Cecilia Says

Dada

MA!

Gay (Grace)

Bye!

Uh-oh

Where go?

Hi-eeeee!

Cheese

Ringing in the Year--2016!

We spent New Year's Eve 2015 at The Bishop's and had fondue (chocolate and cheese!) with them and the Barton family. This is the second time we have rang in the New Year with them, and it's always a great time. We eat, watch the balldrop and bang on pots and pans at "midnight", which is actually 8 pm. Hahahah!
Grace's resolution was to take swim lessons. Daddy and Cecilia didn't make resolutions, and Mommy's should probably be to write on the blog more. (Sorry!)

Things we did in 2015:

• Grace graduated from Pre-K!
• Cecilia started walking!
• Grace turned 5 and had her first friend party at our house!
• Cecilia turned 1 and we had a party at Papa Dave's house!
• Mommy and Daddy got married!  (Grace was the maid of honor, the flower girl AND the ring bearer. Cecilia slept through the service but woke up for pictures. :)
• We hiked the Little Grand Canyon!
• Grace started the TWI kindergarten program at Parrish. Go, Panthers!
• Pop Pop died in February of an abdominal aneurysm. We miss him so much. 
• Halloran was born in May! 
• Grace joined Daisy Scouts and started ballet!
• We dressed up like a circus for Halloween (Grace was a lion tamer, Cecilia was a lion, Mommy was the bearded lady and Daddy was the strongman.)
• We bought guinea hens and named them Frankie, Brownie and Inky, An owl killed Inky so we gave Frankie and Brownie away until we could build a coop to keep them safe. 
• Grace got her first official haircut!

Leaves are Falling...It's OCTOBER!

Girls!  So much has been happening, we are so busy and I am having a hard time carving out pockets of time to sit and write about our days. So let's play a game of catch-up:

1. Cecilia is walking!!  I was beginning to think it would never happen, but then on October 15th she stood up on my pink yoga mat that was spread out on the floor and started to wobble her way from end to end. It was so exciting!  And now, just a week later, she is sure-footed and practically running around the house. I'm going to miss the monkey-crawl, but it's awesome to see her move so confidently around the house.


2. Grace started Daisy's (Girl Scouts) and got her first patch yesterday on the trip to the fire station!  The girls learned all about what to do if you are in a fire and what to do if you ever catch fire. Stop, drop and roll!  So far, Daisy's has been a big hit, and this Saturday Papa Dave is coming down to go to the Fall Daisy Party with Grace. They are going to have s'mores, go on a scavenger hunt and jump in leaves!  Grace is stoked.

3. Grace went on her first public school field trip on Tuesday to Bandy's Pumpkin Patch and Herrin Park. I was worried about how she would do on the bus (she sat next to the window!) and if she would be safe (she was!) but I could tell the moment I picked her up all of my worrying was for not. She had a wonderful time and even brought home a tiny pumpkin which she immediately took upstairs to decorate.

4. Cecilia is saying so many words!  Mama!  Dada! Buh-bye!  Cheeeeeeese (for the camera)! More!  Me!  1-2-3-weeeeeeeee!!!

As always, you two make my heart so happy that I feel like it could burst. You are wonderful sisters to each other, and I am so proud of you. Also, you are hilarious. Here is what Grace said to me this morning before school.

"Mom, you know how sometimes you're sleeping and you don't want to wake up, but you have to? And your brains pushing your head to wake up?  It's rough." -Grace 5 years old.

The Pizza Problem

Today I packed Grace a homemade pizza "lunchable" for lunch (you know, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and whole wheat pita triangles in which to assemble her own "pizza" from). 
On the way to school she seemed deep in thought, so I asked her what was up. "Mommy," she said, "I am worried about my pizza. I just don't know how much cheese Cummare's puts on theirs, and I want to do it just right." smile emoticon

Who said three's a crowd?

Children have taken over my yoga mat. :)

Bubbles!!!

A few nights ago, Cecilia had her first bubble bath and it was so much fun!  Grace kept calling her "The Queen of the Bubbles" and pushed and swirled the bubbles all around Cecilia so that she could enjoy them. Bubbles were popped!  Bubbles were eaten!  Bubbles were worn like beards and placed atop heads.
I love you schmoops.

xoxo,
Mommy

Grace's First Day of Kindergarten!

Grace,

 Wow!  What a whirlwind two days you have had!  You were supposed to start school yesterday, but do to a snafu with your registration information, you weren't able to go until today. It was fun getting to spend one last day with you before you officially entered into kindergarten, though!  We went shopping at the Co op, mailed some stuff at the post office (you got a root beer Dum Dum sucker and loved it!) spent some time outside swinging and playing and then headed to your open house at school so you could see your classroom and meet your teacher.
You're in the "Frog" room and it is so bright and inviting. Your teacher's name is Mr. Gonzolo, and you seem a little unsure of him, but I bet you end up really liking him. He seems fun and full of energy. After your open house we went with Mazzy's family and had an Oreo blizzard at Dairy Queen, then it was home to bed for First Day #2! :)
This morning was smooth sailing. You were up and at 'em and eager to go. You ate a big bowl of oatmeal with raisins and peanut butter and then we loaded up into the car and drove you to school. You seemed a little worried when it was time for me to leave your classroom. I think we were both feeling nervous,and I was holding back tears, but I know you're going to love it and I can't wait to pick you up in a few hours and hear all about your first day. I hope it goes well, that you had lots of fun and that you continue to blossom into the fantastic young lady I see you becoming. Your future is so bright, Grace. I'm excited for you and for all of the promising things that your life holds.

Love,
Mommy

It wasn't even cold out, but you insisted on wearing your fleece vest and your pink stocking cap
to Day #1 of Kindergarten!  :) 

Ice cream with The Miller's!
Amy, Mazzy, you, Josey, Grant
Me and Sissy

First Day #2--You're a Parrish Panther!  ROAR!!!

First Day of Kindergarten Lunch: cheese stick, ham rolls, zucchini muffin, kiwi, celery sticks and a strawberry.