Labor Day BBQ

The First Day of School 2013

First Day of Third Grade and Kindergarten!  

 

Dear Mrs. Bonica

Dear Mrs. Bonica,

The time has come for me to hand my littlest baby girl over to you.  It is not until just now that I have actually allowed myself to really think about what this means, because I can hardly bear it.   I just can't believe she's a kindergartener.

There is just so much that you should know about Aubrey.  Much more than I will be able to tell you, and much more than I would ever dare to.  You already know me, and her older sister, but I really want you to know her, as her own individual person.  This knowledge, of course, will come with time, and boy, are you in for a treat! 

If I could give you just a few tidbits of information, though, just a little preview of what's in store for you this year, I would tell you this:

Aubrey is smart.
She embraces her role as the baby of our house wholeheartedly, and sometimes this means she thinks she "can't" do something because she is "too little," or "too young," but the truth is she can!  She knows and can write her letters and numbers, and can identify beginning, middle, and ending sounds.  She can read short books, and has an innate number sense that we did not teach her.  She loves to count things, add them together, and subtract them too.  She is much more capable than she gives herself credit for.

She is very social.
She makes friends wherever she goes.  Whether it's in a dance class, at the park, or even the grocery store, other children are drawn to her, and she to them.  She has an easy way of striking up a conversation with other little people, and calling them "friends" before it's time to head home.  She's a talker, a laugher, and the life of the party.  People tend to just love her, and she loves them right back.  

She has impeccable comedic timing.
Aubrey loves to make other people laugh.  She just wants to have fun with life, and laughing is the best way she knows how to do this.  Whether she is making goofy faces, or perfectly timing her funny commentary on a particular topic, it is likely that at some point, you will have to turn away before you explode into fits of giggles.  Chances are though, that she'll see you turn, and she'll already be laughing with you.  

She has an incredible imagination.
Aubrey is a master at "pretend."  If you ever have a chance to watch her playing, when she thinks you're not...just sit back and observe for a moment.  Especially if she's alone.  The intricacies with which her elaborate imaginary world is created are a joy to witness.  Everything she plays has complex back story, and sometimes she becomes so immersed in her play that she really can't hear you when you speak to her.  She is creative, imaginative, and inventive, and it is an experience to see the world through her eyes.  

Though I have sent a child off to kindergarten before, it doesn't make this  transition any easier.  Last time it was my "first," my "oldest," this time it is my baby.  And though I am ecstatic for her and the experiences she will have this year, I am mourning the end of an era.  My baby goes to school now.  Which means, I guess, she's not really a baby anymore.  She's a kindergartener.  

So please take care of my girl.  Get to know her.  Teach her.  Love her.  Believe in her.  And every once in awhile....join her in her magical world.  She'll be there to greet you with open arms, a giggle, and a great big smile. 

Love,
Aubrey's mom

TAYLOR SWIFT!!!

Thanks to our friend Matt, who's got "connections," we were able to purchase tickets many months ago to take the girls the Taylor Swift concert.  Their love for her is immense, and when they received their tickets and boots surprise, they were floored.

Let's be honest...
As parents, we were hoping for a bit of a "re-do" for Camryn after her first concert experience two years ago went a little awry, and since Aubrey was old enough to go this time too, it seemed like a great "family experience." (AKA-I made Brian go with us.)

We arrived at the Rose Garden early, got a great parking spot, and enjoyed our dinner and some serious people watching.  We also checked out the arena while it was still relatively empty, got settled, found our friends, the Masons, and just basically checked everything out.  I think this helped ease Camryn's mind a bit in what is (let's be honest) a pretty overwhelming atmosphere.

Aubrey though, showed no signs of hesitation whatsoever.  She was ready to party from the moment we got there.  As we watched the opening act, Ed Sheeran, she kept *yelling* out (courtesy of her earplugs), "Who is that guy?  Why is he so sweaty?  Where's Taylor?  When is she gonna be here?"  She just couldn't wait.

When the show finally started, the girls did their fair share of dancing, singing, and generally rocking out.  They watched her closely, and had lots of commentary.  They even got to see Taylor's mom up close and personal when she walked right up into our section and plucked some screaming teenage girls out of the audience to come backstage. 

Although bummed that THEY didn't get chosen, they still sang all the words, smiled from ear to ear, and when it was all over, fell asleep immediately in the car.  Perfect proof of a great night!

The "Love Story" dress!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Surprise visit from the Moores!

About a month ago, I found out a special little tidbit of info...........

The Moores are moving back!!!!!  I knew they would be in town to do some house-hunting over Labor Day weekend, but I didn't tell the girls anything about any of it, because I didn't want to get their hopes up about seeing them.  I wasn't exactly sure where in town they were looking for a house, and whether or not they'd have time to squeeze a visit with us into their whirlwind trip, even if they were nearby.

So it was a SUPER BIG surprise when the girls' favorite former neighbors/long distance friends showed up at our door.  Camryn's jaw dropped, and she was rendered speechless, while Aubrey let out a squeal, and immediately hugged Chloe.  :)  There were lots of hugs, smiles, and laughs to go around.  And after just a few minutes of small talk, the four kids were running around as if it had been only 2 days instead of 2+ years since they had been together.  It does my heart good to see them together again.  :)

Meet the teachers!

We got to meet the girls' teachers last week, and drop off their supplies, check out the classrooms, etc.  Camryn is thrilled to have Mrs. Aust and Aubrey already loves Mrs. Bonica.  :)  It's going to be a great year!

Hillsboro Hops!

This weekend we FINALLY made it out to a Hillsboro Hops baseball game with the girls!  Being kind of a last minute thing, we had trouble finding four seats together, so we said "What the heck!" and purchased four of the "cheap seats" out on the grass in far left field.  It was actually a fun atmosphere, with lots of families with kids running around.  The girls had a blast, and didn't want to leave when it was time to go.  Next time, we will plan ahead a bit, and reserve some good seats to get a better view of the game.  Nothing better than a warm summer evening at the ballpark!  ;)

Checking out the stadium

How to eat peanuts in the shell...

Trying to find her "favorite player," Yogey Something-or-Other.  He tossed a ball back to a kid who accidentally dropped it over the fence during the game, and received huge cheers from the hill crowd.  Aubrey thought that was pretty cool.  :)