The Fall, The Field Trip, The Visitors

We have been very busy this fall.  We have had a few wonderful visitors...

And maybe a not so nice visitor...

This little bugger came right up to our back door! The girls didn't enjoy it very much.

Grace went on her first field trip in September to a farm and I got to go as well. 

And Annabelle has started library story time.

She'd much rather run around the room than sit on my lap listening to the librarian, but she'll get the hang of it sooner or later (I hope!). 

We also went to the Johnny Appleseed Festival with my parents... 

And are prepping for Halloween!!!!

And we adopted this guy. 

We call him Mr. Bones

Things are getting very spooky around here. 

The First Day of Kindergarten

I had been dreading this day for awhile. Not because I was unsure how Grace was do, I was unsure how I would do.  Grace has been at my side for 5 years. Being a stay at home mom means we are almost always together and I couldn't imagine an entire day (after day, after day, after day) without her with me.  But she was soooo excited and I was excited for her. And I did my best not to cry (but totally cried after she got on the bus and I got back in the house). The worst part of the morning (for me) was the walk to the bus. She started to walk ahead of me to cross the street and as I reached for her hand she pushed my hand away. I tired again and she pushed me away again. She wanted to walk with the other kids, not me. Broke my heart. It was a huge sign that she is growing up and I'd have to let her. 

These are the neighborhood kids who ride the bus with her. The two older girls make sure Grace and her friend Gabby get on and off the bus and to their classrooms. 

The day went by rather quickly and at 3:51 Grace arrived home. I was sooo excited to hear about her first day. She gave me this...

 

And told me kindergarten is AWESOME!!!! She loves going to school. And I love when she comes home and tells me all about her day! I'm better now. I enjoy the time with Annabelle and I get some me time when she's napping. One week into school and we're all doing just fine! 

The Summer

We've hit up a few carnivals this summer...Memphis Kiddie Park, The Cuyahoga County Fair and  North Roaylton Homedays. Sadly, we realized Grace is outgrowing Memphis Kiddie Park.  That girl loves a thrill ride and those ones aren't so thrilling. 

These are from the Cuyahoga County Fair.

And these are from NR Homedays...

We also discovered a nice park not far from our home. I took the girls there one morning while Dave was at BW. 

This picture is one of my new favorites. I love Annabelle's little cheeks and wrinkled forehead. 

The summer is coming to an end for us now. Labor Day weekend is already here and Grace and David have already started school. Goodbye flip flops...Hello school shoes...and school supplies. Who knew a kindergartener needed soooo many school supplies????

The Birthday

Grace's 5th Birthday

We had our very first party at the new house for Grace's 5th Birthday. I can't believe she's 5 already. How did that happen?

We had a fantastic time, however we did miss our family and friends in NY.

The Move

July 4th 2014

We received the keys to our new home on July 4th and we're thrilled. It had felt like a very long journey between the time we put our home in NY on the market and the day we officially owned our new home! Granted, we weren't able to sleep in it for a few days because our things were still in transit, but it didn't matter because we are home owners. 

And when owning a home, there will always be home owner problems. Like this enormous bees nest that was in our new backyard. 

Not to fear, I had that removed ASAP by the lovely people at Kline Pest Control.

Also when owning a home...someone has to mow the lawn.

And someone needs to be the assistant. 

And there should always be a sheriff around...just in case.

Big Changes….

I have been wanting to dust off our blog for a long time and with preschool graduation, Grace's first dance recital and of course the move to Ohio, I figured now would be the perfect time to start blogging again!

On June 7th Grace performed in her very first dance recital. I have never seen her so excited. The entire day she kept saying, "Today's my big day!" And of course the count down…"How much longer until the show???" When it was close to show time we headed over to the theatre. She flew up Main Street rambling on and on about backstage, the dressing room, the others ballerinas, etc. The entire evening was adorable. She was beautiful and glowing from excitement.

Then just about a week later she graduated from Pre-School...

When Grace woke up on her graduation day she said she was sad because she will miss her teachers and her friends from school. I too was emotional that day. She's growing up so quickly and when anyone would ask when we were planning on moving, the answer was always not until Grace graduates from preschool. Her graduating means our time in NY is just about up. So onto the next big change in our lives…the big move!