My Classroom 2012

I spent a fair amount of time this summer preparing my new classroom.  I moved to the 6th grade this year, and actually started at the beginning of the year, so it was a fun time to do some creative things.  I tried to keep it simple, but still have a theme.  I like the way it turned out, and am happy for multiple young women in my ward who gave up a few hours to help me get it up and looking put together before the first day.

Tylie is THREE!

Tylie turned three this month.  It's always so crazy to think about the last few years, and the difference this spunky little girl has made in our lives since she joined us.  Tylie had been talking about her birthday for weeks before, and constantly reminded us that it was coming.  Three is such a fun age, because she totally understood the excitement surrounding her special day....so great! 

Brent and I both started back to work full time on the day of Tylie's birthday, so we were forced to celebrate a little early.  We took the girls on an outing to the Fort Worth Zoo....always a big hit!

The girls riding a komodo dragon.

Our first family picture in a really long time.

Exploring interesting facts about crocs.

Brave little Kaelisse climbing on a croc.

Feeding the birds.

Back in July, Tylie was bummed that we didn't let her ride the train during the 4th of July celebration, and she had been talking about it since.  We found out about the Forest Park Miniature Railroad, which is very close to the zoo, and we knew it would be a big hit.  It is an open train that rides through parts of Fort Worth, through a park, and even crosses multiple bridges.  The ride was about 40 minutes long.  It was so much fun, and Tylie was thrilled to finally get her train ride!

The day before her actual birthday, Tylie was talking about her cake.  I had no plans of doing anything creative or cute with her cake this year....I just didn't have the ideas, time, or the energy.  But Tylie, out of nowhere, starts rambling on about a "bug" cake that she knows she is going to get.  Um....okay.  So that night I threw together a butterfly.  It turned out alright...for a last-minute project.

On the morning of her birthday, we had to get up at the crack of dawn to celebrate and let her open a couple presents before we all headed out.

She was most excited about her bike, and rode it around all morning.

She was, of course, spoiled by grandmas and grandpas and mom and dad.  She got very excited about everything she opened, and wanted to take all of it with her to the babysitter.

Kae got one present....mostly as a distraction...

It wasn't until the next day that we were all together again to eat cake.  You can tell she was very excited for the attention.

And the cake was delicious!

Ahhh... a three-year-old's sense of style!  :)  She was cracking me up, digging through my drawers to find socks, a belt, and gloves.  She picked it all out herself, and danced around the living room with it all on for a while.  (Yes, that belt is mine.  And yes, it wraps completely around her...twice)

Tylie continues to amaze and astound us.  Her language has blossomed, and we have interesting conversations all the time.  She corrects my use of singular/plurals, reminds me when I forget to mention something in our nightly prayer, and chatters with almost anyone who will listen.  She continues to be the social little bug that she always was...making friends everywhere we go, with children and adults alike.  She is the perfect balance of torturing her little sister, and then playing with her, teaching her new things, and comforting her when she is sad.  Tylie is becoming more independent and defiant with every day, leaving us wondering how we are ever going to keep up with her.  I can't wait to see the things she accomplishes with this determination!  Tylie still loves to read books, and is an athletic little girl.  She climbs, runs, jumps, and balances on anything she can find (one of the many wonderful traits that her too-little sister tries to mimic).  Tylie loves to laugh, and enjoys making us laugh, too.  Tylie is one of the brightest lights in my life....I adore her, admire her, and love her so much!  I know that one day she will be sure to make her mark on this world! Look out!

Videos Worth Sharing, Too

Kae loves to bounce...not sure where she developed this hobby (we never had a bouncy chair for her as a baby).  She does this in her car seat, on the couch, and on the love sac.  Crazy kid.  {Also, for those of you who haven't seen my kids in a while and may be wondering, the girl in the background is NOT Tylie...just a friend over playing!}

Man, I LOVE when these girls play together.  It makes me think of my own sisters and how much fun we had/have when we are together.  And I love it even more when Tylie teaches Kae all the wisdom and knowledge that she has...so sweet. 

At the Fort Worth Stockyards, riding a "horse."  They were so bummed to get off--but we eased their mournfulness by promising to take them to Angie & Brennon's for a real horse ride.

Kae is a dancer!  Every time she hears any kind of music, she starts jamming to it.  And, honestly, most of the time there really isn't any music that I can hear, and she is still jamming....dancing to the rhythms in her head, I guess.

Tylie wouldn't want to be left out.  She likes to do a little jamming of her own!

Pictures Worth Sharing

The following pictures are a modge podge of events over the months of June and July.  Don't know if I've already shared some of them, so sorry if there are repeats. 

Came into the kitchen to see Tylie helping Kaelisse put her socks on.

 An outdoor concert at the park...Arlington held them every week for a month--so great!  This was a children's hip hop entertainer, and he really was fun.  Sadly, at 9:30 in the morning, it is already too blooming hot!  The girls would get miserable just halfway through.

 Tylie is infamous for going into her bedroom at night and NOT sleeping.  One morning, she came out of her room like this!  If you can't tell, that's a lot of diapers.  She had worn them all night, and had sore spots where they had been too tight.  :(  But, it was funny and we all had a pretty good laugh as she peeled them off.

 What kid doesn't love putting underwear on their head!

 I was informed that they were taking an airplane ride to go to the zoo.  Wow, if only airplanes were that comfortable!

 Funny kid + box = this picture.  She has fun doing everything...and always manages to crack the rest of us up in the mean time!

 Kae sure is studying that book hard!

 This was such a precious, magical moment for me.  Tylie loves to help in the kitchen, and this time she did almost all the work to make pizzas for our family.  She is such a wonderful helper, and I love sharing these moments with her!

 Cute sleeping picture after church...love her little crossed legs!  Oh, and that adorable Kae-sized pillow is one that her cousin, Nyah, made for her when she was sick in Salt Lake.  She sleeps on it every night and every nap time!

 I love catching my girls reading in every room, in any position, many books.  I hope they continue to love it.

 Apparently she was tired this day....she passed out in almost an instant hanging off the edge of the couch.

 We put together a little art kit for Tylie, and she has been loving it...well, at least she did for a couple days.  I enjoy her creations, and like watching how long she concentrates and how much work she puts into her masterpieces.

 Of course, Kaelisse couldn't be left behind.  This picture was the only one I could get....I promise she was enjoying herself just moments before.

 I had the chairs moved so I could vacuum, and they hopped up to play on them.  Tylie helped Kae get strapped in (every mother's dream...hehe), and they sat there eating crackers and drinking water the whole time I worked.  LOVE IT!

 Tylie had a bunch of her toys taken away for various reasons, and was doing work to get them back.  She was a hard little worker this day: washing and putting away dishes, helping with laundry, dusting the living room.  Thanks for the help Tylie!

We've had a really great summer filled with wonderful moments.  I can't believe it's already coming to a close!  I guess we just have to make the most of the next two weeks before reality sets in again!

Friend-Visit Follow Up

Some leftover tidbits from Alyssa's visit a couple weeks ago.

First of all, the girls want to say THANK YOU for the adorable dresses.  They absolutely loved putting them on this last Sunday, and wanted to wear them all day.  Mommy likes them too, and wants to do a photo shoot...  :)  They are so cute!!

 This one is probably my favorite!!  The girls have started holding hands all the time when they walk places....melts this mommy's heart!

 Second, I finally finished my ornaments for the Christmas tree project we started.  When looked at closely, as individuals, they're probably an embarrassment to my crafting career.  But, I think they look pretty good collectively from afar.

 And, of course, the girls already want to play with it for hours---success!