Rayna {29 months}

Age: 29 months

Favorites: FROZEN (Anna is her fav), coloring, The Little Gym, playing outside, catching lovebugs, 'riding' her bike and scooter with big sis, purses, accessories, chapstick, wearing bandaids even when she doesn't need them, giving kisses/death grip hugs, licking (gross), watching Mommy put on makeup and pretending to put it on herself, shopping, giving Mali kisses then saying, "ewww!", giving Mali her treat everyday, playing her 'games' (ipad), color - pink, food - beans & rice, pizza, sweets, friend - Rylee.

New favorite words/phrases: "yesh!" - yes, "almostagoldfish" - oh my goodness, "oh nuts!" - learns everything from Rylee, walking out of the bathroom at Freebirds Rayna yells as loud as she can with her arms in the air, "Rylee poo poo in the potty!" and not missing a beat the worker walked by with his hands in the air and yelled, "woohoo!", Mona Lisa - Rylee learned about her from art in school now Rayna talks about her too now, "No Rylee don't watch it! Close your eyes. It scares me! Mean lady!" - while watching Snow White, "silly goose", saw a firetruck and she immediately said, "Saves people's lives!" - such a smart girl!!!, "I made a mess!", mercial (commercial), "I two. Rylee five.", "Don't look at me! I'm naked!" - every time she is getting dressed, "I funny!", I told her she is a genius and she said, "No I'm not. I'm being nice!", "yea man" - yes ma'am, nope, and repeats EVERYTHING Rylee says!

Currently:

• POTTY TRAINED and doing wonderful! She is now pooping in the potty! WooHoo!!!
• Talking nonstop and in complete sentences and talking back...
• Characteristics: bossy, independent, stubborn, lovable, nosey, loud, and extremely smart!
• Counts to 10
• Knows all her colors
• Spent the weekend with Granny & TomTom when Mommy & Daddy went out of town
• Went fishing and caught her first fish!
• Saw the firetruck and got to sit inside

Photo Dump:

So much sass...

This NEVER happens! Sweet girl had a busy weekend with Granny that consisted of NO naps so at 6pm on Sunday she was worn out!

 Her first shiner! She hit her face on her bed rail...

Sweet sisters in their patriotic wear for Constitution Day <3

Granny & TomTom came to visit for a few weeks and the girls enjoyed every minute of it!

Shoes are ALWAYS on the wrong feet!

Fun at TLG!

Such a big girl riding her scooter!

First time eating lunch with big sis! She was way more excited than this picture shows ;)

Happy October! The girls have been counting down to this month so they can finally wear their Halloween clothes, pick out pumpkins, and trick-or-treat!

They see me rolling...

Saw the firetruck at Rylee's school! Rayna says, "It saves people's lives!"

Rayna {28 months}

Age: 28 months

Favorites: Frozen (Elsa), Trolls, playing dress up, coloring, watching Disney Princess movies, getting her nails painted, The Little Gym, playing at the YMCA (no more crying thank goodness!),

New favorite words/phrases: "I love shu, Mommy!" (the sweetest ever), "What the heck" - thanks to her big sister, "Bless you!" - she is always the first to say it after someone sneezes, "What is it?", "I'm proud of you Rylee!", "I need to tee tee Mommy!", "Teeth for eat" - working on no biting, "Popcorn!" - demands it when a movie is on, "I see you!", "Mommy, watch this!", "Ready, set, go!" - when she is about to jump off her bed, "oh yes", "fine!", "I miss you!", "I love shoo!", "Don't even think about it!", "Really? Seriously?", "Check on me?" (in the car when they pretend to sleep or at nighttime after I put her to bed), "Rylee push me!" (she tattles and talks in complete sentences), "skidmark" (lol...now that she is potty trained she knows all the potty language), "Is it ready?" (asks at every mealtime), "Anna, Elsa, Sphen, Olaf!", "timeout" (we definitely do a lot of it), "Panties dry!", "car ride" (loves to go anywhere and everywhere), "Giant hawk!" (likes to say this all the time - learned the phrase from the movie, Moana), slowpoke, "Be carsul!" (careful), "Don't look at me! I'm naked!", slowpoke, actually, "I need to tee tee real bad!", "Not mean, be nice!"

Currently:

• POTTY TRAINED and is doing amazing! Since last month we do not have to remind her often at all when to tell us to use the potty, she is waking up dry, and we can finally go places now!
• Celebrated Rylee's birthday at her swimming party
• Has gotten a LOT of special time with Mommy since Rylee has started Kindergarten this month
• Started back at TLG once a week
• Experienced her first and hopefully last hurricane. Hurricane Harvey hit fast, hard, and for almost a week in different parts of SE Texas including Katy where we live. We were very very fortunate to not get flooded given the fact that MOST of our town did and lost their home and or everything they own. So sad but my girls were troopers during a long wet week!
• Asks "why?" for everything!
• Very polite (most of the time)...uses her manners (please, thank you, excuse me)

Frozen obsessed

Birthday party with cousins!

My girly girl playing dress up!

Two thumbs up for a fresh new haircut!

Twinning with big sis!

 Cutest little booty ;)

Saying her prayers... <3

"Look Mommy! I'm a big girl!" :)

"I love shu, Mommy!" <3

First hurricane expereice. Harvey made landfall and cooped us up in the house for a solid four long days. So thankful my family and house is ok. These two made the most of it with playing in the rain (when safe), board games, movies, coloring, etc.

 She climbs EVERYTHING!

 My sweet, silly, happy Rayna :)

Ready for church <3

 This pic sums up Rayna...Princess purse, Frozen microphone, and Elsa doll always in hand!

Meet the Teacher + FIrst Day of Kindergarten 2017-2018

Meet the Teacher was a success! Rylee got to meet her teacher (Mrs. H), see her classroom, and even met a few new friends. When it was time to go she insisted on staying. The next morning she was ready to go back but I had to remind her that school doesn't not start for another week. Needless to say, Rylee is excited and more than ready to start kindergarten!!

The day before the BIG day was bittersweet. It was our last official day to spend all day together so we made the most of it (lunch, painted nails, played, and lots of snuggles). She was full of questions and excited about what was to come tomorrow. That night we layed out her first day of school clothes and I gave her a little gift to help her not be so nervous or anxious about the big day. The gift included a new horse stuffed animal (I named it Brave - since she was going to be such a brave girl in Kindergarten), The Night Before Kindergarten book, and a necklace that says 'I love you to the moon & back' for her to wear so if she is scared or sad or just missing us she can hold it and think of us because we will be thinking of her the whole day.

Went to check on my baby before I went to bed and she had fallen asleep with her new book <3 

The next morning she was up bright and early at 6:30am bouncing down the stairs into our room telling us that she was ready for school! We sent Rayna to my sister's house to have a smooth morning with no distractions, ate breakfast, packed her lunch, got dressed & put on her new necklace from Mommy, took her kindergarten picture (all smiles), and off to school we walked. She looked so beautiful and so big this morning making me wonder when and how she grew up so fast! 

My big Kindergartner!

We held hands the whole walk to school as she skipped along telling us how excited she was, wondering how many friends she would make, and that Mrs. H was going to love her. She then said, "I am just a little bit terrified and a lot excited!" I asked her if she knew what terrified meant and she said no lol...I reminded her there is nothing to be scared about. Oh, and she insisted on carrying her backpack and lunckit the entire way when we tried helping her she said, "no thanks". The backpack is almost bigger than her! Seriously, cannot get over how grown up she is now.

We walked into the school all the way to her classroom and she walked right in with no hesitations. She gave Mrs. H a hug, found her seat, and began to talk to her new friends at her table. She asked the little girl behind her who was also chatty like herself what her name was and if she would be her friend <3 I did not want to hang around too much so I gave her a big kiss and a quick goodbye. As I walked out I heard her telling and showing her new friend her painted nails...love that kid!

I held it together until we left the classroom. It's like I left my heart in Kindergarten this morning. After counting down the hours ALL day it put me at ease when I saw her run up to us after school with a HUGE smile on her face! She had a great first day making new friends, going to music, reading books, and even helping a friend at lunchtime (which makes my heart so happy). She was a little grumpy with her sister (what's new?) but overall was fine after school and went to bed.

The next morning she was just as excited to go back to school. We walked with her cousins and they chit-chatted the whole way about 'big kid' stuff like...how they loved their teachers, new friends, music/art/PE, seeing eachother during school, etc... These three are the best of friends and I am so thankful Rylee has them to look up to <3

This is definitely the hardest milestone yet. Sending your kids out in the big world, hoping they will be safe and surrounded by good people. Hoping they will never be afraid to speak up, include everyone, and be themselves. I hope she will always be confident in any situation thrown her way and know that she is loved beyond measure. Oh and I hope she will never say not when I ask to come have lunch with her! ;) Here's to a fun and successful school year with lots of great memories to be made! 

Rylee {summertime}

Soaking up every minute of this summer with my sweet Rylee before she enters Kindergarten this fall. We have lots planned...swimming lessons, camps, VBS, trip to the beach for Father's Day, trip to the lake for July fourth, Rylee's 5th birthday, and lots of trips to the pool/splash pad! :)

Favorites: Horses, ponies, unicorns, swimming, going on the big water slides, hunting for 'treasures' outside, princesses, TLG camps, playing with her cousins and all her friends, board games (Sequence)

Favorite/funny things she says or does that I do not want to forget: 

• "It's going to be fine"
• "Oh come on!"
• "You know who knows everything? Jesus, God, and Santa knows a little bit too."
• "Once upon a time" - love listening to her tell stories
• "These are my kind of people!" with a big thumbs up lol!
• "It was just my pleasure!" when I told her thanks for helping me
• "Can't believe I am about to say this but I don't like swimming ALL the time." then went swimming for two hours straight lol
• "You're not smart, you're a genius!"
• "I hurt my foot's thumb" aka big toe lol
• "sausage" aka ostrich 
• "What's a 'nosei?" - while watching Frozen and they sang the part, 'Heaven knows I..."
• "fwee" aka three
• "I'm full all the way to the top!" (while eating and holding her hand above her head)
• "Deal!" with a big thumbs up :)
• "I love you 1050" <3
• "blanklet" aka blanket
• "Easy peazy, lemon squeezy!"
• "Slow and steady"
• "All of a sun" (all of a sudden) - LOVES telling and hearing stories (mostly consists of horses, unicorns, ponies, etc.)
• Doesn't have a very good memory at all! When I got home I asked how her day was and she of course said she did not remember. Then said, "I don't know, only Jesus knows everything!"
• "Everyone makes 'stakes' (mistakes)"
• "I'm a big girl! I don't cry, I don't lie, and I don't throw a fit!"
• Rayna coughed and Rylee immediately asked, "Are you ok?" I said "That is so sweet, Rylee!" Rylee said, "That's what best friends do!" <3<3<3
• Rylee- "Why do we say our prayers and read our bible every night?" Daddy- "To tell God how much we love him, thank him for each day, and pray for those who need it" Rylee- "...and so we don't shrink!" 
• Talking about Moana while watching the movie - "She's 4 1/2 and can swim without her floaties..." while crossing her arms and not looking amused lol. We are working on swimming without floaties.
• Rylee yelled from upstairs that she poo poo (lol-she still likes to tell me and needs help reaching the wet wipes). I said, "who did?" Rylee replied, "The girl with the curly hair!" :)
• "Mommy, I stayed in the lines without spilling it!" - when coloring
• "I need lipstick (aka chapstick) my lips are falling out"
• Calls Prince Charming from Beauty & the Beast 'Prince Blue Eyes' :)
• Went to her first waterpark and she LOVED all of it...slides, wave pool, and the 'lazy lizard'
• Rainbow is her favorite color
• Wants to marry Daddy
• Holds pencil correctly now
• Says her prayers a million miles an hour every night
• Gallops like a horse on all fours all over the house 
• STILL after three years HATES fireworks. 

Memorial Day Weekend

TLG Show Week! Rylee had so much fun this past year in her (mini flip) gymnastics class. She improved a lot, made sweet new friends, and had her aunt (KoKo) as her teacher!

First (official) day of summer and first trip to Bahama Bucks for snowcones with all her cousins!

End of the year soccer party! Rylee has improved so much this season and we lucked out with the best coaches and such a sweet team!

Proud of my girl!

Swim lessons with her big cousins! :)

Sweet Summertime!

Cousins <3 So much personality with these four!

 Fun at Harper's first Birthday party!

 Happy girl with her new horse puzzle! :)

Last day of swim lessons!

Father's Day Weekend at the beach!

First day of VBS!

Having a sweet sister moment when the 'Sister Time' song came on tv <3

Sleepover shenanigans!

Fun day at Splashway Waterpark!

Worn out!!!

Fun in the sun! At the end she says, "That was so much fun! Thank you everybody!" :)

Fourth of July weekend at the lake!

Celebrated Granna & Pop's 40th Anniversary!

Exploring Wimberly with Daddy

Little Besties

 Rylee had the time of her life at her friend's unicorn birthday party. Look at that smile! :) Can't believe she will be FIVE in just a few weeks.

 Sunday Funday with my sweet family! Pool days are the best!!

 Rough life for these two...

Girl's trip to Galveston! Pleasure Pier, swimming, horse drawn carriage ride, ice cream, and lots of memories made! Thanks Aunt Mera & Debbie!! <3

My little fish! Took off her floaties and after a few tries she was swimming on her own! Before she swims she says loud & proud, "Yes, I can!" and she did!! Super proud of my big girl and can't wait to continue practicing to get her swimming better & better! :)

Happy 5th Birthday to my little horse lover! Rylee has been counting down to turning FIVE and is excited to finally be a whole hand + start kindergarten this year! Her favorite thing in the world is still horses so we surprised her with an early birthday present - her very first riding lesson! She had the time of her life getting to meet 'Teddy', groom him, put his saddle on, walk him, ride him, and feed him. This face says it all and is a special memory I will never forget! Happy Birthday sweet girl! I love you more than you will ever know! <3

Sister Sister

Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet Rylee Lynn! We began the day by surprising her with chocolate chip pancakes, birthday presents, unicorn balloon (that she had been asking for), the birthday elf on the shelf, annual doctor visit for a check up (no shots!), eating lunch at CFA with her cousins, swimming 9without floaties), Freebirds for dinner, and a birthday cake! All of her favorites :)

Birthday surprises!

 FIVE!

 Her favorite present from mommy & daddy...a unicorn superhero outfit! Perfect for my girl!

 

 Five year old well check up

Height: 40.25 in (12%)

Weight: 38.8 lbs (42%)

 CFA lunch with her besties/cousins :)

Ending her special day with an ice cream birthday cake!

Happy Birthday sweet girl! Even though you are officially a big FIVE year old you will always be my baby <3

Rylee went to 'Camp Granna & Pops' for a few days! She had a blast spending some special time with them and the timing worked out perfectly since we were potty training Rayna the same week. While she was there they played dress up, went toy shopping, went out to lunch, got pedicures, helped Pops feed the fish, went horse riding at the neighbors, and found a special hand painted rock made just for her (unicorn with her name on it)!

Rylee & Kate's Birthday Party!

Playing dress up!

Birthday craft - painted horse/stable <3