Lera is 3!

My sweet, spunky, feisty little girl turned three last week.  Lera is such a fun person to have around, we often forget how little she is.

Three is a hard age to be.  Emotions and opinions are strong.  The lows are very low, but the highs are very high, and therefore, completely worth it.



Lera is full of energy and is in a constant state of motion.  She is the most difficult child to photograph.  When I take her picture, I usually ask her, "Can you please be still and look at me at the same time?"  It's a rare occurance.



She is very sweet and good at sharing.  This is in her nature.  She almost always shares snacks and toys and anything else she has with Chess without being asked.  Lera is a giver.



Lera is extremely clumsy, and also extremely tough.  Those two things go well together.  She falls all the time, and basically just bounces back.  If she starts crying, I know she really got hurt.



We love our Lera so much!  Happy Birthday!

Fall Farm Fun

We went to a new farm this year after one of Chess's soccer games.  We had a fun time!




This is how pictures with me often seem to go.


Smiling happily for a picture with Daddy.
















Look at this little newborn!  I had to reach through the fence to touch him.






I love this picture of Lera.  She's so proud of herself for getting up there - she loved jumping in.




Watching the cows eat.





We would definitely go back there again.  It's called Warbington Farm, if anyone's curious.

Atlanta Children's Museum

We went to Imagine It for a joy school field trip.  Lera stayed with my mom, so Chess and I had a good time exploring and playing.


the moon sand table


Chess's painting (it's a cute, blue person with big hair)


painting with Hailey


playing in the water area


tractor


milking the cow


our little class (minus one)

Last Day at Six Flags

We had a great season at Six Flags.  I think we went about 6 or 7 times.  I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, but I did.  We only stayed a few hours each time we went with the kids so that they wouldn't get overly tired.  There are lots of kids' rides, so we all had a blast.


Chess enjoyed this one.


Lera chose to sit it out.




Snack time on Daddy.




Chess and Taz



Thanks for a fun time, Six Flags!

Teaching Joy School

I loved my first week teaching Joy School!  Lera got right in there, and did all the stuff the other kids did.  Everyone was well-behaved and seemed to have fun.


We learned about insects - here are the kids holding their letter "I's" that look like bumble bees.


We also talked about the author Eric Carle because a lot of his books are about insects.  We made "Very Hungry Caterpillars."


I tried to get creative with the snacks, but most of the kids weren't into it.  They just wanted to eat!

We have really enjoyed being a part of this preschool co-op experience, and are looking forward to the rest of the year.

Grandma's Softball Game

Jared's mom plays on a traveling softball team and they recently played in Dalton, GA.  We got to go see her play!


The girls decorated some signs to cheer for Grandma.


Chess was so excited to see Grandma!


She played great!


Up to bat.


Spending some time with Grandpa.


Lera wandered around awhile and found a friend.


Grandpa's taking a little rest while Chess talks with Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Trevor.


After the game.


We had a great time!

Wordless Wednesday

Joy School

Along with starting soccer this month, Chess has also started joy school.  It is a little preschool co-op that five other moms and I participate in.  It is Chess's first school experience, and she was beyond ready!  We only do it twice a week, for a few hours, and we rotate houses each week.  Chess LOVES it!  She always asks what day she has school and wants to go to her friends' houses as much as possible.  

These pictures are from her first day of school.

 

These are from her second day.  She's wearing the preschool shirt the kids made.

It has been easy adjusting to her being gone a couple of times a week.  Lera and I go shopping, play, and do whatever else needs to be done.  She loves the time alone!  Even though she loves playing with Chess, she gets really excited to have the toys all to herself and do what she wants with them.

I am trying to savor this year, because next year Chess will be in kindergarten all day long.  I am dreading it, but I know she will do great.  My little social butterfly.  She loves school.