In The Blink of an Eye....

I have to admit, I never really listened to my more experienced mommy friends tell me "Enjoy these times. Before you know it, they will be off to school." I was too caught up in screaming babies, whining toddlers, and a never ending pile of laundry. The screaming, whining, and laundry is still around, but today it hit me like a ton of bricks. I don't have babies anymore. Kenna and I attended a birthday party for our friend Allison who turned 5. Just Kenna and I went because Bella has been sick. I watched Kenna pick out her princess clothes, sit still, and follow directions. I remember a time when I was nervous taking her to a birthday party because I was afraid she would eat off her neighbor's plate, and stick her finger in their drink.

I'm not saying she no longer has the 2 year old meltdowns. (don't we all?) It just seems all at once she has turned into this wonderfully sweet little girl with all traces of baby completely gone. *sigh* It is bittersweet.

With that said, I have to share some of the funnier things she has said and done lately:

• She drags at least 2 baby dolls everywhere we go plus a purse. She calls her babies 'the kids'. She says things like, "Mom, the kids are cold." and "My kids need their window down."
• Since we moved to the country, we smells skunks alot when we are driving. Now, anything she smells that is stinky she tells us, "I smell a stunk." (not a skunk, a stunk)
• Last week, we made snickerdoodle cookies for Bella's school. She calls them "stickerdoodle doos".
• Once she told me she didn't think a certain show on TV was "age appropriate" for her baby.
• She will tell you her birthday is December 12th. She can count to 12 and knows all her colors. Her favorite color is pink. When pink is not available, a darker shade of pink will do.
• After she got the flu mist vaccine at the doctor's office, she announced to a very crowded restaurant that she had the flu. The announcement came with a song and a dance.
  
  
  
  

Bella is loving Kindergarten. She talks all about her new friends, and what they do each day. So far, we are really happy with her Elementary school. She is fighting a bad sounding cough right now. She was out 2 days of school last week with fever and congestion. This is another point that I should have listened to my friends about. I thought I would be so excited to have a break with her being at school all day. Instead, I feel sad for her that she has to be gone for such a long school day. You can see in her eyes how tired she is by the middle of the week. Some of the kids are already turning 6 and Bella is just barely 5. I hope she will adjust to the routine soon.

Waiting for the bus.

First day of dance class.

The girl's pumpkins we carved Saturday.

Happy Birthday Granny!

Super Birthday

We attended our friend Nathan's Superhero party today, complete with a visit from Batman and Captain America. After one of Kellie's kids parties, I always feel like we should send her a thank you note.

The superhero team.

Kenna giving Batman a Hi-5.

Look out people, she may fly.

Kellie made capes for each of Nathan's guests.

Of course we had to pose for a few shots before the party started.

The Ongoing Drama of the Tessman Family

I have been a terrible blogger, and I have an excuse. My less than 2 year old hp laptop had a "screen issue" and had to go to the repair shop. The guy that fixed it (who by the way looks like the lead singer from the Zac Brown Band) basically said never buy another hp laptop. Anyway, I am back in business, and here is the latest chapter in the saga of our lives.

Kenna had a very big day today. She started her first dance class. After watching Bella go for two years, I figured she would skip into class. She was a little shy at first, and held onto my leg. It only took about 5 minutes for her to warm up and I backed out of the room. This was her first ever experience at being away from me for an organized activity for any length of time. I hope this will help ease her into preschool next year. She will have a recital dance in May. Can't wait!

We are also back on track with the pottey training thing. We bought a singing pottey, which to me is about the most ridiculous thing ever. It has a little sensor in the bottom, and when she does her thing, it plays a song. She thinks it's fabulous and so far is doing great. She totally has the hang of it, and for months has been going on the big pottey pretty much when she feels like it. So, it's just a matter of remembering to do it all the time.

The girls in their sweet little matching puppy dog night shirts.

Bella with one of her birthday gift favorites. She is doing quite well with school, and slowly working through the extreme tiredness. She wanted to try out the bus, and she loves it. It stops right in front of our driveway to pick her up and drop her off. Her bus driver is super sweet, and told me today that Bella is so good on the bus. (of course) She starts her dance class next Monday. It will be ballet and tap.

Kenna playing in the backyard.

The girls and William.

I know I already put a picture of Bella's newly painted room, but this is her new zebra bedding we bought with her birthday money from Granny, Papa and Uncle Charles. We are going to paint Kenna's room sometime this fall. She has specifically asked for pink.

Sweet Winnie. We love this baby.

First Day of School

Bella started Kindergarten today! Her teacher's name is Mrs. Anderson, and she seems very sweet. Bella was so excited this morning. She walked right in and sat down to color. We can't wait to hear all about her day this afternoon.

7 Little Divas

I have to warn everyone there is some serious cuteness in these pictures. Bella had a birthday party today at Little Diva. Little Diva is a frilly pink place that dresses up the girls, does their hair, and has a stage they can perform on. I will have to just let the pictures speak for themselves.

This is Bella's salon chair she picked out for her birthday. We have had our hair styled over and over this weekend. Happy 5th Birthday sweet Bella!!

Children's Museum & Winnie's New Do

Winnie had her hair cut today, and they made her the two cutest little collar bows. When we picked her up Kenna said "I wish I was a dog, so I could have bows like Winnie."

While Winnie was getting beautiful, we visited the Woodlands Children's Museum with our old friends from Western Pass, Allie & Ashley. They moved to the Woodlands in 2009, and we were so sad to see them go. After we moved to Montgomery, I did the google map between their new house and ours and found out we were now only 20 minutes apart! So, we have swam together and had a few playdates this summer. Allie and Ashley are very close in age to Bella and Kenna, and they all get along very well. Somehow I did not get any pictures of Ashley at the museum today. She is busy like Kenna and was on the move most of the time.

Kenna driving at the museum.

Allie and Bella doing art work.

Kenna was looking for the fish. She proudly announced that she likes to catch those with her Grandpa.