Susanna's First Trip to the Dentist

Susanna is such a big girl!  She was so excited to go to her first dentist visit!

What do you with your mouth at the dentist?

Our sweet hygienist showing Sus how the "tooth tickler" works! 

And how "Mr. Thirsty" works!

Counting teeth....

Polishing...

All clean!

Dr. Brad checking things out...

Great job!

School is starting again!

I can't even believe it... where did the summer go?  Truly!  

Madeline started THIRD grade last week - Are you kidding me - third grade?  Surely not ... but yes, it's true!  She is our big 8 year old and so excited for school.   

She has a super energetic, amazing teacher, Ms. Osias.  Madeline comes home each day with some awesome stories about how Ms. Osias taught them that day - from talking with English and French accents to standing on her head to 

review the class rules!

This super wiggly top front tooth that's dangling lower than the others is 

just on the verge of falling out...

The evening of the third day of school, she lost it!  This makes a total of 3 lost teeth!  The Tooth Fairy was generous with $2 for that top front tooth!  She's been singing "All I want for ____ is my two front teeth!" Filling in the blank with various holidays!

And today, our little big boy started kindergarten.  I can't even believe it!  My adorable little baby boy is not even a tad bit like a baby anymore!  

He was so ready to start school asking for days when he was going to get to go!  

Here's Mr. Bernie, the security guard at the front door.  He worked here when Madeline went to kindergarten, too.  It's so fun to see him again!  

He learns all the kids' names and offers a comforting, warm welcome every day!

We found his bear with his name on it!

His cubby...

Hanging up his backpack...

His patient and loving teacher, Mrs. Ward....

And he's off playing Legos and ready to start the day!

We are so proud of our precious boy!

Susanna will start preschool in September, we hope!  The word on the street is that Special Kids is starting a two morning per week preschool class for 3-6 year olds!  This would be amazing - we cannot sing enough praises about Special Kids!  Hopefully we'll have her first day pictures in about a month!

Happy Birthday, Susanna!

Last Tuesday, June 25, Susanna turned 3!  I can't believe my sweet baby girl is three years old already!!!!!  I know I always say this, but HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN SO FAST?!!!!

It really seems like a minute ago that she was born or learning to crawl or starting to talk.
 Now, she is a full fledged kid, no baby in her anymore!  

I treasure the times she says to me, "I'm not big, I'm still little!"

Here are some shots from her special day!

She got a wooden rocking chair!

Her birthday streamers!

All the kids the morning of her bday!

Our niece Sabrina is visiting for a couple weeks!  We were so happy to get to celebrate with her, too!!!

Not only is this Susanna's third birthday, but it's also her last day at Special Kids!  Boo Hoo big time!!!!!  We have loved this school and all the teachers for over 6 years!

Ms. Linda has taught all of our kids when they were 1 1/2- 3 years old!  We just love her.  Good thing she babysits for us - couldn't bear to say goodbye!

Cupcakes at home after a birthday dinner!

Happy, happy day!!!!

Beach Vacation

We got to go to the beach with Tim's family the week before last!  

We had a really great time .... lots of relaxing, playing games and hanging out!

Unfortunately, Mark, Kathy, Dacee and Ryen weren't able to come to the beach this year.  We did get to have lunch together at the "Back Porch" in Panama City Beach!  

It was great to see them and hang out for a bit! The kids have grown so much and were doing all kinds of new things!

The pool was super fun... 

Steven, Vadessa, Lauren Ashley and Parker introduced us to Geocaching!  It is so fun to hunt for these hidden treasures.  On this day, we hunted for one in a nearby state park.

It was hidden near the ground inside this tree, covered with some moss and driftwood!

Hanging out at the house...

Nonna and Susanna sharing the same toenail color!

Lauren Ashley entertained us with her guitar playing and singing.  She really is so talented.  It's so touching to listen to her and watch her do something she loves so much! What an amazing young woman she is becoming!

Uncle Tim being so silly - I just love the big smile on her face!

Parker and Eli learned how to play chess and actually played a few matches!  Pretty fun to learn something new.... Parker is pretty sly and caught on so fast! 

Cool new looks for nails!

At the beach...

There is just something about the beach... 

where else is God's majesty so great and profound and "in your face?"

The kids have turned into little fish. I loved watching them have so much fun in the water.  It's so encouraging after many years of someone not wanting to get in or put his/her head underwater... I need to remember that when I get frustrated thinking we will be stuck in a certain phase forever!

It's wonderful to see them enjoy this massive gift we've been given to explore and play in...

We celebrated Susanna's upcoming 3rd birthday, too!  

Lots of fun... can't wait to go back!