go ahead and excuse my dead geraniums. They croaked while we were at the beach (but were gorgeous before!) and I refused to replant summer flowers!

 I love this picture and wish her sweet little head wasn't cut off!

 Now at preschool, she was getting a little nervous. Bless her sweet heart! It was a big day!

 She's wearing one of my old dresses! I bet it was never that cute on me!

 And as soon as we walked in, she immediately, and I do mean immediately, started to play. One of her friends from the sitter was in there, and thank heavens because he made her feel so at home. And me too! He's a year older and sweet as can be, so I knew he'd take care of her!

And the above picture was the last that we saw of her! Content. Playing and enjoying herself. Ahh, my heart was full! I went back a couple of times that week at random times and checked in on her and she was always happy and being a good girl. Thank heavens! What a hard decision this was for me to pick a preschool (Greenville has about 10 million options.) and I'm so glad I picked what I did!

Last summer hurrah at the fountains...

On one of the last, hot summer days, we went with some friends downtown for lunch, and for the kids to have a last little run through the fountains. The kids absolutely love this, and when I'm not worried to death that Addie's going to slip and hit her head (which her friend Cody did not that long ago on another trip to the fountains), I dearly love watching her! It was nice for both Tommy and me to be there, so one of us could watch her like a hawk (me) and the other could take some really good pictures (Tommy).

This part of the fountains make a tunnel, when it's their turn to go off. We had either never been there before when they go off or had just not been to that side. However, we had always seen a beautiful hand-painted train on the wall at the end, and now we see why. What an adorable idea!

At first Addie was skeptical about running in the tunnel, but then she started to bust-a-move, and it was absolutely precious.

We also went to the zoo that day (obviously before the water!). Below are some cute pics of her there:

She adores feeding the farm animals!

My wet, happy, funny, adorable, precious girl!

Last Day of Summer Off with Mommy

The last day of summer vacation is always such a sad one for me! Whereas I dearly love my job and am so thankful for my hours and time off, I do miss my girl, and our lazy mornings, and not changing out of our pj's, and daytime television, and naps, and fun activities, and playdates, and lunch dates... the list could go on!

On our last day of summer this year, we just stayed at home and did fun things all day! This was one of Addie's special treats - getting to watch a whole movie, The Princess and the Frog, from start to finish. She thought she was something special!

I love how this baby quilt, handmade for Addie's dolls, by my Aunt Sharon, still covers up the majority of my girl!