WordLESS Wednesday: Sister fort

"Look Mommy, we used the baby pool to make a fort, and we invited Madeline to play with us"

Oh, the places you'll go: Anna's end of year Kindergarten ceremony

Although Anna's last day of kindergarten is next Friday, her class hosted a sweet ceremony for parents today. And by sweet, I mean that I about lost it emotionally when she walked into the cafeteria with her cap on; I had totally NOT prepared for the tug at my heartstrings. 

For all of us, this has been a year of growth, change, and the unexpected. From having a baby two days after her first day of Kindergarten, to learning of my kidney issue and CLL relapse, to how much she's grown going to school just half a day (I mean, she's reading, that's crazy!) ... The best way to describe my feelings are "sad happy" because I'm so proud of her, what she's accomplished, and look forward to what will come, but also sad that this chapter is closing. How lucky, though, am I have these feelings and be in the thick of this fun, exciting, crazy, and trying season of life. 

Oh, Anna, the places we KNOW you'll go! 

They sang the sweetest song, check out the video below : ) 

Upon receiving their Kindergarten diploma, each child told us what they want to be when they grow up, Anna wants to be a doctor!

I'm so proud of this girl!

Selfie with Mom before she's too cool for them : ) 

I scream, you scream

we all scream for ice cream! 

Me and my girls!

This pic was taken a few weeks ago, but I thought it was appropriate to post since I'm celebrating my first week withOUT chemo in a month ; this is what it's all about!

PS - I think we sometimes terrify Madeline, she seems to be wise for her years in knowing that her family in a little (or a lot!) crazy!

A little pie with your whipped cream

It counts as a veggie because it's pumpkin, right? : ) 

Fashionistas

 Just your regular Wednesday evening when Daddy is out of town ... 

Sister sillies (a series)

A little sister sillies before school today : ) 

Kids these days

Not even half a year old and already learning how to use an iPad : ) 

Girly and glam (a series)

A Tuesday stay-home day treat ... manicures with pink polish!

Go Fish!

This little card shark beat me 2 games to 1!

First homework assignment

We're no longer homework virgins ... Anna came home with her first assignment last week, a school-wide Kindergarten assignment to disguise Turkey Tom for Thanksgiving. Anna choose a sheep and of course her little sister got in on the action too! 

Glueing and cutting, two of their favorite activities!

Bah Bah! 

Charlotte decided to write Anna's name on her sheep since it was her homework : ) 

No cavities!

Both girls had dentist appointments over the last month and this proud Mama is happy to report that there were no cavities, they received rave reviews from the hygienists and dentist, AND Miss Anna has a couple of loose teeth and her six year molars (tiny tear from Mama on this news). Miss Madeline was the perfect watchful assistant : ) 

K is for Kion ...

... the super hero, PJ Masks loving lion who went with Charlotte for show and share yesterday : ) 

Ladies who lunch

Just your regular 80 degree day the first week November! Since the big girls are both home on Tuesdays and the weather was begging for it, we enjoyed an al fresco lunch before lots of playtime in the backyard. 

(But, no, no one should believe there's global warming...)

A ghost, a princess, and a straw-baby ...

I always start asking about Halloween costumes a few months ahead of time to see what ideas / themes stick. This year both girls were pretty consistent and went with a scary ghost and princess Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) early on. I kept pressing Anna about the ghost costume and she held steady, even scoffing at some of my friendly ghost suggestions. "Puh-lease, Mommy, that costume will NOT scare ANYONE!" ... Ok, noted ...  She's her Paw Paw's granddaughter and is apparently now "brave, because I decided to be!" and into all things scary (and a little gore'y). It's hard to find scary ghost costume without a hood in her size (shocker, ha), so we went with a zombie / ghost / corpse bride costume and scary make-up. On the flip side Princess Belle was a no-brainer and Miss Charlotte played the role perfectly. They were both an excellent compliment to the straw-baby who was just along for the ride.

Our trial make-up run before Trunk or Treat at school.

It's hard trick-or-treating and then sitting still for a picture ; )
aka the story of Charlotte's life, ha

The trick-or-treat crew; Mike didn't have a choice this year, I forced him into the Halloween spirit.

Oooohhh, scary!!

"You mean you made me wear this hat and I don't even get any candy?"
The cat and straw-baby held down the fort at home while the big girls went door to door.

#unimpressed ... as we walked to the neighborhood pizza party before trick-or-treating started.

Gym girls

Soccer is almost over for the summer and we decided we didn't need swim lessons in the winter, so we enrolled the girls in tumbling classes since Anna won't be able to take dance / tumble at her school (they come in the morning when she'll be at Kindergarten). They are loving it!  We're avid Olympic viewers and the girls were literally jumping off the couches and bouncing off walls anytime gymnastics was on, so this is a natural fit : ) 

Oh the places you'll go (and it all starts with Kindergarten)

"You're off to great places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting, 

So ... get on your way!"

She was SO excited for her first day of Kindergarten and got on the bus with no hesitation whatsoever! I still can't believe we have a Kindergartener! 

Her sign reads: 
Anna's first day of Kindergarten
I am 5 years old
My teacher is Miss Eldred
When I grow up I want to be: an animal doctor and police officer

Charlotte had to be in the middle of everything and was CONVINCED she was also starting kindergarten and would be riding the bus with Anna. She did somewhat OK, but told us many times "I don't want to ride in a car, I want a bus ride! ... I want a back pack too, a big one like Anna ... I'm a big girl going to kindergarten!" 

She had a great day! I met her at the daycare / preschool she'll go to most days for an afternoon Kindergarten enrichment program and she was all smiles as she got off the bus. She said she found her room with a little assistance, was assigned a cubby, went to the bathroom with her class (I made her practice going in the stall and locking and unlocking the door on her preview day), did some activities, enjoyed recess, and made a new friend, Phoebe. She rode the bus back to her other school with three other kids, including a new student, Lily, who she hugged before leaving. We had a great afternoon that included lunch, picking up cupcakes, and a movie at home.

While we were waiting for our table at lunch I was telling Anna how proud I am of her and how she's so brave and smart and getting so big and that sometimes I get sad because I wish she was still little. She leaned in and gave me a big hug and said "but you can be happy too because of all of that." And I am little big girl, I am! Oh the places you'll go!

Five going on (what feels like) fifteen

Anna starts kindergarten this week and I'm partially in denial and partially just praying I'm not in labor so that I can see her off on her first day. I picked her up early last Friday and we had a special Mommy / Anna afternoon that consisted of lunch at her fave (Frisch's), a manicure, and a new movie at home. I know she's ready for school, but the thought of her riding a bus by herself, being somewhere for half a day where I don't get a daily report, and navigating the big world that's out there has me a little freaked out. And I don't think I can blame it all on pregnancy hormones. Luckily, Anna has yet to disappoint me in her enthusiastic reaction to all new life changes, and I know she's ready for this new challenge! Oh the places you'll go little lady! 

Ready for the meet and greet with her teacher ; I may have called my Mom bawling half hour before this picture was taken (and before Anna was home) ... 

Big sib

Although she's already an amazing big sister, we decided Anna may like to attend the sibling class offered by our hospital that also included a tour of the Labor & Delivery and Post-partum rooms. Charlotte was technically old enough to attend, but yeah, she's a little crazy, and we thought this would be a fun Anna, Mommy and Daddy date. We haven't been to the hospital where I'll deliver since Charlotte was born and given that they were going through construction back then, we were curious to see where I'll be dropped off and Mike will park for Baby Kelly's arrival. 

Mike and I talked the class up for a few days prior, thinking Anna would be excited for her special time; rather all she seemed to pick up on was the fact that she "doesn't want to change any stinky, poopy diapers!" Me either kid, me either : ) Even with that exclamation, she had a great time, was a pro at practicing with her baby doll, and will be a natural biggest sister in less than a week!

Leg rest

Summer means swollen legs and ankles for this pregnant lady and one of the best purchases I've ever made was a $20 elevated leg pillow from Groupon Goods a couple of months ago. I promised the girls that they can have it to play with after the baby arrives when I'm hopefully less swollen. They took that to mean they can kick me out of my spot and elevate their very skinny and non-swollen legs right away. Stinkers!

Please also note the bedside fan ... I'm basically a menopausal woman ...

"Go upstairs and rest" they all said ... What they meant was "We'll find you within 5 minutes and kick you out of your comfy spot so that we can steal your pillows and act crazy ..."