Family Time

We are nearing the end of our visit to South Africa!  I cannot believe that almost a whole month has flown by, and in that month we've reunited with family and friends from across the globe and my baby sister has gotten married. 

It's been great watching Emma and Addi enjoy their time with the family and feel so privileged to have these opportunities where the kids can get to know their family!  What touches me the most is the cousin time for the kids!  I know how important my cousins were to me growing up, even though we may have had our moments you always know that they're there for you and you will always have a playmate, someone to confide in and someone to learn from!

Today we got to spend some good time together with Cameron and Caitlyn as they're on school holidays.  Watching the kids laugh with each other, help one another and look out for each other is incredible.  Even though oceans apart, it feels as though they haven't spent a day apart!

I love our family and its going to be one hard goodbye once again when we leave in less than a weeks time!

Thank you family for all the great memories on this trip!  We love you all so much!

Holiday Sing A Long

Nothing like watching your first born participate in the preschool sing-a-long....I was lucky enough to get a preview of the songs the day before as it was Emma's turn to supply good for their cooking day, and when it's your turn to supply the parents have an opportunity to participate in the cooking day, lots of fun!

Love the different ways the kids participate in the songs and really enjoy themselves!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas is approaching so quick this year!  I've barely had a chance to breathe it feels!

So before we're into the New Year, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy 2014!

Hope you all take this time to sit back and relax from the hectic year and enjoy this time with your loved ones and reflect back on your year and see how great it was!

We all sure are lucky to be where we are and to be surrounded by so much love and opportunities!

Just a video of our "Year in Review"  So wonderful to look back at all the fun things we did as a family, and to see how much the kids have grown, in just one year!

And then a video of the girls meeting Santa for the first time!  I was quite surprised that Addi was not scared of Santa, and I loved Emma's excitement waiting in line to meet him!

Have a wonderful holiday season everyone!!  

Happy 2nd Birthday Addison!

So I have an hour before I have to pick up Emma from school, not enough time to start baking the birthday cake, which will probably be left for tonight most likely, which means another late night!
Unless I rope the girls in and let them help me with the baking...I'll see where my patience levels are when we get home from school....

We're reaching Addi's 2nd year, we've kept her alive another year!  Yay!  Always breathe a sigh of relief, like yes we did it!  We're ok parents!

As we celebrate her birthday more, the more I realize how fun it is to have a Halloween birthday, but at the same time, also a big rush!  Getting the costumes ready, preparing for Addi's actual birthday and party.  This year I've decided that we're probably going to try a "cake for breakfast morning."...so instead of after dinner blowing candles, we'll do that in the morning, then go about our day (try fit something in special for Addi, although we have Emma's class parade in the middle of the morning), then  a very early dinner before we head to trick or treating before it gets too late.
Most likely the girls will ask to have a treat before bed time after looking at their candy collection, and most likely cake AND a treat before bed, probably not a good idea!

Anyways, lots to look forward to tomorrow.  All presents wrapped, Addi's card is written up.  Emma went to Target yesterday to buy her sister a gift, Emma still has to wrap that.  At Easter I got Addi a little chick waterbottle, over time this bottle became mouldy, so we threw it away.  When we were discussing gifts, Emma pipes up, "Mom I want to buy Addi a new sippy cup, because she was really sad when we threw the chick one away"  So Emma chose another bird type cup and a ghost cup!
I do love how considerate Emma is of Addi's feelings, altho there are times where I wonder.  But glimpses of those kind gestures, just reminds me she does have a good heart and cares for Addi, which is what we as parents all strive for!

Addison, HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY!  We hope you have a Happy Halloween type day!  We love you more than words can say!  We are so proud of who you are and what you're becoming.  You manage to keep up with all of us, especially your big sister!  Funny how we find it quite challenging to keep up with you.  You add so much more to our lives, in a good and positive way!  You are and always will be our sweet but cheeky little pumpkin pie!  Love you sweet girl!  Happy Birthday!

Can't wait to celebrate this big day tomorrow! xoxoxoxoxo

Just like yesterday you were this small.....

Newborn

April 2012

February 2013

March 2013

July 2013

October 2013

How you change over the months!!

Halloween 2013

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN to everyone! 

These are our munchkins this year, Rapunzel and Minnie Mouse!

Couldn't be more fun than celebrating a birthday and Halloween!

 

Always a rush to have a quick celebratory dinner, blow candles, them go trick or treating before the big kids hit the streets.

 

Can't believe a year ago Addi wasn't walking, we had to push her around and now this year not only is she walking, but running, jumping, somersaulting.....growing way too quick.  This year should be fun with her going around with Emma and be part of all the fun, although I do see her lasting 2 houses at the most before asking to be carried....I'll be sure to take pics. 

 

 

Sweet Moments

I've been meaning to blog for a while....so many little things to share and keep you updated with the girls...altho facebook and whatsapp seems to have taken place of this blog, so much easier sharing that way.....crazy how times have changed....if it were the old days, by the time family would receive a pic of the kids, they would have changed so much already! 


I had a few minutes and thought I'd post some pics and a few stories...
So some old news and some new news for some...

A few weeks back (almost a month ago)  we got together with our friends Amy and Adam.  Reaching the last bit of summer we thought we'd have a nice dinner al fresco... so great now that we can leave the kids and let them play on their own and run around....although maybe I was too busy enjoying chatting with Amy and sipping champagne and Rod and Adam were the ones spotting the kids!  Every momma deserves a night off right??

Emma and Ella are such big girls now, so they join us at the adult table, while Addi and Noah sit at their little table...Adam decided to set the tone and added flowers and candle to their table, sweet little dinner date .

 

I had some fun with the pics I took and made a little slide story...

 

Then while we were getting the last bits of the meal together before eating we came outside to find the girls wearing our sunglasses and laughing away, having so much fun together.  so sweet to see these 2 girly girls grow up with each other...we can just imagine the gossiping they'll be doing in a few years.....we had to follow them with a photo of Amy and I with our shades - like mothers like daughters!

 

We could not match these faces though

 



Now with school in full swing (one month already gone by), not a day goes by that Emma does not bring home artwork!
Last year I managed to contain it all in one big box, now it's to a point where I HAVE to throw some of the work out (and it's only one month gone by)....I feel so bad, but just keep telling myself...."YOU CAN DO IT!  It's just a painting!"

Besides the artwork, Emma is working on writing her alphabet and numbers, they're completing worksheets which is pretty cool, so impressive to see how much these little people know!
Emma loves coming home and pretending to be the teacher.

For the month of September the theme was  "All About Me"  The kids got to share "Me bags" so they can all learn about each other and feel comfortable talking in front of each other.  Apparently Emma was so confident and proud sharing her bag.  We received these bags on orientation night (2 nights  before school started) I told Emma about it and she immediately got her toys (she had to pick 5 items that were special to her) these sat in her bag for the 2 weeks before it was her turn to be leader of the class and share her bag.  I thought after 2 weeks she'd want to change her mind about the items she had in the bag, but no, still wanted to take her torch (to see in dark places), necklace (mom always untangles these), compass ring (so I know where I am), microphone (because I can do whatever I like with it) and another beaded necklace (I got this from a church breakfast) which was actually a dinner for a mardi gras event at church.

At the end of the month we get a collection of more of the classwork they did...and there was one  little booklet all about Emma.  Emma painted and decorated each page and what I found really special was her family page.  Mama and E-Ma will feel very special, as they were the only ones featured next to her mommy, daddy and Addi!
We'll just say she didn't have time to draw the rest of the family, or there was not enough space on the page so no-one feels left out.

This I'll be holding onto for a LONG LONG TIME!!!

The black above the head is hair

Emma's family...

Emma's favorite is Purple, so I asked why she chose Blue? Her response, because there was no purple, simple right?

My 4 Year Old

Gosh in the last month and a bit, it seems so much has happened!
My Emma has grown over night, it's incredible to see.  It's like the magical 4 and everything changes!

Our little girl, is no longer wearing pull ups, no longer sleeping with a bed rail.  No longer sitting on her booster seat at the dinner table, eating with adult utensils most times.  Trying to bath herself and brush her own teeth (however after a week says, I'm tired of brushing my teeth, I need you to do it!)  She did a sleep over at our neighbors house last week without tears, she actually did not want to come home.  Today at school asked to do car line, which for those of you that don't know, I just drop her off at the doors of the school, teacher takes her out the car and Emma see's to herself, hangs up her bag, washes hands and then goes into class!
She's writing more, drawing more objects than scribbles, cutting out objects, jumping from things.....swimming is improving, she is no longer scared of  going under the water and jumping in the pool.....so so much....her vocab and use of words has expanded.

With all this going on and school going on from 9am - 1pm, it seems her afternoon naps has fallen away!!  so much for my rest time in the afternoon, we have to keep going all DAY!  We had a good run though.

She seems so grown up all of a sudden, too heavy for me to carry, her feet are getting big, her fingers lengthening, her legs growing longer too and showing some muscle from all her activities, so sweet we can laugh about things and joke around....conversations with her are always so interesting.  That little mind is constantly working.  She catches me out on so many things, things I might mistakenly say, or falsely promise....I have to be so careful now!

I love watching my little girl grow up and I love watching our mother daughter bond grow more and more!  My little girl, who will always be my baby! 

I saw the most beautiful thing

The most beautiful thing that I ever did see, was probably today (Friday, August 30)! 
I saw Emma dance for the first time since starting Ballet....

Emma started Ballet in June (Pre-Ballet 1).  For a while I've wanted to start Emma with ballet, but I never found the time to take Emma nor did she seem interested in learning, then one day Emma asked me to teach her how to dance....I tried to teach her what I knew and she asked me for more moves.  That motivated me to find a place as I am no dancer and do not want to teach her how NOT to dance!  Coincidentally through the Durham Mothers Club here in NC, they mentioned a lady (Danielle) that started her own dance school and apparently is really good, so I took Emma to a preview class, which I did not get to preview but still ended up enrolling Emma as Emma walked out so  happy and asked to go again.

Because Danielle has just started her school she's renting a place from another dance school which is a good 20 minute drive from home, it's in a prefab kind of feel building with only aircon in the dance studio, but not in the front room where the moms sit and wait for their kids for 45 minutes (VERY HOT IN THE SUMMER).  This room is also all enclosed with no windows and does not allow you to watch your kids.  They say that the kids don't dance so well when the mommy's and daddy's watch - which makes sense....but it's quite disappointing not being able to see your kid and watch their progressions.

Today Danielle was on leave and brought in a sub.  The sub had left the door to the studio open (no one complained about this, some cool air and an opportunity to see our little ones)  So for the first time I got to see our little ballerina dance!  Oh my goodness the pride and happiness and tears,  she started doing plié's, as a 4 year old that's just learning would do it but nonetheless it was beautiful to see, the music was beautiful too, instant tears to my eyes.  To watch Emma listen and follow direction, her flows and twirls and skips and hops, I just loved it and now I understand that it's really worth the wait to watch the recital in December (I'm going to be an emotional wreck).  I am so proud of my Emma and how much she's learnt so far. 
Even Addi was taken by her kaach, watching so intently, when I asked if she wanted to learn ballet, she nodded her head, the lady next to us asked, "but where would you find a tutu that tiny?". 
Can you just imagine my 2 ballerinas.

Enjoy this video...

 

Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated Emma's birthday on the 22nd as you know, then had her party with her friends on the 24th.
I've been planning for months for this birthday, initially I wanted to plan a Candyland or Candy Shop party (imagine glass canisters of candy canes, gum balls, popcorn, a candy floss machines, lots of balloons and colors).  I tried to get Emma on board with this idea, but she told me no, she wanted a Mermaid and Pirate Party.  I  guess it was the better decision, because I could just imagine all of the moms raising their eyebrows at me on feeding their 4 year old's with so much candy!  Probably a better idea for a 14th birthday...although one mom did say as long as it involves a sleep over at our house!

Anyways, months of planning, browsing the internet and getting idea after idea...it gets a little crazy!
I may have gone a little over board this year (it could have been worse), but it was so much fun, each year gets more and more fun as the kids appreciate the parties more.
We wanted to get an outside venue but couldn't find anything suitable for a mermaid party.  And as much as it is easier to have a party at a venue I really like the idea of birthday parties at home.

I also wasn't sure how parents felt about having a pool party with kids that can't all swim, and if parents would really want to jump in the pool too, instead we found this great inflatable pool with mini slide and thought it would be a great fit for the party, we test drove it with our neighbor friends and it was a hit with the girls....so activity, décor, favors, cake ideas all settled, just the weather to worry about...  Boy did I pray for good weather, to a point that I actually felt bad I was praying so hard for good weather.  Looking at the weather a week before predicted rain the entire week and sunny on Saturday and as each day passed it didn't rain, and the chance of rain slowly increased for Saturday.  I thought typical!!  And planned for the party to happen in our house, keeping kids busy with pass the parcel and have them laps in the house, all 15 of them!!!!!

The end result... we had the most perfect weather we could have asked for.  Hot but not too hot, no humidity and no rain, just beautiful!  We battled few flies at lunch time, but that was minor.
It seemed everyone had a great time and most of all Emma had a good time too!

She woke up disappointed on Thursday when she thought all her friends were coming to her party that day...but Saturday she jumped out of bed, all excited to see the decorations and birthday cake!
Even though happy with everything she saw, she was quick to point out where I failed with planning...like not sticking or hanging up anything "pirate", her comment was, "oh no mom, the pirates weren't invited!"  She looked at the banner and said, you should have put mermaid, pirate, mermaid, pirate! I only put mermaids....

So for the party I had invitations made which were super cute, I had Emma choose the wording, I tried to involve her as much as I could with the planning....

I didn't know how far to take it with the mermaid and pirate theme, came up with a crazy idea to make mermaid skirts for the girls and pirate hats and eye patches for the boys, then I thought the girls might want to dress up as pirates too, and when my sewing machine didn't want to sew the material I bought to make a mermaid skirt, I took that as a sign not to go that route.

Instead we just hoped the inflatable would keep the kids entertained enough for the party.  I had a sand craft for the kids to do, filling up bottles with colored sand to make different layers.  This turned out much better than expected.  Again my initial thought was to have a sandpit and have the kids dig for treasure but Emma being who she (instead of digging will just poke the sand with her index finger, and not step foot in the sand without her shoes) probably would not take part in this activity. She really enjoyed the sand art activity..... we bought some pirate swords to give to the kids when they left, made some starfish shaped cookies, hung fish made out of lanterns and some pom poms to make up an under the water type feel, a home made birthday banner, crab croissant sandwiches and the most exciting, the mermaid birthday cake.

 

After the princess cake last year I decided to go a little more simple....fondant is fun, but hard to work with esp when there is not a whole lot of time or you want to go to bed at a decent time and have 2 girls to look after during the day.  I also want my cake to be as fresh as possible, so will only bake it the day before the party, not 2 days, if I did 2 days I'd prob manage covering the entire cake with fondant.  The regular butter icing actually worked out best giving the cake that water/wavy look.....
Initially I was trying to figure out the best way to make a mermaid topper out of fondant then one day browsing the toys at Target I found Ariel with a mermaid tail - PERFECT!  I was so excited when I found it, the perfect color and everything... it was as though I was a kid all over again finally getting the toy I always wanted.
So a small 2 layer 6 inch cake and a few cupcakes decorated with mermaid tails made for a very pretty birthday cake, I was quite pleased with the result.

 

Our crab sandwiches were a bit of a last minute idea, last minute being a week before.  I was looking online for cake décor ideas and Rod saw these crabs and said he wants to make them, I rolled my eyes thinking he's adding another to do to our list...but in the end it was a good idea, as it had everything on it, meat, veg, fruit, so a mini meal in one type thing.  The prep for these was biggest task.  Morning of the party we're assembling these sandwiches and we run out of toothpicks.  I tell Rod he can go out and buy some, aswell as some ice and I'll take over the crabs.  He failed to mentioned that he had 6 more crabs to put meat in, so we ended up serving 6 croissants without chicken which we only discovered after the party when Rod grabbed one to eat and there was nothing inside.
Poor person/s that didn't get any meat.  Hopefully they stuck a meatball in it or were vegetarian!

So spoilt with friendship and gifts, it sure was a fun day!

The decorations still remain hung until Emma allows us to take it down,  the pool is folded away for next summer or another outdoor party (maybe we can celebrate Addi's birthday 2 months before her actual birthday) and we still have cake leftover.  Such fun memories....I love birthdays and I can't wait to plan the next one....

Here are more pics from the party.....



Happy 4th Birthday Emma!

Emma, we can't believe you're turning 4 already!  Time sure has flown, but the last 4 years have been filled with so much silliness, laughs and wonderful memories!

So much happens and I try journal it all and capture it all, but between you and your sister I can't keep up!

Thank You for being our joy and light, we love you Baby Polar Bear!

Happy Happy Birthday!!  We cannot wait to celebrate this special day with you!

!

 

Addi's Dance Moves

So just like Emma, Addi loves her music and as soon as she hears a beat, she's off and dancing.
I managed to capture this on video and got Classic Addi.  She really makes us laugh.
So full of mischief, cheeky, stubborn, but she sure has moves!  Definitely got that from her daddy.
Her little body is too cute - can't believe she's still fitting in her 6-12 clothes and still wearing size 3 diapers.

In comparison to Emma who was in her size 4, maybe even close to 5 diapers, wearing 18-24 clothing, her shoe size was around a 5, Addi is only wearing a 3.
Such a difference in their size.  I'm thinking Addi was made small, just to allow us to savor her more!

And it's not to say Addi doesn't eat, at times she's eating more than her sister, and then still wants more.  As you can see in this video too, she was done eating, but then still nibbling at the table after her meal, and boy does she love her vegetables.

Enjoy this video - I may have to enroll her in dance class soon, she'd probably love it....maybe we can be part of "Dance Moms" or "Toddlers and Tiaras" - can you just see Addi fitting in?? ... Just kidding!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July, even though it's come and gone already!

Always fun to have holidays here in the US as they are few and far between. 
Daddy was not in town this year, so it was just me and girls!

We ventured to a little town called Carrboro to see how they celebrate the 4th.
Like most 4th celebrations there were bounce houses, crafts, food and music. 
The girls weren't interested in anything but the music.  They loved dancing and clapping after each song (esp Addi).  We caught the last 3 songs of the one artist and after that they were setting up for the next act, and even tho it was just background music playing, Emma and Addi were doing their thing and dancing away.  When I asked if they wanted to get lunch, Emma said no, we have to wait for more music! 
We stayed for quite some time, enjoyed some icecream and I enjoyed people watching.  Some interesting characters on that side of town! I would say Carrboro and Chapel Hill is the more hippy and green side of town.

After the morning festivities, we came home, had a nap and got ready to go to our friends house for dinner and maybe some fireworks.  Ended up not eating there but instead at the neighbors home which was great, just a regular summer cook out.  It really was a hot summers day, made me think of those old movies where there is no air-conditioning and people fanning themselves to keep cool going off for a swim in the nearby lake!

Those years back watching those movies, dreaming of living in the States and seeing the celebrations of the 4th of July!  And look where we are now....we get to experience it all!   This was our 8th, 4th of July in the States...time sure has gone by so fast and so much change since then!

Just some videos of the girls of course enjoying the celebrations.

Dancing turned to pinwheel fighting, all in good fun!

 

Some mini home fireworks which the kids loved! 

Loved Addi's reaction to her first set of fireworks.

Oh Emma!

Emma had a sore tummy after dinner, so we told her to try potty and then daddy said to lay down on the couch for a bit, giving her some books to read.
So Emma's lying on the couch, and Addi climbs up too.  We instruct Addi not to jump on Emma and to give Karch space.  Which surprisingly she did.

Emma really took to the sick patient thing and started asking Addi to pass her a book.  And being the sweet little girl Addi can be, she listens and passes karch a book.  This goes on, Addi obliging each time and finding herself a comfy spot to read.
Emma starts being her silly self again and I then ask Emma if she's still hungry, to which she replies, "come and feed me on the couch".   I refused and said she has to come to the kitchen, to which she replies, "Addi carry me to the kitchen".

Seriously??  Such a stinker - no idea where she gets this from.....

I managed to capture a bit of the girls going about this, Emma requesting books from Addi, and Addi relaxing on the couch just like her karch...cute, sweet, funny moments!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad’s out there, but a very special Happy Fathers Day to the 4 great dad’s in my life!  My dad of course, no one beats my dad, Rod the best father to our girls, my father in law, such a loving, generous, kind and wonderful Ye Ye to our girls, and my  Kungs – the heart and soul of our family!

Thank You for everything you’ve all ever done for us, for always being there and for all the love!

 

 

 

Today wasn’t a very exciting Father’s Day for Rod, we returned from our week long trip to Virginia.  So a long drive home for Rod but before the long drive we went to explore Luray Caverns with the girls, a fun little adventure, until Addi started getting hungry, bored and impossible.  The most important thing is that we were all together and even better, all within arm’s reach of each other.

Thank You Daddy for always getting us home safely and Thank You for being the best dad to our girls!  They adore you and so do I, we appreciate all you do for us, all the sacrifices you make for us and all the love you show!  We are so blessed to have you fill this VERY important role in our family!

 

On our drive back today to it got me thinking of my dad, how I would love to show him this part of the States, do a road trip with him, drive for miles and enjoy the views and take tons of photos!  Reminded me of the wonderful trip we had back in 2008, such a great opportunity to have dad visit us in Phoenix and we got to explore Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, California, North Carolina and New York together – you don’t get many of those opportunities.  How I look forward to another opportunity like that to travel with you dad (with or without the kids) and share this common interest of travelling around the States.  How I appreciate that I inherited your passion for photography – altho I have so much to learn and my photo taking can do with some improvement, how I should have listened to you so many years ago. Even so if it weren’t for you dad, I don’t think I would enjoy it as much as I do now!

Grand Canyon

Wall Street - New York

I Love You DAD!  You're best dad in the world!

So many great memories with our fathers, and so many of those things we want to share or re-create with our girls some day!

HAPPY FATHERS DAYS! 

Spring/Summer, End of Preschool and Washington

I started this post a few days ago....since then, we took our first dip in the pool today!
Emma was begging to go, so I agreed and expected it to be freezing, but surpringsly refreshing!  The girls loved the water.  Addi was a little dangerous around the water, she just wants to jump in all the time and swim even though she can't....hoping it's a good sign she'll catch onto swimming quickly??  I might have to start lessons with her soon too!

So here's my post....

Temperatures are up in the 80's, thats 30's for you metric folk, and while it's technically not yet summer, it sure feels like it, just 21 more days!  It's going to be VERY hot!

The Spring weather has been really great and we've been trying to make the most of it, going out on picnic's every Friday night, we would usually have movie night, but thought being outdoors, running around and enjoying a picnic meal is much more fun!  There are quite a few summer night events happening around Durham throughout summer, so we'll hopefully be checking some of them out too.
The pool has opened and we're waiting for the water to warm up a little more before taking a dip. 

Enjoying the outdoors with dad

Some Soccer fun

Sisterly Love!

its more fun to water the deck than the flowers

We have swimming lessons to look forward to beginning the at end of this month.  Finally Emma will learn to swim.   I joined at our one local rec center and Emma had a bad experience, she hated going, could have been the instructors, the cold water, just overwhelming esp with me not being in the pool with her.  This time I have organized with our neighbor friends that we get a private instructor that will come to our pool and teach the girls to swim, there will only be 4 of them so it'll be a nice and small group, hopefully the girls will get the attention they need, and the girls all know each other too. 

Emma has completed one year of preschool already!  I still can't believe how quick the school year went by, and it was only a 2 day week!  For the last day of school their class had a Mermaid and Pirate Party - they kids were instructed to dress up as either and/or to wear their tie dye tshirts they made at school a few weeks back.  They had a little treasure hunt then at the end of the day got to have a little snack party.  With 2 weeks notice I took up the challenge to try sew a mermaid skirt for Emma, I looked online for ideas and tutorials, and I managed to make one!   Emma loved it, so that made me happy, a little tight, but I guess thats how a mermaid skirt should fit right?  With it being tight Emma would shuffle her feet, worried she might trip and fall over, she hitched up the skirt so she could walk around and then dropped it down when she needed to!  The teachers had a good laugh at that....I made sure she wore some shorts underneath.  My neighbor laughed too, saying, thats the very reason why The Little Mermaid wanted legs, cos it sucked being a mermaid unable to get around!
So the last day of school was unexpectedly emotional, the teachers were really sad to say bye to the kids, we really had a special group of kids, no issues, kids all got on well, shared well, listened well, truely amazing and the teachers we're amazing too, we couldn't have asked for better, so much love from the teachers, and Emma really learnt so much! The good thing tho we'll get to see the teachers again next year, apparently their new class will be opposite their current class, so we should get to see the teachers often, it's also worked out well that almost half of the kids from Emma's class will be with Emma next year - we'll be going 4 days a week, quite a change, but an exciting transition to get Emma ready for BIG school the following year!  I cannot believe one more year of preschool and our baby begins Kindergarten! 

Little Mermaid

Emma holding the class mascot Lucky Ladybug

Hugs for Miss Jarin

Emma and Jarin

Emma and Cammie

2 weekends ago we made a road trip to Washington.  We were excited to do this, finally some good family time with so distractions!  I've  been wanting too see Washington for a while now, and with long weekends being so few and far between, we thought why not got a road trip.  A 4 hour drive, which took us 6 hours going due to lunch stop, potty stop and trying to find a coffee shop stop (don't you hate it when the GPS takes you nowhere!) 
Emma loves to travel and she couldn't wait for this trip to begin, she was most excited about staying in a hotel, as soon as we got to our room she took her shoes off, got under the covers, jumped from bed to bed - remember doing that as kids??  Our hotel was close to the airport, so every few minutes an airplane would fly past and every time Emma would tell us, "look an airplane!" and Addi would follow saying, "There Airplane" in true Addi fashion  - so excited, high pitched, whiney, loud (all in a cute way!)
So funny that everytime they saw the airplane was as if it was the first plane they'd ever seen, and it went on for the entire LONG weekend!
Overall a great weekend!  We managed to fit in so much, we got to see what we wanted to see and Emma got to see what she wanted to see.  So much history, so much that we need to learn about because soon soon I'll be getting questions from Emma about these things.

I'll let the photos tell you more about our trip....