Monday, October 21, 2013

Family Vacation (part four) Disneyland: Meeting the Princesses


One of the highlights of Disneyland was getting to meet the princesses. Of course, we have a family of little princesses so naturally we were very excited for this day. This was day three.

The lines to meet the princesses were long. We decided to do this first thing in the morning before the girls got to tired. We dressed up and even did a little make up. 

Here's a little picture of the girls in the hotel room ready to get out the door.


Molly was having a bad princess moment. Sad thing is I can't even remember what she was pouting about.





A quick stop to meet Chip 


And, another stop to meet Alice and Mad Hatter. Addison was not a huge fan of Mad Hatter.


Ariel


Cinderella 


A separate picture for Elley who was Cinderella herself. 


Sleeping Beauty. I love how Addison is holding her hand


Snow White.


The girls kept the dresses on for as long as they could. At lunch they had had enough. I don't blame them...they get itchy.

After lunch we went to meet Rapunzel and Flinn Ryder


I wanted Molly to ask Flinn Ryder what was in his satchel, but she wouldn't. :)


I love Elley's hands in this picture. It really was that exciting to meet all these princesses.



And that was our "princess day" which really was only half the day and we continued to meet more princesses later that day and the next day. It really was Heaven!!!

Monday, September 30, 2013

Molly and the Jet Ski


What can I say, parenthood is always an adventure! Just when you think your doing everything in your power to protect your kids, parenthood comes sneaking around the corner and gives you a kick in the butt...or in our case, a kick to the ground.

Our poor Molly was in a jet ski accident over the summer. 2 months ago
actually, just haven't gotten around to blogging about it. 

Our friends called one afternoon and asked if we'd like to head up to the lake later that night to play around on the beach and take the jet skis out. 

Um....yes, we'd love too!

Adam met us up there after he got off work. It was so much fun! We pulled the kids on the tubes, played in the sand, and just enjoyed a late summer night at the lake. That is until Molly decided to take a ride on a jet ski...by herself.

Molly was waiting for Adam to take her for a ride. Adam was standing right behind the jet ski on the beach literally stepping to get on. Molly grabbed the handle, bracing herself as Adam got on. She grabbed the right side handle with the throttle and took off right n front of us. The next 10 seconds of my life was probably the scariest of my life. (although, at the time I was to in shock to realize what I was feeling.) My 4 year old daughter was on a jet ski, full throttle, by herself, headed straight for a dock.

At the very last second, the jet ski turned to the right, throwing Molly off into the dock head first. She crashed probably 10-15 feet from shore. We all ran in after her. This all happened about 9pm when there were lots of people loading up their boats for the night. I wasn't focused on what other people were doing but I heard a lot of people asking to help and if she was okay. I even heard a few swear words, which may or may not have come out of Adam's mouth. When I got to her, she was already in Adam's arms. I looked down at my baby, covered in blood, and saw her skull. That's right, her gash was all the way down to her skull. We got her out of the water and jumped in the car. Our friends kept Addison and we sped down to the nearest hospital, which was at least 20 minutes away.

I drove and Adam held Molly and kept her talking. She was remembering and talking about things that happened that day and the bleeding had stopped. All 3 of us were still in our swimming suits...in fact, Molly and Adam still had their life jackets on. 

I dropped Adam and Molly off at the ER door and went and parked the car. By the time I got into the ER they had already taken her back and I did a little paperwork. UGH!!! All I wanted was to get back there with my Molly.

I finally got back there and Molly was on the bed getting looked at by the doctor. Her nurse was also there who was a tender mercy from the Lord. It was our neighbor and also Molly's best friend's mom. I could tell it was calming for Molly to see Victoria and for me too. Even though Molly would have been fine with whatever nurse was helping her, it just goes to show that Heavenly Father knows us and cares about us.

I was still freaking out a little thinking Molly was going to have a nasty scar and that she would need plastic surgery. How in the world would anyone stitch up that hole on her forehead? I mean come on, just look at the pictures. When I asked the doctor about it, he seemed very optimistic...I still didn't see it. Once she was all numb, the doctor just squished her forehead together and stitched it up. 

Molly was such a trooper. No really, A TROOPER!!! She never even cried except when she first hit the dock and screamed. Even the nurses kept saying that most adults weren't as good as Molly was being. A few times while the doctor was stitching her up she said ouch but about 5 minutes into the stitches she was fast asleep. 

We were in and out in about 2 hours. Our friends took Addison home and my friend Lindsey stayed with her until we got home. I don't think I really had a chance to think about that whole ordeal until I got into bed that night. I tossed and turned all night replaying the event and the horrible scene that played out right before my eyes. I was so glad she was okay and I kept rolling over to touch her face. (She was asleep on our floor right beside my bed)

In the few days following this accident, Molly was spoiled and loved by family and friends. She had countless visitors that came with treats and toys. She was so loved and I was so humbled at the love and support we felt from out friends and family. We truly are blessed with great people in our lives.

The following pictures are from the night of the accident. I would caution anyone who has a weak stomach not to scroll down. 

    





I told Molly I was going to take her picture and the cute little bug managed to smile a little. Those blue eyes just about kill me!!!



Looking at this picture, still I am amazed at the minimal scar she has. I bet, because she is so young, the scar will fade and fade until you have to look pretty darn close to see it.


And no, they didn't have to put her to sleep. She was so tired and wiped out from the day that she fell asleep while she was being stitched up.


This picture was the very next morning.


Our friend is a medical assistant and came over about 6 days later to take out her stitches.



This picture was about one month after the accident. I think the scar doesn't even look that noticeable. Maybe I'm just use to seeing it now. In any case, she has a cool story to tell. I'm just glad she is okay. 

Molly Goes to Preschool



First day of preschool...September 2013


My second born headed off to school this year, and she was so excited. She watched Elley go to school for 3 whole years, now it was her turn. Molly is not as social as Elley so I was anxious to see how she would do. She did great! She loves school and is always eager to tell me about her day...especially what helper she was. I'm excited for this school year to see what kind of academic growth she makes. Watch out kindergarten, Molly will see you next year.


I love her baby blues!! And check out that scar!! (A blog post is coming about that one!)

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Oh. My. Gosh. 1st Grade

Oh my little Elley Joyce! It seems appropriate to say, 

I can't believe you're in first grade.
or
It was just yesterday when I held you for the first time.
or
Where has time gone?

And although I feel all of those things, it also seems appropriate to say,

I can believe you're in first grade.
and
It was 6 1/2 years ago when I held you for the first time.
and 
Time is exactly how it should be.


3 weeks ago, Elley started her 1st grade year. She loves it, she loves her teacher, she loves her friends, and she likes  going to school all day. I love listening to her tell me about her adventures at school. On the playground, in the classroom, and at lunch. I can already tell she is just going to blossom this year....as I'm sure she'll do every year. She loves to read, write words, and do homework.

Here are a few shots on her first day of school.

Had to get one of Elley and mom. One last picture before I let me baby go. 


waiting outside her classroom






 photo shoot before we left for school


I drove her to school and walked her all the way to her classroom...I even went inside. I'm sure she "loved" that....I'm the crazy mom who follows her kid into the classroom while taking pictures of her every move.
 okay mom, one last picture....now leave!!!
No really mom, LEAVE!!!

She had a great first day. I may or may not have packed her way too much food for lunch. I just wanted to make sure she had enough. :)

When I picked her up, I imagined her coming out her classroom door, looking for me in the crowd of moms, spotting me, and running and jumping into my arms while telling me how much she missed me.

Not the case!!!

She slowly walk out of her classroom, didn't even look for me, finally I waved to get her attention, and she slowly walked in my direction. When she finally made it to me she say, 

"Hey mom."

That's it!!!

Oh well, its good to know she's independent. At least she knows I love her...and I know she loves me too.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Kindergarten

I thought, since Elley will be starting 1st grade on Tuesday, I should probably post something about the last day of school. Her kindergarten year has come and gone. I can't believe she will be at school all day long now. I think I'm gonna miss her, but I know she will enjoy every moment of 1st grade.

Kindergarten was so fun for her. She LOVED her teacher Mrs. Dahle and will surly miss her next year. She learned a lot and it was so fun to see her come home and practice all she learned at school. Some of the things she loved about kindergarten were,

* skills book
*music class
*tie dye shirts
*friends
*zoo field trip
*holiday parties
*centers
*recess


1st day and last day

Also, during the school year Elley was recognized twice for being such a good kid! In February she was awarded the citizenship award. 






And then in June, right before school got out, she got the music award for being such a great leader/example in that class. So proud of that girl and all she is....love her!!!



 Elley and her super duper BFF Makenzie. They are so sad that they aren't in the same class next year but I have a feeling that that won't stop them from being BFF's. :)

The kindergarten class put on an end of the year program. It was so cute and very well done. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little teary. My baby is growing up right before my eyes, which is exactly how its suppose to be!!!



Her "best" cousin Macey came to watch her performance. We love Miss Macey and so glad we live somewhat close to her!!! 



Super duper best friend picture again.


Here's Elley and her wonderful and  fantastic teacher Mrs. Dahle. I hope Molly is as lucky as Elley and get's her when she goes to school.



Last day of school picnic. This is Elley and some of her classmates/friends!

We will miss you kindergarten but excited for all the fun things to come in 1st grade.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Family Vacation (part three) California Adventure

On day two at Disneyland, we decided to go to California Adventure. Once again, the characters were their FAVORITE thing...especially Addison. 

As soon as we walked through the gate, Pluto was there just waiting to see us. Daddy went and waited in line for  fast passes for Radiator Springs Racers while we talked to Pluto. We got our fast passes the minute we walked into the park and our time to go ride the ride was at 8 o'clock that night. All I can say is it was worth the wait! I wish is wasn't such a popular ride, I would of gone on it 10 more times. The wait without the fast pass was 2 hours.

We also watched the Pixar Parade. We got great seats and enjoyed every moment of it. 

We went on every ride we could squeeze in including the Tower of Terror. I was surprised at how much the girls like it. I warned Molly and Elley that it was a scary ride but that everything was pretend. during the ride Molly leaned over to me and said, "mom, this isn't even scary!" Silly girl! She definitely is our daredevil. Elley on the other hand, she was nervous the whole time but still had fun.  





This is another one of my favorite pictures. I just loved how much she wanted everything to do with the characters.


Waiting for the Tower of Terror ride. Don't the girls look tired?


We LOVED having Grandpa and Nana there with us!!!


We love Mickey!


My cute little Elley!!! Aren't her nails cute?