This is 5!

September starts off with a bang for us with both Charlotte and Julia’s birthday so we were so excited to celebrate Julia’s 5th birthday on Sunday, September 8th! Jules had been counting down to her birthday for about 6 months now, asking regularly how many days until her birthday so to say she had been looking for it is definitely an understatement. We had told her that we were going to celebrate with a party for her and Charlotte at Nani and Poppa’s the following weekend so that on her birthday we’d go to church and then do something fun but hadn't decided what yet. She woke up that morning so excited and after getting dressed in her "beautiful birthday dress" she was ready to look for her birthday presents, which she requested to be hidden. She found them all but was only allowed to open one in the morning and had to wait until the rest for Nani and Poppa that night. She didn't seem to mind though because she opened the LOL doll set that she was hoping for and was thrilled! After opening her present, we shared with her the surprise that we were on our way to Legoland!!! We had the best day and she loved every minute of it! Legoland was awesome-it wasn't crowded at all and we got to do everything we wanted to do. She got a birthday pin and loved the extra attention of the employees wishing her happy birthday throughout the day. 

Birthday girl ready for an awesome day! She went on her first rollercoaster today and was a bit nervous but loved it! 

Daddy and his girls!

Joseph somehow convinced her to do the Lego Ninjago ride first...she's such a sweetie that she agreed to it. 

The day really worked out perfectly-at times here were rides that Joseph and Ella were only tall enough to go on so they would do those and Julia, Charlotte and I would find different rides in the vicinity that they could go on.  There was one point when Julia was upset about a ride that she couldn't go on so I broke down and let her play a game and she won this pink and purple llama which she affectionately named "llama bama" and has been attached to ever since.  

We were home from Legoland in time for dinner which consisted of pizza and no broccoli (her choice!). Nani and Poppa came over for dinner and and LOL doll cake which made the day even more special and she got to open the rest of her presents. She was so excited about everything and I definitely think it was an amazing day for her! Julia has the kindest heart and we are so proud of her. She is always putting others first-there are countless situations where she sacrifices what she wants so others (specifically her siblings) can have their way. We love this about her but also want her to be sure that she has to stand up for what she believes in and shouldn't always give in to others. The kids, even Charlotte, know that she can be persuaded easily and sometimes use this to get what they want. She just has the sweetest heart. In the mornings she always comes in and says good morning and gives big hugs. She loves following her schedule that she made for herself and often checks things off her schedule before even coming to say good morning-like getting dressed, doing her hair and brushing her teeth; although those things normally just happen on the weekend because this girl loves her sleep and on the weekdays I am having to carry her out of bed and downstairs still asleep to get her to eat breakfast and ready for school. She is the best sleeper of the bunch. She is loving TK so far, other than being so sleepy from it, and we are hopeful that it is going to be the best experience for her. She is also playing soccer for the first time this season and is excited about it...she isn't the most aggressive on the field, but she tries hard and is a good listener to her coach. She is still really enjoying gymnastics and is moving up quickly through the levels and is at the SuperCricket level currently. At home she loves to listen to music, play with LOL dolls, play school with Ella, dance and put on shows and draw. She is everyone's friend and people really do love being around her. She continues to lead our nightly prayers and always has a prayer to add and just has this love for Jesus that is so neat to watch. She was so excited to learn this year that Mary's Saint day is on her birthday and loved this connection with Mary. We love you so much Julia Ann, you truly do have a heart of gold. 

Julia cried that night when she went to bed-she was exhausted from a full day but she genuinely was so sad that her birthday was over. She said to me amongst tears, " I don't want my birthday to be over-it's my favorite day of the year." She is such a sweet, sweet soul. Thankfully her birthday was extended for one more day since she celebrated her birthday in school on Monday. Although she was still upset Monday morning about her birthday being over and it not coming back again for 365 more days, at least I was able to cheer her up a bit by reminding her that she was going to celebrate it at school and that Bridget was coming over after school for a birthday playdate. That made it a little bit better. 

These two are just the sweetest of friends! They had the best time together after school. 

I have to include this picture, too.  On Friday, September 6th, Julia's name was called out at Friday Flag for her birthday over the weekend so she got to stand up in front of the school.  She was so excited and I'm so glad that I was able to be there for it!

We can't wait to see what your 5th year has in store for you! 

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Three!  Our youngest is three!  Three going on 13 most days but officially three! 

I went with a unicorn theme since I was having a tough time finding horse decor to go along with her horse cake and she was very pleased with the unicorns. 

She was so excited to wake up and find presents in the morning and did a great job of only opening 1 and waiting until dinner time to open the rest (I did have to hide them though!)  

 

All Charlotte wanted for her birthday was to go to Starbucks and a horse cake, as a result of her love for “Old Town Road” and thankfully we were able to make both of those things happen so she had an incredible day!  She wanted to wear her fancy dress to Starbucks which was the perfect birthday outift!  We were even able to go swimming after school since it was such a beuatiful day and then Nani and Poppa came over for dinner and to celebrate with her!  She was surrounded by so many people that love her and all of her favorite things so it was the perfect day for Lars!

 

Face timing with Nani and Poppa in the mroning.  They are so great to always call first thing in the morning on any special days.  

She was SO excited all day long!!!

I'm Three!!!

Her horse ice cream cake with her favorite color, purple!

So much love for Nani and Poppa!

We are so thankful for this spunky little girl.  If I had to choose one word to describe her it would be passionate.  She shows so much passion throughout the day-whether it be through her constant demand of listening to Old Town Road on repeat, or requesting the windows down in the car, or her ginormous hugs around your neck-she is full of passion with all that she does.  I love the passion that she has for her family-every night she’ll say to me, “One more huggie and one more kissie” and then hug my neck so tight and then kiss me with the loudest “smack” ever on my cheek.  This is after I sing “Hush Little Baby” to her and rock her which I’m so glad that she still asks for nightly.  She also cracks us up daily with things like during storytime when it is her turn for the book that she chooses she “whistles” really loudly while standing next to us to signal that it is her turn to sit on my lap.  She created that out of nowhere and we all laughed so hard the first time she did it.  Or her constant issues with poor sportsmanship how she is always saying, “I win, you lose” (we’re working on it but it does make us laugh behind her back!) And her favorite saying of “What the heck?” is definitely not appropriate for a 3 year old to say but she says it in all the right places and it just sounds so funny coming from her.  She keeps us laughing for sure, while also at the same time, sometimes wanting to pull our hair out.  Ha ha.  She can be whiny if she doesn’t get what she wants and always likes things a certain way or just how she wants them, and she’ll be sure to let you know.  We’re in the process of getting her evaluated for speech through the school district since I see some delays (just articulation and nothing major) but figure it won’t hurt.  She loves spending time with Nani and Poppa and we are so thankful that she has a full day once a week with them.  It’s a bonus if her buddy, Finn, is there, too, although they very much have a “close sibling” relationship where they can be best friends one minute and at one another the next.  She has been waiting to turn 3 for a long time now (so she could specifically start gymnastics, although they were nice enough and let her begin a few weeks early) and is so happy to show people 3 on her fingers.  She loved her presents, especially her baby with the carrier, and loved her horse cake.  We love you Charlotte and can’t wait to watch you grow this year. 

First Day of School 2019-20

I’m still in shock that summer is over but here we are starting another school year.  This year seems extra sweet since Joseph, Ella and Julia will all be at the same school and Charlotte will just be home with me. Since Julia’s birthday is in September she qualifies for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Westwood which is a half day program, five days a week.  So, I will drop them all off together in the morning and then go pick Julia up at 12:10 and then back to pick Joseph and Ella up at 2:00.  It does seem less running around though then what I did last year having Julia at preschool from 8:45 to 11:45 so am looking forward to the change.  

The kids were excited (well, kind of) about the first day.  Joseph is definitely getting to the age where he doesn’t consider school fun anymore and other than seeing his friends isn’t dying to go back.  Ella seemed excited which was a welcomed surprise after the last few months of kindergarten this year.  I am praying for a smooth year for her (well for all of them, but especially for Ella.)  And, Julia was just beyond excited to be going to the same school with Joseph and Ella.  She told me that she is a little nervous but mostly excited.  The school made some changes this year where the campus is now closed so we can no longer walk them through the gates to their class lines-this will be a change for everyone but hoping that it will actually help Ella, especially, since I won’t be able to linger and we will have to say goodbye outside the gates.  There was a Welcome to Westwood posting party the day before school where the kids found out their teachers.  Joseph has Mrs. Brennan (who we have heard is amazing!), Ella has Mrs. Setzler (haven’t heard much about her) and Julia has Mrs. Style who is also supposed to be incredible and I was just happy that she wasn’t placed in the TK/K combo class.  Julia and I were able to go into her class the day before school started, too, to meet Mrs. Style and to show Julia around which was helpful.  She will do awesome! 

Julia is so ready and is so excited.  Here she is at her TK orientation.  (Sidenote-I was totally disgusted by how dirty the rug was...I debated about saying something to the teacher but didn't)

Obligatory first day of school photos!

Joseph-3rd grade

Ella-1st grade

Julia-TK

At school...

This was Julia at breakfast on Friday.  She was so exhausted and really was asleep-not even faking it.  Poor girl...she's super excited about going to school but does not want to get up in the morning.  I feel the same, Jules!

This was at the first Friday flag of the year (on the 3rd day of school) and I loved how I could get all three of them in the same picture...can you find them?!?  So special having them all together.
 

I'm happy to say that they all had a great first week of school and seem excited about their teachers and overall just being back at school.  Yay!!  Charlotte and I were a little lost those first few days but we are getting into the routine.  It's amazing how quickly summer can feel like forever ago.  Bittersweet for sure.