Bella is Three!

And now we'll share pictures from Annabelle's 3rd birthday. It was her second day of school.

Bella and Isabella at recess
Our neighbor and one of Bella's best friends, Kristin
Bella in line, headed outside

After school, Bella told me that Daddy brought cupcakes and everybody got chocolate all over and Daddy took pictures before Ms. Laura gave everyone wipes to clean up. I love hearing the kids tell me about their day! Here's the pictorial evidence:

Jackson with a chocolate cupcake face
Hallie with chocolate cupcake hands

Daddy was post-call on Bella's birthday so he could come home and celebrate with her. On the way home, he stopped by her school to bring her class cupcakes for snack, and he stayed for circle time and recess.

Isabela in the reading corner
Bella reading after snack time
Addie at circle time
Violet and Alex during circle time

On Bella's birthday morning, I did my best to wake Bella up for school pleasantly. I gave her a backrub and sang her good-morning songs and we even danced to "shake the sleepies out." Eventually we just had to get up and get ready for school, which she protested long enough that she didn't have time to eat breakfast. I couldn't send her to school with no breakfast on her birthday, so we sat on the steps in front of the school while she ate her banana after we dropped Gabi and the neighbors off.

The birthday breakfast: a banana
Bella's only birthday requests were cupcakes and bananas

That evening, we had a family celebration at dinner and opened Bella's presents from us. We gave her red curtains and a tension rod to hang up in the entryway to the living room to use as a stage for the "shows" she and Gabi like to put on for us. Lolo and Lola gave her a microphone, which completed the set.

Gabi introducing Bella "on stage"
Bella singing in front of her new "stage curtains"

Bella's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Bella's birthday with a party at River City Gym, where she takes gymnastics. The kids (and dads) had a blast!

Happy birthday, dear Bella!
Blow out the candles!
Gabi and Dalia eating cupcakes
The party kids
Trampoline time
Josie jumping on the trampoline
Betsy's turn on the trampoline
The kids in line, waiting to jump
Josie climbing the rope up the pirate ship
Kristin on the obstacle course
Betsy's sister, Charlotte, on the obstacle course
Violet tossing a hula-hoop
3-yr-olds are not the best at listening to a list of instructions...
You'd better watch out, or Bella will give you her evil-eye!
Bella jumping down the tumble track
Charlotte in the pit with her dad, Tim
Daddy took Katarina in the pit, too.
Gabi diving in
Foam block fight!
Wesley, tossing - and dodging - foam blocks
Zaina joining in the foam block toss
Daddy decided foam blocks weren't enough amunition,
so he started throwing kids!

The spirited foam block fight generated so much laughter, I would have pegged it as easily the top activity of the day; however, after the party, Bella told me her favorite parts were wearing her princess crown and...

handing Zaina blue blocks to line up.
Lolo holding Katarina
Bella opened her presents at home after a nap.
Uncle George visited us from Houston for the weekend!
He took pictures at the party, and he brought her a soccer ball.
We love you, Bella-Boo!

First Day of School

Gabi's 1st Day of Kindergarten
Gabi started Kindergarten last Thursday. I was up with the baby most of the night, so Michael got up with Gabi at 6:30 to give me an extra half-hour of rest. Gabi selected her Notre Dame shirt for the first day; that's our daughter!

Last week during quiet time, Gabi and I cut out pictures of healthy foods from the circulars. We talked about food groups, and Gabi glued the pictures on a chart. In the mornings, Gabi helps pack her lunch, making sure there is at least one item from each food group. This has been a fun activity for her.

Bella was also very excited for Gabi's first day of Kindergarten, so she jumped in a picture in front of the school.

Kindergarten Orientation
The day before school started, we went to a Kindergarten Orientation, with popsicles on the playground (in the very humid heat).

Gabi met her new teacher, Ms. Meredith.

Check out Gabi's new classroom - with lockers!

PreK-3 Orientation
Last Friday, Bella had a popsicle party one the playground to meet her teacher and classmates. Bella is in Ms. Laura's class, just like Gabi was two years ago. We love Ms. Laura!

Bella also had a chance to explore her new classroom.

Bella's 1st Day of PreK-3
Today was Annabelle's first day at the big-kid school! What a big day! She has been so excited, and it was a very fun morning.

Bella with her classmates Addie, Izzy, and Violet: