Picture Day

Just wanted to share this picture of Emily in her rock star picture day outfit. Good thing this dress was terribly inexpensive - I would have paid a fortune for it just to see the big smile on her face when she put it on in the morning! Speaking of my little rock star, she's sitting behind me in the computer chair singing Adam Lambert's "What Do You Want From Me?" in my ear. Where does she learn this stuff? I guess I need to download that so that she can sing it on the karaoke machine I bought her this weekend. Don't know what I was thinking with that purchase. At least it has an headphone jack! Also, hearing Emily and Abby give the weather report using the karaoke microphone is priceless. Have a rock star Monday!

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Can you believe it? Emily started kindergarten this week. I am so excited to have her at school with me each day. There have been some tears - apparently, she dislikes PE much the same way Mommy did at her age - but overall, she loves her teachers and enjoys spending time with her friends. So far, her favorite things to do are go to music and art class; however, after her first class visit to the library next week, I'm hoping that she'll add library time to that list! We've almost finished one full week of school and if she's as tired as I am, she's gotta be exhausted! Enjoy the pictures!

Posing in her newest rock star shirt with Peace and Wolfie before leaving the house. They go with us to school each day and spend the day in my office.

Big girl with the backpack!

Snuggling with Curious George in the library before heading to class

Fortunately, Daddy was able to come with us on her first day of school.

She still has sleepy eyes! So early....

So much for naptime at school. She fell asleep in the car clutching Wolfie and her new pencil case and slept for over an hour when we got home. She would have slept longer but I made her get up. To let you in on a little secret....I took a nap, too! Wish I could have one during the day!

Twins!

I snapped this picture of the boys during naptime the other day and wanted to share it. I can't tell which one is which! By the way, naptime is pretty much all afternoon long until bedtime for adults begins. That's when the night crazies come out! During night crazy time, Ringo has managed to become stuck in his litter box and lock himself in Emily's bedroom. What next?

Swim Show

Abby and Emily performed in what was (hopefully!) their first swim show with Ms. Betsie last week. It was quite the spectacle - all of the students did their best dive and swam the length of the pool to receive their medal. Two teams of synchronized swimmers performed, as well, which was really cool to watch. Emily and Abby both did a great job, although Emily had a bit of stage fright. One of my friends mentioned later, "Boy, she looked terrified!" They both learned so much this season and are really good swimmers now. They were so proud of their medals! We went out for Chinese afterward and our favorite waitress brought them each ice cream with candles. They felt pretty special!

Getting ready to head out for the show

Waiting around (and sweating!) with all of the swimmers

It was super bright and super hot, so everyone is squinting in all of my pictures!

Well, you can't see me squinting behind my super enormous shades.

Checking out the scene

Again, I love the straps on her goggles. Yoda wins a medal!

Take the picture and find me some air conditioning!

Rock Star!

Most of you know that Emily is going through a rock star phase. I snapped this photo of her while she was all tricked out in her best rocker gear before we headed out to do some errands. A funny story to go along with her rocker fixation - tonight I was shopping for a Bible for Abby to take to school this year. I happened to mention to Emily that I saw a "God's Little Princess Devotional Bible" at the store. She told me that she hoped that I didn't buy that for her because she was God's little rock star. Nice!

Fun with the Zoellers

Our good friends, the Zoellers, recently came to visit and we all had a great time watching the kids play together. Maren, Gavin, and Emily had loads of fun playing store, sliding, drawing, blowing bubbles in their fruit punch, and running around naked (well...that was just Maren). Can't wait to get together again soon!

Gavin and Emily took these pictures of each other. Aren't they sweet? Gavin's picture of Emily made my heart squeeze a little bit because it's so beautiful.