Fun Friday

 It was a long day at school... but it was fun rockin the pink for a purpose! I was there waiting for you both so you didn't have to ride the bus home... when we got to the car; a special marshmallow sweet treat was awaiting each of you in your seats! Then we came home and just chilled for a while until daddy came home. Then we all went to Burger King for dinner... finally tried the sweet potato fries -- a big hit ladies -- yes we loved them!! After full bellies and (of course icecream treats) we came home... Inside those kids meals there were UNO cards! OMG!! I cannot begin to explain how excited you both were about this. (Gg more so than Kk.) While Kk was in the bathtub maxin' out on the relaxin'; Gg and mommy UNO'ed it up!

Poor dear doesn't even realize that I had all the draw 2 cards.

She thought she had me here...

Now, this was after the 3rd draw 2 card...

This is Gg's "You gotta be kiddin me face."

Now she's better because I lost.... darn kid had the change the color cards!

Dear Santa List...

In typical mommy list making fashion... and for the sake of organization; I've been in search of a list that would make Christmas more about "Christ"... our traditions speak volumes about the importance of Christ in our life but I think that Santa should know that we as a family do not desire a lot of things. I think for Christmas this year we are going to fill out this list for Santa to simplify wants and determine needs. 

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Dice Game

We found this great dice game to add to our rotation of after school work. It's a quick fun game. #heart#

From Friday Morning

Today I went to Auntie Angela's to watch Abby & Jordy until Uncle Josh came home from work. Auntie Angela broke her hand and she had to go to the Orthopedic doctor yesterday morning. When I walked in Jordy immediately went to the window and pointed - as if to indicate - "Are Kailee & Gracie in the car?" Abby Doo wanted to come home with mommy but since you had the birthday party for Ash and Al spending the night here; I just figured it would be too much. But, maybe next weekend Abby Doo can come sleep here. xo

Besties.Nothing.Better.

Gracie and Alynna having a sleep over... while Kailee is at Ashlynn's celebrating Ash's 9th birthday!

Surprise Party Dets.

Gracie, Kailee and Gramma Deb came up with a plan for Grampa's birthday. Here's the invitation. 

A Typical Afternoon

A Typical Morning

"Did you know cat's don't blink?" -Gg

5 o'clock pictures...

Happy Sabbath!

Today you little Sassy's did little resting and lots of moving and shaking! Your day started out early; getting ready for Church, then you had your fist day of Sunday School, after that you came home and just "chillaxed" until Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou stopped by for visit. (They missed your pretty faces.) Then, we got into our nice clothes and went over to The Conklin's house so we could all drive together to an Appreciation Dinner for Volunteers of the Community. It was hosted by the K of C members which was very nice... good company, good food and happy kids - nothing could be better!

Makenna's Birthday Party

Today we went out to Camp Petosega for Makenna's 1st Birthday Party.
As per usual mommy took tons of pictures most of which included Makenna.

But I had to sneak in a few of my Lil Sassy Spalding's!

This is my favorite. xo (yes I did order it in an 11x14... shh... daddy doesn't know yet.)

*heart*

The third day of school, Kk was begging to wear the new "riding boots" to school so... here they are! Gg wore hers too but she did not ABSOLUTELY did not want her picture taken this morning. So... here's Kk. Thank you love dove. xo

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Happy 1st Birthday to Makenna - she's a little mover and shaker now!

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Today ended up being rainy all day so I picked you up from the bus stop. To think my babies are on that big yellow bus. xo

Backpacks & All

Your second day of school went perfectly you both said! You came home smiling! Kailee has decided she wants to do Choir and so we filled out the paper work and worked out the details for getting to and fro. It seems this year is falling into place. Grace had mentioned about wanting to do Soccer this year but... now she says no thanks... so who knows what will happen. Kk shared that there is a new boy in her class (whose name escapes me right now)... Gg shared there will be a new girl tomorrow and then a new boy starting next Monday. You both have large class sizes which makes me nervous but... I know your teachers are wonderful so this will work out just fine.

A day of 1st's!

It seems that the older you get the amount of 1st's you have diminish. When you were baby Spalding's you had firsts all the time (sometimes it was a few a day, sometimes a few a month)... first smile, first word, first step... but now that you're older the firsts are different. Some firsts that you had this summer; swimming in our pool, swimming underwater for the length of the pool, holding your breath underwater, eating star fruit, roller skating, and now that the summer has come to an end and today is here we will check of starting 3rd grade for Kailee and 1st grade for Gracie. (Tears spring to my eyes as this being typed and today being here makes it all real now.) To think that you both are growing up into young ladies... you're not "my baby" anymore but yet you are in so many ways and you always will be. In my head you're 3rd and 1st graders -- okay not really, you're 3 & 1 years old... in my heart you're forever my baby. When you were both born the only immediate hopes for you that I truly had were that you both are happy and love your life. So far I think we're succeeding! I've never met a kinder 3rd grader, nor a more compassionate 1st grader. You both make daddy and I so very proud. I love you both, now I will go wipe the tears that have washed down my face and go check on you as I do every morning that I wake up before you. xoxo You are the loves of my life. *disclaimer: along with daddy of course.

**Pictures to come shortly!

 

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I just had to update: Last night after working all day daddy came home thrilled to hear about your day. When Gg came home from school she wanted so badly to go in the pool. Mommy's knee is really swollen lately and hurts... Gg was very disappointed because mommy just couldn't get in the pool. So... daddy came home and at first said "no" to go into the pool. Then... with a sweet "please daddy" he went and put on his swim trunks. Gg was so happy, she gave daddy this hug, this big huge giant huge and said, "thank you daddy, oh thank you!" (This brought tears to my eyes.) I love when appreciation like this is recognized, atta girl Gg! So proud of you!! All the while Kk and mommy were celebrating National Cheese Pizza day by making pizzas for dinner. This was so much fun! No one wanted just cheese pizza though... so we strayed and put black olives and pepperonis on it. Everyone loved their pizzas!! Yum Yum!! 

Summer Day 88: Last Day of Summer

Today is our last day of the summer. Today we went to meet the teachers, had icecream with friends and now we're in bed early so we're refreshed for tomorrow!

Kailee, it's hard to believe you can already be a third grader. My heart is so proud yet so sad because I want you to stay my little baby girl. Even though you don't fit into those premie clothes anymore, you'll always fit perfectly into my arms and my heart.

Simply beautiful!

You both were very happy to see that all your friends are in your class! I'm very happy to see you both giddy with excitement.

Gracie, it doesn't seem possible that you could be starting first grade! It feels like yesterday I was holding you in my arms for the first time and you held onto my finger immediately as if to say "I love you mommy". Even though you're hands are bigger now, you hold my hand the same way, every time I know that you mean, "I love you mommy" and I will always mean, "I love you Gracie forever." Please never stop holding my hand.

Breathtaking beauty!

Summer Day 87

It's sad to think that this is our last sleep in day... (and the little Sassy's took full advantage of it - FINALLY!) both slept in until 7:45 a.m. Tomorrow is our trial run for how the school mornings will go... which I'm sure will go perfectly! So, today was our last sleep in day for the summer. Boo!!!!

(Just a side note: for anyone who has a problem with Gg sucking her thumb; it's none of your business, she's not your kid and the doctor said if she's okay with sucking it then so be it. I don't believe in shaming my children. I don't believe in taking away their feel safe objects. I do believe in giving them the information needed to make choices, which Gg is completely aware of. If you don't like it, don't look at the pictures. She is who she is and I love that about her. P.S. I'm the one who will need to get her braces, not you, so keep your (you know who you are) comments about my kid and to my kid to only positive feedback. Thank you.)

Summer Day 86

It's hard to believe in less than 3 days these will fill the desk you'll sit in for 7 hours a day.

Summer Day 85

Mommy's Crystal

Gracie's Crystal

Kailee's Crystal