Better late than never

I am not big on new year's resolutions, but one of my goals for 2009 is to get caught up on my blog and to keep it updated. So, I will be adding pictures from the past several months. These are from our trip up North in JULY!
The girls really enjoyed the trampoline at their "boy cousin's" house. Samantha mostly liked to watch the others from the security of her cousin Kayla's arms.























We also had a great time visiting the beach at Lake Antione which is just down the road from the Larson's home. The girls were twice as safe with their tubes and life preservers.




























Natasha was perfectly content to sit in her little chair, but was happy to be held as well (by Aunt Sherri, here)















































The Herrmann - Ferguson clan








The cousins.










After our visit at the Larson's, we headed to Nevins Lake for a quick visit with Grandpa Al and Sara. We, of course, had to take the traditional do-rag photo on the deck.

Too Busy

As I mentioned previously, kindergraten started with a week of half days. This realy helped the kids to adjust to the new routine, and gave the teachers an opportunity to hold conferences with the parents in the afternoon. I had signed up for the first slot after school on the second day to get it done with. There really wasn't enough time for us to drive home, eat lunch, and come back, so I decided to pack a picnic lunch for the girls and myself, which we then ate on the school lawn.

As we sat there eating, a bus pulled up, a single kindergartener climbed aboard, and off they went. When Priscilla saw this she remarked "Oh, her mom must be too busy." This comment really struck me at the time and has continued to impact my thinking since. Now, I am not judging people who send thier little ones on the bus, I would if could. I don't know if her mom has to work, or if this little girl just likes to ride the bus, or anything about their situation. However, what I got out of this moment is that my daughter know that I am not too busy for her.

We make so many sacrifices for our children. There are times that I think we would be in a totally different world financially if I did work a little more often. Sometimes it can be challenging to be a stay-at-home mom, for various reasons. However, this moment with my little girl has completely validated me. I realized that all of the little things that I do for my child, whether it be carefully choosing her school even if it means driving her there every day, cutting sandwiches into heart shapes (shameful, I know, but it makes her eat more ;), or just playing with her, sends her the message that she takes high priority in my life.

First Day of Kindergarten

I had to release my baby into the cold, cruel world of elementary school. Hopefully it will treat her well. We woke up bright and early, and set out with a princess backpack and Hello Kitty sandals. It wasn't as traumatic for me as I had anticipated, due to our preschool experience - the first week of kindergarten here consists of half days. Unfortunately, all of the schools here in Lansing have all-day kindergarten, so the second week was a little more heartbreaking. I realized that someone else now has my daughter for the greater part of the day! Priscilla, however, has been handling the change beautifully.

Poor Natasha is now spending more of her time than even in the carseat. For a while she was taking all of her naps in there and I was afraid she might not sleep in a crib again!

Priscilla with her teacher, Mrs. Gorbe.

Daddy's girls

These girls sure love their daddy, and they love going to his softball games. They really don't pay much attention to the game once we get there, though, because there is a nearby playground that they find much more interesting. They also cheer for the wrong team and applaud almost any play during the time they actually ARE watching, so taking them away from the field does gain appeal the longer we are there....

The trip up North

Well, we survived the trip to Aunt Connie and Uncle Eric's. The girls all did really well on the ride up, which is saying something since it is a seven hour drive to their house in the U.P. The ride home was a different story ;) We stopped at a roadside park just after crossing the Mackinaw bridge to take a rest. I really wonder what people did before portable DVD players...

Natasha really traveled well on the way there. The trip back was another story :)

Scenic overlook along Lake Michigan

Ready for Niagara

I'm not sure what possesed Jeff or Natasha in this case

Eight months old

Natasha is growing so fast. She is such a happy, fun-loving little girl :)