princess night out

A few weekends ago, I had the privelege of escorting Princess Gabriella to a "ball". :) It was at a local community program that offered this free night for girls ages 3-6. Gabi was a good sport and dressed up in one of her outfits (she can be very stubborn at times, especially when it comes to wearing a skirt/dress - Sunday's used to cut it for that type of clothing, but she went through a phase where it was a fight to do that - but I've corrected that, thankfully!)... and she participated if I was close at hand.
At first the girls played some games in the gym - Gabi was a bit young to do that on her own, but would have joined in more willingly if either of her brothers were also there to participate. Then we went into a separate room - where Princess Aurora suprised us with a visit! It was soooo cool! She was a great actress - she danced and treated the girls sooo special - she sang a song for the girls and read them Cinderella and then she met each one separately and sprinkled them each with pixie dust:Princess Aurora asked the girls a question, now I have to remember what it was - something along the lines of "how do you know you are a princess in your heart, not by the mirror, but in your heart?" and these little girls said things like "b/c Jesus is in my heart", "God is in my heart" - it was soooo cute and could be a great little testimony to this Princess!making a crown (Gabi's fine motor skills are fine at work here - she is quite advanced from my experience thus far)What a fabulous time! My Princess and I.
Gabi will be starting ballet at this same community school this weekend - should be interesting!

be still and know

At the beginning of October we went on a Church Retreat (remember we sold donuts for this event in the Spring?) - it was a fabulous weekend and filled with lots of warm sun! Jason and the boys brought up their bikes and used them quite a bit all weekend. I kicked myself for not grabbing my camera since this weekend would have allowed for some nice photos to be taken in the dry leaves...cute turkey, hey? this was a make/take session we could join if we wanted, so Gabi and I did:pinecone creations was another session available for kidsand while Elijah and Jason were on a lengthly hike, Sam participated in relays, which he just loved doing!Food was aplenty there - seemed we were always eating some sort of huge meal... it's really great and beautiful up there!

September Seventh

Also known as the "first day of school" around our parts... it was a good morning and everyone is psyched! Elijah started grade 2. Samuel and Gabriella were both starting their Music Class that morning so they were excited and thinking it was time to go too and even packed a snack to have while the other was in their class...
It's hard to believe Elijah is in Grade 2 already - wow. This was the first year I didn't cry or even tear up letting him go into the School Year!
Samuel is excited to get back to his second year of Orff Music - ready with his Binder and playing the Tick Tock Block
And Gabi started her first year in Orff. I knew it might be sketchy as whether or not she'd stay on her own, though mentally she was very prepared. And yes, as it was I wasn't able to leave her so Sam joined Gabi's class since he of course, was with me with no where to go...Erin is in Gabi's class too, but that didn't make a difference for herWhen the second class came (they each go 1/week for 50min.) Gabi was going to be brave (all in her head again) - but in reality started to freak out when it was time to go in... I knew she was capable, so I had to say 'you're going in or else' and she did... now she's been to about 5 classes and she is so brave and wants me to go home during the class not just for a walk with Sam. Very cute. And I am thankful!