School Spirit Day

 

MTA School Spirit Day. Goal=wear red, white and blue. I think they pulled it off perfectly!

Bandaids

So Madelyn has the same obsession that Isabelle did at her age, bandaids. So funny that they are both going through the same phase. A costly one as they wear about 6 at a time. So cute though.

and who could pass up on taking a picture of my too cool girls...

Cowgirls

Off for a Western Day at School :)

and the winner of best dressed Western Attire is....

Star Student-Belle!

Here is the picture of Isabelle when she got her star student award. Funny thing is that this girl was determined that it was gonna be her week. She told us at the beginning of the week she was gonna win it. She worked so hard and she did! Once she puts her mind to something, watch out world there is no stopping her! Oh yes, she is her mother's daughter for sure.

and this is the poster she made to show to her class what she likes.

Bully

The girls learned about bullies at school. They came home and told me how they crumbled up paper and that was like calling someone names and that no matter how hard you try you can't get it to be perfect again. They learned that school is a bully free zone so now that any of them picks on another at home, they scream this is a bully free zone. Saw this pic on the teacher website and loved it! So cute.

Smitten

Ava, I want you always remember your first crush, Jason! You were a smitten kitten over this boy. Head of heels. Even so much that you answered the question who do you admire most as Jason. Oh boy! You giggle and smile when you see him or talk about him. To top it off I saw you hugging him in class one day and the teachers says it happens all day. Girl, you are gonna be TROUBLE with the boys due to your amazing personality and looks .....gonna have to lock you up I guess :)

For the record, I am hoping it is not so much that he is a boy, just that is he sweet and caring to you. Or at least I hope so girl as you are 4!

This pic was posted on the teacher's website ...

 

A letter to my Belle Belle!

Belle worked so hard and was star student this week. As part of her special week a letter is written by her parents and shared in the class. I hope this makes her feel extra special cause she is our super star!

and here is what the above says....

Isabelle, There is no mistaking that you are my daughter. You have my
determination and desire to do your best. You have this amazing level of
confidence for a little girl which simply amazes me! I really think you are
a wise old soul in a little body that you seem so much older than 4. Daddy
and I love watching you get excited when you do something for the first
time like perform on a stage, get to level 11 on your new video game or
read us a very advanced book and not miss a word! You make me want to
be a better person each day because I want you to see me as a good mom.
However, you are a much better version of myself as you possess so many
other qualities that make you shine! Like your amazing smile that can light
up any room, your sheer beauty, and your laugh that comes from deep
inside your belly that is so hearty! I can close my eyes and imagine you as
a grown up and know that you will achieve anything that you want to
be. Nothing will be outside of your reach! No matter what just remember,
it is not being perfect that matters it is the love for what you are doing.
Continue to be the artist we love, the thinker we admire and the debater
that challenges us! Try your hardest and enjoy yourself is all we ask. Your
father and I will always be here to give you all the love and support you
need as you continue to grow and flourish into the beautiful woman we
know you will become. Don’t rush to grow up too fast as we still love our
little Belle Belle snuggling in our bed all the time!
We love you to the moon and back. XOXO, Mom

Hawaiian Day

Hawaiian Day (oh and yes, Ava boycotted the so called itchy skirt and lei this morning as we were walking out the door so the floral dress was the quick mom save. Ava puts on new outfit and Isabelle says to her, now will that stop the whinning? God love them both! And of course my Moo wanted to get in on the photo action!

and look who won Best Dressed, and looked great in her pineapple hat she made.

 

No more friends

Conversation on ride home today was classic! Me: So how was your day, tell me your highs and lows. Isabelle: Mom, (insert girls name) wanted to sit by me at lunch today and she is mean to me every day. She asked to be my best friend but she is not nice. So I told her, I have enough friends and that I did not have any room for more friends.

Normally, I would tell my daughter that her comment was not nice (even though secretly laughing that my daughter is really a 60 year old woman trapped in a 4 year old body at times) but she is right. This girl is a p in her a so go Belle for not caving and telling her you were all set with nice friends...ha!

Hat Day

Kicking off Catholic School week with hat day. Did they not pick out perfect hats for each their personalities. Ava wearing her fedora ready to bet the horses, smoke a cuban cigar or make some cash at a poker game. Belle off to Travers or to the beach with her dainty sun hat.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

The girls had a great night celebrating Daddy's and Uncle Pete's 37th birthday! Grandpa and Grandma P, Uncle Curt and Tony came over to help celebrate. They wanted to do a Yankees theme since it is Daddy's favorite team. So balloons, streamers, plates, cake and outfits we did! They even asked their teacher to make their dad and uncle a birthday hat. I think the girls were more excited then the boys...heck I know they were. Makes birthdays fun again when you have young ones around to celebrate with you. A little Guitar Hero Game for a present and the fun will continue as the girls help daddy rock out to that. BTW, teacher asked how old daddy was....told her in chapel 73! Must be the gray hair that is starting on him.

A Letter to my Ava!

As part of Ava's star student week, parents are asked to write a letter to their child that will be shared with the class. I hope that when the teacher reads this letter to Ava she feels as happy inside her little heart as she makes me every day. Love her to pieces!

and for those of you who can not read the above since it is tiny on here, here is what it says...


Ava Grace, I dreamed of being a mother for many years but never        imagined the pure joy you would bring to me. You have amazed me since the moment you were born. At only 3lbs 7 ounces and 16 inches tall, you were so tiny. However, that did not hold you back for one moment. You quickly showed us your strength and determination as you grew bigger. Soon, you were bigger than Isabelle and earned your title of big sister by 3 minutes! You have always had a overwhelming zest for life. Curious and happy to make the most of every moment. The girl with the golden heart is what your teachers have called you as already at the tender age of 4 you have amazed them with your kindness for others. Your father and I are so proud of the little girl you have grown to become. The way you march off to kindergarten every morning with a smile on your face and a spring in your step, like you are ready for anything. We adore the way you play in your silly way with your sisters or try to be sly and tricky with us .The best sound of every day is the endless giggles I hear as I give you nightly tickles until you are gasping for air. I love the look on your face when you dash around our living room, tell your grandpa that you want to order lobster for dinner or dance to your favorite rock songs.  Perhaps most of all, your eyes tell a story that you are wise beyond your years. You seem to always want to protect the one in need or gravitate to the person in the room who needs your comfort the most. You are already fighting for the underdog. You teach me how to love and try to be my best as I want to be seen as a good mom in your innocent eyes. My beach bum, my hippy child, my peacemaker. I may never get you to love dresses or wear jewelry but your natural beauty is even more breathtaking. You lift my spirits each day when I ask what was the best part of your day and it never ceases to amaze me that you respond saying “seeing you mom” because you know it makes me smile. No matter how old you become, we will always be here to take care of you and make sure you get all the hugs and kisses you need. You are the light of our lives, our sunshine! Continue to enjoy every experience, try new things and be the fun loving child we love. But promise us first not to grow up too fast since we love you just the way you are!
XOXO,
Mom
&
Dad

Refocusing

After a much needed trip away with Dave (alone with Dave, can you believe it) to Florida, I have come back determined to get back into blogging. Over the last year I have been unable to find the extra time to keep up with my blog. Complained about it often to Dave as I truly enjoy it. Said I would get back to it and never did. Other priorities have arisen but I refuse to let that continue in 2013. I am not sure Dave sees the value in the blog but for me I need this. It is my way to record our life, clear my head and remember the moments (big and small) . I can close my eyes and foresee Dave and I sitting in our rocking chairs year from now and smiling at these books and laughing about all the amazing times we did. We will savor our accomplishments as parents and be able to share these moments with our girls and hopefully their children one day. Yes, it is that important to me! So there will be some back blogging for sure to catch up these books but I promise......blogging is back!

Ice-skating

While Dave and I were in Marco Island enjoying a little get away, Aunt Sara and Uncle Brian took Ava & Isabelle ice-skating for the 1st time. I heard they did great. And they ran into some friends there too!

Ice Princesses?

So not sure if they own the ice yet but while we were in Florida enjoying 85 degree weather, Ava and Isabelle went ice skating the 1st time with Aunt Sara & Uncle Bri and their crew. Big props to Aunt Sara for apparently taking all 4 on the ice since Uncle Bri was tending to a hurt shoulder (although I hear he did a good job entertaining the kids who needed a break on the sidelines)

The girls both said they loved it and can't wait to take me to show me all their moves. I think Ava was pretty tired(probably from running around with her cousins the night before!)  that day so from what I hear at one point they think she might have been skating 1/2 asleep. Belle surprised us though and quickly decided she was confident enough not to use the walker. They even met some friends on the ice :)

Ava Star Student

We found out on our vacation that Ava had some great news, she was star student in her K class! Way to go! She was so excited to tell us!! And then we had some work to do Sunday night when we arrived home, a rock'n star student poster that showed what Ava likes.

Princess Belle

Love how random our conversations are sometimes in the car. Driving to school this morning, Isabelle says to me: 

Mom when I grow up I am going to be a princess and live at Walt Disney World so you can come visit me there, okay? 

My response: Sure Princess Belle, that sounds great! 

Even funnier on how this did not phase Ava at all. Guess she is cool with her sister living at Walt Disney World...heck, why not! 

Welcoming in 2013!

Had a great time welcoming in 2013 with the gang! Our crew has grown over the year and now totals 8! Kids ran around together, enjoyed sweets and make tons of noise having fun. Parents (none pregnant this year) enjoyed cocktails, good food and friendship. Good times!