Thursday, September 30, 2010

First Day of Preschool


 A few weeks ago, my baby girl went off to preschool.  Boy, was she ready for some structure... check out how excited she was!






Who knew that the preschool year would start out with sweatshirts and long pants in August, and within three weeks they'd be playing in 100 degree weather into October?
My little beauty loves getting up and getting ready for preschool.  She loves her butterfly backpack, too!

There's lots of creativity going on down at the preschool.






And with the combination of her best friend and partner in crime, Kamryn, I bet this preschool is never dull for the teacher and helpers!




Montana is a very smart little girl.  She has learned to write her name, with a little help from Mom and Dad.  


She can spell her name, knows her address and loves to rhyme.  


Her teacher came up to me at school to tell me Montana is very independent.  I would agree. Montana loves to do things on her own and learn to be a big girl.  Every morning she makes her own bed.  At first, you could tell it was a three year olds work- now, you'd think she had ordered maid services to tidy her bed.




She also loves to help me around the house.  Her job is to fold the towels and baby blankets.


She loves to help me load and unload the dishwasher, and loves to mop alongside me with the clorox sweeper mop.


She loves to make her own breakfast, makes her own chocolate milk and peanut butter and honey sandwiches with a little help from mom, and gets herself dressed.


I can't believe she will be four in a little over a month.  Where has the time gone?  While watching her grow and accomplish things is incredibly fun and rewarding, I am sad that it flies by like it does.


I'm so proud of my big girl!



Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Goodbye Summer 2010

Dear Summer 2010,


You pretty much end for our family today. Montana starts her first real dance class
(combo tap/ballet/tumbling) tonight, and a new year of preschool tomorrow. Which means routine, which I have to admit I am ready for. My body is craving a reason to get up in the morning and have a mission. A purpose. Somewhere to get to by a certain time. I'm sure if you check back with me next week as my alarm screams at me, I'll be eating my words, but we are excited.

Now Summer 2010, I have to tell you, you were a little bipolar. You weren't sure if you wanted to be scorchingly hot, or a degree away from feeling like fall. Just as Montana really learned to love swimming, you dropped into the 70's and we all kind of lost Summer momentum. Now, school is starting and apparently you told Fall it was okay to take the 100 degree weather and drag it out. Well, I'll let it slide for a few more weeks, but it's time to make your graceful exit Summer 2010. I do have to admit, I will miss you... you brought us so much happiness and joy.

*Disneyland with great friends

*Family BBQ's

*4th of July Block Parties

*Running on summer nights, when the sun still shone

*Day trips to Santa Cruz and Tahoe

*Weekly golf for Dad (Brought Dad lots of joy every time... sometimes Mommy wasn't joyful)

*State Fair, Jelly Belly, Six Flags

*HAWAII

So many things to be thankful for, Summer. We appreciate you giving us your light and warmth in which to enjoy it.

I do have to say, while I am excited for the Fall season (just thinking about Fall, c'mon, Costco...Christmas decor already...seriously??), I will miss the fact that 3 year old summer Montana is moving on...and will never look like this again...

And my little Carson man will never be a little pink bundle of baby laying on the beach like this again...

And I'll probably never be this blonde again...(Okay, who am I kidding...we all know I'm fickle with my hair. Give it a few years...) However, Marc is this hot all the time.
Okay Summer, maybe I'm not quite ready to move my babies into Fall. Because with each season, that means they are getting bigger, and older, and soon I won't be able to carry them both on my hips, or spend every waking moment with them.

Shine on, sun...make your days a little longer. Give me 24 hours and 2 more minutes if you can...I want to kiss these sun kissed cheeks as long as I possibly can.


Sincerely,
A Loving Mommy

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Because I'm Addicted...

...to my sweet babies, and their sweet, smooshy, lovable, delicious, photogenic and smiling faces...













Six Flags

It was an eventful weekend with David and Ashley here. We did the Six Flags thing, too. I took minimal pictures. Just a few of cute kids and a few cute dolphins.






Those Darm Petersen's...

While David and Ashley were here, Ashley's parents, The Darm's hosted a BBQ for all of our family, The Petersen's, to swim and have a good time. We are appreciative of them letting the whole family invade their pool and home!

Jelly Belly

A few weeks ago, my brother David and his wife Ashley came into town, and we took the kids to the Jelly Belly Factory...


Everyone had to wear a hat!
The girls LOVE their Aunt Ashley!
Little boy loves to be on the go!

Kept it on the whole time!
This is the only time I want her modeling next to a car...
Grandma's kisses are the sweetest...



Music Circus

We love hanging out with our friends, Marc's parents...






Our latest get together was Funny Girl at the Music Circus. We love you! Thanks for hanging out with us!

Making Sweet Memories

The kids and I went to Grandma Searson's (Marc's grandma's) and she taught us to make her famous cinnamon rolls...


....which resulted in a few cinnamon rolls of my own, right above my waistline.

Could you have resisted the cinnamony goodness??










Sure am grateful for this remarkable lady in my life.