Wedding Weekend

Two weekends ago we went to Harrison for my cousin Taylor's wedding.  Amelia was insanely excited and I tried and tried to convince her that it wasn't going to be some grandiose carnival.  She couldn't be convinced and was chomping at the bit.  Before the wedding we had some lovely cousin time at the Arts Festival downtown.  The weather was brisk when we started, making it the perfect day. 

Yummy donuts

Cracks me up.  Cool cat Ing with her donut.

 I got the girls some tie dye shirts at the art festival and Steph and I got friendship bracelets (Steph, I still have yours).  We met up with G and walked around to browse in some stores and this one was the most popular.  The girls got new Toms, but this toy area was FAR more exciting to them.  They played here so nicely.

Toys that aren't yours = extra fun.

 Uncle DD met us for lunch at Master Chef and then we went out to sit in his new VW Bus.  Exciting!

After naps, it was finally time for the wedding.  I was STILL trying to downplay it to Amelia, but she wasn't having it.

Mom and Dad got the girls these cute new dresses!

The wedding was beautiful and Amelia proved me wrong by being very into it.  "What is that candle for?"  "Why can't those people walk down the aisle by themselves?"  "Why are they standing up on the steps?"  "Why is there a special song?"  It was fun to talk about with her and she informed me, "I like Taylor's dress, but mine will be WAY poofier."

Elise did not prove me wrong and could not sit still more than one second, so thanks to Gampy for going outside with her and missing the whole thing.

The reception was the big kicker though.  These girls danced and danced and danced.

Such a fun evening and all four of the girls acted wonderful. I thoroughly loved all the family time we had and was just sad that Rossco missed out.

Preschool Update

Amelia has declared from the rooftops that she loves her new preschool and when she made a wish in an imaginary fountain recently, she whispered to me that her wish was, "That I could go to school every day and my whole life."  I hope that she always loves school.  My most favorite memories involve learning and new notebooks and sports and best friends for life and I pray my girls have a lovely, similar experience.  Here are some school shots. 

Orange Day

Amelia loves thematic anything and so she was delighted when we got the newsletter declaring September "Color Month." 

 Brown Day/Bear Day

 Her dress barely had any brown on it and she said that was fine because it was much more all about the bear for her.  She was so tickled to take Hearties to school with her.  This is definitely her favorite stuffed animal and she sleeps with it each night.  They got to take their bears to recess and that was the highlight of the day. 

Green day/Apple Day

 She was adamant that she was going to take two apples with her even though the note said one.  I was finally convinced when she said she would take it for Mrs. Lisa.  When I picked her up she could hardly wait to tell me that a little girl forgot her apple and THANK GOODNESS she had an extra to give her.  Well played Buzz. 

 - She has received all green dots each day.  They have a chance to earn them in Attitude, Sharing, Listening, and Participating.  If she fills up her whole sheet, she gets to go to Jumping Joeys with her dad.  Right now she acts terrified of getting a yellow or red dot.  I hope it continues.

-She says her best friend is Aiden because he, "won't leave me alone."  HAHA.  She said that he sits by her and always asks to play with her so she just does.  Maybe he has a crush??

-I love that she eats lunch with ME and naps at our HOME.  I am cherishing every single second of this because I know next year she needs to go all day long.  Every day.  And instead of focusing on my heart, which will surely break, we are just living it up.  Together.


Oh, one more thing, her school last year was fabulous.  I in no way tend to act like her experience  wasn't great.  It is a fabulous preschool, but I am seeing that the peace she and I have this year is just an entirely different feeling than we had last year.  I don't have to coach her each morning and talk about her loving it and being good, etc.  Part of that could be that she is older, but I feel this is an answered prayer:  no nap, smaller building, perfect teacher fit, and true educational activities. 

Family Fun and Daddy's Birthday

Two weekends ago, Jessalyn and Greg were in Branson showing Greg's parents around (they are from Oregon) and she asked if we could meet up.  I was thrilled because we have missed them so much.  G and Pa came too and Ross grilled out and we all had a grand ole time.  Amelia (after an initial major bout of shyness) loved Greg's mom to pieces and it was fun spending time with them.

The next weekend we celebrated Ross's birthday (while I was recovering from a nasty stomach bug and I passed up cake- and all other food-  for the first time in about 18 years) and once again, it was most precious to see Amelia so excited about the gift she picked out.  A shirt that was too big, a spatula that she called a "grill flipper," a flashlight for his "sick peoples' mouths," and a small screwdriver to "fix things."

LOVE THIS

G  brought a whole box of musical instruments

Parade

Fall coloring book!

New books to read--G thinks of everything!

Happy Birthday to the most kind and caring man on the planet.  Really.  I am so thankful that he finds me endearing most of the time, because- well, I can be a pistol.  Love you Ross Halsted!

Jumping Joeys

Another Summer Reading prize was free entrance to Jumping Joey's and Tuesday seemed like the perfect time to go (since the prize was expiring).  Elise immediately wanted to do the huge slide with Ross, while Amelia proclaimed that she, "Never, ever wanted to do that big thing."  I was so pleased that there was no one there.  For whatever reason, I have a major problem with wanting to be the only family present anywhere we go, and on occasions have even asked Ross, "Why are there other people here?"  We had a fun hour and then lunch together.  Squeezing in that fun wherever we can!

This last picture of Ross and Amelia was taken right after she finally got the nerve to do the big slide (in her Daddy's lap) and then proceeded to cry when we were leaving because she wished she would have done that slide the whole time.  :)

Fun Acre

Last week Ross was on nights.  For the past year I have been trying to implement a new policy on my blog where I don't complain about his awful hours because you guys already know they stink.  So, this is my first mention of him having nights (and it was a horribly long week at that) in a while.  There were a few fun moments where he sacrificed sleep to hang with the girls (who were missing him so) during the day.  We were looking for Jumping Joeys (which reminds me of some pics to post) on Tuesday and drove past it, only to come upon this mini golf treasure.  This place is a little hidden oasis.  It is time frozen.  Tucked away on a side street.  It seriously was the cutest thing and so we went back on Thursday to golf.  The girls were free and Ross and I were two bucks.

I made up a story in my head that the precious little man working so hard sweeping the greens owned this place and it was passed along through generations and was all alone in the world and all he had was this Fun Acre.  No matter the story, he was so precious and Ross even said, "Brings a tear to your eye, seeing him work so hard, huh?"

Elise picking out a ball

Adorable mini golfer ready for action

I didn't golf because I had to chase someone all over the course.  Elise did a hole or two, but mostly explored.  This was fine because no one was there but us.  Amelia did a great job and really enjoyed herself!  We were proud of her patience because that is not one of her most celebrated characteristics.

The sweet man ran over and filled these rectangles with water before we putted on this hole

Hole in One!

A working windmill on hole 18

The girls had never seen a batting cage and were amazed at watching (and cheering) for Dad.  ($.25)