Pretty in Pink

Our Baby Girl is FOUR

Saela wanted a Minnie Mouse and Princess (specifically Snow White) birthday party and that is precisely what she got last month. She looked so sweet in her Minnie outfit...we are hoping it still fits for Halloween! She also received a plethora of princess clothing items and she loves them all. She loves wearing her princess shoes and even wore her Minnie dress to bed the other night. She really is such a sweet girl and we love her so much. We can hardly believe that she is four already. It just doesn't seem possible. We were blessed to celebrate her birthday with both Grandma T and Grandma Green as well as Uncle David. A great time was had by all sharing in our love for this sweet darlin' - who will always be Our Baby Girl - no matter how many birthdays she has celebrated!

Quick Visit

1/2 of Team Green was able to visit briefly in late July on their way to Michigan...

Saela & Uncle David

Gavin reading to Saela & Asher

Uncle Steve & Gavy

Connor & Asher

We sure enjoyed your visit and look forward to seeing ALL of Team Green sometime soon!

Wall Art by Saela

Shortly before I started working, Saela and I were able to create some wall art for her. Mostly, I watched and she painted. We had a great time. Now, if I could just get those letters on the wall...

Stay tuned...my sweet baby's birthday pictures will be coming soon!

7.26.11 - A FIRST

Unprompted Saela wrote her name on her board.

When she got home...she said, "I don't think this is right."



...and so she fixed it.

...and The Tears Finally Came

...and it is only pre-K!

SCG & SCG

I'm going to school?
Whatch you talkin' about Willis?

Asher is not really sure what is going on...at all.

Mommy & her Baby Girl

(sniff sniff)

Her first day of school treat...a strawberry cupcake with white frosting.
~

Saela had her first day of pre-K on July 20, 2011. I thought more kids would be emotional. I thought more adults would be emotional. I get it's pre-K...but the kindergarten is right across the hall - it might as well have been kindergarten for goodness sake. Saela sat in her seat and as I bent down to kiss her - it was all I could do not to let the tears out. NOBODY else was teary...so I managed to get it together and walked out dry-eyed. Saela did wonderfully at school and came home to enjoy her strawberry cupcake (her request.) This was probably her favorite part of the day. My favorite part came that evening when I snuggled with her in bed and the tears finally just came pouring out. Both happy tears and melancholy tears. Each stage has been so wonderful to witness (cough cough with the exception of the sassy mouth 3s) and I know that each stage to come will bring joy and warmth to my heart and I look forward to sharing her youth with her. I do, however, lament the passing of these early years - the innocence, the not knowing. For now, she will be judged. Not necessarily in a bad way always - but she will be judged by her peers and graded by her teachers. I know that is just a part of growing up - but it makes me a little bit sad too. I can hardly believe that it has been nearly four years since she arrived on this earth. As 'teary' as her growing up makes me - I am so grateful that she is HERE and that she has the chance to grow up and change people's lives as she has already forever changed mine. I know God has great plans for her and I am so thankful that I have been afforded the opportunity to watch her grow. We all love you Saela!

Michigan 2011

This wasn't initially planned as a family trip...but I'm so glad it turned out that way! We left on a Thursday evening in order to "split up" the 10.5 hour drive. That worked out well and we were able to visit some old neighbors in Lansing before heading up to Hemlock. Overall, the kids really did pretty well in the car for the long rides there and back.

"Tractor Time"

Both Asher and Saela enjoyed riding the tractor with Grandpa Green.

Steve and I had a "date" to the wedding and it was nice to spend time reconnecting after the hustle and bustle of moving.

Asher, Daddy and Grandpa

Saela and Grandma

Summer Days

Despite the record high temps throughout the region...

Saela chose to go walking like this...

...yes, no need to do a double-take,
those are reindeer ears and snow boots ;).

Asher is currently enamored with anything "Hat."

aka "The Cat in the Hat."

Saela "teaching."
...while Mom hyperventilates about the
dry erase markers ending up on the walls.

Saela and her babies.
Asher tagging along for the ride.


Don't have a place for your stickers?
Well, duh, just put them on your legs!


P.S. Happy Anniversary to our Great Aunts and Uncles!