Big Day

As if we haven't had enough big days recently, Maddie asked if she could ride the bus with her friends. Ugh. I really did not want her to ride the bus. However, the school is very close to our house, and we know the bus driver personally. So, we let her try it. The same day, Preston went to school for the first time as a big boy - and without his sister. We are now on two different school schedules.

Preston and his wonderful teachers, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Murphy

Maddie Grace turns 5! - Part 2

Maddie has known where she wanted to have her 5th birthday party since the day after her 4th birthday party. At "the gymnastics place". We have been to a few parties there, and the birthday boy or girl gets to be strapped into a slingshot harness and catapulted into the air. You might think I'm kidding, but you will just have to see the pictures. The kids also get to jump off a bouncy slide, swing and fall into a foam pit, and ride a zip line. My girl isn't scared of anything!! Maddie chose "Lala Loopsy" as her party theme. She is a doll with wild, colorful hair. Maddie did suggest we get Captain America cupcakes for the boys. Love her!

Ready to party!

Sliding into the foam pit

Preston loved the big trampoline

Preston on the zipline

Maddie swinging into the foam pit

Maddie's turn on the zipline

Ready for the slingshot

Her first time up, she got a little pale!

Maddie and friends

Happy Birthday Maddie and Daddy!!!

Maddie Grace turns 5! - Part 1

Maddie had quite a grand 5th birthday! Her morning started with opening gifts from family. She was so happy to get glittery fingerless gloves for hip hop! She is so funny. Mamaw helped us make goody bags for the party. We love to give really great goody bags. Marty and my dad went golfing after gifts (it's Marty's birthday too!), and my mom and I took the kids on an adventure. We took Maddie to our favorite hair boutique and had her hair put in an up-do and sprayed with lots of glitter! After seeing the pictures, I realized too late that Preston was in need of a serious haircut, and I wish I had taken care of that too! Next we went to Build-A-Bear. Maddie has asked many times to go, so today was her lucky day. She picked a very soft bunny. Preston brough his bear along (from his birthday) and was able to pick a Titan football uniform for it. Then it was time to rush home and get ready for the big gymnastics party!

Kindergarten

The day finally arrived: the first day of Kindergarten!!! We were all so excited on Maddie's 1st day. Three of our neighbors also sent little ones to Kindergarten, and they were very happy to go together.

Maddie just adores her teacher, Mrs. Ellis!

Hip Hop

Maddie has been looking forward to starting back to dance. This year, she is moving away from ballet and going to take hip hop at the same dance studio. She put together an outfit for her first class:

Seaside - 2011

Marty and I took the kids to the beach in August. We wanted a big family vacation before we had to stick to a school calendar. We chose Seaside again because it is such a special place for our family.