Kindergarten and Preschool Here We Come!

I can't believe we have a kindergartner and preschooler in our house!  Olivia has been talking all summer about going to kindergarten.  She has been hoping and hoping to get Ms. Bradley for her teacher this year!

When we took Olivia to meet the teacher night she got to find out who her teacher would be and see her new classroom. She was delighted to find out she got Ms. Bradley!!!  She couldn't stop smiling!

Next stop was Christ Lutheran for Johnny to meet his teachers, Mrs. H and Mrs. Freddie!  He was excited to have his turn!!

Two quick days later Michael and I were packing lunches and backpacks, fighting back a few tears and snapping a few photos before our babies were off for their big first days of school!

Olivia was all smiles and happy to let mom take a few pictures!!

 Johnny on the other hand was not so cooperative.  This is one of two photos I got of him . He refused to smile and would only make funny faces!

 First day of school for all three of us!

 Daddy isn't ready for Livy to start school everyday!

 Olivia and her friend, Mary Caroline

 Grammie came and found Olivia for a picture! 

 Outside her classroom!

 Excited to see Ms. Bradley for her first day of learning!!

Have a blast Olivia! Kindergarten rocks!!

What A Wonderful Summer Break!

Labor Day Weekend truly marks the end of summer.  It has been our best summer yet!  From lazy days at the pool to a trip to the lake with the Teson's and a trip to the beach with the Wells', we've had an absolute blast!! I will remember my specials days at home with my babies during the summer of 2014!! Here is our summer in photos!

Such an amazing summer!!!

Dance Recital #2

Our little dancer just performed in her second dance recital for Diane's School of Dance! I have loved watching her this year because she has grown so much as a dancer! She had the best smile the entire time she was on the stage and she LOVED shakin' it!! Olivia danced in two different dances; Doc McStuffin and Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!  Olivia has definitely turned into quite the dancer this year! I'm not sure who was more excited for the recital mom or O!! Thanks to Daddy, Johnny, Jamie, Raigen, Mema and Papa for coming to watch!! My mom and dad really wanted to be there too but they were in Texas at my nephew's first communions! 

This was the opening tap at the recital!  It was amazing and I was so excited to see some of my past first graders up on stage as high schoolers! Diane's celebrated their 30th anniversary and the show was fantastic!  

I love this picture!! Miss Maggie(my best friend Mel's daughter) and Olivia found each other backstage for a quick picture! Both girls did an awesome job dancing!

Abby, Olivia and Mary Caroline!  Abby's mommy and I teach at Hawthorn together and Mary Caroline and Olivia will be at St.Therese together next year! Dance friends are the best!

Maddie Smith and Olivia!  Maddie rocked the show too!!! Her mommy is one of my dear friends!!! 

A quick smile while in line ready to go down to the stage!!

Morgan, Olivia and Kennedy!  Such cute cousins!!

Olivia  on stage!!! I'm so grateful that my friend is a photographer with an amazing lens and was able to snap the next three shots of Olivia on stage!! So many people told me Olivia had the best smile while she was dancing!! We love that she was having so much fun!!!

Dear Olivia-

"I Hope You Dance"

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,

May you never take one single breath for granted,

GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',

Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,

When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,

Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, 

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. 

Dance....I hope you dance. 

I hope you dance....I hope you dance. 

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.. 

Love, Mommy

Preschool Graduation

May was by far the busiest month for our family!! Olivia graduated preschool, turned 5, and danced in her second dance recital.  She did it all with a big smile and her brother cheering her on from the sidelines!  I can't believe we will have a kindergartner in August!  Olivia has loved being in preschool at St. Therese and she has made many great friends! Her graduation was adorable! We enjoyed a slide show and the kids sang as a class.  It was a very special night and we are so lucky both sets of grandparents got to be there to celebrate our little girl!

A quick smile from the preschool graduate right before heading to the festivities!

 Mema and Papa ready to cheer on Olivia!

 Grammie and Granddad were so proud of their granddaughter!

 Our favorite girl!!

 Elijah, Ty, and Olivia ready for graduation!

Cheese!  Mema and Papa are very proud of Miss O!

 A quick smile in her classroom!

 Olivia did such a great job during the sing along! She smiled the entire time she was singing!! Great Job Sweet O!

A smile with her favorite preschool teachers, Miss Julie and Miss Bridgitte!  Thanks for a great year ladies! Olivia loved being in your class this year!

Our Sweet Boy Is Three!

Happy 3rd birthday( a few days ago) to the little boy that has my heart!!  We love you so much, Johnny!!  Our little family spent the day celebrating Johnny boy, and was he ever excited!!  He wanted to go to the park and out to eat so the four of us headed to Penguin Park.  It was a beautiful afternoon and the kids ran, went down the slides and played their little hearts out!  Next we went to 54th Street for dinner and then home for birthday cupcakes!  We loved celebrating our little buddy!

Johnny was so funny all day!  He loved all the attention! He smiled and wanted us to sing to him all day!  When my little brother, Dave, called to wish Johnny a happy birthday he replied, "Thanks Uncle Dave! Happy birthday to you too!"  Of course we were all laughing at his sweet innocence!  We love you John Allen!  

Our Little Artist

Olivia LOVES art!! She is constantly wanting to color, paint, draw and make cards for everyone! Olivia's preschool selected a few art pieces of art to be on display for Catholic Schools Week at Zona Rosa.  Olivia's snowman was selected and she was so excited!! We went by to see her art on display and are so proud of our little artist!