So Long, Irene

This is about as scary as the skies got around here last Friday. We did get out of school early and one rain band brought quite a heavy downpour around the two pm hour, but other than that, Irene pretty much passed us right by. And for that we are mighty grateful!

After picking up the girls early from my parents we went home, put on our pj's {'cause that's what you do when you get out a half-day for a hurricane} and made mini-pizzas for dinner...Mallory likes hers with extra black olives.

Girls, the toppings go on the pizzas!

Saturday night we met Aunt Michelle, Connor and Dylan for dinner at La Hacienda {we ate sooooo healthy this weekend}. I have pretty much given up on ever trying to get anyone to look at the camera.

So, another pretty uneventful weekend around our household. I guess we'll have to see what the upcoming holiday weekend has in store for us. No school for Mommy on Monday!!!

Play School is Hard Work

First Day Fun

Today the girls came home from school with these picture~magnets {which are proudly displayed on our refrigerator door} to commemorate their first day of school last week.

I am oh~so~happy to report that their second day seems to have gone just as well as the first...all they had to tell me was that Mallory painted a yellow fish, Anna Claire painted a purple fish, they had granola bars and grapes for snack, and they sang the "goodbye" song.

Back to School

Today was Anna Claire and Mallory's first day of three~year~old preschool! It was a great day!

I am pleased to report that we got through our first night of "homework" last night. I could so easily become one of those moms who does the projects for her children. {Hi, my name is Lisa and I am a perfectionist.} I had to stop myself a few times when I really wanted Mallory to let me trim her fabric or when I wanted Anna Claire to let me center the bow {for example}, but I restrained myself and I am so glad I did. They were so proud of their look~alike paper dolls they created just the way they wanted them.

I got a few pics of the process, but sadly none of the finished products...

This morning the girls and Dylan were all smiles and very excited...like they were old pros at preschool or something...but not really willing to give up many smiles for the camera...

 ...or stand still for very long. Must have been nervous energy.

 

Once it was time to head inside to their classroom, Granny had to chase a very eager Mallory down the sidewalk!

We were actually the first ones in the classroom. Anna Claire and Mallory were very excited to hand in their "paper dolls." I had a chance to get a few pictures, but they were so excited and interested in all the new toys and centers I could hardly get them to look up and give me a smile.

They had a great first day and were eager to talk a little about the playground, the songs they sang and books they read, and they seem quite excited for next week. I think they're going to have a great year!

Meet the Teacher

The girls' got to visit their new classroom today and meet their new teacher...Mrs. J. The great news is that Mrs. Lori moved up and now she is the assistant in their new three~year~old class...I think this has really helped to ease any of the girls' nervousness about a new teacher and new classroom.

It was crowded and busy, so I didn't really get any great pics, but here's a peek...

In the girls' class of ten friends there is only one other little girl. That's right...seven boys! {one of them is Dylan, of course.} Two of the little boys are a pair of fraternal twins! Fun! Only one of their "friends" from last year is in their class again this year...and he is the little boy who bit Mallory...twice.

I asked the girls afterwards what was their favorite thing in their new classroom: Anna Claire said Mrs. Lori and Mallory said Dora!

Well, we already have homework and it's not even the first day {a little art project and an "All About Me" questionnaire}, so I guess I'd better go get organized for that!

Sleep, Anyone?

Sunday night marked one week since implementing our new "get mommy out of the girls' room at bedtime without a temper tantrum" plan, so I thought it was safe to share a little update {no fat lady singing here}.

Since there was no possible way I was locking Mallory in her bedroom which is what everyone was telling me we should do {sorry, guys}, I locked myself in our bedroom instead {sometimes is was hard to tell whose temper tantrums were worse anyway ~ Mallory's or mine}.

I won't go into the night~by~night details but will tell you we went from night one of Mallory screaming for an entire hour and a half until virtually passing out from exhaustion {please don't judge, we tried everything to avoid this} to last night with both girls falling asleep peacefully in their beds alone with our bedroom door wide open ~ and last night wasn't the first night. Things improved dramatically from night one to night two and just kept getting better from there.

The last four nights, actually, have been smooth sailing at bedtime...and thank goodness, for poor Walter's sake, because when it became evident that I didn't have what it took to break away from Mallory at bedtime, Walter stepped in, took over, and toughed it out with Mallory {and Anna Claire}.

We still have some work to do with Mallory waking up in the middle of the night, but the good news is lately she has been waking up once, going to the potty, then going right back to sleep...and yesterday she didn't wake up until 5:15 and still went back to sleep until 6:45. Last night she woke up at 12:20, and now it's 6am...and she's still asleep. yay!

We'll keep our fingers crossed for continued improvement!

It Took All Summer

Now that summer is practically over, Anna Claire and Mallory have finally taken the plunge. One day last week they simply decided they'd like to float around in the pool wearing their $1.99 CVS rings and they haven't looked back.

Not only will they float around but they will kick their feet and "swim" wherever they want to go. They will even jump off the side of the pool wearing their rings. Of course we are in the pool with them at all times not letting them out of our sight, but to not have a child clinging to your neck, to not have to try to tread water with that child {or two} trying to climb on top of your head, to get Anna Claire off the pool steps ~ this is pool~time freedom like we've never experienced.

Catching Up...

I have hardly picked up my camera in two weeks. It has been HOT. We’ve made some progress with Mallory’s sleep issues. My first {almost} two weeks back to work have been a whirlwind of long days, lots of meetings, and plenty of teacher trainings.
But, we have managed to sneak in a little bit of fun as we try to hang on to summer as tight as we can.

Once we settle into our back-to-school routine, I hope to have more of the girls’ cuteness to share…a little more regularly I hope. Without further ado, here are a few of the more recent pictures from my camera {in no particular order and with just a bit of commentary}.

At Mingo Point after the golf tournament a few weeks ago...Mallory, Grandmom, and Uncle Grange...

 Anna Claire and Walter...

These are the only two pics I got! Can't believe that! I missed a great photo when Mallory and Brennan got up on stage with Grandmom to thank everyone.


Hope's princess birthday party...Mallory remained in full princess regalia the entire party {dress, shoes, tiara}.

 Having make-up applied...

 Anna Claire's freshly polished nails...

 Decorating tiaras...

Taking a swing at the pinata...Mallory uses two hands...

 Anna Claire uses one...

 Candy!...

Hope got the Disney Princess Barbie collection {seven princesses!!!}. Mallory would not take her eyes off those dolls. I told her she'd have to talk to Santa.

 Two tired little princesses...

Mallory does not take off her Belle dress. We actually bought her a Rapunzel dress two weeks before the party. She wore it every day...the hem ripped all the way around, she spilled milk down the front and the tulle ripped in two places. We bought the new Belle dress the day before the party.

Looking out onto the back porch watching the rain and blowing bubbles. Sweet!

 Watching Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage on YouTube...

Playing in their rain coats while it rains outside. Please do not miss the smile on Anna Claire's face and the shoes on Mallory's feet...

 A couple of weeks ago at the mall after spending our Gymbucks!

The weekend is almost here...hopefully more pictures to share. The girls start school next week. I cannot believe it!