Kindergarten!

So Emmalee started kindergarten this week. It was a huge deal for all of us, and none of shed ANY tears! Hurray! She has a great teacher, whom I personally know (what a relief!). She has a good friend from summer school in her class, as well as a little boy whose mom is one of my co-workers. There are about 10 kiddos at Dewey whose parents teach at the middle school, so we walk together to pick them up, then they run around the building and play while we get our work done. It is so nice to have Emmalee with me every day, and she really enjoys playing with the other kids too!

Our first "First day of kindergarten" picture

Smiling for the camera

A picture with the backpack

In front of her new school

Hanging out in mom's room after school

Drawing me a picture after school

Day 2: They were asked to wear brown to school...

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Emmalee is having a great time at school, and we are so happy to report that all is going very smoothly !

A Trip to Union Station

This week I took the girls out for what would be one of our final hurrahs before school starts. We ate lunch at Olive Garden, did a little shopping, took a side trip to the dermatologist for Emmalee, and then headed out to Union Station. Right now there is an exhibit based on The Chronicles of Narnia. Loving literature the way I do, as do the girls, we were absolutely mesmerized by the exhibit. The girls got to sit on a throne, touch a frozen waterfall, and launch a catapult. Walking through the wardrobe was magnificent as well; there was snow falling and the girls thought it was magical. Photographs were not allowed inside the exhibit, so here is a shot outside the gates.

The girls before the entered the exhibit.

We followed the exhibit with a trip to Science City. Emmalee went when she was about 15 months old, but this was the first trip for Tori (as well as the first Emmalee will remember).

Here the girls are in the Tot Spot.

On the seat deciding which was easier to lift

Emmalee making trash can music

Tori's trash can music

Tori hanging out on an alligator

Emmalee (our budding scientist/doctor) checking out the medical stuff

Hanging out in the helicopter

Climbing the grand staircase in Union Station before we left

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Once we left Union Station, we headed out to one of the girls' all-time favorite spots: Crown Center. We had some Sheridan's Frozen Custard before heading to Gamma and Pappi's for a much overdue visit. The girls had a great time visiting and even got to feed their dog Biscuit some treats.

Having fun feeding Biscuit

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It was a great day and a great way to bring the summer to an end (if there can be a great way to end summer!)!!!

A Mini Vacay

We decided to take a mini vacation to Osage Beach, which was really just an excuse to shop, during the first part of August. The girls got some new clothes, as did Mommy, and Mommy got a little Christmas shopping in. We had a great time. Before we headed home, we stopped by Grand Glaize Beach so the girls could see the lake.

Hanging out in the water

Tori in the water

The girls almost always hold hands. This started when Tori was tiny!

Emmalee on the beach

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On the drive home we stopped at Jefferson City to walk the steps to the Capital. We had been in Jeff City when Emmalee was about 18 months old and have pics of her climbing the steps then. She looked so tiny! I love to visit the Capital, and the girls had a great time as well!

Standing in front of the Ten Commandments

Emmalee looking down at the Veterans' memorial

The girls climbing the steps

Tori on the steps

Emmalee in front of the doors

Tori making it to the top

The girls in front of a fountain

The girls hanging out on a light post

The girls together on the Capital steps

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This trip was a lot of fun and hopefully we can make it a tradition!

Kaleidoscope

A rare trip to Children's Mercy concerning Tori and not Emmalee led us to Kaleidoscope last Wednesday. I had never been myself, so it was hard to know who was more excited, the girls or me! Though it was a bit chaotic due to several large groups being there, the girls had a great time. We didn't get to experience all of the projects set up that day, but I think we still did a lot. Emmalee loved making her picture into a puzzle, and Tori just liked coloring. Both of my girls really enjoy anything "crafty", so this was a GREAT place for them to be!

Tori wearing her star hat while coloring a card

Emmalee with her star hat while coloring her card

The girls' faces when the announcement was made that it was time to go

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Our first trip to Kaleidoscope was a hit, and I am sure we will be returning soon!

A Day with Aunt Deana

After starting our day with a puppet show, a story teller, story time, and then checking out some books at the library, we headed out on July 20 for a day with Aunt Deana. The girls really enjoy spending time with her, so since she was off work and we had some time, we headed to the city. Our first stop was Deanna Rose Homestead. This was the first time the girls had been there. The weather was perfect, and everyone had a great time.

The girls when you first walk in

Hanging out on a swing

Laughing as Aunt Deana feeds a goat-this was as close as the girls would get!

Tori the caterpillar

Mommy and Emmalee as flowers (Tori wouldn't cooperate long enough to be the 3rd flower)

Aunt Deana and Emmalee on the hay ride

Emmalee the caterpillar

The girls writing on the chalkboards in the school house

Walking up to the tee pees

Emmalee's pony ride

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After we left Deanna Rose, we headed out to The Legends by the Kansas Speedway for a little snack at T-Rex Cafe. The girls loved this trip as well!

Tori decorating her dinosaur shaped rice krispy treat

Emmalee with her finished product

Tori in the dinosaur dig. She didn't last long here, as she doesn't like the feel of sand on her feet!

Tori with her dinosaur "Silly Goose" at the Build-a-Dino

Emmalee at the dinosaur dig. She loves this kind of thing and can tell you all about dinosaurs, their extinction, cavemen, volcanoes, etc. She is quite the budding scientist!

Emmalee with her rock-n-roll dinosaur "Jasmine".

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Everyone had a great time on our girls' day out!

Campfire Fun!

We decided to have the Gamma, Pappi, Grandma, Papa, Great-Grandma, and Aunt Deana over for a campfire. It was a great time, followed up by a few fireworks.

Emmalee helping Pappi with the homemade ice cream

Tori's turn

Doing snap-pops with Gamma

Roasting chicken on the campfire with Pappi, since Emmalee won't eat hot dogs

Tori and Aunt Deana sharing a drink

Roasting marshmallows with Papa

Fun times with Gamma and Pappi

Tori, Duane, and Grandma during fireworks

Emmalee and Pappi doing sparklers

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Everyone had a great time that night, and we can't wait to do it again!