Kindergarten

Yesterday was Emma's first day of Kindergarten.  I totally didn't think I was going to be sad and cry.  But, I did!  I waited until I was leaving to cry though.  :)  It just seemed so crazy to me that I was just leaving her there.  Depending on these other people to make sure that she is safe.  I just stood there, watching her play on the playground until the bell rang.  When I picked her up she said that she liked her teacher and playing on the playground.  We had only signed her up for half day, since it's free.  But, Shaun, Emma and I decided that 2 1/2 hours was too short of a day.  So, we signed her up for full day.  And she started today.  Since she is now full day she gets to participate in Dance, Art, PE, Music, Library and Drama classes.  I'm so excited to see how her first full day went!

Sleep

One of the days that I dreaded came.  The day that Riley started climbing out of his crib.  He only did it a few times, so I decided to keep the crib intact until he started climbing out more.  Well, he was climbing back into the crib and got his knee stuck in the crib slats.  And I mean STUCK!  I thought that I was going to have to cut the crib to get his knee out.  It seemed like it took me an hour to get it out, but I was somehow able to finally slide his knee out.  Thank goodness!  So, right that minute I turned his crib into a toddler bed.  Poor guy got big bruises on the sides of his knee.  The first 2 days were rough during nap time, but now he is doing great!  My big boy.  :(

In other sleeping news, Emma and Spencer still share a room.  And for a while now, are sharing a bed.  They both have their own beds, but I always find them sleeping in Spencer's bed together.  I want to put Spencer in with Riley, but Emma and Spencer get so upset when I tell them that.  They don't want to be separated. 

The 4th!

We had a great 4th!  We went to Aunt Erin's house, like we do every year.  Ate yummy brats and watched fireworks.  We had a nice, laid back time.  I didn't get very many pictures.  The kids do not like to cooperate with me.  :)

Our patriotic family

Glo sticks

Sparklers

Cousins

Grand and Great

I LOVE my Grandma and Papa!  And so do my kiddos!  They are amazing grandparents and great-grandparents!  They have always been there for me and my family.  Words cannot express my love and appreciation for them. 
Their marriage is such an inspiration to me.  They just celebrated 50 years of marriage!!  WOW!!  It's not too often that you hear of a marriage lasting for 50 years. 
I have always had a very special bond and great relationship with my Papa.  I have so many great memories of us playing and going to lunch together.  He has been my father-figure and he even walked me down the aisle at my wedding.
I have also had a great relationship with my Grandma.  She is so full of  wisdom and shows so much love.  She always assures me that I am a good mom and gives me great advice.
If you guys read this, I love you both soooo very much!  Thanks for all that you do and for being such a good example to me!  Love you! 

Papa and Riley

Grandma and Riley

Girl's Night!

Last weekend I had girl's night with some of my favorite girls.  It was a bittersweet girl's night.  My best friend Shauna, of 18 years, moved to Utah this weekend.  And this was a "Shauna is moving away girl's night."  :(  We went to one of our favorite places BJ's Brewhouse.  We had a great time hanging out and talking.  And then as we were leaving, we set my camera up and took some self timer pictures.  Those are always fun!  As always, the night ended way too fast.  I will miss my Shauna, but I know we will still see each other.  Maybe I can talk Shaun into another girl's weekend! 

Silly faces.

Oops!  Timed it wrong!

Staring off into space.

Emma's Birthday Party

Emma chose to have her birthday festivities at Peter Piper.  Which she chooses every year.  She chose a Tangled theme.  She is obsessed with that movie and Rapunzel.  We had a great turn out and had lots of fun!  She got tons of gifts and loves every one of them!  And she got a good amount of cash, which she always insists on putting in her piggy bank.  She says she is saving her money to buy a house or a car when she is a grown up.  LOL!  She sure cracks me up.  She is definitely 5 going on 35.