Graduating from Kindergarten mixes with the Terrible twos!

Hannah preceded to tell me that she was so excited that she was graduating from Kindergarten this year. I said well technically, you are just moving on up to First grade, but sure that is one way to look at it. I cant believe the end of the school year has come. Just yesterday it seems that she was getting on the bus and this mom was so nervous that Hannah wouldn't remember how to get to her class or what bus route she was riding, all the fears a mother goes through when their child starts school. We have been blessed that she has loved almost every minute, has made friends with almost every kid and has been the model student in her class according to her teacher. She can now read 3 or 4 letter words, does easy math problems and her writing is one of the best I have seen in a 5 turning 6 year old. I love how much she has learned at school, as well as hoping that they were some lessons in social etiquette as well. Also, Hannah has officially lost two of her teeth. She loves to twist the tooth when its ready to come out and then gets excited because it bleeds when she does it. :( 

The Toddler in our family, Abigail is fully in the terrible toddler stage! She now says words like Uh huh, buh bye, mommy, daddy, ball, peaz, dank you, baf, and especially NO as many times as she can of course. It is quite interesting to see the two girls similarities but mostly the differences. Abby is much more forthright in getting what she wants, and bouncing back quicker from things. She is also much more vocal and definitely HATES to be left alone. She has learned to get what she wants and remembers very well where an item is located and how to transport to get to the item aka the stool. We have learned that there is a need to close any doors to anywhere that we don't want her to be alone in since occasionally she will find something under the bathroom sink or in our bedroom that she finds interesting to play with :(  

Since September 2016 and the start of kindergarten, the holidays soon rushed in and out quickly leaving behind some fun memories and warm Indian summers. In the beginning of 2017, we had a bit of snow, Daniel celebrated his 34th, and Summer made its appearance, along with end of school and beginnings of hot summer days. Daniel continues his work at Duke as a Tech 3 and his calling as EQ president. It has been an interesting calling for him and one he will be ready to rest from when he is released. His Aunt recently found someone to spend the rest of her life with and over Memorial Day, we attended the happy union. All in all, life has been pretty well for us. The rest of the summer will hold some fun family times, as we are attending a reunion out west with my side of the family as well as celebrating both of our daughters birthdays before school starts again in the fall.


Well enough of my ramblings, here are some photos for your enjoyment :)

One year down, many more to go!

I realize that I have yet to be post since Abby was a month old. Now I understand why all of my sisters are so busy and have little time to do much of anything. Having more than one child is a true challenge. Since then lots has happened. Christmas came, we had fun spending time with family and Rachel coming for the holidays. 2015 came to a close and with that 2016 was here! Hannah is turning 5 this year which means my oldest is going to Kindergarten. Yikes! Cue the gray hairs! So onto this year, I asked Daniel what he wanted for his birthday in February. He said he wanted to spend time with us, and go to the beach. We decided on Myrtle beach. We also said a vacation with the kids isn't that much fun unless you have a babysitter so we invited Daniel's parents to come along.  We had a blast renting a 3 bedroom condo at a resort, swimming in their indoor pool and enjoying the less crowded Myrtle Beach. Yes, it was a perfect temperature of 65 and cloudy, despite the rain and cool air, we visited the Ripley's Aquarium, Broadway at the Beach and walked along the Boardwalk as well as the beach itself. March, April, and May passed quickly which meant the end of Preschool and Graduation for Hannah. She has thoroughly enjoyed the friends she made and the wonderful teachers there. Summer officially began and that meant hot weather and attempting the pool with a baby. Most days we enjoyed the pool with the Halls, other days we attempted story time at the library. Naps away from home somehow have eluded my spirited young child, and so needless to say, mommy has decided to become a hermit. :)  Just kidding. Just as soon as Abby has settled into sleeping at night and two naps a day, August begun and the start of Kindergarten. Now, I am lucky to get the girls to bed by 7:30pm and then mommy does a little happy dance! :) Hannah has also decided that riding the school bus is super fun because its bumpy. She also has the same teacher for Kindergarten that her cousin April had the previous year, as well as she has made lots of new friends. She has come home each day and loves to tell me the things she has learned at school. I have to admit., the first day of her riding the bus, once the bus left, I actually teared up. Why? I asked myself, well, Hannah is notorious for forgetting things and I was sure she was going to forget where her classroom was or that the bus ride experience would not go well. Thanks goodness I was wrong on either account. The teachers and staff at the school have been awesome as well as the bus driver. I can't be more grateful for the great experience and transition she has had to Kindergarten. What a blessing! As for Abby, her little personality has just blossomed before our little eyes. Around 4 months this little gal, decided to roll over, and began enjoying cereal. That meant we could began to sleep train! Within days, she was sleeping 10 hours at night, and sleeping on her tummy. Then, the true challenge came, teeth plus army crawling. I literally had to baby proof my house overnight. From there, she was into anything she could. Hannah's toys, etc. She was happy though! Now at 12 months, she is walking, jabbering all kinds of words that still make very little sense and being a normal toddler like screaming, and throwing all kinds of tantrums when she doesn't like something or gets in trouble. She still loves to watch and copy Hannah, and loves to eat whatever we put in front of her. Toddlerhood has definitely become my least favorite part of childhood. I love the milestones of sleeping at night, eating well, no more breastfeeding or formula, but I am ready for this fight for independence and not being able to communicate to be done. I have a bad feeling that the terrible 2's will not end with her when she turns 3. Lord help me! Otherwise life has pretty much settle to a new norm. Hannah enjoys school, Abby misses her playmate, and mommy enjoys having one child at home for a few hours at least :) Here is the plethora of pictures to sum up our fun!