Big girl ponytail

Elise's personality is really starting to come out. She wants to be just as independent as Bailee, has an opinion about many things (however we don't always understand what she says), she loves music (kid songs, Geronimo, my house, or hey brother are some of her favorites), and she loves to share her testimony when we do it for FHE. Dave recorded one on his phone earlier this week. She wants to do school just like Bailee so we practice writing letters or identifying colors, shapes, etc to help her feel included. She is convinced she can read now and I just love her excitement about learning and looking at books. Right now we have a huge shark book from the library and she wants to hold all of the creatures in it. We have a playground behind our backyard fence and at dinner tonight she said "I will save it for later" and jumped down from the table and told us she was going to play with the kids that were out there. The kids were probably 3rd or 4th grade so we told her she needs a few years before playing with them. She likes to talk about her friends in nursery and is devastated if we forget the picture she colored in class. She is growing up and I have decided my favorite kid stage is the toddler years. I love the ideas she comes up with and her excitement for life. It is infectious and sweet. 

We got this ponytail at bedtime and it felt like a milestone of growing up! Just don't grow too fast!

The result of no nap

Yesterday, sept. 7th, we were eating dinner and when Elise finished she just got up and walked away. I thought she went upstairs but after searching every room I couldn't find her anywhere. I came back down to find her in this position, and yes, she is asleep 😂 we could even hear snoring. She is very much a sleeper but after a field trip and friends over we just forgot about nap time and this was the result. 

Dave was happy to take some cuddle time right before work. She didn't even wince when he picked her up. 

Fire station/museum field trip 9.7.16

We had the opportunity to visit the Biloxi fire department museum and one of the stations yesterday. It was fun to explore the museum and see how things have evolved over time. The highlight of the museum for the kids was getting in the back of the two old fire trucks. 

And I was officially there! Thanks to a great friend who suggested I get a picture with my girls :) 

They learned more about fire safety and we came home and counted our smoke detectors because Bailee was very interested in what we have in case of a fire. 

Bowling party

Bailee has a sweet friend, Adrianna, who we met at our homeschool group. She is the one friend her age there and they are only here for a short time so they leave in November and we are so sad. Such is the military life 😏 Luckily she had a birthday here and they went bowling which is one of Bailee's favorite activities. Elise was included as well to bowl and they had so much fun. Right before I took this picture, Bailee had just helped Elise bowl and they were standing at the lane with their arms around each other just watching the ball go. I was soaking up watching so when I finally got my camera out it was too late, but they continued with the sisterly love 😊

Elise testimony 9.5.16

Elise loves Family Home Evening each week, especially when we share our testimonies.

dress up storage just about complete!

I was so excited to get the girls dress up clothes organized that I still need to do the final step of painting "dress up" on the front, but for now it is functional! Bailee wanted pink and Elise wanted purple so we compromised and did both :) It is well loved already and they want to show anybody that comes over or that we have talked to on the phone.

Homeschooling 2016-2017

I realized last night that I never did a first day of school picture of Bailee so we decided today could be our first "official" day :)

We started doing school the second week of August right after moving into our house and this first month has mostly been review of math, learning to read, write, and a little taste of science. We are getting into more of a groove but I wouldn't call it a schedule or routine because we stay pretty flexible with when and how we do school. Yesterday Dave did school with Bailee and she loved it! For whatever reason, daddy has a gift of motivation to get her going and they sat down and worked through all of her assignments for one day in a much shorter time than it takes us :) It is such a rewarding experience watching her little brain make sense of things and seeing her excitement when concepts click. I thought teaching kindergarten would be a breeze but I have found the hardest part is keeping my excitement and figuring out creative ways to present material to her. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   We have also been gardening the past month because our sweet friends the Gittins gave the girls some cucumber and flower seeds and gardening gear before we left so the girls were anxious to plant something. I knew we wouldn't be able to wait until spring so Dave and I are hoping to produce even just one cucumber for planting so late in the season. The plants are looking hopeful already! When we first talked with Bailee about homeschooling, her main excitement was to learn how to garden, cook and bake at "our school" :)

our plants as of today

Elise is in a stage of striking poses