First Day

It's hard to believe that summer vacation is over. Seriously, where did it go?!  I feel like Avery was just getting off of the bus to start her summer, and here she is going back to school already.

I will say, we had a pretty good summer. Avery made a summer list of things that she wanted to do and I think we did all but 4 of them (out of about 25!). We were busy all of the time-we barely had any free days in our schedule, hence the lack of posts from me lately. Having her home ate up my "me" time while Cassandra napped so my time was spent with my big girl.

Tuesday I took a half day at work and took Avery to school to meet her teacher and drop off her supplies. Then I took her out for ice cream-just the two of us. When we came home, I took a pic of her in her shirt that will fit her someday!

2027 seems like a long ways away. Yet if someone mentions 2003 does it seem that long ago? Funny how 12 years in the future sounds so far away, but 12 years in the past seems like it was yesterday. The mind does funny things like that. I hope the time doesn't go too fast...I know we can't slow it down but I wish we could! I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that it's September already and it's time to think of school! I wish the years took their time like they did when we were kids. I know Avery felt like her summer break was long....for us, it was a blink of an eye. 

Yesterday we got our girl on the bus for 1st grade. First.grade. Hold me.  She was so ready too-even though she doesn't know many kids in her class. She's ready.

I'm so proud of this girl and how well she adapts to going back-no tears, no whining-just pure joy. Love her!

August?!

I can't believe it's August already.

Did you see when I last posted? Over a month ago. Life has been so crazy. With Avery home all summer, I've had zero time to be doing this. Normally I fiddle on this during naptime when my housework is done. But now I have Avery home, so naptime isn't really "my" time right now. I'm lucky I get the housework done these days!

Anywho....we've been so busy this summer.  Our entire month of July was booked before July even started-including my days off during the week. Doctors appts, dental cleanings, going places, visiting with people. And our weekends were the same way.

I don't even know where to start so this is just going to be a random post of stuff from the last month. Avery chose a pretty cool birthday present this year...but that will be it's own post when I can get to it!

We had Gabe's annual family reunion at the lake on July 4th....

Red, White, and Blue!

and even got to go on a boat ride! Avery loved it! Cassie wouldn't step foot on it!

Bianca, Molly, Owen, Mark

The kids had a good time swimming that day too!

Avery

My Mom had a few free tickets to an amusement park here that I haven't been to in about 15yrs! So we decided to take the kids for the day. My Mom met us there and my friend Megan and her family met us too. We had a really great day-the kids loved it. Avery wanted to go on everything, but of course wasn't tall enough to. Cassie was a stinker and refused to go on a lot of things, but eventually we dragged her on a few rides and she had fun!

Avery and I at the top of the ferris wheel

Avery and Leigha

Gabe and I celebrated 7 years of marriage! My Mom watched the kids so we could go out for dinner that night-was really nice!

YUM!

Before dinner, I had a chance to visit with my old neighbor. His Mom and my Mom have lived on the same street for at least 35 years and him and I grew up together. I haven't seen him in probably close to 10 years (he lives out of state now) and we actually were in town at the same time for once. It was really great seeing with him and briefly catching up!

Dominic and I

We also have gotten some use out of the bounce house this summer! My friend Jessica came in to visit us for the day and we had a great time. I think it had been at least a year since we saw each other, but we picked up like it was yesterday. Our kids all played really well together too!

Connor

Caroline

It's been a really great summer so far-it's hard to believe we have less than 4 weeks left until school starts back up. And of course those weeks are quickly filling up with things to do!

Spring Break!

The end of Avery's spring break is almost here. Tomorrow is Easter and she's back to school on Monday. 

We had a great week with her off though!

On Monday, Renee and Sabrina came from Buffalo to visit us for the afternoon. The kids had a ball playing with Sabrina, who is now running around with them! They had a lot of fun! And of course I'm kicking myself because I didn't get a single picture of them together!

I worked like usual on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We had a little scare on Wednesday afternoon though. Daycare called my work around 4pm saying that Cassandra fell and bumped her head and that we "might want to take her somewhere".  Gabe went and got her and texted me that they were headed to the doctor's office. I met them there after getting out of work. She ended up cutting the back of her head open, and thankfully it wasn't bad enough for stitches. I guess it bled a lot (by the looks of her clothes) and her hair was all matted to it so it was hard to tell just how bad it was until we got there. We all took a sigh of relief and grabbed some junk food (aka Wendy's) for dinner on the way home for the kids.

Thursday, we took the girls to their first movie. Well....Avery has been to one with my Father-in-Law before, but this was the first time we took her. The girls really wanted to see the new "Cinderella", so that's what we saw. Avery was great. Cassandra did pretty well, but did get antsy at times. I think since it wasn't animated it was harder to keep her attention. Overall they did really well though and the movie was amazing if you haven't seen it yet!

Friday was our  neighborhood egg hunt held at a neighbor's house. It was the perfect day for it-about 60 and sunny out! They spread out about 525 eggs and each kid starts with 10. Then once everyone has 10, it's a free for all!

getting lined up

Go!

Cassie and Avery

Avery

The kids had a ball as usual!

After dinner, we still had to dye eggs. The girls always love doing it!

Today we went to Buffalo to visit my Mom and Aunt. Megan and her kids stopped by as well. Tomorrow is Easter then back to the usual grind on Monday!! 

What a fun and busy week!

3

I no longer have a baby...or a toddler. I'm not a Mom of a school-aged child and a preschooler. How on Earth did that happen?!

Friday was a special day-our baby turned 3.  THREE. It seems like yesterday she came into our lives, yet it also feels like she's always been with us. I can't remember life without her (or Avery being an only child).

Three is hard for me to swallow. It just sounds so old to me. Yeah I know you're thinking, "Wait until they're 20, yada, yada" but really three is like a first big age to me. No more babies or toddlers. She's a little girl now. A preschooler. It's crazy.

Let's see-Cassandra at age 3 has quite the personality. She's pretty laid back, very independent and can be stubborn at times. She also is the sweetest, kindest little girl. She can read people very well and will ask "why are you sad, etc". She definitely thinks of others first-she's great at sharing and is also my little cuddlebug. She eats pretty well-tries all kinds of foods. Her favorites these days: blueberries, raspberries, melon, yogurt, pasta, soup, waffles, pancakes. She loves reading books together and has really started to get interested in coloring lately. She's just starting to get into the pretend play too.  It's so fun watching her grow and change!

Like we usually do, we spent the day with her. Gabe took off from work (which we do for both of their birthdays) and I had the day off.  Avery had school so it was just a Mommy, Daddy, and Cassandra day which was cool-I don't think that's ever happened!  We always let the girls pick what to do on their special day. She chose the Strong Museum.  We got there right when it opened and had a blast! Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera so I have no pictures from there, but we all had a good time. I packed her a lunch and she ate there and had some ice cream after of course! And as part of her present, we let her pick out something from the gift shop....and she chose a book about Jacks and a set of jacks-kid cracks me up!

We got home and put her down for a nap, which she ended up not taking (girl must be too excited for her special day!). Then Avery came home and they played a bit. We made dinner and had some yummy cupcakes to celebrate!

Courtesy of The Upper Crust

Happy Birthday to you!!

After cupcakes, she opened her present from us.

We got her a shirt, a Frozen coloring book and Frozen  hair ties. She'll also get a big girl bed eventually-I'm holding out as long as I can!! 

After we played some more, it was off to bed.  It was a really fun day spending it with our little peanut.  She's just such a joy!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Cassandra! We love you so very much!!

Xmas Recap

Here we are...the last night of winter break. Tomorrow we get back into our routine of being up early every day and Avery heading back to school.

It's been 2 full weeks of family, friends, parties, and just soaking up our time together. That's what it's all about right?!

So, here's a recap of our holiday break!

Of course there was cookie making! I made 3 kinds this year. The kids love doing the cut out cookies. Both girls helped me roll and cut them and Avery helped me frost and decorate one day while Cassie napped.

A quick shot of our mantle:

I took vacation days on Dec. 23rd and 24th (I'm amazed we were even open on Christmas Eve). The girls went to daycare on the 23rd and I had a day to get things done. I went to the gym in the morning, ran a few errands and did all of the wrapping we had-took me a good 3 hours to finish it all!

The weather here was very atypical for this time of year. Christmas Eve day it was in the upper 50s! It's very strange having a Christmas without snow! It's the one day a year I don't mind it and we didn't have any this year!

On Christmas Eve we were all up and ready to hit the road. We always spend Christmas Eve at my Mom's in Buffalo. Before we hit the road, the girls had to put out their cookies for Santa and the reindeer food since we usually get home very late.

Then we drove to my Mom's!

Mom's tree

We took a few photos before people started coming over.....

Mom and the girls

....and we ended up doing gifts with each other right away. We had family coming for dinner and we had no idea who else was stopping by, so we decided to get it out of the way. The girls were all about the gifts!

First present!!

My friend Renee and her little one, Sabrina stopped over to visit!

Sabrina

The girls just love her and can't get enough of her!

Cassie, Sabrina, Avery

My Aunt and Uncle also stopped by for a short visit. Then our cousins came over for dinner.

Cassie and Eddie

After dinner (while we digested), it was more presents with the cousins!

Taylor and Avery

Cassie and Eddie

And a few more photos before they left!

Taylor, Eddie, Rachel, Eddie

Cassie, Rachel, Me, Mom, Aunt Pat, Avery, Taylor

We left my Mom's around 8 or so to drive home. The kids were so wound up that they didn't fall asleep. We finally got them to bed and went to bed shortly after.

Then, it was Christmas Day!

Santa came!!

Avery let us sleep until around 8:30 and we waited upstairs for Cassie to get up around 9. Then of course we had to open presents right away! They went for their stockings first!

Avery

Cassie-no idea what that face is!

My little cuties

After opening, we had breakfast and then just relaxed and played with all of their new stuff. After Cassie's nap, it was time to head to the in-laws' house for dinner!

Ready to eat!

We had to wake Cassie from her nap and she was downright miserable. She refused to get into her dress and was quite a pill for awhile. She finally warmed up a bit.

Avery and Cassie

We had a very good dinner and then opened presents.

Cassie with her Anna hat

Bianca and Owen

Cassie

Friday was a pretty lazy day. We all had off and just hung out at home playing with all of the new toys!

On Saturday, my Dad and Colleen came out for our Christmas dinner. We had a really nice visit with them!

Dad, Colleen and the girls

Sunday was another family party for the extended family at Gabe's parents' house. Then Monday was Gabe's birthday!  Gabe and I worked pretty much a normal week so we had a little bit of a routine last week. I'm ready for us to be back on a schedule though. We all enjoyed staying up late and sleeping in late, but we're ready to get back to normal too. It definitely was a nice break and a very nice holiday. It's amazing how fast it goes though. I think the anticipation is almost better than the day itself!  Avery was pretty bummed that it was all over too. We took down the tree and decorations on New Years Day so it feels a lot less cluttered in here. Now I just need a food detox! Hahaha! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Here's to a great 2015!!