Grace's turn!

Grace is starting her first year of "real" preschool.  She has been doing Mommy's morning out for 2 years and now its finally time for preschool!  It was a very tough decision but I decided to put Grace in a new school closer to our house.  It makes me so sad to leave the sweet and loving preschool Jake and Julianna went to but I know this was the best decision.  Its a great school and so far has been just as loving and fun as our other preschool.  

She was SO excited for her first day.  She picked out her dress and got her bag and stood on the steps and had HUGE smiles for the camera.  This girl is ready to go to school!

The best part of our new school is old friends!  Grace's very best friend Cadence is in her class.  She was super excited to see Cadence and ran over to give her a big hug.  

We all walked in together and I thought Grace was going to be sad.  She cried during the class visit so I figured this was going to be rough.  What was I thinking?  She didn't even look back.  Just walked right in the room like she owned it.  

Have tons of fun this year Gracie Grace!  We love you!

Julianna is a Panda!

Julianna our big 4 year old had her last first day of preschool!  She is in the Panda class this year, just like her big brother Jake.  She goes to school 5 days a week and is VERY excited about it!

Her first day of school she finally got to wear her new gym shoes (pink and purple AND they light up!).  She got a new school bag and picked out her ribbon.  She picked out her beautiful dress and asked me to do her hair like Anna.  She looked so pretty and excited.  She did NOT want to get her picture taken however.  For some reason I feel like she does that to me every year!  But we got a couple good ones.

She is getting to be such a big girl.  I can't believe next year she will go to Kindergarten.  Ah!  Have a great year out sweet Julianna!  We love you.

1st broken bone goes to...

Grace!

No surprise Grace is the first McNeely child to break a bone.  Let's see it was a Tuesday night and she was climbing up the slide in our playroom.  She decided it was a good idea to go over the top rather than through the whole.  I heard her jump into the middle and instantly start crying.  Jake was kind enough to replay the entire event.  But she was limping a little and not bothered by it after a while, so I figured I will worry about it tomorrow if she is still limping.

Of course, Wednesday morning rolls around and she is still limping...running, but limping.  So I take her in to see the doctor.  Doctor isn't convinced its broken so she thinks we should make an appointment with the orthopedist for Thursday morning.  If she is still limping take her, if not cancel.  Fantastic.

Thursday morning she is doing visibly better but her foot is turning in.  Not wanting to risk future damage Brian and I think we should go just in case.  Now, I had to make a stop at a friends house and while there Grace found the trampoline!  Grace is bouncing up and down and I think there is no way that leg is broken.

Well I was right, her leg was not broken.  The first bone in her little foot was.  I was definitely shocked when the doctor said it was broken.  Then she quickly said "no cast! Just a boot for 2 weeks."  Crisis averted!  But still that sweet little girl had to hobble around with that boot.

But she made it through.  We all did!  Because she learned quickly how to use that boot as a weapon!  2 weeks later she got a clean bill of health and we chanted "No more boot! No more boot!"

(Well she did have to wear it home because Mommy forgot her other shoe!)

Jake is a 1st Grader!

Jake is officially a 1st grader.  He is just thrilled.  1st grade means you play on the big playground...not the Kindergarten playground.  It's a big deal.  This year Jake is once again in the same class as his best buddy, JP.  They were beyond excited and come to find out 5 boys from his Kindergarten class are together again.  Good luck Mrs. Meynard!

I took Jake to his class visit and I was totally fine.  Not really dwelling on how he is getting so big or growing up so fast.  Until I walked in his room and he has a desk!  No more sharing a table with 6 other kids.   Nope a real desk.  We had to arrange all his supplies in it.  Book nooks, and computer labs have replaced the Lego center and toy shelves.

So bright and WAY too early at 7:05 Monday morning we took him wearing his brand new shoes, carrying his brand new Captain America backpack, to the bus stop and off he went!  Once again not looking back.  Have a great year buddy!

Summer...in a nutshell

And I just went to post about Jake's 1st day of school and realized I have only posted one little thing since the last day of school.  Geez.  I am a slacker but we have literally been running around like crazy people all summer!  So here is our summer in a few brief paragraphs because I am ready to start the school year (just like every other Mommy out there!)

First, Poppy paid us a visit.  And it was very close to his birthday...ish, so we threw him a surprise party.  Complete with presents and cake!  It was great he stayed with us while attending a conference.

Then Uncle Johnny, Aunt Shana (and really more importantly) Wesley came to visit.  It was a busy few days but we managed to squeeze in some fun at the water park and baseball fields!  Then they came again at the end of the summer.  We lived it up, going to the zoo, a gymnastics place, swimming.  Tons of fun, thanks for coming to visit!

Next up was our annual trip to Cincinnati.  We had tons of fun swimming, playing, eating Skyline, playing sports, baking cookies, working puzzles, bowling, watching fireworks and even made s'mores!  It was a great week and I should write a whole post about it, but you can look at the pictures.  But the most fun the kids had was picking blueberries.  Who would have thought?

All three kids just had a ball, even Grace was an excellent berry picker.  We told her only the bluest berries.  She had picked quite a few and I turned around and her bucket was empty.  I said Grace what happened to your blueberries.  "I ate them all Mommy!"  Of course you did, silly Mommy.

Pretty sure as soon as we left Grandma and Poppy had to take a nice long nap!  We are a rowdy crowd, but thanks for having us!

10 weeks ago summer started and I was excited about relaxing and not having much of a schedule.  Well with 1 dance recital, swimming lessons, karate (yes Julianna has now taken that up as well), 4 weeks of various camps, 1 week in Ohio, 9 concerts, 3 birthday parties, 2 visits from the VB's, Jake spent 4 days with Nana, VBS, 1 visit from Nana & Aunt Carla, many lazy nights watching Looney Tunes with Daddy, and countless hours swimming and playing with our friends...its over.  I am happy and sad all at the same time.  We had so much fun but, oh my gosh, I am so ready for everyone to be back on schedule!  So 1st grade, Pre-K, and 1st year of preschool here we come!