Rounding out summer...

A summary of our family the last couple of weeks…

Emi and her teacher Ms. Chris at an ice cream social today at church…. we're glad to see it's not only at home where she doesn't stop talking to eat

 Louisa pulling buddy Emily out of her car...

 While Emi gleefully accepts a ride from Caleb in her car!

 Cora on the "big beam"in her new advanced gymnastics class "Superstars"

 Carrying a GOB of ice cream for a special treat after school…. and having the will power to not take one lick before we got home!

 Greg showing his prize cookies from work

 Sweet shot, we walked into the den to find Finn sitting next to Emi on couch and her gladly reading to him!

 Working on our first "Family project" for preschool

 Cora diligently doing her 30 minutes of reading each night, which her teacher assigns rather than homework right now

Emi showing off her tutu and twinkle toe shoes…. yes she dressed herself today!

 What happens when you ask your 3 year old to take your picture (martini Wednesday, celebrating the start of school!)

Happy 18 months, Louisa!

She's quite a ham… wearing big sister's shoes whenever she can :) Louisa is increasingly more independent and her personality is really coming out. School's going well and she isn't bugging big sisters TOO much!

It's true, we really do live in Mayberry!

Yay Collierville! We won the title "America's Best Main Street" by Parade magazine :) Our town square continues to charm us and we are proud to see that we are not alone!

the REAL start of school!

All smiles, no tears… here's to many, many great school years!

Cora and Anna Grace found each other in the hallway and noticed they had the same dress on and immediately grabbed hands and walked all the way to their classroom by themselves

Before attacking the traditional "first day of school chocolate chip cookie" later that day...

Kindergarten "trial" day

Cora started Kindergarten today! It was a full day and she shared it with 1/3 of her class, just to get used to the schedule, etc. She didn't bat an eye as she joined her classmates and I had to nudge her to say goodbye… I had to wipe a few tears away myself! 

Here's a new tradition we've adopted (thanks for the idea, Jodi!) and we will track how favorites change throughout the years… and height changes compared to the red phone! 

Just Cora and Mom day

While Emi and Louisa attended their first day of preschool today, Cora and I had a day FULL of fun! We realized that this really was the last time we would have such an opportunity, so we took advantage of this special time. 

 Cora's list of things to do…

We started with donuts, of course, eaten IN at Sam's Donuts. Next, we did a bit of shopping (and bought Emi sparkly shoes and Daddy a few new ties for work). 

We stopped by Paint a Piece to express our creative side… 

We joined Daddy for lunch at a Sushi-go-Round! 

 She even ate her edemame with chopsticks :) 

Next stop? Manicures and pedicures!!!

This was Cora's first time to experience such pampering and she loved it!  

Finally, a frosty at Wendy's

What a great day :) 

Emi and Louisa start Preschool!

This week the girls go just once, in a staggered visitation. Louisa has the same teachers as Emi when she started in the toddler room. Emi's excited to rejoin her friends from last year in the 3 year old room! 

 Packed and ready to go! 

 Cora got to help drop off today (and even got to see her teachers from last year)

 Happy faces after school -- they apparently had a great day!

Strolling to the car, looking forward to next week :)