Our little ballerina

 This weekend saw Audra starting ballet. She has been sooooo excited to start. She loves to dance and had so much fun in her previous dance class that I knew it would be a hit.

 So cute prancing around in her little leotard and tutu. The little ballet shoes kill me. So adorable.

Her teacher is Miss Dani, and she's so nice with the kids. Made them all feel relaxed and I think they all had fun. Audra already can't wait to go back.

Bento Lunch Love

 The past two weeks or so worth of lunches, or nutritional breaks. Throughout the summer, Audra has been eating bento style meals for lunch. She is not a big fan of sandwiches, so had to be a little creative in making lunches. Bento style has worked so well for her, that it's become the go-to for school now as well.

 All it takes is some fun picks, lots of variety and she is happy.

 A few days with shaped hard boiled eggs. She loves beans, so that has been a staple. Lots of meat and cheese for more protein and some fun shaped veggies and fruit.

 Pancakes with syrup for the morning nutritional break one day was a big hit.

 Her Camelbak water bottle doesn't leak (yay!), so I send that and usually a juice box so she can stay hydrated. There is also a water fountain in the class for them. And her balanced day lunch bag is fantastic. It has a 1 section and a 2 section so she knows which side to eat from on her breaks.

 Made a batch of blueberry muffins and those have been a hit too. Froze a bunch so we can pull them out when needed. I'll throw in granola bars or bear paws and she likes that. Not a fan of yogurt or applesauce, but that's fine. We'll try it again and see what happens.

 Leftover chicken nuggets? Another big success.

 Smaller bento for nutritional break 2, as it was sub day.

Everyone jokes and says will this continue when I go back to work? Well I don't see why not. Can make most of it ahead of time, and really it takes no time to cut with a cookie cutter. I have been trying to vary it up for her so she eats it. The teachers know her condition and that she needs to eat. She usually comes home with a bit, but for the most part her lunches are being eaten. Yay!!! And what doesn't get eaten, she eats for an afterschool snack. Very minimal waste at the end of the day.

11 months

 11 months old. Wow is time flying by.

 Miss EJ, you are getting so big, so quick. You are a ham, and so funny. A loud little beast, all the time, whether happy or sad. You are certainly full of personality.

 Monthly pictures are certainly a challenge now. There is no keeping you still.

 A few outtakes. You just want to be on the move all the time now.

 Your new favourite game is peek a boo. It's hilarious to see you play it with us. You get so excited. You love all sorts of blankets and I think you will be a blankie girl. Which is fine. But no blankets are safe near you. You love wrapping yourself up in them and rolling around with them.

 You are now a standing machine. Wherever you can get yourself up to, you do. You throughly love it in the tub and have quite the proud look on your face. You have gotten graceful with falling back when you let go, you just don't have the strength or balance to keep yourself upright yet, but I'm sure soon. And you have been getting on hands and knees like you might crawl soon, but you usually right yourself and bum shuffle away.

 Those little feet of yours, man, I feel like they are never going to grow. Those slippers are ones I made for Audra, and she didn't wear them long. You have been in them forever. Other slippers and shoes that we bought still don't fit. I am hoping we find something that fits come winter time. lol

Ahh, the walker. Our new favourite baby item. We never had one for your sister, as she wasn't into absolutely everything the way you are. But this wonderful invention helps to keep you somewhat contained and not able to get into everything. You have gotten so much better in it. You fred flintstone it all over the place now.Those little feet moving you around the main floor now. It's awesome to see you in it and able to get around. The base is a little wide and you crash into things constantly, but you have figured out how to backup and swing around to get to where you want to go.

Month 11 and you still spend your nights in the swing. Naps are in the crib so maybe one of these days you will sleep through the night there too. lol. It's just so nice to get a full nights sleep out of you. You are not a child who loves sleep. Your sister was a sleeper, you are the complete opposite. Things have only been a bit quieter since your sister started school. You are loud all the time little girl. We have fun though, run errands and lots of playing without anyone taking toys from you. You are so happy to see Audra when we go pick her up from school. And Audra is so excited to see you too. She wants nothing more then for you two to play, and I hope that time will be soon.

You went to daycare for two days last week and had fun and were a good girl, yay! I guess it was just Laura and Kristen, so the three of you had fun. And Laura was all excited to help. Awww, so cute. Mom was excited to have two days off and got quite a bit done. I am just happy that you were good, didn't cry and scream and were happy to see me at the end of it all. Audra adjusted well and I am glad that you are too. Kristen is awesome and we are so lucky to have her.

Well my baby girl, our time is pretty much up. It will be a whole different ball game in less then a couple of weeks. It's been a long year, but of course I wouldn't have traded it for anything. We aren't having a huge party for you, but will celebrate over thanksgiving with family. As long as there is pretty paper to destroy, you won't care what's in the birthday packages. lol.
We love you lots our little screamin' mimi!

School Days

 Backpack on, just itching to head out. Someone was very, very excited to start the school year.

 Class of 2027 graduate. We'll put this shirt on every year and see how big she's grown. Hoping when she's older she'll appreciate it and I look forward to seeing it every year.

The first day we only went in for an hour, and Audra was soooo disappointed to leave. Her classroom is nice and big with so much to do and play with. Her teachers, Mr Duggan and Miss Ryan are so nice, and think she'll have fun with them.
The next day was her first "real, full" day, and as expected, loved it and couldn't wait to go back. Jamie dropped her off and she couldn't wait to drop her bag and run to the playground. She couldn't care less that Jamie was leaving. A little bittersweet. You want your children to be independent, but at the same time, you want them to miss you a little bit right? lol. Nope, no missing us. She does the same with me. I go by myself is what she tells me. I am glad that she's having fun and can't wait to go to school. Hopefully this week we will get all the bus stuff sorted out and she'll be on the bus with her friends, going to the babysitters. I know she's looking forward to it.

Everyday she comes out of the school so happy.A little ragged as the days are long for her, but loving it, and that's all we can ask for.

Soccer Mom no more.....

Well, summer if officially done now that soccer is finished. I am a soccer mom no longer. Audra had a blast this year playing. It was great getting her out, meeting new friends, getting to have two wonderful coaches , and learning to play on a team.
I am not a big fan of the soccer sport, but it was an easy and great way to get her involved in something this summer. And she played every week. We didn't have a single rained out game, until the very last Saturday, which was of course games and the end of the season picnic. The kids thankfully didn't mind playing in the rain, and Audra only wanted a trophy, as she saw them when we walked in. lol.

 Future soccer champ!

 Getting to the goal.....

 Someone wasn't caring about all the action on the field, was much more happy with Dad's hat. lol.

 Last hand shakes of the season.

Sitting with the team waiting for trophies.

 Coach Michelle passing them out.

The happy soccer star! Yay, to a great first season.

Month 44

Month 44, or 3 years and 8 months. Wow. It's been a fun summer and it's slowly coming to an end. We are getting ready for school, and you can't be more excited. You are going to love it. I know that you are going to do great and have an absolute blast. My smart little girl.

 You went for your first dental visit/checkup. No cavities and handled it like a champ. Such a big girl. You weren't scared and loved getting a new toothbrush. lol.

 Lots of days outside and playing with the sandbox and water table. Lots of walks with the wagon.

 There was the Cactus Festival one weekend. We went to the parade Thursday night, and watched it from the Driving Park. I love that we are so close and can walk over and enjoy it. You loved the parade again this year.

We then went to the festival the next day. We wandered around and of course ended up at the carnival. You were so excited to ride the roller coaster. You amaze me daily of the fearlessness you have. You were a little nervous, but hopped on, and waved to mom. You had fun and wanted to go again. Guess you are like mom and love rollercoasters.

School is just around the corner. We're still not sure how that happened so quick. Almost 4 years old. Time just keeps flying by. You are definitely one smart little girl. You love your books and dolls. Barbies and Groovy Girls have become your fav's. The stories you create are awesome. You love playing with your kitchen and one of your newest games is customer and chef. You can be very demanding when playing, but it's funny most days. You play by yourself, you play with Eleanor, you play with us, and every day is new adventure. You can be a little whiney at times, but think that's the 3 and 1/2 year old shinning through somedays.
I hope as the summer shifts into fall, we finish soccer, start ballet and begin school, it's a fairly seamless transition. I anticipate a few weeks of crankiness, but think you will have fun and it will all be worth it in the long run.
We love you baby girl, who really isn't my baby anymore. Your dad and I are always so proud of who you are becoming. And it's wonderful to see it. Everyday is so different. And we are grateful to be part of each and every day.