family pictures

back to school

Watch out Pre-K here she comes!

The gang is back together:  Madelyn, Evan, and Madelynne

The two Madelynnes were inseparable the first day.

Jackson got to come to school on the first day.  The only problem with that is he now thinks every day is his day to go to school.

Life is good when you are in Pre-K.

more wise words

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

                            -Melody Beattie

tiaras and tool belts

Madelynne building a bug box while wearing her tiara at a Lowe's Build and Grow clinic.

Jackson wearing a skirt and heels while playing trains.

tiaras and tool belts...

bonjour! butterfly

A few weeks ago we got to visit grammie and grampa.  Grammie took us to see the Butterfly House at Cox Arboretum.  One of our favorite books to read  this summer Fancy Nancy Bonjour! Butterfly by Jane O'Connor came to life before our eyes.

hooked on books

This summer my children participated in three different reading programs.  I want them to love to read as much as I do.  Of course, we participated in our local library reading program where our children were able to earn two brand new books to keep for the their very own if they completed the number of hours required.  We also enjoyed being part of the Half Price Books and Barnes and Noble summer reading programs.  The Half Price Books program requires you read at least 5 days a week for fifteen minutes and each week you can earn a $3 coupon for whatever you want in the store.  Barnes and Noble requires you read ten books and then you get a free book from a list for each grade level.  We really built up our home library this summer.  Here are a few of the books we enjoyed this summer in no particular order.

Fancy Nancy(books) by Jane O'Connor

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by  Bill Martin, John Archambault, Lois Ehlert

The Cow Who Clucked (and others)by Denise Fleming

Clifford the Big Red Dog (books) by Norman Bridwell

Curious George (books) by Margaret & H.A. Reys

Piggies by Audrey Wood

Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff

I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

and many, many other favorites!

Some of the books Mommy enjoyed this summer:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows

What books did you enjoy this summer?

the little man is two!

Jackson turned two on July 30th.

We celebrated with happy meals from McDonald's.

Every time Jackson sees the "golden arches" he shouts, "Fries!"

Nice of Jackson to have a birthday, so I could get a happy meal and a new Littlest Pet Shop.

Full bellies=happy kiddos.  Off we go to Toys R Us to play with the trains and train table.

Please don't make me wear this crown...

I'm in heaven!

So many trains, so little time...

Check out these moves!

Madelynne helped bake the cupcakes for Jackson.  She is also the official taste tester.

Jackson woke up from his nap refreshed and ready to open some presents.

Jackson got out the pizza pan and requested, "pease some pizza".  We took that to mean he wanted pizza for his birthday dinner.

No birthday is complete without cake!  Mommy made puppy cupcakes for our little puppy loving boy.

Happy Birthday Jackson.  We love you a million billion zillion!