First Day of School 2015

The girls started school at the end of July and so far they are both doing AMAZING!

First Day of School

Natalee is in Mrs. Haugen's class and loves half day Kindergarten. She likes learning and loves having homework. I'm not going to lie, having patience during homework time is difficult somedays but she's improved so much in the last 4 months. She received Principal's Pride the 1st semester and is currently earning all A's now. She is proving to be quite the little genius and her teacher loves having her in her class.

I'm finding that most days I don't have time to get everything done in the 3 hours she is gone but it's a nice break and we're settling into a great schedule. As soon as she gets home we eat lunch and do homework. That way I can help her without more chaos around us.

Haylee has Ms. Sandmann for 3rd grade and loves her. Haylee is thriving this year;  she loves to learn, gets straight A's and is a wonderful student. I love how she makes new friends so easily and how she is a wonderful big sister. I drop them both off at Natalee's playground in the morning and Haylee stays with her till the whistle blows. Then she gives Natalee a hug and a kiss and goes to her playground to line up.

I love that Haylee can do her homework on her own and I love how independent both girls are becoming. I have been blessed with 2 little, smarty pants!

Haylee is 8!

Haylee chose a My Little Pony, Rainbow Dash party for her 8th Birthday. And I delivered.

For her friend party, we had rainbow themed activities, decorations and food!

 10 of her friends from school & Girl Scouts came over to help celebrate!

 After her friends left, the family arrived for a second party! We ate, opened presents and then the big cupcake was revealed.

 

 

Everyone took turns smashing their face in it (except Kaleb who preferred to dip his finger in the frosting)!

 Haylee had a wonderful day and felt so loved. I can't believe my sweet, little Haylee is 8!

She has turned into such a fashionista, wearing bows and necklaces to school and cute slip on shoes. She is friendly to everyone, making friends wherever she goes and is the smartest little girl I know! We sure love her!

Natalee is 5!

Last weekend we celebrated Natalee's birthday with a Doc McStuffins birthday party!

She had 5 of her little friends from school come over to celebrate and join in the doctor fun!

They did check ups in the "clinic".

They had fun snacks including McStuffins Muffins, Chilly's Noses (Carrots) and an Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away. And don't forget the edible doctor supplies; gauze, q-tips, cotton balls, tongue depressors and shots!

Natalee opened her presents, we sang Happy Birthday and ate cupcakes.

Natalee had a blast and loved seeing her favorite friends.

Then our families came over for round 2! Josh grilled and Natalee opened more presents. I'm pretty sure her favorite gifts were Tic Tacs, Bandaids and Money!

Then we sang Happy Birthday again and watched Natalee enjoy her giant cupcake!

The kids had a blast playing together, the weather was absolutely perfect and Natalee felt so loved!

I can't believe my little baby is 5. Where have the last 5 years gone?! Natalee is definitely my little strong willed, patience testing child. She's so different from her sister but loved just the same!

Some of her favorites include-
*Spending her limited Ipad time building things on MineCraft.
*Watching Paw Patrol and Sofia the First episodes over and over.
*Fruit snacks.
*Asking for her daily piece of candy all morning/afternoon till she gets it.
*Riding her Razor scooter.
*Playing Mommy to her baby Lorax.
*Opening blind bags-My Little Pony, MineCraft, Sheriff Callie etc.
*Wearing dresses.
*Playing doctor and dentist.
*Going to the park.
*Playing outside on the trampoline and swing set.
*Eating otterpops, yogurt, fruit and pancakes.
*Swimming.
*Bear Bear, Lorax and Foxy.
*Putting on shows for us with Haylee and Hannah.

Other things to remember at this age-
*She rarely takes naps anymore.
*She goes to bed at 8pm and wakes up around 6:30am.
*It took her longer to nighttime potty train but she's finally got it. I thought she was being lazy but she honestly didn't even know she was doing it.
*She knows all of her letters except 2- Y and C.
*She is so excited to start Kindergarten in July! She found out her teacher is Mrs. Haughen and her friend from preschool is in her class.
*She is so funny, always saying or doing something that makes us laugh!
*She is fearless, yet she is afraid of amusement rides.
*She took a few gymnastic classes with her preschool friends and can do a back bend and a front roll and is practicing her splits and cartwheels.
*She is terrified of Chucky and Annabelle although she's never seen either movie.
*She is always "packing" purses with chapstick, bandaids and other random things.

We love our sweet little Natalee. She has made our family complete!

Easter 2015

The girls and I colored eggs Friday. I love that they're at an age where they can color the eggs by themselves AND not make much of a mess!

 The Easter Bunny came! I love that I still have 2 little believers.

 Natalee was a tad excited about her Tsum Tsums! Haylee was too!

And Kona waited patiently for her basket. Yes our dog gets a basket and yes our dog has her own egg hunt! She's one of the kids. And a daily reminder of how much she's just like Jackson.

Sadly, I didn't get pictures of the girls doing their egg hunts, just a video. Well except for this egg Josh hid in Natalee's cup. He's a nut! The girls love looking for eggs and they do an awesome job finding them.

 And then it was time for church. And I must say these 2 girls are absolutely beautiful!

Of course during the Easter Service when the Pastor was explaining Jesus' body was missing from the tomb saying "and do you know what happened?" Natalee shouts out "I know what happened!". And everyone started laughing and looking at us. We're talking hundreds of people. And let's not forget when Josh came out of the bedroom and Natalee saw him and said "wow Dad, you look famous!" She cracks us up!

We had a wonderful day celebrating the real meaning of Easter and spending time as a family!