Labor Day

The weather has seemed to turn a corner towards Fall.  The mornings walks have been much cooler and more enjoyable!  We've gotten to play outside more and the mood has been a bit better around here.  Crazy how the dead heat of summer can keep us indoors just as much as the freezing cold winter months.

our pool days are numbered...

Labor Day weekend, Coco and family came to visit.  Luc made this most amazing M&M piñata cake for JKK.  An early birthday cake.  It was so inventive and beautifully decorated!  Very thoughtful of Luc.  He even got up at 5am that morning to decorate it before they left to come here.  We enjoyed it very much, thanks Luc!!

Syd loves to sit in your lap and read

She also loves to eat paint...thank goodness most kid things are non-toxic these days

a beautiful mess

a Luc-sized chalk outline

balloons!  Millie kept saying Dan was her best friend. ;)

it's normal for Syd to eat breakfast like this, right?!

Monday, we went to the Gentry Wildlife Safari (us and the rest of NWA...it was crowded!).  It worked out well for Coco's family to go with us and then head home to Tulsa afterwards.  A fun outing.

Syd's yelling at the deer

Of course, Millie just had to go potty right in the middle of the drive-thru safari.  JKK had to jump out and get in the back of the jeep with her, praying that no animals had escaped their enclosures.

poke!  Syd goes straight for the eyes.  Poor Llama Llama

Millie loves the farm

Luc, Coco, Dan, and Uncle Tony...always thankful for their visits!

I'm surprised she wasn't born a Leo.

both have the same color of blue eyes.  both really love snacks.  only one tans well though...

more outside play time

Syd has grown up so much this Summer; she loves to ride shotgun.

Millie continues to be the best big sister.  Incredibly sweet to Pid Pid.  Love this pic of my girls.

School Update

Millie is LOVING school this year.  She was very much ready to start learning stuff, so beginning preschool (vs. staying with the MDO program one more year) was the right decision.  She's learning her letters and numbers, painting almost every day she's there, singing and playing games and having tons of fun on recess.  Basically, she's having the time of her life (with a little bit of potty training regression thrown in).

so far, she's learned about day and night

and the letter A

and her class got to taste test red, yellow, and green apples to see which was their favorite (red)

she's been very cooperative with the morning school pics...and I've been trying to send her to school in mostly sundresses or skirts, which are easier for her to go potty on her own

 the color blue (which even though it says it is washable...it isn't)

 more day and night work

every morning at the beginning of class, each student has pick out their own picture & name on the table and walk them up to the magnetic white board...kids love routine, especially Millie Bear.  This is her class picture.

Ms. Kim also keeps a picture gallery for us to peruse....found some good stuff on there, like this one: learning about ants and using a magnifying glass.  She's concentrating hard.

Syd has not been as cooperative with the morning school pics...but she's getting better

Thus far, Syddles has had a tough time with school.  She hates when I leave her.  The teachers have said she's fine the rest of the day, but I can't stand leaving her like that.  And she's been an extra clingy momma's girl since school has started.  I know from experience with Millie that it will get better, and she'll eventually be excited to go....it's good for her, I know it is.

I hope it helps us start transitioning down to one nap soon, but she's still hanging on to that morning nap pretty hard.  This girl loves to nap.  And eat.  Her teachers both commented on how she's a great eater. ;)

Both girls have been a bit tired from the excitement of starting school up again.  We spend a lot of time after school just chilling.  Fine by me. :)

Professional Party Pics

Finally!  Birthday party pics!!

Amanda and I have used the same professional photographer for our kiddos' bday parties the last couple of years.  Sue Lee has done a great job getting those action shots that I am not able to get.  The turnaround time leaves a bit to be desired, but this isn't her full-time job, so we can't complain.  I'm just thankful someone is there taking pics and it isn't me!

First are some favorites from Beckham's 1st birthday party at the end of June:

And here are the favorites from Millie & Cayden's Dinosaur-themed 3rd Birthday party in mid-July: