Pictures of Olivia's Big Girl Room (2nd post..Check out the one before)

Here you go, Nena and Gee! :)

from the hallway

Her name over her bed is from her Aunt Lala.

Thanks, Linds. It matches perfectly!

a blank wall that needs a little something

pictures over dresser

photos on that blank wall

!!3!!

I can't believe that my baby girl will be 3 tomorrow. We celebrated her 1st birthday right after we moved here.

We had all of the birthday festivities today since Sundays are usually pretty busy for us. Of course, the day was full of Olivia fun from sun up to sun down.

Birthday Waffles

"I'm free!"

(3)

Olivia started opening her gifts, but then ordered her brothers and Daddy to open them for her. She just sat back and watched. haha

(This gift is from the boys. They were so excited to get her a blow dryer.)

This is what every 3 year old girl needs.

After all of the great gifts she opened, I think that this balloon ranked pretty high up on the favorite chart.

I am not kidding when I say that this is the way Olivia wakes up every morning. She jumps up and down and we sing a "Good Morning!" song to her.

Goodbye, baby bed.

Hello, big girl bed!

(It's 9:30 and I think that she still may be awake. Here are a few things she did after we told her "Goodnight."

1.) Played with her new mixer.

2.) Played with her owls.

3.) Set her owls outside of her door.

4.) Came in our room, ready to hang out.

5.) Put her two My Little Ponies on her dresser side by side with their corresponding hair brushes.

6.) Played with her mixer again.

7.) Made Jay and me laugh over and over again when we "caught" her.

Birthday lunch at Sushi Cafe

Liv and I spent a few minutes taking some 3 year old pictures.

More to come.

The "pink and green brownie cupcakes" that Olivia has been talking about for over a month.

Happy Birthday chu chu!

YUM!

Olivia and her favorite brothers

Olivia was so excited to find out that she got not one, but TWO My Little Ponies.

Yes, her brothers were opening the gifts for her.

Ironing "like Mommy".

Oh, Olivia. How could I ever express the joy that you bring to my life every single day?

Your sense of humor keeps me sane. Your silly grin always brings a smile to my face. Your hugs and kisses are so sincere. Your "I love you," melts my heart. When you jump in puddles, I want to jump too. When you sing at the top of your lungs, I never want you to quit. The way you draw a crowd makes me wonder who you will be. Your bouncy curls remind me of Tigger. The way you dance cracks me up. How much you love pink makes this lover of green shake her head. The day you were born was one of the best days of my life.

I love you, Olivia Anne. You are loved for sure.

Busy Bees Princess

Olivia has been ready for Busy Bees to start back up since it ended in May. She is a Busy Bees fanatic.

Isaac, Olivia and Josiah ready for a new day.

So excited.

I just kept taking pictures because she makes me smile.

And she looked so adorable with a backpack and lunchbox.

Daddy and Liv

The lunchbox is bigger than her head. :)

Olivia and Mommy

I tried to take her picture with her friends, Amelia and Grace, but her friends were too busy trying to figure out what was behind those curtains.

Olivia and her teacher, Mrs. Austin

(Mrs. Barbra (aka Barbar) was sad to let Liv go to another class this year.)

If you look at the first picture, you'll see Isaac holding a plastic bag with a rock in it that he was taking to his friend at school. Olivia thought she needed a plastic bag to take with her, too.

I'm sad to let all of my kids go, but I'm enjoying my time. Josiah is having the hardest time adjusting and wants to just stay home with me. Maybe another week will help?

Excuse The Man Behind That Curtain

What a difference a day makes! Was that really me yesterday? Did I really cry? Alright, I know it was. It was a tough day...all day long. And I was really dreading this morning as I never know how Josiah will react to a new situation.

Well, he did great! I did great! He walked right into his classroom, took his seat, and began working on his coloring page. He was the only boy in the class today. His elementary school does staggered first days for the kindergartners. So yesterday all 4 of the other boys (there are only 5 in all) went to class and they will all be together tomorrow. Josiah seemed to like knowing he was the only boy. I think it's a middle child thing...no matter what the situation, if you are special, you take it.

So after I got the dog poop cleaned off of his shoe (don't ask), and got back home just to notice I forgot his important first day folder and ran those back up to him, he was set.

Isaac told me to just stick with Josiah today, he could find his own way to his class.

Olivia is all about being an only child.

God, thank you for Josiah. I pray that he blossoms this year in school. Help him to find his own place in this world and to glorify you with his sweet little life. Watch over and protect him and bless his school year.

I love that my boys chose to wear t-shirts the first day of school while all the other kids were in Polos and dresses.

Harder Than I Thought

I mean, I figured that I would get a bit teary eyed, but the waterfall that came wasn't exactly what I expected.

When he started getting ready this morning he said, "I've been waiting for this moment!" I was excited with him then. He could not wait to get out the door.

When we started walking up to the school, his steps got slower and slower. As he sat in his classroom and took everything in, I could see the overwhelmed look in his eyes. I asked him if he was nervous. He shook his head up and down, not trusting his voice. I told him that the first day was the hardest, but that he would be so excited to come back. His voice quivered as he asked, "Will it be easier tomorrow?" My voice quivered as I promised him it would be.

Oh this is hard. But I'm so excited for him at the same time.

God, watch over and protect Isaac today. Give him sweet friends and a love for school. And help me to trust you, his Creator.

Monday Is Coming

Whether I like it or not, school is coming. 2 days and counting. On days like today, I'm more than ready. But then I have setbacks and want to keep my kids with me and never let them go. This will be a good year. I know it.

Josiah finding out his teacher's name.

I don't think he cares.

Isaac found out who his teacher is for the year and also found out that the only boy he knows in the school is actually in his class!!!

Josiah was sad that the surprise Jay had for them wasn't a Sonic drink, but looking on a wall to see who their teacher is for the year.

Always ready for a photo op.

Josiah and his teacher, Ms. Pignone

Olivia and Josiah's teacher, Ms. Pignone. Haha!

Isaac and his teacher, Ms. Tomack.

(Olivia also tried to get a picture with her but we turned her down. She was completely disappointed.)

We Love It!

Jay and I host a college group in our home every Tuesday night. I couldn't have been asked to do something that I enjoy any more. Hmmm...did I word that correctly? In other words, I really like 'em.

We had a cookout the other night at our neighborhood park along with Ultimate Frisbee and Bananagrams.

deep concentration

Our kids LOVE college night.

Maybe because there is always food?

(Oh wait. Isaac was reading over my shoulder and corrected me. "No, not because there is lots of food. Because there's a lot of people!!")

I Asked My Kids If They Will Miss Each Other When School Starts

They didn't answer, but kept on doing their thing.

I think they will.