Fall update

As mentioned in my previous post, the girls & I have been busy over the last few months & with Fall now upon us, it was high time I did a few Fall-themed pics of the girls before the weather gets too cool.  I actually got these cute outfits last year & the girls never got to wear them as it was too cold.  Fall in Pennsylvania is my most favorite time of the year.  The light has a certain look to it & the weather is beautiful....a tad cool at night, but perfect for sleeping.  Over the past week we've had mid 70s during the day & low 50s at night.  With the beautiful weather we've also started to see the leaves turning.  Of course, I've been celebrating Fall since right after Labor Day when the pumpkin flavored coffee, creamers, & foods began arriving in stores.  Nothing I love better than sweater weather & a fresh cup of coffee with pumpkin spice creamer.....it's a little bit of heaven (at least, for me :)   Of course, with Fall also comes the anticipation of the holiday season & this year, I'm going to be ready. I will not be out in those crowds fighting for a much wished for toy....this year, blog readers I'm getting on the ball!  I already have an Amazon wish list for "Santa" to choose from.  The big gift the girls want this year is Starlily the Unicorn, she's a Fur Real unicorn, basically a robot unicorn.  (if you don't know about this unicorn, you should click my link...it is pretty cute).  We've already been busy decorating for Fall, we have a full Halloween village this year.  We've been collecting pieces from the Spooky Towne village collection sold at Michael's & have a very entertaining village this year.  The girls often sit & watch as the lights change & figures moves.

We also already have our costumes.  This was not planned, but we decided to go into one of this Halloween spirit stores & the girls couldn't help themselves.  Jessica chose a peacock costume & Ella chose a pink fairy princess costume, that lights up...it's cute for sure.  As for me, I'm going as the tooth fairy this year.  With me leading a new practice for the company I work for & trying to establish a patient base, I figure it can't hurt, right :)  Costume pics of us all will follow, but for now, here are some of the girls in their Halloween outfits for school parties, etc.  Hope you all are enjoying the start of Fall as much as we are.  

Jessie: Kindergarten

Well, it's official I have a Kindergartener!  To be honest, I'm still a little shocked to see that written, but Jessica is loving her 1st year in real school.  To be fair, Jessica's Kindergarten class is only half day, but it has still been a big transition.  The biggest transition is, of course, attending 5 days a week.  Normally, by Friday, Jessie has a meltdown after Kindergarten.  I have changed my schedule so that now I work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, so on Wednesday & Friday, I pick her up when they let out at 11:40.  Her Kindergarten class is only around 2.5 hrs, but on the 3 days I work, she rides the bus to KinderCare & does an afternoon enrichment program, which reinforces all she is learning this year.  Her Kindergarten teacher at her elementary school is Mrs. Garrow.  She is very warm & patient, all you could want in a teacher for you little one.  Her teachers at KinderCare are Ms. Tiffany & Ms. Julie, they also are very sweet & patient.  All of her teachers this year have remarked on how obedient Jessica is in class & how quiet.  (Of course, I always question, if this is indeed Jessica Passineau they are talking about, but they always respond, "yes, your daughter."  The first day of Kindergarten was very emotional for our family.  I honestly didn't think I'd be that sad at the beginning of the summer, but when the big day arrived I was a mess.  I was thinking about how fast the last 5 years have gone & of all the times it seemed like she'd never be in Kindergarten because she was still so little.  Well, August 25, came & she was so ready & excited.  Michael took the day off & I did also so we could be there for our little girl.  She was very excited to wear her favorite gumball dress & her favorite rainbow leopard headband.  I thought she looked especially cute.  When it came time to drop her off, we each held her hand & walked her to the front door of her little elementary school.  Because of the security at the school, parents were not allowed to walk the kids to their classrooms, but there were plenty of aids to help her get to her classroom.  Jessica grabbed my hand a little tighter as we approached & pulled my hand as I told her I loved her & wanted her to have a great day.  She said, "Mommy, you can come too."  I told her that she had to do this by herself, at this point, barely holding it together!  She began to enter her school and almost went in before giving me & Michael a hug.  He had to asked her to give him one.  With all the emotion & excitement of the day, we decided to go out to breakfast.  Needless to say, I will always remember the feeling of her little hand in mine & her expression before she entered her elementary school that day.  I know she will do great & learn so many new things, but our time together will never be the same again & that does make me a little sad :(  With that being said, I can't help but be a super proud mom!

Ella: pre-K begins

Well, it's been a while since I updated the old blog!  Between starting the new school year, a job transfer closer to home, & our new year for gymnastics, we've been busy girls.  Ella started Pre-K at Kindercare 3 days per week on August 24th.  She had already been attending Kindercare when I worked, but she "officially" started the pre-K curriculum on Aug. 24th.  She loves her teachers & little friends so much & although, it is very expensive all-day care, she always has a smile on her face when I pick her up after I've worked.  That is worth a lot to me.  Her teachers Ms. Becky & Ms. Christine are both super sweet young ladies.  They always remark on how different she & Jessie are.  Ella loves to talk & participate by being the helper for the day.  She loves to hold the door, be the line leader, & help with snack for her friends.  Each day they practice their sight words, hand writing, & do plenty of fun art projects.  Ella is a fun & sweet 4 year old who loves pre-K so far.  It's so fun to see her excited for her new sight word packets & all her little worksheets.  She is my happy/content child & I am thankful.  So proud of our little pre-K sweetie :)  Her shirt is for Paw Patrol, it's one of her favorite shows right now.