Preschool

Mary Stewart started preschool this year! We enrolled in the Tuesday/ Thursday class. She is loving it & hasn't looked back yet!! I am thankful for this. I was worried because we really didn't know many children going into this class & most of Mary Stewarts besties are all in a class together. Silly me! My social bug hasn't batted an eye. We have 2 great teachers in a class of 10. As I dropped Mary Stewart off on her first day, I was telling her " I want you to have a happy heart Mary Stewart and obey your teachers. I love you!". She hugged me, gave me a kiss and said "I love and miss you mom." I want to remember all of these sweet moments forever!
Later that afternoon Matt texted me to see how the morning went & if there were tears on either of our parts! I couldn't believe I didn't get weepy; probably because I was too busy trying to get out the door!

Mary Stewart continues to have such a sweet & loving disposition. 

We are excited for preschool!

Mary Stewart & I in her new classroom.  Not concerned with taking pictures.

Daddy & Mary Stewart before school!

Dee Dee was in town and enjoyed first day of school smiles with Mary Stewart!

Back In The Saddle

About a week a go it hit me, I think I might be back in the Saddle.

After coming off the summer of losing my father and all that encompasses that, I felt like July was a fog.  August came and I started cooking, going to the grocery store, getting back slowly into the routine of life- or at least the motions..  Now don't get me wrong- there are still nights I can't sleep, days where the lump won't get out of my throat, & I tear up at the faintest thought, but the other day I felt like I had a little bit of a break through.
I offered to keep my dear friend Emily's kids while she ran some last minute errands before their trip to the beach. I picked up my camera (something I hadn't done since May for Anna Caroline's birthday) and took pictures.

Mary Stewart adores Durham.  We are thankful to have such a handy friend to help us fix our car!

I can't quite describe it, but as I watched our children enjoy each other I felt like for the first time in a while I was back in the saddle.  Just a normal Friday morning.  Enjoying cute kids playing together, picking up around my house, making a picnic lunch- nothing extraordinary, just normal Donald living.  Thankful that though I'm never really "in the saddle"- meaning I never have it totally all together, thankful to feel kinda like I am.

Some days Anna Caroline spends lots of time snacking, as it is the ONLY place I can contain her besides her bed!!!

I tried desperately to get a picture of the "Caroline's" but as you can see mine would have nothing of it. These girls are about 6 months apart, but in about another year, that will seem like no time at all!

Speaking of the saddle- Preschool started this week.  I better get my saddle ready, because I have a feeling this horse is about to take off.........

Know the song from the 80's- wild wild west something or other, the line that comes to my mind is "love her wild wild hair"

A Star is Born

Today a star was born.  Well actually she has been a star since day 1.  But today made it official.  Today Mary Stewart had her first ballet class.

A few weeks ago I told Aunt Rachel (who was a ballerina also) that Mary Stewart would be taking Ballet this fall.  She immediately asked if she and Brian could get Mary Stewart her ballet ensemble for her birthday.  I immediately said YES!  On a little tangent...... Last week Mary Stewart asked me when I was going to take her to get her slippers so she could be a ballerina.  I told her Aunt Rachel & Uncle B were getting them for her because Aunt Rachel was a ballerina; with the widest eyes Mary Stewart replied "Aunt Rachel is a REAL ballerina".  Thought it was precious.   Well on Monday I realized ballet started today and not next Wednesday.  Thankfully Dee Dee helped overnight a package and walla the world was saved.

This morning we went on a walk and when we returned the packaged had arrived.  As soon as she saw her shoes, tights, & leotard she immediately wanted to be full assembled.  It's hard for an almost 3 year old to understand it's 9:30 am and the ensemble isn't meant until 4:30.  She pranced around some time in her leotard and shoes until I bribed her somehow to take it off.

As soon as she was up from her nap, she immediately wanted to get dressed.  

Virginia & Mary Stewart before class!

As soon as she stepped foot in class she immediately began dancing!

She found the barre & was a natural!

"Look momma I am a ballerina"

Libby, Allen, Virginia & Mary Stewart (Lily Kate you were missed)

 I would have to say today seemed like a success.  

Who is excited for a recital in May?

 

Seeing Double!!

                                          Mary Stewart & Randi Marie

Kinda crazy how much they resemble each other.

I've come to the conclusion after seeing this comparison and looking at my fair skinned, red headed baby, the Donald genes sure are dominant in our family!

Hope you all are having a great week!

Never Gets Old

What is it about the baby pool that never gets old?

As 4 o'clock rolled around and I had a toddler who didn't nap and a teething almost one year old, I thought we needed a change of scenery!The girls loved it! As my dad would say, "Best $8 ever spent". Couldn't agree more. 

The girls loved it! As my dad would say, "Best $8 ever spent". Couldn't agree more. 

Cheers to many more afternoons in the baby pool!

So Fast......

I blink and another week, then month has gone by. I knew time flew but I feel like lately we've been going through life at warp speed!

Can you believe I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 10 month old?

("Where is me?" her favorite game these days)

Mary Stewart had her 2.5 year check up last week. Almost 38 inches tall and 34 pounds, the doc said she was perfectly proportional! I like that.

Mary Stewart is still such a sweet heart. She is a very loving and affectionate child and truly has a sweet disposition. Unfortunately for her she has two strong willed parents and so inherited some of that as well. We have our moments of being two but the good days far out weigh the bad. Mary Stewart loves the park, music class, bible study & school (this is technically MMO but she frequently ask to go to school) and being outside of course. She is quite the social butterfly so whenever friends are involved she is a happy girl.

Oh that precious baby Anna Caroline. I am shocked she is already 10.5 months old! When did this happen?

Truly she is such a content baby. Until she was 10 months old she has been happy to sit in her bucket (car seat) and watch the world go by. My friends jokingly comment that they've never seen her out of her seat or heard her cry. Seriously she may be the easiest baby ever. Now she just wants to be on the move constantly. It is so fun to watch her crawl (she's pretty speedy) and crab walk. She has already mastered climbing the stairs. Thankfully she is pretty tough when it comes to playing with her sister! She is finding her voice and beginning to have an opinion. At 10 months she was about 18 pounds, so still on the petite side but nice and long and lean. She has become quite the eater too! So far I haven't found anything she doesn't like.

It warms Matthew and I's heart to watch them play and interact. It is so fun and I am so excited for the days ahead, though I don't want them to go so fast though.

Fishies!

Last week our sweet friends invited us to the Aquarium. We were so excited! I knew Mary Stewart would love it and I was anxious to go as I had never been either. It was the perfect Friday morning. Thank you Mikki, Caleb and Micah!

You forget the amazement and wonder of a child.

How things we take for granted can be something so new and exciting.

Not sure if she ever really realized that the scuba diver was a person.....

Mary Stewart & Caleb in awe of the diver. Not sure quite what to think.

Just to document that this sweet baby was along for the ride. She continues to stay so content.

The stroller shot! I do love my double.

You really must go see the "fishes" if your in Atlanta!

A Little Easter Fun!

I heart Easter. I am thankful for the resurrection of Jesus. However there is the worldly, I love all things bunny rabbit, that comes out this time of year. Though I don't have many, I love Easter decorations. I think it's because it marks the coming of Spring and pretty days outside and dresses and I'm getting side tracked!

I have been looking forward to dying Easter Eggs with Mary Stewart. I found a cute egg stand on my girls trip to Nashville and it has been beckoning to be filled with fun eggs! Saturday morning I pulled everything out- I found one of those PAAS kits in my Easter box and decided to go with it.

Mary Stewart was very intrigued by the cups filled with dye.

Waiting patiently for those eggs get's a little boring.....

Yeah Pink!!!

Lello!!!

I knew Mary Stewart would enjoy it, I just didn't realize how much her daddy would too!

After I had dyed a couple with Mary Stewart, Matt decided to step in and show Mary Stewart how to really dye Easter Eggs. I wasn't thinking multi colored eggs or even eggs with design......

Very intent on what her daddy is doing.

Two Peas in a Pod

So proud of her Eggs!

Happy Easter!!

Hello Spring!

We have been loving these spring time temps! Mary Stewart's highlight on Saturday was "my turn daddy". What is so sweet is I have this same picture with my daddy when I was about the same age. Sweet simple things with daddy's never become outdated!

I have lot's to catch up on...... potty training, cutting teeth and all of the other fun stuff that comes along with two girls.

For now though I hope you are finding sweet simple memories in all of this beautiful weather!