DOVE FAMILY

Parents go through so many milestones with their children from crawling, walking, talking, first days of school, driving, prom, graduation and more. I know its part of life and its just a cycle that we all go through. I know you remember that day you dropped your child off at their first day of school or daycare. That sad look in their eyes, the frown or even the scream that you heard as you walked away. How about that first day when they learn how to drive- are you prepared to get behind the wheel with them? Imagine the night of the prom when you know they are not coming home and will party all night....the things parents do to help their kids become more confident, independent and to become the best they can be.

Today marks Julia's 1st day at a real daycare center. Since she was 3 months old she has only been to an in home daycare and has only had 2 people watch her. This is a huge change for her. The first few weeks will be chaotic, schedules will be off, she will be sad, she will be confused as she slowly adjust to a new environment. Her & Matthew will be in the same daycare center. I know that in just a few weeks she will have the people and the daycare wrapped around her little finger and she will take over. They don't know whats coming yet!

BTW- I am not ready for their first day of at the BIG SCARY elementary school. I'm not ready for them to drive. I am not going to allow them to go to prom (I know...I know) and I am not ready for them to go off to college (college fund is still building).

God knows..I wasn't even prepared for her first day at dacyare today!



Ready to go to daycare this morning at 6:45 a.m.

Each year as the kids turn another year older we try and get a new picture of them to mark their special day. Julia's 2 year old pictures at a local photography company did not go so well. As did Matthew's 2nd year pictures a few years ago...so we did them at home. It turned out very nice and Julia did put up a fight but we were able to get a few shots. Julia likes to get her pictures done when "SHE" wants to get them done. She doens't like to be told to sit still and smile. It's usually only on her terms. Matthew is now at an age where he doesn's mind it so much and he will happily sit and smile-- for a few minutes and then he is done!

Saturday July 17th our family joined us to celebrate Julia's birthday for a pool & pizza party! So much fun was had swimming, playing and enjoying the sun. After the pool party we headed back to our house for some more good food, cake and presents of course! It was a great LONG day and the kids were wiped out that evening. Julia received some very cute gifts and she has
already played with the toys and wore some of her new outfits already!






Birthday Girl is all smiles at the pool!

Friday evening we had a little party for Julia after daycare and work. We had cupcakes and her requested dinner-- Chick-Fil-A! We also started preparing for her big pool party celebration!























My two silly monkeys singing Happy Birthday!

This past weeked we took Matthew & Julia to Build-A-Bear as part of Julia's birthday present. This is the first time we have been to this store so Matthew was so excited. Julia was a little taken back with all of the choices, bears, costumes-- as a girl usually is when she walks into any store with so much to choose from! Before walking into the store, Matthew new what he wanted immediatly. A panda bear with a Ninja costume- thats what he wanted and that is exactly what he picked out. He helped stuffed his panda, kissed and put a heart in it, gave it a bath and then picked out the ninja costume. Julia did give her bear a bath and picked out the outfit. They walked away from the store happily caring their new friends. They both slept with their bears last night....

So sad to say that my previous blog that had 2 years of stories, memories, pictures and fun has disappeared somewhere in the black hole of the internet. I have contacted many google & blogger employees and no one can help me. So this is the start of a nwe blog with new stories and pictures. We will have many more stories and pictures to share very soon...