(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

This  is what happens when Daddy is left in charge and the  girls tell him they're  thirsty...

Raya's first day of preschool!

In today's world of Pinterest, it seems you can't simply take the traditional first day of school photo.  You have to have signs and chalkboards  and props, etc. So I spent a good week thinking about how I was going to do Raya's first day of school picture LOL. And in the end I decided that if I'm going to be taking these pictures for the next 14ish years I needed to stick  to something that  I could realistically keep up with! I'd probably lose a chalkboard, forget to print a sign, a prop would  break, etc. etc....so  my final decision  was to stick  with the basics--ta da! :-)

(click photo to enlarge it, if you can't read the type)

Memorable first  day of school photo? Check!

Second thing I've been thinking about all  week (or month lol)....the memorable  first day of school outfit! There were many things  to consider--comfort, the  fact that  it would probably be warm and we couldn't wear the new winter  clothes, needing to match  the backpack (of course!), etc. etc.

I ended up decided  on this outfit--which is fitting considering that so many of Raya's memorable photo ops have included an owl in one way or another. (And yes, she had  the cutest first day outfit in her  class, if I do say so myself! hehe)

One of the moms asked  Raya  if she could  borrow her shoes :-P

And let's not forget to check  how that  backpack matched!

I think Raya was 1 year old when  I bought her this backpack lol...I was just  waiting for this  day and  knew  it'd be perfect  for  preschool!
 

Preschool was only 1 hour today and Raya did fine. I attended a parent meeting during that time and  I guess Raya  used the  bathroom 3 times in that hour LOL...the teacher asked me if there was a medical problem she wasn't aware of--ha! I told her my daughter is a big fan of new bathrooms and sinks ;-)

In general Raya seemed a little bored today--it was just an hour of free play to get everyone settled in, and they had playdough and toys out. But  Raya plays with playdough all the time and she was wanting to go check out all the  other  classrooms to play ...she wasn't too thrilled to learn she only  has one classroom ;-) But  she did fine and was good---never cried when I left. I think she'll have a blast on Thursday when they start "school" for real. The theme Thursday looks to be about cookies and playing a name game and drawing....fun stuff!

Here is Raya standing outside  her classroom by her class list.

There are 15 kids  in her  class (9 girls, 6 boys) and  two teachers. Both the teachers seem really nice. (I found it funny that, if  I remember correctly, 3 of the 6 boys were wearing batman tshirts today haha. Most of the girls  were in Carters dresses or similiar. All the kids were quite cute  and seemed acceptable playmates :-)

....and please excuse the strange hiked up skirt look here---clearly she had indeed spent  her morning in and out of the bathroom because she's looking quite undone! haha

And of course, some more pre-preschool photos ....as fun as all  the trendy pinterest first  day photos are, you can't  forget to take the traditional "pose with your backpack on the front porch" photo ....it's classic!

"Mom, this is lame"

Thumbs  up to preschool! (And yes, we got up early to make sure  we had time for a mani/pedi :-)

Getting DIVALICIOUS! :-)

I'm not sure preschool is  ready for Miss Raya again on Thursday....but ready or not here she comes!!!! :-P

Harper is TWO!

Busy weekend, preschool  starts tomorrow, can't blog much right now!

BUT, tonight we celebrated Miss Harper's  2nd birthday and here is the cliff notes version of our fun:

Harper (and teddy) greeted guests...

Then I tried  to get her two pose with the other kids for a group picture, that photoshoot went to hell in a hand basket, and I settled for a random photo of Harper actually looking at the camera LOL  (Harper's dress was a nap time whip-up special hehe...Emily didn't have a party theme and just said to make something she could wear again)

Brielle found out the party was not in *her* honor, and therefore was apathetic about the whole thing.

Baby Finn was ready to party though!! (He was wearing the fishing truck shirt I made him too :-)

We had  food, chatted, and then prepared to open presents

Sawyer  was not happy the presents weren't for him

Big girl panties!



...on her  head

And some stickers on her face :-)

Raya attacked Uncle John

And Harper showed some love to her new  big "sister" ....oh, did I not  mention my new German niece yet on the blog? hehe. John and Em are  hosting Christine for the year as their foriegn exchange  student.

Decorating Christine with stickers

Brielle played some pool (she's feeling pretty skilled after all  the practice on our new table I think!) ...here she was asking where all the balls went :-P

Now time for cake!

Aunt Abby made a very cool cake...

Happy Birthday Harper---we love  you!

Tiny Dancer

Like I  said in my  previous post, we are gone at the big  H family reunion! But I scheduled this post to update automatically while I'm gone so that  you have some cuteness to get you through the weekend.

On Friday Raya had her 2nd dance class---and this time her dance gear was in so she looked the part! Couldn't resist showing you her pink leotard fasion show ;-)

She's more DIVA ballerina than prima ballerina ;-)

warmups?

She had another great dance day! And this time Brielle and I walked up the street to share a frappachino while we waited lol. Raya had no trouble  staying at dance by herself---she loves the other kids! I even peeked in the window once and saw them pairing the girls up with partners, and when Raya was told who her partner was she immediately grabbed her  hand so they  could hold hands ---awwww :-) She just loves her "friends" and  loves her dance class! ....and she's over  the moon excited about preschool starting Tuesday!!!! Such a big girl now!

Be  back  soon!