Tracy Aviary and Liberty Park

We had a fun family outing on Saturday at Liberty Park, trying to help the girls experience something new while enjoying the nice fall weather. They were fascinated by Tracy Aviary's bird show, where we got to see big birds (including this eagle) up close.

We walked through the park, following wild birds...

And for a minute there, we thought our girls turned into birds!

 Then we headed to the park's pond to feed the ducks and geese...

And ended up in the fun park for awhile...

The First Day of School

A couple weeks before Kindergarten started, Millie started getting so excited. It seemed like she grew up a lot right in time and she was so ready for it! It was fun going to the first day of school together for orientation info...

But then it was "boring" waiting all week until her class really began. SO on the "real" first day of school, she was VERY ready to go. She made a cute pose for the picture, gave me a hug and a kiss, and was off to school! No tears. No sadness. All smiles! She has Mrs. James, who we really like. Today Millie commented that "Mrs. James doesn't seem like a grandma or a mom." I couldn't quite figure out what she meant by that! I asked, "Does she just seem like a teacher?"

Grace is following in Millie's footsteps and attending Ms. Kristi's "Oceans of Learning" Prcschool. It is all very familiar, and she has adjusted well. Mommy is a teacher assistant some days, and she finally decided that she likes that. I think singing is her favorite, because she loves coming home and performing her songs for us. She also loves playing house for choice time--I've watched her take charge and tell the other girls who they are and what they can do. I guess that's a perk to being one of the oldest!  

 

Monarch Magic

Every year we hunt for monarchs. This year, we found 11 cute little caterpillars to share with cousins, friends and classmates. They ate and grew and ate and grew, and headed to the top of the jars to make a chrysalis. Ten days later, we had some very excited girls! They loved holding them and watching them learn to fly. And I always love the reminder from watching the entire process: We were made to be so much more than we can see in ourselves right now--we are "created in the image of God" and have a "divine destiny and purpose" (Family Proclamation).

Gracie, the Birthday Girl

Grace waited patiently, but anxiously for her 4th birthday! She knew months ago that she wanted to have a "Tiana" party. She helped with the planning and writing up invitations. Then Daddy took her to deliver them to her friends. And the count-down started again!

When her birthday finally came, Grace's friends came dressed up in princess gowns with big smiles on their faces. They colored and decorated princess crowns, then played "kiss the frog" (hot potato with a stuffed frog), "Princess, princess, frog" (duck, duck, goose), and a princess balloon game. We sang, ate frog cupcakes, ice-cream cones, and then opened presents. With their party favors in hand, the little princesses left happy as can be. Again, we proved that a simple party can please these little ones!

My favorite moment of the party was when they were eating ice-cream. We started going around saying what we love about Grace. They said she was nice, that they love her smile, her clothes, her hair, etc. and then her dear friend, Lucy Taylor, said, "I just like Grace!" and then clarified again, "I like her!" It was so sincere and sweet! She taught us all a lesson--to love the person, not just things about them.

Here are some fun facts about Grace at age four:

Favorite Activities:
playing with Barbies
coloring--she is an efficient and meticulous artist!
reading--she loves when we read to her, but she'll sit down daily to read on her own as well
dress-ups and dancing
preschool with Ms. Kristi
"quite time" with a show

Favorite Foods:
oatmeal
pepperoni
pears
lil' smokies
Parmesan cheese
mangos
pizza
rice
apples
noodles
gum
blow-pops

Less-known Facts about Grace:
She has a very loud cry, which means she has great lungs for singing!
She has strong nails that are beautiful, but dangerous at times
She intensely loves her Sunday School teachers, Brother and Sister Williams, and sometimes contacts them during the week
She has a very compassionate heart
She is quick to express love and affection
She is careful to do what she is supposed to do
She loves to laugh at Claire

Grace, we love you so much and don't know what we would do without you in our family!