First Day as a Ladybug!

Abby had a great first day as a ladybug today! The dress she is wearing she picked out special at the store to wear to the first day of school because, "It has flowers all over it and is so beautiful!" She reported that circle time was after playground time, which was surprising to her. And she said she liked playing in the kitchen.

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Miss Kindergarten

Anna had a great first week of kindergarten! She went to gym, music, and art and liked them all. She also liked eating in the cafeteria and going on the playground. She reported doing a scavenger hunt around the school with her class. We are so proud of what a big girl you are now, Anna!

 

 

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Growing bigger!

Yesterday Elizabeth had her 4 month doctor's check-up. She is now 16 pounds and 26 1/2 inches long. 

Waiting for Daddy to come home from work...

on a very sunny evening!

Happy 4 month birthday, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth is 4 months old day. In the past month she has acquired quite the belly laugh, which her sisters are the best at pulling out of her. Abby loves to give her big tickles and dance around her and they both love giving her "zerberts" and getting her to laugh by tossing her big soft blocks around her. Elizabeth enjoys using her hands to grab things more and more. She especially likes to try to hold her giraffe rattle, soccer rattle, big soft blocks, and pink bug. If she doesn't have a toy to play with she often likes to suck on her fingers. She squeals a LOT...especially when she wants to get our attention. She loves to be part of the dinner table, but she put her hand in Mommy's food for the first time this week so her days sitting on someone's lap during dinner are numbered. She often smiles at strangers, but if she is a little hungry or tired, a big crowd of strangers can really overwhelm her. Often in these situations she pops her lower bottom lip out before any tears come. I feel bad saying this, but it may be her cutest face. Happy 4 month birthday Elizabeth! We love you!

My sisters gave me a tubby!

Thank you Teal Playgroup!!!

Today we met many of our teal playgroup friends at our pool for a swim and lunch. Anna & I joined the "teal" group in January of 2009 when Anna was just 9 months old. We've been meeting with this group weekly since then. A week from today most of the babies who joined the group in 2009 will be headed off to kindergarten. There were a couple teary moms at the pool when we took this picture, including me :) Thank you teal playgroup for giving Anna, Abby, Elizabeth, and me an amazing community to share parenthood and childhood with over these past 4 1/2 years.  Thank you to all moms and kids for sharing your homes for playdates, listening to us, laughing with us, playing with us, and being there for us. It is hard to imagine these past years without your friendship!

Aug. 2013, Vienna Aquatic Center, right to left: Alyssa (5), Maddy(5), Logan(5), Jacob(3), Anna(5), Abby(3), Corinne(5), Jack(5), Lucy(5), and Ryan(3)

summer 2013, Vienna Baptist playground: Maddy(5), Anna(5), Carter(2), and Abby(3)

May 2012, last day of soccer class: Logan(4), Andrew(3), and Anna(4)

May 2012, Vienna Public Works Day: Anna (4), Abby(2), Alyssa(3), Maddy(3), Ryan(2)

spring 2011, Peterson Lane Park: Abby(10 mon.?), Jacob(8 mon.?)

spring 2010, our house: Logan(23 mon.), Anna(23 mon.)

fall 2009?, Meadow Lane Park: Anna(18 mon.?), Corinne(20 mon.?)

Teal PG Halloween Party 2009: Anna(ladybug), Corinne(ladybug), Logan(bear), Tyler(dinosaur), Maddy?(bee)

summer fun at the beach :)

Last night we got back from a week at Grandma and Grandpa's house in North Carolina. We had a great time seeing Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Dan, and Aunt Bridget. The girls loved the waves and sand at the beach and went swimming at a pool almost every day we were there. We went to some great restaurants, the playground, the marina, and the aquarium in Myrtle Beach.

flying a kite with Daddy

playing in the waves with Grandma

just chillin' with Grandpa

studying the breakers with Dad

silly girl :)

look who else went swimming!

playing on a friend's giant turtle float :)

whole family!

going for a stroll with our babies

lunch at Provision Co.

snuggling with Aunt Bridget and Uncle Dan

at the Marina

3 kids and still standing!