Birthday Girl

My baby girl is four years old today.  How in the world is that possible?  I know I say that every year, and probably will say it every year in the future, but seriously, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?  I cannot picture our lives without her silliness and giggles, determination, and kindness and concern for others.

So who is Maggie Allyson at 4?

She loves dress-up, PINK, Disney princesses, and being mommy to her kitties and puppies.

Her favorite foods are pancakes, pepperonis, "little Bobs," and, like her mommy, has a dangerously strong sweet tooth.

She insists on painting her fingernails and toenails by herself, and can spend a large chunk of time coloring as long as her little brother doesn't come and invade her space.

Although a girly girl, she still claims to love watching football with Daddy and playing basketball in our driveway.

She continues to gain confidence in new social situations.

She has a thirst for knowledge, loves to discover "why," and has a curiosity for how things are spelled.

She's still gets frustrated with her active toddler brother, but when separated for any period of time, will greet him with a squeal and affectionate headlock.

She loves to dance and sing and be silly.

She needs her mommy to cuddle her when she's hurt and scratch her back while she falls asleep.

And she gives encouragement and compliments like no other.

I really could go on and on about the many facets of my girl, but I'll leave you with some pictures from her friend birthday party on Saturday.  She requested pink and kitties. (I apologize for the photo quality...bad lighting at 10 am, I guess.)

"MEOW"

Steve got video of the girls making their masks and doing games (hunting for mice - aka Hershey kisses and eating like a kitty), but I don't have any still shots.

Party favors.

 Today, we celebrated with our family by going to Chuck E Cheese and Cherry Berry.

A necklace from Bode

And a princess castle!

First Day of School

These past couple weeks have been full of new activities and adjusting to our school year routine.  Steve is in full swing with football, school, etc.  I am getting used to the juggling of motherhood, teaching, helping with Junior High youth group, and Moms in Step.  Bode is...doing what Bode does.

And Maggie has started up again with dance, Cubbies, Sunday School, and...preschool!

 This girl has been looking forward to school for quite some time.

After a breakfast of homemade pancakes, she was ready to go.

Backpack - check.  New leggings - check.  New purple headband - check.

She's getting so big.

Ever the goofball.

Love her.

I made Bode stay inside with our babysitter while I took some pictures of Maggie alone.  Then he was ready for his turn.

Bode thought Maggie should have to go inside while I took pictures of just him.

His turn will come all too soon.

After three days, she's still loving it!  And it didn't even phase her that I thought Wednesday's class went a half hour later than it did.  Oops!  Good thing I answered my phone and her school is just a block away.

The End of Summer

The house is (mostly) clean, my freshly-bathed babes are nodding off in their bed (well, Maggie is in our bed) after their s’more sugar-high around the bonfire, and my work computer is charging in anticipation of the first day of school tomorrow.  Steve has pretty much been back at the daily grind since the beginning of August with hiring staff, football, etc. etc. and I had on-site staff training that I drove an hour to and from Monday through Wednesday of last week (thanks to Steve’s parents for staying here with Maggie and Bode – they were amazing help!), but tomorrow starts our first days with students and the beginning of the normal routine. 

Learning about our new phones at inservice.

Bode helped me help out at a cross country meet Thursday.

To end our summer/start the fall, Steve had his first football game of the season on Friday (yes, he’s back to coaching after a brutal one-year hiatus), and my summer running culminated with a half marathon that I was able to participate in with my mom.  After my full marathon last October, I wanted to have something to work towards again this summer, but to be able to complete it before the busyness and stresses of the new school year started up.  I found the Women Rock half marathon in St. Paul on August 31st and persuaded my mom to sign up as well.  I was working on my sister, but no luck there.  Maybe we’ll try to ease her in with a 5k one of these days.   I’m so proud of my mom, and it was fun to have that memory to share together. 

 

We ended our time together on Saturday by joining up with Stephen, Annie, and Grey to celebrate Aimee’s and Steve’s early September birthdays at the Olive Garden.

 

Maggie and Bode love their cousin, and can't get close enough.

Just chilling on Sunday at home.

These kids.  They are strange. And cute.

Being Labor Day today, we checked the last activity off of our summer list since, in my mind, it was the last official day of summer.  Bowling! 

 

 

It was Maggie’s and Bode’s first time, and I believe they enjoyed themselves…that is, until the end when Maggie figured out she hadn’t won.  That girl doesn’t have a chance as the oldest child of Steve's and mine – competitiveness and perfectionism is in her blood.  We once again explained that we congratulate the other participants, and that we still have fun no matter if we win or not.  Just now, as I sat here typing in Bode’s room, I heard her reciting our reminders to Steve, “Mommy didn’t win her race and Grammy didn’t either, but they still had fun.  The other football team (that played Stewartville on Friday) didn’t win, but they still had fun.  One time when we played Duck, Duck, Grey Duck, I didn’t win, but I still had fun...”  I hope it sinks in one of these days. 

Marking off the last item on our summer list.  We edited as needed, but did complete 100 summer activities.

For the most part, I am now done mourning the end of summer, and ready for the routine of fall, and for the cooler temps, sweaters and boots(!), everything pumpkin, football, autumn colors, and the start of new activities.  Oh, and tomorrow is Steve’s birthday.  What fun! :)