Sunsets

We have had the most beautiful sunsets recently. What an amazing reminder of how incredible God is!

Thanks!

Thank you, Casey, for making my blog work!
I was having a terrible time trying to get my blog set up right. She did it for me... all the way from California. Love her.

Mommy In The Making...

I love Brynn to pieces. Have I already said that a million times?!?!
This morning she pretended to plan a trip to Minnesota. She set the kitchen chairs up to make a big car for us to ride in. She then made sure that everyone was properly buckled up... and then she gave us all "projects to do in the car so we don't get bored".
When I told her that she will make a wonderful mommy one day, she said, "Just like you, mom."
I cried.
Obviously.
But it also reminded me that they are always watching.
Everything I do.
All the time.
I needed this reminder!
And I hope that I am setting a good example for these girls.
I know they at least have the seatbelt part down!

Soccer Star.

Brynn is playing fall soccer. We have always said that she may be our one (and only) shot at having an athletic child. She is doing an awesome job playing, but more importantly, she is just loving it!
Click on these first few pictures to check out her smile:
After scoring a goal...

Ainsley's Birthday Marathon...

Ainsley turned 6 years old on August 23rd! For some reason this seems really old to me... Maybe it is that she also started kindergarten this month, or maybe because she got to move up to a booster seat, or that she is getting super tall, or that she can FINALLY get herself dressed, or that she can carry on very mature conversations about rather intelligent things... or maybe it is just that I am realizing that my baby is turning into a kid.
Whatever the reason, it is happening whether I am ready for it or not. She is a really amazing kid. With so much curiosity. And wonder about the world. And questions about God. And faith.
And so much joy. And spunk. And attitude.
And I love it all.

She had quite the birthday celebration...
First she got to take treats to her class on her actual birthday. This was a first for her since she has always started school after Labor Day. She chose brownies that just had to be taken to school in a treasure chest! Obviously.

The girls get to pick where they want to go eat dinner the night of their actual birthday. Ainsley chose Chuck E. Cheese. We may need to start giving them a few options... We left ourselves wide open on that one. We then came back home and opened gifts from us and had cake. She invited her "best buddies" over for the fun.

She had a "girl only" Princess party with just a few of her closest friends. It was at a local boutique that has a party room. The girls got makeovers and had a visit from a princess!

Nice shoes, Cinderella...

Immediately following the Princess party, we hosted a family party at our house. It was a Tangled themed party. We built a rather large tower for the entryway and made long Rapunzel wigs. It was a very fun party. We had quite a few crafts and activities... It turned out that the party was mostly boys, so we ended up with some extra princess things! The boys did enjoy the candy being thrown from the top of the tower though.

We made the famous soup from the movie...

We made lanterns and hung them from the ceiling, we made towers out of paper towel rolls, Ainsley did the decorations, we got some cute banners and used the painting theme from the movie for party favors. Overall it was a great party!

School Days...

Ainsley headed off to school...
and loved it!
She is in afternoon kindergarten and seems to be doing very well. She has made two friends, to date... one boy and one girl.
She brought home a birthday invitation for a girl's party and still can't point out who she is. Does that mean we don't have to go?!?!
So far her favorite activities are recess, centers, art, library and P.E. (as long as they don't sweat!).
She REALLY wanted to ride the bus. I REALLY didn't want her to. I was more than happy to take her and pick her up. That way I would have an opportunity to see her teacher and just be somewhat present (otherwise known as "helicopter parenting"!). So, we made a compromise... She gets to ride the bus to school since there are only 5 kids and they are all in her class. I get to pick her up! So far it seems to be working and she has not really pushed the coming home issue. I think that she secretly enjoys seeing us when she comes out of the building each day. I know I, not so secretly, LOVE seeing her face!
The first of many "first day of school front door" pictures:

On the way to school we stopped and printed off pictures of us so that she could keep them in her backpack "just in case". We put them in plastic frames so they would stay safe all year. She said that she has not had to get them out yet, but she is happy just knowing they are there. :)

Headed to school... She was getting a little bit anxious. Got some extra loving from daddy.

Full of confidence:

Mommy and Daddy got to hang out and help with one project before we left...

The "little girls" miss her so much when she is at school. They love to go wait for her... in their fanciest clothes!

And next year we will do this all over again with this one...

Luckily I have a few more years before this...