THE BEST KID IS MINE

Other moms might think they have the best kid or kids, but I know for sure that I do. Stella is a joy to mother, and having her come to my room Saturday morning to tell me "We went to the store and bought bananas, yogurt, milk, and nothing else...it is a surprise" was my favorite part of Mother's Day. Stella surprised me Sunday morning with the "nothing else" that she had bought at the store with Daddy: a balloon and a singing card. She also made a special treat at preschool that came decorated with a tissue flower that, much to Stella's delight,  I wore on my wrist to church.

 

I am so consumed with being Stella's mom, you can plainly see how badly I need to get my roots colored in. (These pictures were a shock to see how bad I have let my hair get.) I guess it doesn't matter--Stella loves me no matter what. (She is a sucker.)

AVA OUR FOUR YEAR OLD ARTIST

I didn't get to see Ava on her birthday so we planned a special Friday play date. We had Ava over and she opened her presents which were all related to her creativity. I am surprised, but then not that surprised, with how creative Ava is. Especially with her art.

The girls painted their rock creatures outside. I was freaked out because the paint was permanent, but we managed to cause very little damage. Then the girls played with Ava's new paint spinner that makes splatter paint pictures. We had a great time, and I love my four-year-old niece.

PRESCHOOL: A DAY IN THE LIFE

It is so crazy how when I was in school it seemed like when May finally came around I felt like I had been in school forever, but now that it is Stella in school time just flies by. Today was my last day to help out at preschool and so I thought I would bring my camera to capture a day in the life of Stella at preschool. 

When she first gets to school it is play and discover time. Stella has had fun playing restaurant, post office, puppet show, building blocks, painting, and digging. She has favorite puzzles and has a great time when she first gets to school. Stella doesn't seem to have one special friend, but instead is always playing with different kids. I have loved that about this group of kids. I don't think she will ever be in a learning environment again (besides church maybe) where everyone just plays with everyone.

Snack time is always a highlight of the day. Today Stella was asked to bring her favorite treat and she picked watermelon and chocolate doughnuts. I love how she has learned to pour her own water this year at school, I think it is so cute.

After snack time comes dance or story time or some other clever thing that Mandy has ready for the kids as they sit in their spots. When I am there Stella always sits on my lap and snuggles while she listens to Mandy.

Then we break up into small groups and I help by reading a book and then doing some sort of craft that goes with the story. I always like this part because the kids are always so good for me and I get to know them better. Today we made ladybugs with stickers and read The Grouchy Ladybug.

Stella has LOVED Mandy, and calls her "my Mandy." She is always excited to tell Mandy the news in her life. I am so thankful that years ago I befriended Liz so she could tell me about Mandy and her preschool. It has been the perfect transition for Stella to start her education. Mandy has been awesome and full of energy even though she has spent the entire school year making a baby.

STELLA THE ACTIVITY PLANNER

We had a special treat this last week. Valerie decided to cut her Oregon trip short (bad for them) and come to Utah (good for us). As soon as Stella heard the news she was already acting like the event planner that she might one day become. She had all sorts of activities planned out for Nellie and her during their stay.

Besides all the hanging out and letting Nellie and Valerie catch up on their nap times, we had some small adventures. On Friday we went to the aquarium and lunch with Grandma Sallay. Saturday we made a trip to South Jordan to G&G's house and then went to lunch with Grandpa Sallay.

Sunday we went to church and then Sugarhouse Park to feed the ducks after our naps. It was crazy busy at the park and, um, the ducks were NOT hungry so we didn't stay that long. Stella did take a minute though to put her toes in the stream and then the girls played at the wild playground for a few minutes. Then we went home and had everyone over for dinner.

 

 

On Monday Stella planned for us to take Nellie on the pony rides at Thanksgiving Point. She is an old pro by now and she loved showing her cousin the ropes. Nellie loved riding the ponies. Stella decided to try riding an actual horse this time. I told her she could, but warned her that she had to HANG ON with no "giddy ups" or "yee haws." She thankfully did not fall off of the tall horse. The girls also had fun playing in the little jail and dance studio that they have at the farm.

There was also a lot of lounging around and sharing cartoon mornings throughout the week. And in the evenings the girls loved to go out and drive in Stella's car. And Nellie loved attempting to control Stella's tricycle. (Stella has finally mastered that thing after having it for over three years--it helps that she is finally tall enough to reach the pedals.)

After being gone from their house for two weeks, Nellie and Valerie were both ready to get home, but Stella still cried sad tears as we pulled away from the airport after dropping them off. She loves having people stay at her house and sharing her favorite activities with her guests. And Stella loves Nellie.

AVA MART

Ashley is doing an "AvaMart" theme for her birthday announcements this year so she wanted to take pics of Ava shopping. Grocery stores don't like you to have photo shoots at their stores so we had to do this kind of on the down low at Target. With all of the annoying people out doing their shopping, Stella wanting to distract Ava, and me feeling like I was breaking the law...these factors all combined to kind of stress me out. But we got some cute and sassy ones of Miss Ava.

Our girls: