Kindergarten

Somehow, when I thought of this day, it seemed so far away.  But then it was the summer before Kate started Kindergarten, and then that summer FLEW by, and here we are...on the very first day that my very first baby starts Kindergarten. 

I thought I would be sad, but Kate was so ready.  She was so excited and could not wait to start school, and her excitement bled onto me.  I was just so excited for her too.

It surprised me on the walk up to the building where it dawned on Maya the reality of what "going to school" actually meant because she, out of no where said, "I never see Sissy again".  My sweet, sweet baby.  I explained that she would just be in school for three hours and then she was all ours again.  That sweet love of theirs will never be broken.  I LOVE sisters.

Once she was actually in the building and I was walking back home with Maya I felt my eyes swell with tears.  But I reminded myself of how happy Kate is and how excited she was for this first day and they were soon gone.

I have no doubt that Kate's school path is going to be filled with positive accolade after positive accolade.  She is a brilliant star and she shines so bright in all that she does.

First official day of Kinder!

Sisters!

Backpack of the year + all the cool lovie keychains...

I absolutely love this photo.

The Lions.  I'm sure this particular lion is going to be in many
future first day photos!

My with my baby going to Kindergarten and my
other baby on my arm.  

+ Daddy.

Kate and her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Savage.  We've heard
all great things about her and are super excited to be in her class!

The front of school that Maya and I walk past every day!

Looking towards the Kindergarten playground.

The double doors Mrs. William's class and Mrs. Savage's classes
are released from.

We topped Kate's first day off with a picnic at the park, which
I'm sure will become quite the tradition with the last bit of
summer days we have left!

Maya starts preschool just after Labor Day and still says she doesn't want to go... This one is going to be a bit more challenging for me...

Ballet

This past year, Kate decided she wanted to do ballet.  So we found a location super close and highly rated near us and signed her up.  She had a recital in the fall (that I missed because I was filming a wedding...) but her Spring recital was her big one.  Every Wednesday afternoon Kate attended 30 minutes of ballet while Maya played with Lennon (Leighton's sister).  The kiddos in her class have been working on this routine for an entire year and their hard work really paid off.

So fancy, y'all!

This is from her rehearsal a week ago.  Her form is incredible!

The instructor, Miss Lauren, was fantastic!

Leah got to join for the recital!  And Maya has her beloved
"Bee-yah bee-yah", which doesn't normally accompany us.

Beautiful girls!

Kate's class - Ava, another friend, Kate, and Leighton.

This picture gives me all the heart eyes!!!

I added the professional photos in.  We didn't get them until August, but if you'd like to see her performance, take a look at the video below.  It is from her dress rehearsal.  She did a phenomenal job and I think this really showcases her amazing talent!

Side note: I love ballet.  I think it's a great activity to be involved in, so if Kate decides she'd like to do it again, I am all for it!

Graduation Day

Today Kate graduated from her phenomenal Pre-K program (the Polar Bears) at BEARS Preschool.  We cannot say enough great things about this wonderful class and these amazing teachers.  Kate made some lovely new friends and fostered the relationships of the friends she knew from her Koalas class.  Never once did she come home saying she didn't want to go back.  It was quite the opposite really.  She looked forward to class every day she had it and it's a hard chapter to say goodbye to.  A lot of her friends are being scattered to different elementary schools, but we are going to do our best to keep in touch with everyone who has left a lasting impression on our hearts!  And there are a lot of people!

Side Note: Last night Kate asked me to leave her a surprise note.  So I stayed up late and decorated a thoughtful and inspiring note and left it for her to find.  I love the way her mind works!

Happy Graduation Day, Kate!

Kindergarten, here we come!

The name says it all!  Kate is bottom right.

Sisters ready for graduation!

Those are keys to my car she's holding.  Why do I feel like she'll
be making this same pose in just a few years really heading out
to drive my car somewhere?!

Polar Bear class!

+ teachers!

This is one of the songs the class sang and I thought it was so absolutely appropriate for graduation!  It is a great big world with so much to see:

Officially a graduate!

And this Goodbye song also stole my heart.  You see?!  This class is just AMAZING!

Mrs. DeCapua, Mrs. Boyle, Mrs. Montgomery, and Mrs. Weaver
(and Iceberg) with Kate.  A PHENOMENAL group of women

Kate and one of her besties from class - Reagan!

My graduate!

Kate and the boy she says she's going to marry, Caiden.
Wait, what?!

Fueling up after our return!  'Tis the season!  (Yes!)

100 Stickers

For months Kate has been asking me to get her ears pierced.  Months.  So, months ago, after several months of her asking, we started a sticker chart.  I believe it was February.  I told her if she got 100 stickers, she could get her ears pierced.  (I was kind of thinking more along the lines of age 8 or so, but I was able to budge on this on.)

Kate received stickers for making her bed, brushing teeth in the morning, going to the bathroom without prompting, putting dishes/toys away, being kind, etc.  And, tonight, she got her 100th sticker.

And instead of waiting for the weekend where we'd have more time to revel in this amazing accomplishment, she decided we'd go tonight to get her ears pierced.  I can't blame her.  It has been months!  (You got that, right?!)

So, we drove up to Claire's at Tuttle Mall.  Kate picked out the color of studs she liked and boom.  She got her ears pierced one at a time.  And she is a walking version of heart eyes!

Well done, my darling!  What a great job at setting a goal, working towards it, and getting what you want!  I am so impressed!  And they look beautiful!

Super excited about this moment!

Ears are marked and now it's time to get serious!

Left one goes in!

And before she could say no to the right one it went in too!

Freshly pierced ears!

With turquoise studs!  ❤

Cleanings...and Cavities

My little ladies went to the dentist today for teeth cleanings.  Unfortunately, we learned that Kate has five cavities.  Five.  My heart sunk.  Three are very small.  (Thankfully.)  Two are very big, like, most likely will need caps big.  I am devastated.  I have had cavities and caps my whole life.  Brian has not had a single cavity.  Looks like my little love inherited my chompers.  Sorry, babe.  What's even more is they don't make white caps for kiddos.  They are still stainless still silver looking.  There is something seriously missing in this market right now.  How have kiddo caps not changed in 30+ years?!

Anyway, our dentist mentioned that were her cavities are located they are most likely caused from snacking.  As in eating more than 3 meals and 2 snacks.  He said that she can have a bite of a carrot and that's considered a snack.  Conversely, so are jelly beans, obviously.  But we really need to try to stick with 3 meals and 2 snacks.  Done.  We will try.

The was the absolute last thing I wanted to hear from our dentist, but I guess there's nothing I can do about it now.  In better news, Maya's teeth were clean and sparkling from our visit.  It was her first official visit with a cleaning and so far we are good on her chompers.  (Also, thankfully.)

She is ready!

At least she thought she was...

Kate goes first!

Maya gets geared up!

Like a pro!

Picking out stickers and prizes.  The best part!

UPDATE: Kate received her fillings and caps with windows in two separate appointments over the summer and did phenomenally.  She was so good and even though the caps are visible if you are looking for them, they are not as bad because we had our dentist cut windows in them so that more of her tooth would show.  #success

It always seems like I stress over something and my kids handle it like champs.  They are so strong and brave and they surprise me every time.  What resilience!

The Splash Park

On our way to the Hot Air Balloon Festival Viewing yesterday, we passed this Splash Park that Brian had heard good things about.  Since it was a great summer Saturday, weather wise, we decided to try it out!

Kate was a little timid at first but then warmed up and was all over it!  I imagine this will be a popular stop for us come future summers!

Getting her feet wet!

Just taking it one step at a time!

And then one hop at a time!

Then there was this running game where she would
run from Brian in the red to me in the shade!

But it wasn't just a normal run...

...it was a crazy, arm-flailing run as you will
witness in the video below!

Our little splasher!

Maya enjoyed a little nap in the shade in her stroller while all the shenanigans were going on!

Bathing Beauties

Maya's umbilical cord healed a couple days ago so I've started giving her a bath at night when I give Kate a bath.  Maya has been using our infant tub that we used with Kate and Kate has been so intrigued.  Tonight she said she wanted to get in the tub with Maya, and since I have been very conscious of this new relationship, I am really trying not to thwart Kate's attempts to get to know her newest Little Sis.  The first time Mommy in me would never allow a toddler in our INFANT tub with my brand new infant...

...The second time Mommy in me has loosened up a bit!

I explained to Kate that we needed to be very, VERY gentle with Maya and that the tub was going to be very small for both of them.  Even when I suggested that she sit in the big tub, she insisted on sitting in the infant tub with Maya.  I'm starting to see the light on the horizon - these two are going to be inseparable.  Two peas in a pod, I tell ya!

Maya already adores her big sister so Kate hopped in and it was their first official bath together.  It only took 2.5 weeks!

Little Sis looking for Big Sis!  You gettin' in or what?!

Big Sis lathers up the wash cloth and even wants to help bathe!
Bless her heart.

Maya says, "You're not really gonna pick me up, are you?!"

Kate says, "No, Little Sis, I was just making sure you were comfy."

Kate has such a warm, caring heart and it is so evident in these
photos.

Once Sister Bear was through with her bath she got dressed and
snuggled into the bouncy seat...

...where she promptly fell asleep.
She's a sucker for a warm bath and a cozy
blanket just like her Mama!

I absolutely adore this sisterly love and it's only just begun!