Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Laney's First Day of Preschool





Ella has been in Kindergarten about a month now and although Laney has been Ella's biggest fan, she has missed her own school. Laney and I went to Meet the Teacher last week. Her teacher is Miss Carey and Laney is in the Monkey room this year. Last year she was upstairs in the church (in the Seal room) and Ella was also upstairs so Ella would walk Laney to her room. This year, Laney's room is downstairs and with the help of her teachers she will to the room by herself.....big girl!

When we went last week, one of Laney's friends from last year came up and gave her a big hug. Her mom asked, "Is this Laney Bug?" After saying yes, the mom went on to say that since Miss Kelley gave Laney that nickname last year, her daughter always refers to Laney as Laney Bug (a nickname we have adopted too....or sometimes I just call her Bug). I even labeled her lunch box Laney Bug. I wonder if this will be like the nickname "Pumpkin Pie" my mom used to call me and says every now and then (when I am good, I guess) :)



Laney has her first project to complete before next week. Since Ella has site words she needs to work on most nights, Laney has wanted to have her own homework---so this project was right up Laney's ally. After selecting which pictures she wanted, she decided where to put the pics and then drew some artwork on the side. The teacher also wanted a few facts about the kids (favorite show, book, color, etc). Can you read Laney's?:

Favorite Book: Berenstain Bears
Color: Green (ok, not really but that is what she said)
Food: PB&J
Activity: The slide, the swings & eating! Yes, she did say eating and since it was true I had to put it down, right? I think her teacher will appreciate the honesty



Before we left many neighbors were outside getting their kids on the bus.
Laney was excited to get hugs from Miss Jackie (they just love those Renniers)



Jonathan, Sam (aka Ella's crush), Ella & Laney

Align Center

Usually the teachers get the kids from their cars but today we walked Laney in.
She was so excited to go in the downstairs door and over the summer, the school got a lot of new outdoor equipment. I am sure I will hear all about that when she gets home today.





It's official, she's a Monkey!



Laney ran into the room and started playing with Mr. Potato Head.
Although I made her hug me goodbye (more for my sake than her's) she was ready to go play. She remembered a few friends from last year but was just excited to be at school.



I checked back on Laney in a few minutes and she was sitting down doing Playdoh with her buds. It's like she had been here a million times!



At least with the girls starting school on different days we got two cakes :)
And I promise I didn't eat the top left side...although it took all the resistance in the world to keep myself and Ella out if!

Here is to higher learning, Laney Bug. We love you!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Coxhall Gardens



We have not been to Coxhall Gardens for over 2 years but Ella remembers that place perfectly. It is an adorable little village with shops scaled down to kiddo height. From a bank, to the coffee shop, general store, and jail, it so cute!

Although the shadows were making it tough to get a great angle (it was 1 PM...um, the worst time to take outside pictures) Matthew was making it even tougher. He is definitely not feeling that great and although smiles when you play one on one with him, other than that, he is rather loud (aka, screaming or crying or trying to "talk"). I feel bad for him as I know he is in pain (awful, awful diaper rash) and have a feeling he is getting more teeth. Plus he is making any type of direction tough. By that I mean, I don't mind if he walks but he will veer off towards areas he shouldn't be (aka, the breakables or the plate section when at Hobby Lobby). He also pushes your hand away when you try and hold his hand to encourage one direction over another. He is a silly little man!



And she was off:



Looks a little bit different than the last time she was there :)



One of my favorite pictures of the girls :)
Ella was just 3 and Laney was 18 months



Little ladies talking girl talk



I wanted to spend some time with MJ to try and get some nice outdoor shots.
HA! This was the look he gave me most of the time.



Until he found the dirt, and then he was having a blast



And even gave me a few smiles



I just love this picture.
Girls will be girls.



Peek-a-boo







JP and me (what a cute rhyme)



So which one should be Jack and Laney's wedding invitation?



Give in Jack, I will catch you!



This one from 2 years ago?



Or this one?







The most pathetic jailbird



2 years ago, Laney with her friend Gabby



Now at 3 1/2 and such a big girl!



Always a cute couple





J always takes quick pics of me to check lighting. I thought this one was kinda cute??



Let's not make it 2 years before we are back here, ok?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

A crafty day

Although I am not a crafty person, our girls love crafts. I don't do much to inspire this other than "here is some paper and go to town", usually with crayons or paints. I wish I was naturally more into crafts but I "think" they enjoy the paint :)








Monday, August 30, 2010

Our new favorite toy

Inspired by the baby pool filled with rice at the Fishers Freedom Festival:





I like the rice in the tote vs. the baby pool because I just put the top on the tote and wheel it back into the garage. After a few times, I realized that putting a sheet underneath the tote was helpful in collecting the rice that spilled out during playing (or else the rice sits in our grass or on our driveway for a loooooong time).







Matthew in his new kicks









Yeah, he loves his sisters :)
And they love him too (except recently since he likes to steal their toys).
That is another post for another day