Boni's Ballet

Miss Boni was my teacher years ago. I still remember being in her class when she had her first baby. She is still running Boni's dance and Hadley got to start there today. Miss Marsha is her teacher. She was Ellie's teacher for two years. When Ellie was Hadley's age she had already taken 2 different dance classes. The poor third child. But today was her day and she was VERY excited. VERY excited to wear a leotard. And VERY, VERY, VERY excited to wear ballet shoes. She would have worn them all day if I would have let her. Hadley has some major rhythm. I think she is probably going to be more of a hip hop girl- but ballet is all that is offered for her age group right now. I think she is going to LOVE it. Can't wait for her first dance coming up in November!!

Two in BIG School

I CAN NOT BELIEVE that I have TWO- Yes,  T-W-O  Kids in BIG School. Two kids in the same school that I taught first grade in before they were born.

They were more than ready, and more than excited. I was apparently more than ready also as I woke up at 3:45 and couldn't go back to sleep. So I was dressed, had lunch boxes packed, teacher's gifts ready and breakfast made before they even woke up. 

We had plenty of time to take pictures before we had to leave. They did not mind at all- these kids loved the camera this morning.

Frank went with me to take them to school. I knew I would cry. I cry every year. I cried when we dropped Gav off and boo hoo'd after dropping Ellie off. We spent quite a bit of time in each of their classes before leaving. I know they are going to both have a GREAT year but it still is hard letting them go and realizing they are another year older. Thank God I have two more years before I have to drop my last baby off. Although Hadley was more than ready to go today, if they would have let her. She ran and grabbed her backpack before we left and carried it around the school with her.

I think it will be the hardest on Hadley as she has been saying for the last few days that she doesn't want Ellie to go to school. She is her play buddy and I know she is going to miss having her around every day.

School has begun. I am excited to pick them up so I can hear all about their day. We lost our bus this year so I will be walking to get them- I refuse to battle that car line. Although, I am not sure which is worse, the heat or car line?!? Time will tell what we end up doing for sure.

I officially have a Kindergartner and a Second Grader. How on earth did this day come so fast?!?

How She Spent her Birthday.

This birthday girl had one heck of a birthday. Two weeks ago with the mermaid party, then Dallas/Ft. Worth last weekend, and today on her actual birthday- a day all about her!!

She woke up to the annual donuts for breakfast.

Then moved on to opening up gifts from us. She loved her bulldog shirt and Barbie Camper.

Gavin had sign ups for Orwall today. So he, Daddy and Hads went and did that while Ellie and I had a little one on one time. I had a few surprises for her. First I drove her to the hair salon. I did not tell her where we were going. She kept asking me....and I kept saying, "You'll see." For weeks she has been asking us if she can get Feathers in her hair and I kept saying no. But I figured why not- so she got them today. We walked in and she looked up at me and asked, "Am I getting feathers??" I said yes and then I got, "Thank you Mommy, Thank you Mommy. You are the best Mommy ever!!" Ha. It was worth it for that. ;0) She loves them.

Next I told her I had another surprise. So I drove us to the nail salon. This girl loves to get her nails done. She got a manicure and pedicure. She chose green with flowers for her toes and glitter blue for her fingers. She definitely has her own sense of style.

Later in the afternoon our family and neighbors came over to celebrate. We asked her what she wanted  for dinner and she said Spring Creek BBQ. So that is what we had catered.

She was spoiled rotten and got a lot of great gifts. She especially loves her karaoke machine. She has been singing non stop. It started with her sitting on the floor, then a few songs later she was standing, and now it's a full blown performance. HILARIOUS! All three kids are REALLY into it. I think we need to buy at least one more mic.

Six Years Old. So hard to believe.



I'd say she had a SUPER SIXTH birthday!!

Six. 6.- Can't believe she is SIX!

Ahhh...Wasn't Gavin just turning six?!? Six years ago I anxiously paced around our old one story house having Frank time contractions. Praying this was "It." We stopped for jamba juice on Market street and I was fine when frank ran in, but somewhere in between I was screaming for him to come back to the car to get me to the hospital. I got to the hospital and they KNEW I was in real labor just by looking at me. Instead of waiting like others, I was escorted right to triage where it was confirmed. I remember the second she was born. I remember just looking at her and saying, "I am your Mama." And then looking at Frank, as we were both crying saying, "Our baby girl, Ellie Elizabeth." And her big eyes just staring back at us.

Birthdays always have me reminiscing and looking back. I feel like it was yesterday, yet can't remember life all that well without her. She was my first daughter. And I am so proud to be her Mama!!

This last year she has grown a whole lot. Maybe not in size, but in other ways. She is still a tiny little peanut, but she is very mature for her age. I think having G as her older brother has helped her in that way. She loves life. She loves being social and has many friends. She loves to do crafts. Loves to do anything her big brother can do. Loves to teach her little sister everything she knows, and is such a loving child. Frank has been out of town this week and she has told me multiple times this week, that she has had so much fun with me. What Mama doesn't love to hear that?? She is in love with tumbling. She loves to sing and make up songs. She especially loves praise and worship songs and Taylor swift.  She loves to dance- hip hop style. She loves to be funny and make people laugh. She loves God and asks us a lot of questions about Him. She is definitely a DADDY'S GIRL. She thinks the world of her daddy and definitely has him wrapped around her little finger.

We are so proud of the beautiful girl she has grown to be. Six years old just seems so much bigger than five.



Happy Sixth Birthday Ellie Belly!!
We hope this is your BEST year yet!!

XOXOXOXOXO

Meet the Teacher & Teddy Bear Tea

The kids are so excited for this upcoming school year. I can hardly believe I have a second grader and two kids in Big school. Ellie is so excited to be at the same school with her brother.

Gavin was very excited last week when he learned that his teacher this year is Mrs. Everett. She taught there when I was there and is REALLY, REALLY sweet. I think her personality and loving nature is the perfect fit for Gav. We are very excited for this year. He has a few friends in his class too which makes it even better!!

Ellie had Kindergarten Teddy Bear Tea today. To say she is ready and excited would be an understatement, especially after today. She is lucky and has a lot of friends going into Kindergarten with her this year. She found out today that she has Mrs. Samford (Gavin's Kindergarten teacher and my good friend). She has been wanting Mrs. Samford since Gavin had her and has been asking me all summer long if I know if she is going to be in her class. She got her answer today. And to make it even sweeter, she has a few of her friends in her class also. Lexie, Maggie, Cameron, and Nicholas are all in her class. I am so excited for her and the wonderful year that she has ahead of her.

I am in love with our school. Not only because I used to work there, but because it is just a great place to be. It is going to be a great year!!!! I'm sure I will shed a few tears on Monday, like I always do, but I am excited for them!!