Back to School!!!

Today (Aug. 25, 2009) was the first day of school. Madeline is an old pro at this whole school business, but Finley was starting her very first day of kindergarten. It was a very emotional time for both of us - Fin tried her best to keep it together and not cry, and so did I. In the end, we both failed. But at least she looked cute. :) Here are some pics... I'll update when I find out how the first day went!

Just arrived at school; Fin's trying to give Mads bunny ears but can't quite reach.

Now giving the camera bunny ears...

Other kids were present, so Mads did NOT want me taking any more photos...

Finley in her kindergarten classroom. She's trying hard to hold it together. :(

Make Lemonade...

The girls decided on Sunday afternoon that they wanted to make a lemonade stand. They didn't listen when we tried to tell them that a. it was approximately 200 degrees outside and b. absolutely no one had walked/biked down our street in at least 24 hours. Oh well, they went ahead with it anyway! I bought some lemonade mix and whipped it up for them, and they set up a table/chair outside. Then they sat and waited. Soon Finley had resorted to yelling at passing cars. Alex, Charles and I all came out and bought a cup (Charles and Alex even gave them a tip!). Then Finley spied the guy next door coming out to his driveway to clean out his car: Cha-ching!! She walked over and propositioned him. He, of course, agreed to buy a cup (probably with the change he found in his car...). No one can refuse my cute girls! In the end they made about $3.50, which is a small fortune as far as they're concerned. They didn't even have to work long (Charles asked them what their hours were and Mads said, "Till whenever Mommy makes us go inside!") Here are some pictures ...

Splash!

Took the girls swimming this weekend - their last weekend before school started. They enjoyed their last little bit of freedom!

 

Mads does her best "dead man." Notice tongue lolling out...

Finley "dives."

Maddie was smiling, but I don't know what Finley was doing...

Finley Turns 5!!!

My sweet little Finley turned 5 today. It's a bit of a bittersweet moment, knowing my last baby is growing up. But I am consoling myself by taking pride in the sweet, gentle, funny little person she is becoming. I just love her to death!

In honor of Fin's big day, Grandma and Grandpa visited (yay!), and we had dinner, cake, a movie and presents. Here are some photographic highlights!



Fin blows out the candles!


Of course, Maddie had to get a little something too...


Decked out in ribbons!



Finley strikes her best model pose. She's so pretty! I wish Maddie hadn't done bunny ears, though. :)


Finley LOVES rubber duckies, so I made a ducky cake. It turned out pretty cute!