First Day of School

Today was my sweet girls' first day of school. She now goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She stays until 2:00 two days a week, and then I pick her up at 11:45 on Friday. Her teacher is Miss Christi and she really is so sweet and such a great teacher. Molly has been eagerly anticipating today and could barely fall asleep last night she was so excited. As expected she proudly marched right into her class and didn't even give us a proper "goodbye" or even a hug! When I picked her up at 2:00 she said she had so so so much fun and that she was tired! It is a long day for a little girl! I'm anticipating a great year!!

She chose a Barbie lunchbox this year. She is excited to stay for lunch with her pals and very excited to carry this sassy lunch box. She is loving Barbies right now!

I made her this outfit and thought it turned out super sweet. She was the only one in a theme outfit this year in her class! Last year lots of kids were in "school" attire. Guess she is getting older. Not that that will stop me or anything!!

Daddy came for the big first day drop-off

I love this girl!

Molly ran ahead of us and went straight to her room. She was so proud to point it out to us.

Twila

Molly is always wanting to celebrate her baby dolls and Princesses birthdays. We had just been to Lucy's party that featured a cake with a real Barbie in the center, and the cake and frosting surrounded her making a dress. Molly was instantly hooked. She has asked for one multiple times. Finally, at Kroger she saw the cupcake version and told me it was Penelope Peapods birthday and all she wanted was a Barbie cupcake. I gave in! She mulled over her choices and finally picked the most beautiful one, and named her Princess Twila She assembled all the party guests for the big event. Ya'll will DIE when you see what Twila looks like!!!

Molly and the very important guests

Molly helping little Penelope blow out her candles

And this is Twila!

Molly and the Birthday Girl!

Upon eating the cupcake we discovered that Twila has no legs. She is actually a toothpick!

Molly sure didn't care- she still thinks Twila is lovely! We play with her often and she doesn't let her disability slow her down a bit!

Summer Wrap-Up

Summer is coming to an end... and I have to admit I am kinda glad. All of a sudden the summer is wearing me out- I'm ready to get back into our routine and ready for my Molly to go back to school! I think she would agree with me:) Not that the summer has not been wonderful- it has! I think we are both ready for our "normal" life to pick back up. Molly is really, really excited for school now. We walked past her classroom and saw all the kids names on the door- so she keeps talking about all her new friends and what will they be like. She is especially excited to meet "Eloise" because Molly loves those books. 3 of her classmates from last year will be in her class, including her dear friend Alexandra.

M had her back-to-school check-up (or her late 3 year check-up... whatever you want to call it!) and we got a great report. She had a BIG ol' growth spurt this summer. Healthy and as smart as can be. She was a very,very brave girl during her shots and blood draws. In so many ways, M grew up this summer. She looks older, acts older, learned to do a lot of new things (swim, stay dry all night!!!) and is becoming very independent. She will stand up straight as can be and tell me every morning to look how big she is today. She loves to say she is not a little girl anymore. This is a big change for us. Up until recently Molly would tell you she is a baby still and never wanted to grow up. Little does she know, she will always and forever be my baby.

Doesn't she just look older now?!?

M's (3rd?) Cousins came to visit!

Still has the scrunched-up smile she did when she was a baby.

I love this pic because she looks like the classic little Southern girl: bobbed hair, gigantic bow, monogram, float collar, pearls and surfer sandals. Oh, to be able to freeze time!!! I just REFUSE to believe she will wear blue jeans one day!

Pure Sass.

Fluffy Beast Deluxe.

Topsy. What are we going to do with him? This dog is a mess! He is big and fluffy, and wild and hyper and ornery and won't listen to save his life. It is a good thing he is so darn cute and lovable!! Topsy will be "losing his manhood" this coming week and we are hoping we will be bringing home a changed pup. I do love this crazy boy. And he LOOOOOOVES us. He would be in heaven if we were all no more than 3 inches apart all day and all night. No such luck, buddy!

Ballet and more

We've had a hodge-podge of fun this past week! Kyle got Molly 5th row tickets to see the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast! It was a hit. Kyle said she was captivated by the whole thing and she was the only one to dance in the aisles during the songs! That's my girl!!! I sewed her a Belle dress and she looked so cute! Molly also had Dancing Angels camp and she really loved it! Molly LOVES ballet. It is her favorite thing in the whle wide world! The week ended with a show and it was a riot. Sweet Molly knew every last move and was really getting into it. One routine was to Rock -a-Bye baby and that girl sang as loud as she possibly could... no one else was singing! The whole room just died laughing! Everyone came up to us afterwards to comment on her grand performance- it was a hoot!

Our little Belle

Moms of girls- want to THRILL your daughter? Get matching nightgowns! I discovered I can wear a girls XL and M can wear a girls XXS at Target! Molly thought this was SO special and fun!

I think she is looking more and more like me as she gets older... what do you think?

A very serious move!

We were SO glad K&M stayed for the show! Next year they plan on coming up for dance camp, too!

Luke is a sweet family friend who stayed with Kyle's parents for the week. Molly ADORES him and he is SO sweet with her.

Me and my Dancing Angel

Mimi and Molly

Molly and Miss Melanie, her teacher