Girls Day

Before Avery started school I told her we'd have a girls day.  Avery started school on a Friday but Ellie started her Children's Day Out on a Thursday so it was just Avery and I for most of the day.

We decided we would go to the movies, get our nails & toes done, and do a little shopping.

When we got to the mall for the movie, it was a little too early to get tickets so I got a little breakfast and we just hung out.  Avery told me she didn't want anything and then ended up eating half my breakfast.  Typical.

 

  

 

Avery decided she wanted to see Despicable Me 2. I didn't realize it was 3D until we got to the theater. Confession: I've always thought the idea of 3D was dumb. Who wants to wear glasses during a movie?! Especially my 5 year old! But I have to say that my view is not forever changed. It was actually really fun and on several occasions Avery stuck her hands out to try to feel stuff that was coming for us. It was pretty cute. And the movie was adorable.

 

 

After the movies we went and got our nails done. Always a favorite event with us!

 

 

 

After we got our nails done we did a little shopping. Avery picked out a special outfit for the first day of school. Even accessorized with jewelry.

 

 

 

It was a great day for us. Just what the two of us needed. But the day was a little sad for me knowing that was something my mom would have definitely been a part of. She never missed a good girls day!

 

 

 

 

I love making these memories with my girls. I hope they will cherish them always!

Wedding pictures...a new generation

A few weeks ago I desperate to get pictures of Avery taken in my wedding dress.  My mom was not doing well and I knew that she would not be around to see those BIG moments in my girls' lives.  You know those moments like their first boyfriend, first day of high school, first prom, etc.  But what killed me the most was that my mom was not going to be around to see the girls get married.

 

Because she is a saint and the scheduling worked about one of my favorite photographers, Erin, agreed to come down from Tulsa for a quick, somewhat impromptu shoot of Avery in my wedding dress.  The pictures could not have turned out more beautifully. 

 

Erin has some exciting new opportunities in her future and likely won't be able to take pictures for us again soon.  I was honored she would take the time to do this for my family.

I gave the wedding dress pictures to my mom when we had our big talk. As you can imagine she loved them.  We laughed and cried as I told her about the photo shoot. It was such a special time and I'm glad that we did it. I mourn the times my mom will not be around to see my girls go through those big moments in life.  But she will be with us in our hearts and I know we'll be able to feel her presence there.

 

Here are the pictures of my little girl looking far too big.

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorites...little miss pouty.

Be still my heart...

I love this one. Avery looks like a little girl having fun playing dress up.

I know it's picture overload but I can't help it. I puffy heart love the pictures. I can't wait to get Ellie to do this in a few years! It was such a fun time and something I'll always cherish. Thank you Erin!!

First Day of Kindergarten

My big kid started Kindergarten last Friday!! How is that possible?

I know how it's possible.  She keeps growing! 

 

I do wish she would stop but I know it just isn't going to happen.

 

 

So in the midst of all the sadness last week, we at least had Kindergarten to look forward to!It was the perfect distraction!

 

  

 

Avery was so excited. I think she asked me every day for an entire month when she was going to get to go to Kindergarten. We met her teacher last week and it just fueled her enthusiasm. Her teacher seemed very fun and the room was just what I would imagine a Kindergarten room to look like.

 

 

This kid just takes my breath away on a regular basis. She's so sweet, sassy & funny. Love her!

 

 

I'm looking forward to hearing lots of wonderful stories of Kindergarten this year!

 

 

 

Drop off was a family affair! Don't judge us for taking Ellie in her pj's.  It was EARLY ya'll.  7:30 AM to be exact!

 

 

One final picture before we said goodbye! She's such a big girl and so brave!

 

 

Have a great year Avery Grace!!

A Night at the Theater

 

 

A few weeks ago I found out a local high school was putting on Beauty and the Beast.  I found out on a Thursday and the other other performances were Friday and Saturday.  We were busy Saturday so I decided to take my big kid on Friday evening.  We'd have a Mommy/Daughter Date.

 

Well, this was the date that almost didn't happen.  After school on Friday Avery turned into the Beast. I kid you not. And when she turns into the Beast this momma become Momma Beast. I thought there was going to be bloodshed.   All over her wanting to wear comfy pants (yoga pants) and a tutu leotard to the theater.  Apparently she thought that was fancy enough. Momma Beast did not think so.  Thankfully, she had a change of heart (threat to cancel the evening) and picked out more appropriate outfit.



 

Seriously people.  Isn't she a beauty?  Maybe you need more proof.

 

 

 

Pretty sure I'm the luckiest mom ever.  We made it to the show with only a few minutes to spare.

 



 

The show was awesome.  Fun fact: I was in drama when I was in high school.  Once I played Malynn in our production of Steel Magnolias.  That's the Sally Field character if you are wondering. Fun fact over. I was so impressed with this production.  The kids did awesome and I may have teared up a little at the end.  And I'm not even their momma! I know how much hard work and dedication the cast and crew put into the show and I was just so proud for them.

 

At the end of the show I asked Avery if she liked it.  She said "I didn't like it, I LOVED it." She was dancing in the aisles and was mesmerized the whole time.

 

After the performance we headed to our favorite place.  Orange Leaf!

 



 

 

And just like that our Mommy/Daughter date was over. When we got home that big girl crashed! We both had a great time! I can't wait to take her again. And when the little is big enough, it'll be a regular girls night out! No daddies allowed! 

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween at our house.  What about you?

Avery has been telling me for months she wanted to be Glenda the Good Witch for Halloween.  What happened is that she saw a costume (pink) in a catalog and I said "you want to be Glenda the Good Witch?." She said "YES!"  Because I refuse to pay $78 for a costume, I was determined to make something.  This was after weeks of trying to convince her to be something else. But she HAS seen the Wizard of Oz so at least we had that going for us.

I only got excited about her being Glenda when the hubs suggested Ellie should be the Wicked Witch.  Mean right?  Probably.  But super adorable

 

 

So I stocked up on tulle (hello 200 yards for the Glenda costume. yes, 200!) and went to town. I was so proud of my Glenda!  



Avery LOVED her costume.  She wanted to wear it every day.  I can't honestly blame her.  It was pretty awesome. 

I'm not quite sure how Ellie felt about her costume but she was the cutest Wicked Witch ever!

You remember the part where the Wicked Witch bears her belly and must have a paci clip right?  Yeah, me too. But look at her.  Green face? Green legs? To die for dimples? Stinkin adorabe right?

My parents were so sweet to drop by the house to see their girls so we didn't have to make an extra trip.  They couldn't get enough of these witches!

 

And because I got 0 pictures of the girls outside, you are forced to check out a few poor in the poor lighting.

  All glittered up.  We also glittered up her hair and arms.  Can a girl really be too glittery?  I say no.

At our house, witches have to hug it out!

They were seriously the cutest things ever. No bias here!

We had such a great Halloween season.  The girls got to get dressed up and make the rounds at the Fall Carnival at the church were they go to school on the Sunday before Halloween.  The Halloween parties in both their classes were a huge success.  And then tricking or treating Halloween night.  I think we have more candy than what we handed out!

This Halloween has been the best yet.  Avery was super excited to head out and we had a grand time.  I think I was more tired than she was when we got home! I am kicking myself for not getting more pictures of the girls while we were out.  Oh well, it's all in my memory right?

Can't wait until next year!!

PS- I'm sure you are asking yourself "what's that bluish grey blotch on the wall?  that looks weird" It was a paint color we were testing. It's been veto'd.  We may never paint!