She is fortunate to have her two favorite cousins, Kylie and Jill at preschool with her...
These two boys started school three weeks ago...we now have a 2nd grader and a Kindergartner! They're doing fantastic and love their teachers. It's nice having them both in school...our days without them home are really quiet and Maddie and I have had plenty of one-on-one, girl time together which is nice, since baby will be here in 6 weeks! This picture depicts their personalities to a tee...our smiley, silly one and mister serious.
Cade also has cousin Randi Kay in his class...these two are quite the pair and really good buddies. We've learned how shy Caden really is this fall. He tends to stand back, watch and wait. Luckily, his cousin is more outgoing which is great for him, we're crossing our fingers that Randi can help Cade get out of his shell a little more this school year. He's doing awesome academically and we love seeing the work he's completed at school--Cade's a bit of a perfectionist and his papers show it with his beautiful writing, coloring and drawings. He's a bright boy and school is a great fit for him. He starts soccer tomorrow!
And his Kindergarten teacher??? Mrs. Stewart (aka Aunt J). He adores her and has already earned enough gold coins to trade in for her comfy, spinny chair one afternoon :) We're so grateful to have her...what a nice transition into formal school, having your aunt as your teacher! It's especially comforting for mom, knowing my little guy is always under her loving care and watchful eye.
Jace with his teacher, Mrs. Vermeer. What a wonderful teacher she is! He also has two cousins in class and lots of his buddies. I'm amazed at how much he accomplishes in a day in 2nd grade...he's doing great and is loving school too. Jace is also playing soccer this fall and started Cub Scouts as well. His schedule keeps us hopping!
And another first in our household this fall is "balallay" (ballet). Our tiny dancer waits all week, eagerly asking when she has ballet class again. This girl LOVES it. She tends to do her own thing though, gracefully moving her arms and standing on her tippy toes while admiring herself in the full-length mirrors. It's precious and I think she could acquire a talent for it with how much she practices at home :)
And #4...what a mover this baby is! I've felt belly-bruised this pregnancy from all of the kicks, rolls, and jabs! We do not know what we're having and I have no clue or hunch this time!!! I go back and forth on it's sex. We are still discussing names, trying to come up with two that we both like and agree on :) I'm really looking forward to this little one and eagerly await it's arrival--the c-section is scheduled for Nov. 1st. I had some cramping & contractions Friday morning for about 6 hours and after laying for a couple of hours, they quit and have not returned. After talking to the nurse, it's best that I drink more water and try to rest/sit down more...which is a bit challenging for me. But I'm taking this advice seriously- we don't need this baby arriving yet!
Here he/she is showing off one of those fierce kicks...how cramped it must feel in there! We're so grateful that this baby has been healthy, it's been healing for me knowing this and has also caused me to reflect quite a bit on my pregnancy with Maddie. I've been able to enjoy this pregnancy so much more, with little worry and stress (though I've probably complained more in the last month than I ever have with my previous pregnancies, yes, shame on me.) When I was pregnant with the boys, I took it all for granted. I am truly blessed with this baby and look forward to meeting this little one. The kids are also very excited, the boys are voting for a baby brother and Miss Maddie talks incessantly about her "baby sister" and what plans she has once it's out of my tummy. She can't wait to be a big sister and I look forward to watching all three kids with this baby. We have so much to look forward to and our surprise will be here before we know it!