Lilly

I can't really put my finger on it, but it seems like Lilly has grown up over night. I don't know if it is being at 1st grade, her age or all the above. I am so proud of her in so many ways. She is so helpful around the house, she is so sweet to Claire, and is doing so well in school. We had her first parent teacher conference, and we were so pleased with how she is doing. For my records, here is all about Lilly at 6 1/2 years old!:

*Her favorite TV show is Strawberry Shortcake & Doc McStuffins

*Her favorite books are the Junie B. Jones books.

*She is loving her ice skating lessons still. 

*She and Claire could play for hours together. I am so happy they have one another.

*She is always up for a good time, and so easy going. Anton and I adore this about her. 

*Even though she is always up for doing something fun, she would prefer it was at home. She is SUCH a homebody. 

*She loves to play soccer with Dad in the backyard.

*Wants to help with anything I am doing...cooking, yard work, cleaning.

*She loves to do puzzles with me. 

*She loves to get tickled, and asks almost every night for me or "daddy" to tickle her.

She is such a little sweetheart. I couldn't love her more...my heart would burst! 

Arizona

We were invited by our friends (and Anton's co-worker) for a weekend in Scottsdale to see their new home. It was SO FUN!! Us and their next door neighbors were invited. We had never travelled with either couple, so we were a little curious how we would do. You know how you can have great friends, and then friends you can also travel with? Turns out, they are both! We had a blast. I don't remember the last time I have laughed that hard. Anton and I walked away saying that Christopher is easily one of the funniest guys we have ever met. He had us laughing the entire weekend! Bob and Rene's house was stunning, and it was so kind of them to invite us. We went golfing (yes, Anton golfed - a little!), played games, put Anton to work on projects (so funny), went swimming, went to a movie, ate food that was beyond delicious, and relaxed. It was so fun to be with Anton. We love our girls to pieces, but it was nice to have some time away. It had been a long time since Anton and I had spent several days away, and it was so great. We had a ball, and we are hoping it becomes a tradition!!

(This picture makes me laugh because we put Anton to work killing hornets, taking care of the bat problem, killing bugs, fixing door handles etc.)

Claire's 1st day of school

Oh Clairey...I can't handle your cuteness!! If she would let me, I could snuggle her all day long! She was so excited to go back to Miss Lories. Every night when we would tuck her in, she would ask how many more sleeps until she got to go to school. So, when the day came, she was ready! She was a little bit nervous about a particular "mean girl" being in her class again, but she was lucky and this little girl wasn't in her class this year, so it has changed her whole perspective about school. She enjoys it so much more this year. So far, every time a school day rolls around, she is super happy to go. She has a little homework folder she brings home (practicing her letters) and she loves doing it. I think she feels like such a big girl since she has a backpack, a homework folder AND homework to go with it!! Claire is funny because she is so random, says funny things, and seems so little, but she is SMART. I can't believe how quickly she picks up on things. She loves reading, doing her letter homework, her numbers...the only thing that's a little hard for her is her shapes. But, that will come! I can't even tell you how much I love this little squirt. She is pure Joy. As Lilly puts it, "Life is so great with Claire"! Well said Lilly, well said!!

Lilly's 1st day of school

I can't believe I have a 1st grader! 1st Grade!! Where has the time gone? I think I had more anxiety about her starting than she did. I was a little nervous about switching schools, but it has turned out to be so great. It is a great school, and I couldn't be happier with the move. A couple weeks before school started, we got a darling note in the mail from her teacher that got Lilly really excited. Along with the note was an invitation for us to come and meet the teacher, and do a scavenger hunt around the school so she could get a little familiar with the school before the first day of school. I thought that was such a cute idea. That was my first of many "I really like this school" moments!

The actual day of school was full of excitement, anxiety and a little bit of fear too! Lilly was the most nervous I have ever seen her. She was making herself sick she was so nervous. Therefore, it was making it really hard on me. She never once said that she didn't want to go, but she just kept saying "Mama, I am so nervous". Little sweet heart. She wanted me to pack her a lunch in her new lunch box Anton bought her, and I slipped a little note in it for her - which she loved. 

It was fun for her to get to school and see all her friends from the ward and neighborhood (which all happen to be in her class!!). As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I was trying my very hardest to hold back the tears. We walked up to her line, snapped some pictures, and then she was off!! And, I was a wreck! I thought about her all day long. I wondered what she was doing, if she liked her lunch and the note, wondered who she was playing with at recess, etc. 

3:20 rolled around and I was there to see her when she came out, and it was a moment forever etched in my memory. She was beaming!! She loved her first day, and has loved school ever since. She is reading amazing, loving her teacher and classmates, and is so happy. Couldn't ask for anything more!!