Meet The Teacher!

Tonight we had Meet The Teacher at Madison's school and are super excited to be in Mrs. Brandt's 4's class.  She seems super nice and has taught for a long time so I think she will have a lot of fun with the kids, there are 13 total.  Madison is in the same class as three girls and one boy from last year's class so we were glad to see some friendly faces.  Looking forward to another awesome year at North Star!

Sarah, Shelby, and Madison with their class mascot "Buffy the Buffalo"

First Day of Ballet

Monday was Emma's very first day of ballet.  It was supposed to be a mommy and me class but Ms. Michelle said the babies usually do better when the mommies aren't visible so she decided to try it sans moms.  I was shocked that Emma walked right in with no hesitation and was all smiles the whole class.  A few of the girls weren't too happy about going in all alone and cried for a while but it didn't bother Emma.  It certainly helped that we were there once a week last year for Madison's ballet class so Emma has seen her do it a hundred times and now it was finally her turn.

Here's a few pictures on the porch before we went.  This is the same leotard Madison wore on her very first day a couple years ago.

I told Emma to point her toe and she literally bent down and pointed to her toes, she has a little work to do, ha!

Madison gave her a quick lesson

  Then on Tuesday we were back again for Madison's first day.  This year she is doing a combo ballet and tap class which I think she will really enjoy.  This will be her first attempt at tap.  We have a handful of friends in this class so I think it's going to be a fun year.

I never posted Madison's professional ballet pictures taken back in May so here they are.  Moms weren't allowed in the picture room so I didn't have high hopes but a couple turned out ok.  This group picture just makes me laugh.  For some reason whenever the camera comes out Madison immediately has to yawn and she is totally fighting back a yawn in this picture. 

23 Months

On the 23rd Emma turned 23 months!  Hard to believe our "baby" will be 2 next month!  She's been moving right along and keeping up with all the big kids this summer.  She's definitely 2 going on 5 and is in the "I do it" stage but is still super clingy to me and says, "mama" all day long.  I tell her all the time that it's a good thing she's so cute!  And cute she is, we always get comments when we're out about how happy and smiley she is and I love everything about her curvy little figure and chubby little cheeks.  As long as she has her paci and her blankie she is usually in a good mood.  Emma's vocabulary is steadily increasing and she wants to make sure she's always included so whenever she hears someone say they want something or are going somewhere, etc., she says, "Me Emma!" like a little cave man.  We hear, "Me Emma," almost as much as "mama."  =)  Between her and Madison they love "chatting" on the phone to whoever calls so I usually only get to talk for about 50% of the conversation, so if you need me either call during Emma's nap time or after they go to bed!

We tried a new jump place called Jump Mania and the kids enjoyed it

Emma is OBSESSED with Team Umizoomi so if the TV is on she's screaming to watch it

Both girls are still doing gymnastics and loving it.  Not sure what this neck thing is but "monkey see monkey do"

Emma's hair is getting so long 

Emma went to her first movie this month.  Charlotte's Web was showing for $1 at Studio Movie Grill so we decided to give it a shot.  She did much better than anticipated and we made through all but the last 15 minutes, however we probably made a little more noise than our immediate neighbors would have liked.  

Swimming with our friends!  This is our first play date with everyone together all summer. 

 

Whenever it's time to go and Emma sees me getting my bag together she has to get a bag too

Playing in the much needed rain!

Just a little lip gloss to start the day...Emma is turning into a little fashionista and always wants to wear a dress.  Maybe because she can say "dress" and because that's what's at eye level when she walks in her closet

Peek-a-boo!

Emma is kind of over sitting in high chairs and only sits in her space saver part of the time, much to my dismay, so eating can be interesting

This is their favorite TV watching spot

Here's a little Halloween preview.  It may be a tad early for costume buying but after all my coupons and rewards points at Gymboree I got this pink giraffe costume for a steal and couldn't pass it up.  It's adorable and Emma didn't want to take it off!

I love, love, love these pictures of Emma I took on the porch...

Looking for our bunny friend, "Lilly"

Happy 23 months precious girl!

Lake Cont'd

When Emma laid down for a nap we decided to take Big Mable out for a spin...

Our boat captain

Look mom no hands!
 



After all the adults had a turn with the kids we decided to put Kylie and Madison on together which sounded like a good idea....

 ...but I don't think they were heavy enough so the tube quickly flipped over.  whoooops!  Poor Kylie was not happy because Big Mable ended up on top of her so she was floating underneath it until Jill swam out to rescue her.  The girls had their life jackets on so were perfectly fine, Madison said it was fun to fall out.

After tubing the girls took the golf cart out for a spin

The rest of us followed behind in the mule and it's a good thing because the cart hadn't been plugged in and died at the bottom of the hill so we towed them back to the main house

 
 Sharing snacks with Dub

I have to document this picture because both Kylie and Hayden are deathly afraid, and I mean deathly, of dogs but they both love this little pup.

Here's a couple pics of our cute little house

Love all these windows!  It was the perfect set up for us and had an awesome wrap around porch to boot! Chase and I sat out there and listened to music after the girls went to bed each night.

 One last moonlight cruise

Thanks Goldie and Dub for sharing all your water toys with us!

Before bed the kids had a dance party to the Zac Brown/Jimmy Buffet concert.  Wes has a love for music and has quite the collection and sound system so we were rockin.

Morning hugs for Goldie

Bye Bye lake!

We couldn't leave Gladewater without going to visit Jeff's mom and step dad just down the road.  Their house was equally as impressive and is a history buff and antique lovers dream!  Rosie's house was built by her great grandfather in the 1800's and is an actual historical landmark.  To die for!  It's been in their family for years and then was sold to someone else for a little while.  When it came on the market a few years ago she jumped on it! 

 

This old barn is original to the house

Rosie and Tom treated us to Bodacious BBQ for lunch and now I know why Jeff is always talking about it.  Yum!  The kids picked out a watermelon in Rosie's watermelon patch to have for lunch.

Such a fun weekend with lots and lots of memories!