The First Day

Today was the start of the new school year at our school. Alyssa is fairly used to the routine and was very excited to meet all of her new classmates. As we headed down the halls of the school to the playground, I am reminded of how much she has grown in the short amount of time she has been here. Coming in as a Kindergartner, not really knowing where to go or what to do, to now skipping down the halls , racing toward the playground to do her morning routine. She was greeted, hugged, photographed and well on her way to her 1st day of 2nd grade.

Then we traveled back to the Kindergarten playground to get Drew settled in his new classroom. He has been very excited about going to school and was just taking everything in! As we got ready to enter his classroom, he wa greeted with a very affectionate and playful "Drew!!!" from his teacher. This instantly brought a huge smile to his face. As he made his way into the classroom, we helped him locate his desk, his cubbie, and his seat on the carpet. He seemed very at ease with the whole process. I have been blessed to have been able to help out a lot at the school and Drew has always been my companion, so I think he feels very comfortable there. At this point I was still holding together pretty well. When Lanny & I got to the car, I looked through the packet of papers given to us from his teacher ( which had this sweet poem, and a very dear letter from his teacher) and the tears came flowing!!

*WARNING* If you have a little one headed to Kindergarten, please grab a tissue (or two) before reading

The First Day
I gave you a little wink and smile
As you came in my room today
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay
You've been with him for five years now
And have been a loving guide.
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave him at my side.
I, too know
How quickly the years do pass.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheek may flow.
I'll take care of him
And help him learn and grow.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more,
For I will love him and take him in
When you leave him at the door.
-Jamie Solley

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Day 6 & 7 Photos

I just adore this young lady!! She brightens my every day. It has been amazing to watch her change and grow over the last few years. It REALLY just seems like yesterday that we were bringing home a brand new baby girl. The time has gone by quickly, but we have had a blast!! Looking forward I know her world is full of possibility and adventure . Some things that I see daily in this wonderful young lady . . . she is a kind and wonderfully loving sister, daughter and friend. She has a very huge passion for all things art!! She LOVES to read, you'll often find her curled up under a blanket, absorbed in her latest mystery book. She has an imagination that is second to none, often creating mysteries to be solved, or clubs to join. Alyssa, thank you for the beauty and wonder that you bring to our lives everyday !!

Day 5 Photos

Everyday is a new adventure, so excited for the rest of the journey!

Photo 4 the Day

Our sweet girl, you always welcomes everyday with an exuberance and zeal that is second to none. You have always had the sweetest and most contagious smile. Thanks for brightening my each and every day and making me see the world through different eyes. I love you!!

Day Three Photos

Top picture: From Alyssa's first birthday celebration, she LOVED the strawberries!!

Bottom: Alyssa meeting her baby brother for the first time. She was as kind and as sweet as could be to him, just loving on him and giving him snuggles. What a lucky little guy he was to have someone that was so excited to meet, love and play with him.

Some sweet photos of Alyssa

Just a couple of fun photos of Alyssa from her first year. I love the one of her in all of her pink glory :) We found out that our family was going to be getting another addition, shortly after Alyssa turned 9 months old, this picture holds very sweet memories for me. I made the onesie for Alyssa to wear when we went out to dinner with the rest of our family, she had a sweater on over the onesie and we took it off at dinner and just waited to see who noticed . We were so thrilled and excited about having another sweet baby to love. Alyssa was so sweet throughout my pregnancy with Drew, always wanting to love on my belly and give "babykisses".

A Picture A Day

I'm going to try to publish a picture (or pictures) each day until Alyssa's 7th birthday in celebration of our journey to this point! (Thanks to my dear friend Corey for the idea, she did it for her boys and I loved it). Lanny still tells her every year how she use to fit in the nook of his arm, she was such a tiny little girl!! The best things truly do come in the smallest packages!

A Whole New Element

Alyssa has recently been introduced to these stores (here and here) and my- oh-my. They are both certainly all things girl!!!

Alyssa's philosophy *huge smile* the brighter the better, and if one color is good than multiple colors (all together) are awesome, amazing and wonderful!!

It was so fun as her momma to get to take her in both and get to see her excitement as she went through the multitudes of things that she "just has to have *wink*!!" As we are approaching her 7th birthday, we are starting to see the young lady that is emerging, what a beautiful treat!!

T minus 1 week and counting!!!

Before we head back to school!!! Summer went so quickly.

The kids got their teacher assignments in the mail Thursday of last week, along with their supply lists. Alyssa was super excited, as her teacher will be the same teacher she had (and loved) for Kindergarten. When we opened up her letter, she was shrieking with excitement. So we went yesterday after church and got all of their goodies that were on their list. Drew is just so excited about starting school at "wyssa's school". His teacher is a wonderful woman as well. I think they are both in for an amazing year.

Things I'll Miss . . .

Waking up and hanging out in my bed with the kids watching cartoons

Not having to rush in the mornings

Having no real schedule

Endless hours spent at the beach

Midweek adventures

Having two of the best buddies with me throughout my daily on goings

As much as I know I'll miss them, I am so excited for both of them and know that they are going to have a wonderful year. Busy making new friendships and savoring old ones, learning all sorts of new talents and perfecting those that are already there. To a year of fun and adventure.

Camping Fun

This summer, we were able to take a couple of smaller camping trips with our kids . . . WHAT A BLAST!!! Our kids are at a perfect age to be able to handle a couple of nights out in the tent, and they really enjoyed all of the fun that came along with being in the great outdoors. The first trip was to Dos Picos up near Ramona, great family campsite, with running water, and warm showers and a family bathroom to boot. We had a great walk back site, that gave the kids tons of room to run and play while we were making meals. There were also some nice trails, a pond, and a kids playground to be enjoyed. The kids' and our favorite part of this trip were playing games and enjoying warm drinks by the fire.



Then our second trip was much closer to home, the kids and I went early to set up and then Lanny met us after work at Carlsbad State Beach. This was great, as it was close enough to a lot of our family, that they were able to stop by for some portion of our stay.
The kids were able to get an impromptu surf lesson from their uncle Tanner, and loved it!!! Both kids were up for the adventure, holding on as their uncle helped them get over the waves and then listening to his instruction as they took the waves back in, both kids were able to stand up and were so proud of themselves. Then we had a family dinner before everyone else headed home for the evening. Great family, great fun!!!

Great Summer Reading

The kids and I have been heading to the Library every couple of weeks and have taken great delight in picking out some fun books to read over the summer. Alyssa's reading skills are blossoming so much each and every day and she LOVES to read. Her current favorites involve great mysteries.

Some of her latest favorites are:

1. Cam Jansen series
2. Nancy Drew & the Clue Crew books
   
3. Anything Scooby Doo
4. Mysteries A -Z series

It is so funny, because I remember loving these mystery books as a kid, I really enjoyed the intrigue of not knowing who did it . . .and trying to guess throughout the entire reading, still often surprised when the culprit was revealed. There is a great thrill in mystery books.

I also have been trying to get in some summer reading as well. On our most recent trip to the library I picked up this little gem. It was a book that grabbed my attention and held it all the way through, and has left me excited to check out the other three novels in this or related to this series. Without giving away too many details, it is a great story about the friendships of women and how they intertwine and evolve. It also gives a clear picture of the depth and strength of those relationships through the trials and triumphs in life.