First School Day EVER!

Last Wednesday, Delaney started preschool. It has been a mix of emotions for me getting her ready for this big day. We are thrilled that she got a spot in the 3 day program at our church, Grace UMC's preschool program. I love the program and the curriculum they use, and Delaney has been on the waiting list since birth for a spot in the two-year old class! We were very excited to get the news last spring that she could enroll in the fall. We did lots of preparation for school, including talking about meeting new friends, meeting her teacher, and even getting a new lunchbox and backpack with her name on them (thanks Grannie & Pop!) for her birthday. We bought supplies, got a nap mat, and went to meet her teacher, who we love.

Then the Big Day came. Actually, the day before the Big Day came. Cue me, at 9pm, folding Delaney's laundry and sobbing into the clean clothes. What happened to my baby? I am so proud of the big girl Delaney is becoming, but sometimes I miss my little baby too. My sob fest was short lived though, thanks to my getting busted by Andrew, who decided I would "really be a mess when we drop her off for college." (Thanks honey, that really stopped the waterworks.)

Sidenote: He did give hugs and console me, too, just in case anyone was wondering.

BUT, by the morning of the Big Day I was back to being excited, and had my most brave mom face on so that little love would have an easy time being brave too.

 Starting the day with her favorite breakfast: sliced banana, toast, and a scrambled egg!

 Showing off her school ensemble

"Let's go Mommy!"

The dropoff went great. We had already been to the school and met Mrs. Deana, so we had talked a lot about Mrs. Deana and how nice she was. She came in, remembered Mrs. Deana, put up her things and got down to playing. I called her back over for a hug, kiss, & I love you, and she said "Ok, I'll see you later!" I am SO very proud of my big girl. It has been a big goal of ours since she was young to make sure she was comfortable around various people and in a variety of places, and she is quite the social butterfly so far (following in someone's footsteps, maybe?)

 She did have some tears at naptime, and this is going to be a transition for her. She is not used to napping with others in the room, but Friday she did nap for about 30 minutes so she is working on the transition well. I am sure soon it will just be part of her regular routine.

When I came to pick her up Wednesday, she did not want to leave! This made my heart happy as I know she is at a place where she is learning, having fun, and growing into a little girl that will know how to treat friends and classmates, and listen to adults as well. So far, Delaney loves school and we are so glad this has been a smooth transition for our family. 

Family & Friends: Birthday Party Part 2

Now to show you all the fun we had celebrating Delaney's big day! We are lucky to have so many loved ones, both relatives and friends, close by, and some who traveled a long way (hi, Hamiltons!) to be with us on Delaney's big birthday party day. Here are a few great pics I snapped along the way!

 The birthday girl was not up for posed pictures. After all, she was turning 2.

 Giving Shelby big smooches

 Cousin Doc havin' some fun on the toy laptop

 Delaney giving MiMi love

 Me & Jax

 Delaney and Daddy checking out the balloons

 Opening gifts - Delaney is one very blessed and well loved girl! Well spoiled, too!

 Loving on her new puppy from Mr. Louis and Ms. Diana

 Digging in to her yummy cake!

 Grannie & Pop

 Grandma - excellent at cutting cakes, not just making them!

 Jax showing off his Mickey ears

 My girl in a sugar coma!

 Alyssa & Nick - how cute are these two?

 Me & Mom

 Mommy & Daddy Mouse

 Playing on her new swingset

 Gav giving the slide a test run

 Sweet Grace - I love everything about this picture!

 Blowing out the candle!

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!



Oh Toodles! Delaney is Two: Birthday Party Part 1

We had a wonderful time celebrating Delaney's birthday last Saturday with family and friends. This year, we decided on a Minnie Mouse theme, which Delaney was really excited about. She loves Mickey, Minnie, and the whole crew. I decided to go with the red, black, and yellow color scheme like the "original" Minnie has. So it was color and polka dots galore! I had a lot of fun making things, and I have to give a big shout out to two great ladies (hi Courtney and Lesley!) who lended some of their homemade Minnie items for me to make my own for this party.

I got to make lots of things (which I love doing), and I even did a little work in the kitchen whipping up some yummy and cute desserts! Shocking, I know.

Since I took SO many pictures, I am going to share all the party details today, and another post with pictures of our family and friends partying next week. I tried to link most of the vendors/ideas I used in case anyone else is throwing a Minnie party of their own! Here is the photo spread from the day:

 Pictures of Delaney from 13-24 months. I love picture layouts for the guests to look at! We also had Mickey ears for the boys and Minnie ears for the girls at this table. Cute pictures of those being put to good use coming next week!

 The dessert table - yummy! The amazing cake was made by my mother-in-law, and yours truly handled the fruit skewers (I used cupcake topper sticks as my skewers - worked out great!), chocolate covered pretzels, Minnie Mouse oreos and some black and red candy.

 This thing tasted just as awesome as it looked!! Thanks Pinterest for the idea, and thanks Ellen for making it perfect!

 The favors table. The kids got Mickey or Minnie cups with a few fun things inside. The kiddos under one got Mickey or Minnie bibs - something they can hopefully put to good use!

 Fun wreath greeting our guests - thanks Mom & Dad for letting us crash your house again!

 The hot diggity dog bar - hot dogs and all the fixin's, pasta salad, baked beans, and chips. Thanks Dad for grilling and Dewey for all the yummy sides! (And thanks, Frito Lay, for making delicious chips in adorable single serving bags that kids love.)

 Add to that Jones sodas in our party colors, waters, and juice boxes. It was a hot day so our guests needed plenty of refreshment!

 Beautiful flowers by my favorite florist, Fresh by CarryAnn. She is amazing!

 Great balloons from the Party Zone here in MJ. A new little party store right here at home, love it!

And of course the birthday girl! Grandma made her dress from a Pinterest idea as well, and it was SO adorable! She loved being a "ballerina" for the day in a twirly dress, and the pictures are too cute!

Happy Birthday Little Love!!

Whew, it has been a busy week around here! Birthday party, first day of preschool, and oh so much more! Pictures to come on all of that, I promise.

But today, my baby girl turns TWO!!! And that merits its own post.

Brand new family (and we look like it!) in August 2010. We have all come a long way!

Precious girl celebrating her first birthday in 2011. I thought she looked so grown up at the time.

My BIG girl celebrating turning two in 2012!

Delaney is beautiful, kind, loving, and so very smart. She cracks us up with the things she says, and the way she says them. We could not be more proud of the little girl she is becoming. She has made our lives so complete and made our dreams come true of becoming parents. We love her SO much!

Here are some more fun pictures from her second year, in no particular order:

 Gotta love that face.

 Easter morning, SO excited for her basket!

 Swimming lessons. Last day!!

 Some bubble fun with Daddy in our yard

 Pointing out the elephants at the zoo

 Delaney is a water baby, no doubt!

 Fun in the sun at this year's Ft. Walton Beach trip

 Car ride

 Hanging out with mommy on our trip to Denver to see the Blaylocks

 This girl LOVES to cook - guess she gets that from Daddy!

 She is also a very good helper with the laundry, as you can see.

 More pool pictures, because, seriously, how cute is this kidlet in a bathing suit?

 Helping pick out flowers at Lowe's

Just a swingin' on the new playset she got this year