A visit with Santa 2011

 As we took a link off of "The Countdown to Christmas" Hannah made in school, we realized that our time was limited to go and visit the Jolly Old Man!  So, off to the mall we went.  Our entire crew... determined not only to conquer the mall traffic, but to conquer it with a good attitude! :)  Did we accomplish this??  Yes!  Pulled into the parking lot just as someone was backing out... parked immediately and headed directly to the line that had accumulated to a 45minute wait.  Ugh.

 Breathing a sigh of relief when they closed the line directly behind us immediately after our arrival for "lunch," we stood in line... Sweet Taylor asleep, snacks prepared, and Hannah excited with anticipation to visit with Santa.  

 Great thing about the mall is they've thought about our sanity while waiting in line with small children and have prepared by showing Christmas movies.  Occupied at least 30 minutes of our wait! :)

 Such a fun display

 Literally had to restrain the twins when they were next in line.  I think they were ready to join in the picture of the kiddos in front of us!

 Sweet girl armed with list in hand for Santa.  Hand written might I add.  She was definitely proud of the fact that she wrote her entire list solo!  Hannah is growing up so fast!

 The restraining continues....

 And finally the Daurer's arrive with a bang!  Poor Santa didn't know what hit him and even forgot to give the girls their coloring books on the way out! :)  I think I saw his eyes cross a couple of times too...  4 girls are a lot to keep up with! :)

 We weren't sure how the twins would do, but they did great until they had to hold still for a picture...

Yep we did it....  Tuckered the poor man out.  Didn't even make it long enough for the photo.  The man can deliver 7 billion gifts in one night, but 1 visit from us and he's out.  Don't worry Santa....  the girls took good naps today too... until next year!  :) 

1 Month and Growing Strong!

Taylor went to her 1 month visit today and is doing great!

She is currently 9lbs 2 oz (28%), 20.5inches (10%)!  

1 week visit

We took Taylor in for her 1 week follow up today.

She is currently 6lbs 6oz (16%).  A whole ounce above her birthweight!  Definitely a great nurser!

Let Kindergarten Begin!

 Well it's official!  We have a Kindergartner in the house!  It is so hard for me to believe Hannah is ready to begin school, but she is and she has!

 On Monday John stayed home and I took Hannah for a short 1hr orientation to her classroom, school, teacher, etc...  I thought this was SO helpful for Hannah (and me!).  It helped alleviate any nervousness and this morning she was ready to conquer the day!

 Just last year Idaho switched to full day preschool twice per week and every other Friday.  I remember hearing this on the news and feeling very angry that they wanted to take my child for an entire day!  Yes she's 5 and yes she's tall....  but she's SO little and young!  An entire day???  Are you crazy???  

 So I have been preparing an entire year for this day.  Not sure how the morning would play out John stayed home this AM as well to help me out.  Yesterday morning (when she didn't have to go to school...)  I awoke at 4am extremely upset that this day is finally here.  I love being with my kids.  I love being with them all day everyday....  It's not that I don't like my breaks :)   BUT...  even after a year of preparation I was still not ready to send her off quite yet.  So my wonderful husband woke up with me and comforted me as I cried, whined, sniffed, and blew my nose from 4-5:40am... (John says that they should never make a pregnant hormonal mother send her first child to kindergarten... funny man he is!)  But after two hours of this....  I felt better.  

 You see, the little girl in the picture above has never heard my fears, she has never felt my anxiety, and I have never spent 2hrs crying on her shoulder about the day I would have to send her to school and not have contact with her for a full 7hrs.  When Hannah and I converse about school the conversations are exciting and hopeful and energetic!  We talk about all of the incredible things God has planned for her and about how much she is going to learn and the wonderful friends she will find, along with the positive and amazing example she can be everyday she walks into the classroom.

My own tears have been shed...  I have fought my fears...  and I have spent hours in prayer for this day.  Hannah's first day in Kindergarten  (FULL day might I add again!).  As a result...  this morning I have not shed a single tear.  As John sat in the car with the twins and I accompanied Hannah to make sure she found yellow cement block #3,  I watched as the little girl you see pictured above, looked 10 feet tall when she walked away from me and into her first day of Kindergarten.  She spoke nothing but confidence and excitement in her sundress, pink shoes, polka dot backpack, and hello kitty lunch bag.  

Words have power.... incredible power.  And over the last year as I have fought with the negatives...  I have spoken and taught the positives to Hannah.  I refused to let my fears be passed on to her.  Now that today is finally here... not only does Hannah finally believe those words, but I do too.  

Have a WONDERFUL first day of Kindergarten Hannah Grace!  Kindergarten Rocks!