"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Because I have an excess of sick days and the district will only let me use 15 of them maternity leave (long story, don't get me started) I've taken off a few Fridays lately. I've been having my weekly baby appointments during Pre-Kindergarten and then I make it a point to hang with my big girl in the afternoon. Last Friday, Steph and I took all the girls to Weston Red Barn Farm - "Wed Bawn Fawm" according to G - for some apple picking. It was mighty hot for Big Momma Weaver, but we had a great time anyway! Below are a few pictures of our afternoon of fun!
Baskets ready!
Big girls leading the way!
Little One trying to keep up... notice that I'm behind her!
Checking over the apples for the perfect pick!
Found one!
Kia did too!
They told us the best way to tell what a good apple looks like is to taste one and see. Gracie ate her whole apple while we picked!
Kia enjoyed her apple, too!
Little Natalie didn't do too bad on hers either!
We had a great time picking apples, despite the heat. When G and I got home, we made cinnamon apples and cinnamon apple sauce. It was delicious! I look forward to another little lady to join our apple picking adventures next year... although it'll have to be on the weekend because Gracie will be in Kindergarten next year. Ah! That's okay... Daddy will be there to participate on a weekend adventure!
Because school starts so darn early around these parts, our summer has been over for a few weeks now. But I never got around to posting a few pictures from our last few adventures and family fun!
Visiting Daddy at work made her Bucket List for this summer. This is the outfit she chose for our trip to his office. Momma loves her boots! Notice the curly hair... all for Daddy!
Steph and I took the kids to the Storybook Exhibit at Crown Center on one of our last days home. It was super fun and interactive! I love the free exhibits that travel to Crown Center each year! This one was definitely a hit with my little bookworm!
Gracie's summer dance recital was on a beautiful Saturday night! The weather was perfect and the entertainment was wonderful, as well! My tiny dancer loves music and movement! This year Kia and Gracie were cheerleaders and orphans for their two numbers. As always, they were adorable!
Watching the big girls dance... and joining them!
This is what happens when you let Daddy take her to get her face painted!
Two mornings after her dance recital, this is what her face looked like when she awoke! Apparently my tiny dancer is allergic to black/brown face paint. Can you see the remnants of her puppy face? It only last for 2 days, but it was no fun!
Monday was Gracie's first day of Pre-Kindergarten! She's going 3 mornings per week this year... and I already miss her! It's so amazing and a little sad how quickly the past year has gone. But since there's no way to slow time down, we just keep enjoying all of her little milestones while we hold on tightly, trying to soak it all in. She was ready to get back to school, but she's mostly like her Momma... she prefers summer time! Seeing her teachers and her friends, along with doing art projects are her motivations for going back with a smile. With the upcoming arrival of baby sister, Pre-Kindergarten kind of snuck up on me, but we made sure to get in a few of our back to school traditions.
Gracie got grumpy on her way to grab her backpack for a few more pictures. I decided to embrace the moment and document it all! That's her mad face, clearly!
Happy again!
And they're on their way!
So big!
One of my teaching partners has become a close friend of Gracie's... at least in Gracie's mind they're BFFs! Miss Rachel's daughter Rylee goes to a babysitter who drops off kids at preschool, so seeing Rylee every day has become a highlight of going to school each day!
Rylee and the big girls!
Mrs. Greene and Gracie
Mrs. Greene and Kia
Enjoying some one-on-one time with Natalie while the girls are away!
And sweet Tysie!
After school I asked the girls the same questions I asked them last year. Here are their responses one year later.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Gracie: A doctor and a nurse
Kia: A Teacher and doctor
What's your favorite food?
Gracie: Mac n' Cheese from Panera
Kia: Chicken Noodle Soup
Where do you like to go to have fun?
Gracie: Oceans of Fun
Kia: Schlitterbahn
What's your favorite song to sing?
Gracie: Fishin' in the Dark (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)
Kia: Bullfrogs and Butterflies
What's your favorite thing to play?
Gracie: Kia's the baby and I'm the mommy.
Kia: Babies
What's your favorite word to say?
Gracie: Little Sister!
Kia: Weenie (I died laughing at this response!)
What are you excited about?
Gracie: My little sister!
Kia: Fall
Their first week went very well and both girls are loving school! Gracie's counting down the days till she's line leader and looking forward to learning how to read this year. I'm not sure if she will meet her goal or not, but she's already on her way. Check out the video below! She's a smart girl and eager to read!
