Away in the Manger

Lucy and Maggie had fun putting together this nativity scene and playing with it today.

From our new laptop

Well...the fan on the graphics card on our desktop computer broke. Now we have a laptop. Let's see if the photos upload quicker using this. If they do, you might start seeing more frequent posts.

Last weekend we went to see Santa at Bass Pro. The girls had a wonderful time. P.S. it seems to be our connection and not the computer that is slowing down the uploads. Jon says new router will help. Maybe Santa will bring us one

Happy 3rd Birthday Maggie

Maggie was the STAR OF THE WEEK at school this week. She got to bring a poster, pick the snack to bring, and bring something for show and tell. She decided to bring Lucy, so Lucy read 10 in the Bed to the class. Lucy did a great job and it was great to meet and spend the morning with Maggie's class.

Maggie got to pick most of what we did today. She was quick to ask to paint. She made several Spooky Red Spider Webs.

She also played lots of Thomas and made tons of pretend birthday cakes.

For supper she chose to have macaroni AND white sauce noodles on big girl plates.

Maggie had lots of fun with her birthday crown. As the day came to a close Lucy got the stuffies. Luckily Daddy came home from a big work bye-bye late this evening. That means we will get more birthday celebrating tomorrow and even more on Saturday when we go downtown to see Good Night Moon the Musical with Ray and Linda.

Costume Fun

Pre-Halloween dress up with costumes from Good Will. They wore these to Jazzercise. Mommy won the Jazzercise attendance game for October. The prize is a free month of class.

Lucy had a Halloween parade at her school. She also had a party with cookies and a Fall Festival with games, baked goods and dancing. Lucy and Maggie danced until the party ended. Lucy's favorite part was when her Principal got a pie in the face (incentive for meeting fundraising goal).

Maggie had a wonderful party at her school too. Parents were supposed to come, but somehow my name was not on the e-mail invite. Maggie wasn't phased by this, and Mommy was a just a little sad.

Lucy's page for the class book at school. After the teachers bind the book, each student will get a chance to take the book home and read about their classmates.

Dress Up

Lucy and Maggie outside the Kindergarten door on picture day.

Lucy was so excited to wear her dress and "Jazz" shoes. We like to borrow DVDs from the library and right now our favorite is Learn Jazz Step-by-Step.

Maggie decided she needed to get dressed up to. She is really into pretend play and dressing up. A normal day for her includes 5 or 6 wardrobe changes. She dressed up to go to work, to go running, to go to ballet, to go to school and for bed times. Notice a theme? She is always go-go-going.

Mommy wanted a picture of two beautiful girls. Maggie wanted to run around and throw the ball. Lucy wanted to get back to her Jazz video.

Lovely Weekend

Lucy and Maggie running to the park.

Lucy on the big slide at the park. This slide goes fast, and Lucy used to scared to go by herself, Not anymore!!!

Helping Daddy remove the water pump on the Mustang.

Box Tops

Lucy calls this her big smile. Help Lucy's class win a contest by collecting Box Tops. The contest deadlines are 10/14, 2/14 and 4/27. You can mail them or give them to us when you see us.

Maggie picked this shirt out because the girl is chewing bubble gum. She loves the Sticky Bubble Gum song from ballet class.

Sweet Baby

We went to Des Moines over the weekend to met the sweetest Brown Baby Boy in the whole world.

I need Byron - Lucy and Maggie both wanted to hold Byron, and pat him, and poke him, and do whatever necessary to keep him awake including Maggie knocking on the wall.

Lucy is a very proud cousin. She will tell anyone who will listen about her new cousin.

Lots of helpers. Tia Claudia was very patient with the girls as the "helped" her feed Byron.

Maggie testing out Byron's nap time blanket.

Preschool for Maggie

Maggie woke up extra cheery this morning ready for her first day of preschool. She is in the 3s class at Just for Kids Preschool.

Maggie picked out her outfit because it had pants with a belt like Daddy wears when he goes to work.

The girls are both so excited about the start of school. They talk about it, wear their backpacks and tell eachother how much fun they are going to have. This morning when we dropped Maggie off, Lucy gave her a hug and kiss and told her to have a good day.

Maggie wanted me to take a picture in the car. She is really excited about being on the passenger side for curb side pick-up.

Maggie sat right down at the table and went to work with clay. Maggie has a friend in her class from Puddle Jumpers. Also, a playdate friend will be in the afternoon class and we will see him on fieldtrips and at parties.

So I made it through yesterday without crying, but not this morning. At Lucy's school we stayed in the room for the first hour and then went to the gym for the second. With Maggie it was just "drop and go". I had a hard time getting in the car and driving away. We'll see how it goes this afternoon leaving Lucy.

Kindergarten

Today was Lucy's first day of kindergarten at Oak View Elementary. She had a great time and said her favorite part was learning about the stations. Different areas of the room are set up with tables for activities like reading, computer, art and math.

Daddy pushed the "School Bus for two" down the hill to the school. Lucy and Maggie enjoyed the ride, but Mommy and Daddy were hot from walking. We had a heat index of 99 today. The school is just over a mile away, so Lucy does not qualify for bus service.

Lucy sitting on the yellow line (circle time) waiting for Mrs. Orseske to get started.

One of Lucy's preschool friends Charlie is in her class. Too much going on to smile at me.

Typical Tuesday

The girls took ballet classes this summer. Although the classes are over, some mornings they wake up in the mood to dance.

They have some great moves.

Lucy loves the Cat in the Hat on PBS. Maggie and Libby love to cuddle.

Maggie loves having her new room. Her favorite part is her flower night light.

Splitsville

The girls decided they would like seperate rooms this week. So I spent the morning moving furniture, vacuuming and dividing books and toys. Lucy likes to read and have quiet time before bed. She also likes to sleep in a little later. Maggie likes to run around crazy until she falls asleep, and then is up with the sun wanting to run some more. The girls were really excited about it. Jon and I are too if it means a more peaceful bedtime/morning.

Lucy in her room.

Maggie in her room.

It's Finally Here

After years of searching for a new car Jon's new car arrived Monday. We traded the Probe in on a 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid.

Beautiful Bikealicous Day

I have had the urge to go for a bike ride for the past couple of weeks and this weekend was beautiful. Yesterday Jon pulled the girls in the trailer and I rode solo for a short ride to the park. It just wasn't enough to get it out of my system. So today I hooked the trailer up to my bike and went 7.6 miles with Maggie. She fell asleep on me so I brought her home and got Lucy. We went 6.8 mile. I still want more. We will have to go out again next weekend.

Lucy loves to pick Dandelions.

Maggie loves to help Daddy mow.

New Cousin

Maggie with her pictures of new cousin Byron

Lucy reading in the tent

Break's Over

Lucy going down the slide at mommy's Fleet Feet 10K

Maggie having fun at the race

Lucy's 5th birthday at the Adler Planetarium.

Lucy lounging today.

Maggie today.