Helping daddy unload beans

Kirstin was excited to help... And Kaydence was not about to be left out!

Kindergarten (42 photos), by Melissa Ryan

Kindergarten Pics

Well Doug and I are officially parents of a kindergartener. (I am convinced that at least some of the last 5 years snuck by when I wasn't looking.) It's been an exciting last couple of days around our house. Kirstin has been so looking forward to starting kindergarten - and she was super excited this morning.

She and I spent yesterday together - mommy/Kirstin day!: sleeping in, pancakes & waffles for breakfast (thank you, Eggo), dropping off Kaydence at Miss Jennifer's, taking her supplies to school during open house and meeting new friends and Mrs. Hess - her new teacher, meeting Daddy for lunch and dining at Kirstin's restaurant of choice - McD's!, an afternoon playing at the swimming pool with mommy and other new friends who had the day off before kindergarten, an ice cream sundae with whatever toppings she chose (gummy worms and sprinkles), picking up Kaydence and receiving 'good luck' wishes from Miss Jennifer and Miss Anne, grilling hot dogs and smores (again, Kirstin's menu request), playing soccer and visiting with neighborhood friends, getting ready for bed, and daddy reading our new book 'how much is a million' (she is so into math/numbers right now - this is an awesome book!), then off to dreamland. Whew. What a day - a Perfect Day!

And today was great, too - Kirstin was super excited to start Kindergarten and we were excited for her - and Kaydence went with the flow as she normally does... so thankful she's pretty laid back! From all reports tonight she had a great day, complete with highlights including two bus rides ("and two more tomorrow!"), a visit to the art room, and corn dogs for lunch.

We dropped her off at Monticello (before/after care) to ride the bus (a highlight of going to school in Kirstin's book - she's been asking to ride the bus since she was three; I distinctly remember the first time she asked and my response that she would do that when she was five.... all along thinking to myself that that was years away!). She beamed as she got in line and walked on the bus with the other kids - a simple wave to mom and dad and she was off without a moment's hesitation. (yes, I am thankful for this - don't think I could have taken it had she not wanted to go! her excitement helped mommy control the waterworks - Doug even told me he was proud of me... he, too, was expecting serious tears I think.)

...so of course we followed the bus to Mize, as planned. All smiles as she got off the bus, a quick hug for mom and dad and a kiss for sister and she was off again into the classroom, backpack in hand and raring to go! The classroom was a buzz with kiddos and parents and she was perfectly happy with a 'we love you, have a good day', and a wave good-bye! She was ready to start to work with those new crayons. So instead of tears, I'm going to take a moment to enjoy the pride that so far (despite a few crazy moments) we have raised an ambitious, curious, spirited, wonderful little girl. Hope the next five years are just as wonderful as the last... (ok, here come a few more tears).

Beaver Lake 2010

A video of good times on Friends' Vaca 2010 at Beaver Lake... though Kirstin informed me "this isn't really a movie because it's just pictures - it doesn't move!" We're going to call it a movie anyway. She enjoys watching it well enough so I'm going to politely ignore her critique. =o)

Birthday Circus

Pics from Kirstin's birthday circus - what a day!! The weather didn't cooperate but we had a good time anyway - who knew you could have a circus in the garage?! Kirstin had a ball and we appreciate everyone who helped make it a special day for her!

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Kirstin Graduation

A video of Kirstin's preschool graduation - too cute!!

Jan-March 2010 (40 photos), by Melissa Ryan

I'd like to share my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Chocolate

Today at Miss Jennifer's bridal shower Kirstin enjoyed her first taste
of chocolate from Andres, a Swiss chocolatier on the plaza. A thin
wafer cookie piled with a 'mountain' of chocolate mousse covered in
milk chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate detail. Heaven on a
plate... And it didn't last long!

naptime?

Nap time/quiet time didn't quite go as planned... The big one slept and the little one snuck books into her crib and played. Silly girls!











Wake up sister!

Cookie Party

12-18-09:  Our friends Morgan and Payton (and mommy's friend Kara) invited us to a cookie decorating party - such fun and the frosting was so yummy!  The girls had a great time decorating and playing; after decorating (and more than a few taste-tests of the cookies and frosting) they built a big fort behind the couch and made flashlight shapes on the walls. 


Thanks for the fun time, Kara!


Pictures

Family Pics

Here's pics from our family photo session in December, including Kaydence's 1 month pics.  We had a photographer come to our house to take the pics - we didn't have to go anywhere and we got some fun shots in our home, including Kaydence in the bassinet and the girls in Kirstin's room.  Enjoy!

Photo Session Pics

From the mouth of Kirstin...

At dinner tonight: "daddy there are three girls at our house and only one boy" ( as if he needs reminding) "you could be friends with one of my boy friends".
Doug playing along:"you have boyfriends?!"
Kirstin: "yes but I don't kiss them."

Well I guess that's a good thing but where did that come from?!

The first down dog of the year...

...as my yoga instructor joked this morning. Yay! I made it to yoga. Left three sleepyheads in bed (best place for them to be if I want to make it to yoga!) and braved the cold. Thank you Angela for the great workout. And final relaxation was a little bit of heaven for a new mommy. =o)

And even better, Kaydence slept through the night last night - 10 to 5:30ish. While I'm not holding out hope that that's going to repeat itself anytime soon I enjoyed every minute of sleep, only having to get up once to pump. =o)

So between a good night's sleep and a great workout this morning, I feel like superwoman... though I have a feeling superwoman is going to need a nap this afternoon.

happy new year!