Princess Festival

This summer we got ticket to go to the princess festival. Anna was so so excited. I was terribly nervous to leave Quinn. After thinking about it for days, I called my mom and sister to see if they would feel comfortable watching Q and Charlotte while I took Anna on a a much needed Girl's day oUt. They agreed.

We had a great day filled with fairies

and rocks...

and hair, make up, and finger polish

tiaras, and parasols,

and friends.

It was a wonderful day spent with my little princess.

Quinn was happy to see us when we got home. At this point in life Quinn had begun his "seizure mode" meaning he would have seizures all day long. Hundreds and hundreds of them. He had a hard time doing anything. I was emotionally exhausted and I was grateful my mom and sister were brave enough to let me have a couple hours even if I was worried the whole time!

PreSchool Graduation

Anna's year at FunShine was full of ups and downs. Everything about preschool was wonderful. The teachers, friends, and learning were all phenomenal but the drama at home sometimes made school take a back seat. Anna was so good to roll with all the uncertainty. At one point during the year, when seizures were beginning to become very very scary, we moved in with my mom and transferred Anna to a preschool in Salt Lake. She did fantastic. This little girl has been through A LOT this year.

The responsibility on her little shoulders was at time more than any 5 yr old should have to bare BuT she did it and with flying colors might I add!

This isn't my favorite picture of Quinn but it represents the time. In May he was on a seizure medication that altered his behavior DRaMatiCAllY. He was a different child and it was HARD! So he did not want to be in this picture but I made him. Mean mom, I know but it's for the record!

Anna's sweet preschool teachers: Ms Holly and Ms Kathy. Angels, truly angels. These women provided a wealth of love and stability. I am still grateful for them.

Banana Phone

Way back in April Anna preformed in her very first dance recital. She takes dance from my sweet mom (so so lucky) so the recital was in Salt Lake. Adam was going to try to get off of work to make it to the recital but I secretly assured him there was NO way she was going to dance. When she came out on stage, danced, and smiled, I seriously fell off of my chair. I couldn't even believe it! I was so incredibly proud of her and I felt really guilty I did let Adam come!

To see the actually dance click here

I can't believe how much she has grown up in since this recital! Time goes so fast.

First day of KINDERGARTEN!!

(please excuse me while I do some major catch up!)

12 days before Kindergarten we started a countdown (thanks to a very clever friend). I would highly recommend it for any child at any age. Anna absolutely loved it. It was the perfect way to elevate the excitement and dissolve the fears. The countdown included activities like meeting the teacher, checking out the playground, school clothes shopping, and learning her phone number and address.

day 4 was a surprise last summer trip to Bear Lake

day 9 was a box that Anna modge podged a box to keep all of her

kindergarten "treasures" in.

This is the first picture taken of the first day of school. We walked to school. The big kids were at recess...a lot of them. Then there were parents of every single kindergartener with their video cameras. It was a little bit too much for my shy girl. It was kind of a rough go.

Anna is in the back, the teacher is bent down trying to talk her into staying at kindergarten.

at least her bag looked good!

The last activity for the countdown was to prepare an after school snack. She chose fruit pizza cookies, one of my favorites too!

Later after the drama died down, we headed over to the school to take some pictures.

She loved her first day and she was very proud of herself!

I was so proud of her too!

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago we had our family pictures taken...for the first time. Sure we have had pictures taken here and there, at weddings and farewells but we have never had our little family take a picture for the sole purpose of family pictures. In some households I believe "family pictures" is some what of a swear word. Truthfully this is why I have neglected even the idea of it. However... this experience was INCREDIBLE! This photographer is extremely talented in what she does AND she is amazing at capturing the attention of little ones. I got true smiles on every one of my children. Success!

While Adam and I were taking our "engagements" Anna was in the background dry heaving at the thought of us kissing...Oh little Anna, so much to learn!

Thank you Britt for sharing your talent with us! If you are interested in hiring her...contact me for details!! She will not disappoint!