Cute Picture

I thought this was a cute pictures of the girls that Ryan snapped with his phone this evening.  After dinner and a visit with Meme, we decided to let Ryan treat the girls to frozen yogurt while I ran into Publix for a few things.  Needless to say, they were pretty happy with that choice!

One Thumbsucker is (Mostly) Done!

Both of my girls are thumb suckers...always have been.  An ultrasound picture showed Lily sucking her thumb.  I couldn't get either of them to take a pacifier; their thumbs have always soothed them.  There are some definite pros to this when they are younger, but now, ugh, it's just frustrating!  We have been trying to figure out what to do to get them to stop.

 

We made a discovery with Mia.  If she wasn't holding Glowie (her Glow Worms, of which she has three), she didn't suck her thumb.  It is only when she holds Glowie.  So, about a month or so ago, a new rule came into play: Glowie must stay in bed.  No more car rides or playing in the playroom...only bedtime.  For a couple of weeks, Mia tried to sneak her out every now and then, but mostly she stuck to the rule.  And you know what?  She hasn't been sucking her thumb.

 

So, a few days ago, Ryan and I upheld our end of the bargain for when the girls stop sucking their thumb.  We took Mia to the Disney Store at Town Center and told her to pick out whatever she wanted.  We figured she couldn't pick anything more expensive than braces!  While she walked around and pointed to everything (seriously, everything) in the store and said "I want that," she gravitated to a few items that we rewarded her with.  First, a little plastic Minnie Mouse camera.  Second, a Captain Hook dress-up outfit (they had just brought out all of their Halloween costumes), Third, a pirate sword and hook.  Fourth, a set of interchangeable hooks for Captain Hook.  Here she is all decked out!

She loves it!  I have to say, she's pretty stinkin' cute too, isn't she?  She has carried that sword around all evening today.  She even took it when we went to visit my grandmother.  She loves pretending to be a pirate!

Now, I realize that she holds her Glowie and sucks her thumb at night, but I'm okay with that.  It's comforting and it helps her sleep.  But during the day, there's no thumb coming near her mouth, and I love it!  Yea Mia!

First Day of School!

Summer came to a close this week as school started back.  We had a great summer, but I think we're all glad to be back into a routine.  About two weeks ago, Lily received a postcard in the mail letting her know that Mrs. Worrell had moved up to Kindergarten and would be her teacher.  Lily could not have been more excited!  Several times during the summer she said she didn't want to go to Kindergarten because she wanted Mrs. Worrell to be her teacher again.  When we gave her the good news, and she got over the disbelief that her dreams had come true, she literally fell over backwards with excitement! 

Last Thursday was "sneak-a-peek" so we all went to the school to see her room, take her supplies, catch up with old friends, meet new families and of course, give Mrs. Worrell a big hug.  I'm not exaggerating when I say Lily stayed by her side the whole time.  She just wanted to be near her.  I made her give Mrs. Worrell a break when it was time for the school picnic, but that wasn't easy.  After the picnic, Lily and Mia chased Mr. Worrell around in a game of tag; at one point, they chased him back into the classroom, and he was locked in the class bathroom!  He was a great sport, and we appreciate the love both Mr. and Mrs. Worrell show to the girls.

All weekend, Lily couldn't wait for school to start.  On Sunday afternoon, she made this card for Mrs. Worrell.

 On the inside she wrote (translated): Dear Mrs. Worrell.  I hope you are excited too.  See you soon."

 She couldn't wait to give her that card and a big red apple (Mrs. Worrell's favorite snack) on Monday morning!

We snapped a few pictures before heading out, and this one is my favorite.  I made a sign that says "First Day of Kindergarten.  When I Grow Up, I Want To Be:" and then I filled in Lily's answer: "A Babysitter."

 Of course, we had to snap a picture with Mrs. Worrell once we arrived!

 Monday was a half-day for the whole school.  Ryan and I picked her up, and we surprised her with a lunch date at her favorite restaurant: Veni Vidi Vici.

 The first week has gone great for Lily.  Tuesday was a half day as well, and then she has been going full-time (until 2:40) since Wednesday.  When I asked her on Wednesday what her favorite part of all-day Kindergarten is, she quickly replied "lunch!"  Last year they only ate snacks since she left at noon, but this year, she loves that I pack her a lunch each day.  I'm glad one of us loves that!

Mia started to school (2 day a week, Parent Morning Out program) on Tuesday.  I will be honest, I was terrified of how it would go.  Mia had a horrific experience at "school" last year; it was so bad, we pulled her out mid-year.  Unfortunately, when you mention "school" to her, she thinks of the bad experiences she had.  She would get upset, ask if the same kids would be there, say she doesn't want to go, etc.  Last Thursday was her "sneak-a-peek" as well.  As we walked in, she started crying and begging Ryan and me not to leave her.  She refused to talk to any of the adults.  I pulled the lead teacher aside at one point to explain what happened and let her know that this is not typical Mia.  I did not have very high hopes for the first few days.

On Tuesday morning though, we saw an answer to prayer.  Mia was excited and happy about going to school.  I made a sign for her like I did for Lily that said "First Day Of 3 Year Old PMO.  When I Grow Up, I Want To Be:" and Mia responded "A Real Superhero."  She also told me "You can call me Captain America then."

 She loves getting to carry her bag!  She is also very excited to see what I pack for lunch each day.  She has requested strawberries each day.

 When I picked her up on Tuesday afternoon, Mia was happy as can be.  She told me how much fun she had coloring, and she enjoyed watching Veggie Tales because it was too rainy for the playground.  She couldn't wait for Thursday to arrive so she could go back! 

I surprised Mia with a trip to a new yogurt shop to celebrate her first day back at school.  Ryan then surprised her later in the afternoon with a Daddy Daughter date to Chuck E Cheese.  Needless to say, Mia was quite happy about both of these treats!

I think this is going to be a great year for both girls!

Mia Melts My Heart

Mia made me melt the other day.  She found a little bunny sticker, and she brought it over to me.  She said "I'm giving this to you because you're the best mommy in the whole world."  I couldn't help but scoop her up for a big hug!