Madelyn's First Day of Kindergarten!

I can't believe my baby girl has started Kindergarten today. This day seemed so far away to me when she was just a baby. It sounds so cliche but it really does seem like yesterday that I was snuggling with her in our hospital bed. My first born. My little pink baby has grown to such a mature little 5 year old girl.Walking into school - she was SO excited.
Learning her routine - take out folder and lunch from backpack and put in their respective places then hang backpack . . .

A very swollen momma fighting back the tears and her baby girl going off into the world.

School starts early for them so I had signed up to help with sorting school supplies. It helped with my transition.

I was able to keep peeking in on my princess . . .

Oops - I've been spotted . . .

When I picked her up she kept repeating "I love Kindergarten, I love Kindergarten . . ."

She did so great and earned 3 gold coins her first day!! It's the most anyone got (a few others got 3 also). I'm so proud of my big girl. :)

Papa's Surprise Retirement Party

We had Papa's surprise retirement party on Saturday at our new house. He thought he was coming to a housewarming party for Tom and me. Kelly had made a fake invitation and everything. Here is proof as to how stunned he was . . .

I had put together a video montage from a young Steve to now with everything in between. Dad's brother, Bill, and Barbara were going to try to come down to surprise him but they couldn't make it so Bill sent a beautiful video montage with taped congratualtions messages from some of my aunts, uncles, and my grandma. Kelly, Stephanie and I also made him a scrapbook with hand written letters and pictures from his former colleagues.

Ava's 1st big party! She found a thumb to suck on . . .

Papa telling Ava how surprised he was!

Papa and Nana sitting down to watch the videos . . .

Checking out his cake . . .

Parties really do congregate in the kitchen . . .

The "boys table". Notice Dylan and Chase found Marek's Batman and Robin costumes!
Jason getting some snuggle time with little miss Ava. . .

The kids wanted to swim so everyone headed out to the pool to dip their feet in . . .

They continued swimming long after everyone left!

A very special thank you to Mary Kay who couldn't make it because she had already planned a trip up north. She was instrumental in getting the word out around his former office and she gathered and dropped off all the letters and pictures. Thank you, Mary Kay, we could not have pulled it off without you!!

It was a great success!

Baby Ava

Tommy got some squeezes in with little Ava when Kelly and Stephanie came over this week to help me with a project. She's so precious . . .

Whisenant Weekend

We had the Whisenants over Friday night for a slumber party! We played in the pool for a long time, then ate dinner . . .

then a movie and popcorn!

After breakfast, the Whisenants had to go do some school shopping and car stuff. They came back that afternoon and ended up staying over Saturday night, too! The kids swam all day and then we ate and let them play a little Rock Band before the adults took over!


What a GREAT weekend! A very nice break from unpacking!

Madelyn's First Sleep Over

One of Madelyn's Pre-K friends (Sydney) wanted to have an "End of Summer" Slumber Party before school began. Madelyn was so excited and wanted to pack as soon as she found out (which was about 2 weeks before the party!).

Here she is ready to go with her overnight bag and sleeping bag!

Stacey (Sydney's mom) took some photos throughout the party. Here the girls are decorating some backpacks . . .

After dinner, Madelyn (below center) was giving the girls diving lessons. :) Stacey said she would tell them "ok - here's what you did wrong . . ." That's my girl!

I'll have to deduct a few points because of her feet separation . . .

Sydney's brother also had friends over - Stacey and her husband are brave souls!

They hooked the slip-n-slide up to the bottom of the slide and sprayed it with shaving cream. The kids LOVED it!

Then they just had a huge shaving cream fight! Looks like Sydney's dad was the target . . .

The next morning was breakfast, water balloons and swimming.

Madelyn was so upset when we showed up! She did not want to leave. Her first slumber party was a success and we both survived!

Park

There is a park within walking distance of our house - it is private to the homeowners of our subdivision and it's huge and beautiful!

We went for a walk tonight and brought some food for the ducks, geese and turtles. . .

Notice there are only a few ducks . . .
They SWARM when they see there is food!

We brought the kids' fishing pole and each took turns casting and reeling in . . .

We let them play for a bit on the playground before heading back home to jump in the pool!

Diving

Madelyn and Marek both have been little fish since we've moved into the house. There has only been 2 days that we haven't used the pool since moving in! Neither of them swim with life jackets anymore, of course.

Madelyn is now obsessed with diving. She asks after every dive how she did, if she kept her feet together, if there was a big splash, etc . . .
She's actually very good!

29 Weeks

I'm about 6 1/2 months! Ready to pop already . . .
My swelling has begun. Pretty soon the wedding ring will be off and I'll get those nasty glares from old ladies. :)

Ava Evelyn Post

My precious baby niece arrived on August 1st at about 6:30 in the evening. Weighing in at 6 lb 11 oz. She is the 7th grandbaby in our family. She is beautiful.

Here is the Post Family pre Ava . . .

We were all in the delivery room and Stephanie started to feel some "pressure" so we headed down the hall to the waiting area.

Nana came back after about 5 to 7 minutes (no kidding) and said Ava was here! It's amazing how Stephanie is a baby making machine!

All the kids crowded around to see the precious angel.

The new Post party of Five!
Ashlynn getting one on one time with her new baby sister . . .
Chase holding his new baby sister . . .
Even Madelyn got to hold baby Ava . . .

Papa came in from the lake house just in time to get some squeezes in . . .

Next was my turn. Little Ava was so alert!

Chris finally got to hold his own baby girl! He had to fight his way through the crowd to get her!

Congratulations, Post family!