Sister sister

I have been trying to go through all my pictures and make yearly books for our family and got caught up looking at all the pictures of my girls together. I have a separate folder on the computer specifically named "Emily and Allyson".  I love looking back at their short (almost) 3 years together. They really love each other and I really hope it stays that way.

 

They aren't sorted so they are all ages but they're fun to look at.

3 months

Time seems to be flying by.

Ben is 3 months old today. He is really starting to look less like any ol' newborn, to becoming himself. It's fun seeing his little features come out.

 

3 months

 2 months

 

I love this picture. This was at Disneyland last weekend. You can tell he is going to have a little dimple.

 

And I took this this morning. What a big boy sitting up in his Bumbo!

 

Preschool Open House

Last night was Emily's Preschool Open House.
We weren't really sure if we were going to put her in preschool last year, as they can be pretty expensive but I found this one that I really like. It's actually an ROP class for high school students. There are two directors and the high school students take the class and learn how to lesson plan, work with the kids and it is good for both ages of kids. And it was also the cheapest we had seen for Monday-Thursday. Emily really loved going and was able to work closely with three different "Big Friends" (high school students) as there were three periods that the class would meet.
I think it's a great idea and the director said last night that the ones that had taken one year (the one year seniors) could be an aide in a preschool class and ones that had taken two years could be a preschool teacher (with another teacher) and earn 3 college credits with some colleges that they were working with.

This is Emily looking at her "Me Book". I plan on keeping that one for a long time.

 All the preschoolers.

Emily was in the afternoon class, which had significantly less kids. At first I wanted the morning class but I was too late signing up but the afternoon class really worked out for us. I was able to put Allyson down for her nap during that time (when she was still napping) and we could still do things in the morning.

 

 Emily's horse that she made.

 

 And our big girl with her certificate.

Preschool--come and gone

Today is Emily's last day of preschool. It's crazy that it's already over.

We have loved having her in preschool. She loves it and it gave her something to look forward to.
I thought it would be fun to take a picture of her first day and last day. She's grown a lot in that short time.

First day

 

 Last day

 

Emily Anne turns 5!

I can't believe I have a 5 year old!

Yesterday was Emily's birthday. She is getting so big and grown up.

During the weekend, grandpa Lakey and Kelsey, Travis and Audrey all surprised us for mine and Emily's birthday. It was a great surprise and so much fun to see them again. On Saturday we went to the OC Zoo and rode the ponies. Audrey loved it!

 After we came home and relaxed for a bit before going to dinner.

Ben was being so cute with Travis. He was smiling and cooing like crazy.

 

 Kelsey took this cute picture.

 

After dinner we decided to walk around Downtown Disney. All the girls holding hands.

Unfortunately, like every other year of my birthday, it was Prom weekend. It was really packed so we didn't stay long.

 Before grandpa left, we took a picture of him and the kids. I thought it turned out great!

 

Yesterday, I let Emily open one of her presents, this dress.

She looks so big!

 

After a pretty normal day, we had her favorite dinner. Breakfast--waffles with whipped cream and strawberries, eggs and bacon.

Then we opened presents.

 She was so excited to get this movie. Hotel Transylvania.

 

It was a great day.

Emily has really grown up so much.

 

Some things about Emily:

She loves writing and is starting to sound out words. She is so excited for Kindergarten and is getting so smart.

 

She loves anything structured...school, primary, whatever it is. She likes rules and having something to look forward to.

 

She likes to play with My Little Ponies and watch the show. It's her favorite!

 

She loves to play outside. If I let her go outside at 7am, she would. She likes to ride bikes, her scooter and run around with her friends.

 

She absolutely LOVES her baby brother. She is so good with him and is so happy that he is in our family.

 

She spends a lot of the day playing with Allyson. (When they aren't bickering) Her preschool teacher said she can see how much she loves Ally. She lights up when we come to pick her up.

 

She is still pretty small but very active and has a big personality. She is kind and loving and we love her so much! I'm so glad that she was able to join our family 5 years ago!