Last Day of Preschool and Early Birthday Celebration

Today was Brady’s last day of school of her “three year old year”. Because we were out of town on her half birthday, they allowed her birthday to be celebrated today. As the birthday student, you are the leader of the day, bring snack, and have the story of your life told.

 

Here is Brady cutting up apples with Sonya.

Here is the sun the kids walk around as the timeline is read. After a year’s worth of events is read, the kid will orbit the sun once to signify getting a year older. So Brady walked the sun 4 times today.

Brady stands prideful as Gaylene reads about Brady's life.

The blowing out the candle in the sun, Brady’s favorite part.

Then the class sang happy birthday in sign language (as shown in the picture) and then in German.

Lastly as the leader of the day, she choose one student to help her add today’s date to the calendar.

And she showed her picture book for show and tell (also a leader of the day privilege).

I snapped some pictures with all her teachers.

Sonya

Gaylene (Brady’s favorite) there are many times, Brady requests I call her Gaylene

Sophie

Janie

And Brady wanted to take a picture with Ava. Ava is 2 years older than Brady and an identical twin. I find it interesting how Brady as favors a child who is a multiple when in a crowd. I honestly think she must have started off as a multiple too.

I have been so impressed with Brady’s experience at the Montessori School of Pensacola. I honestly do not have a single complaint about the school. There are such awesome success and turn around stories of children in this school. I never thought I would be able to say I have a three year old who learned to read.

 

I do look forward to this summer and having Brady home during the day again, but at the same time I look forward to what next year is going to bring with Brady and Reese.

wordless Wednesday: Crafting Clothes for Disney!

A Day of Closure

Last Friday was a emotional overwhelming day of closure. All in one day we had Brady’s end of year preschool activities, last day of ballet and we had to say good-bye to the best next door neighbors we have ever had.

 

The preschool end of the year program was very sweet. The class sang several songs in English, Sign Language, German and Spanish. The graduating kindergarteners did a variety show and received their certificates of completion. I got emotional because Brady will be moving in the middle of her kindergarten year and will miss this event by mere months. One of those downsides of military life.

Meanwhile during this hour and fifteen minute program, Reese was an angel and did ‘work’ the entire time. She kept asking for more work to do!!! I am so excited we decided to place her in the school next year too.

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised as the teachers recognized me (and a few other parents) for my volunteer work. It feels good to be thanked!

I am smiling so big in this picture because I had just looked over at Brady and she was VERY proud to have her mommy be one of the four recognized. I love seeing that sense of pride on her face.

 

After a ‘feast’ at the school to celebrate we hurried home to give hugs to our dear friends that are moving to CA. We wish them the best of luck as the Navy brings them to their next step in life! Yes, they have two dachshunds just like us.

 

Then that night, with me being emotionally exhausted, it was off to ballet one more time this year. Not many girls showed up so I decided to sit in to watch the class. There is no lobby and parents aren’t allowed in the classroom, but I thought they would allow an exception with low attendance and the closing of the year. a couple of other moms followed suit and stayed in there. Well about 10 minutes into class the teacher invited us to join our daughters and what a blast it was! Then for the end of class she handed out home made chocolate covered strawberries…YUM!!!

Copy Cat

For Brady’s recital (I know I know I still need to blog about it) gift I bought her a dance styled outfit with cute t-shirt, tutu and leg warmers. Well the leg warmers were such a hit that Grandma bought two more pairs.

 

Well it turns out that Reese ended up falling in love with them. Reese had put on a pair for the second day in a row (all on her own). I was telling Brady how ballerinas use them and googled some images to show her. We came upon this picture:

 

 

Unlike most other pictures, these leg warmers were bright colorful and striped, just like the pair Reese had put on earlier. After looking at a few more pictures, all in several poses, I closed the computer and went about my way. Then I turned around to see Reese like this:

 

Somebody is very eager to be a ballerina. She thinks it is was too long until she is three and a half!!!!

Wordless (kinda) Wednesday: Our Little Princesses (for you Dad)

Playing Cinderella: Yes it gets them to help around the house

 

Rapunzel

Ariel dress, but to her more likely Princess Kate (yes a real princess)

Who does this glass slipper fit?

climbing Rapunzel’s hair

Prince Charming

Wordless Wednesday: Where will you be Staying at the End of August?

Yep, we will be in Cinderella’s backyard!

Sandwich Maker

So one day a little bit ago, Brady had had a rough day. Lots of redirection was needed. So by dinner I was I done. It was a night Karl was gone with a night flight and I had already started a simple meal for the girls to eat. Well after I announced the pasta would be ready soon, Brady proclaimed “but I want a turkey sandwich".” Normally I would say you have to eat want mommy fixes. But for some reason I said “then make it"!

 

100% by herself she did just that. Here is her result.

 

 

I will say that made me completely forget about the tough day we had and brought smiles to my face. That is why I love being a mom, you kid can snap you right out of a bad mood that they put you in!

Orthnerisms…long overdue

Bradyisms:

 

“Mom, there is a meatball in my leg”  What? I look back at her playing with her knee cap. “Mom, right here”

 

 

B comes up and kisses my belly while I am sitting. I thank her for the kiss but ask why kiss my belly. She states “it looks like you have a baby in your belly” then continues to pat and kiss it until I stand up….UGH

 

Reesism:

 

I was calling out for Reese to come to me so I could put on her shoes. After a short wait, she rounds the corner and proclaims “Here I am, I found me!”

 

I have always called people who do some silly, goofy. i.e. “Why are you being so goofy?” Well now that I have the girls watching Mickey Mouse in prep for our August trip to disney, if I call Reese goofy she says “ I’m not Goofy, I’m Ickey Mouse”

Navy Life = lots of Good-byes

One of the truths about living a life of the military is lots and lots of good-byes.

 

Besides all the good-byes you have when you move every three years, there are all the in between ones that happen randomly. In each new city I tend to befriend those with similar life style (don’t we all). Well that means I have almost exclusively military spouses for friends here in Pensacola.

 

My next door neighbors, Jeff and Danielle, were the very first faces to greet us here in Pensacola. We pulled into the driveway of our new house as they were pulling in from their Christmas vacation. Their warm welcome made me think, I can handle this move and I will enjoy myself here (I hadn’t been thinking that). We have learned since that they are some of the most generous and caring people we have ever known.

 

Well, we are going to have to say farewell to them in a couple weeks, and we as a whole family are VERY sad about that! We recently enjoyed a lovely Chick-fil-a meal with Danielle and feed some nearby ducks too.

 

I know you will enjoy this picture story. The girls were PUMPED about the feeding ducks when we mentioned it, so we loaded up with cereal and bread. When we pulled up and opened our van doors the mass congregated. That excitement soon turned to nerves as the girls saw this!

Reese decided staying in her car seat was the best bet, while Brady took the approach of being 18 inches off the ground.

When Reese saw the fun to be had, she got really adventurous and threw some bread…

…that landed in the car!

Brady meanwhile to step down with Danielle and give it a try up close.

She even fed those in the water, including the turtles.

After much observation, Reese realized there was nothing to worry about and joined in on the fun!

We even saw some babies…

…threw them some bread (see it in the air?)….

…that they nibbled on!!!!

 

DANIELE AND JEFF WE WILL MISS YOU!!! :`(

Diaper free

Just wanted to shout from the roof top that for about a week now we here in Orthner household are 100% diaper/pull up free day AND night!!!! It has almost been four years straight of those lovely money eating undergarments but to them I say see you later alligator!

Little Girls, big Hearts

I LOVE this parenting thing. I have recently learned that my little girls have a compassionate heart that is larger then life. They say in psych classes that at 2 or 3 years old that their thought process revolves around their individual world. I have learned differently.

 

For this story, remember I have two ‘mama’s girls’ that are starting to turn the corner on how awesome daddy is now that he isn’t deploying! When Karl dropped us off the airport for our 10 day NC/VA trip, I went through security and then straight to the food line (surprised anyone?). I was searching the menu for appropriate food for the little ones, when I look down at Brady. I saw sweet little puppy eyes, trying really hard not to let the tears boil over. When I asked her what was wrong. I got the response that she wanted Daddy to come with us. She gave him a call to say she missed him, before he could even get back in the car at the parking deck.

 

Time lapse 3 weeks forward. I went to wake her up for preschool this morning. She was mumbling “daddy” over and over. When she finally opened her eyes, she was QUITE upset to see me. I got the same pitiful look that I did at the airport. She wanted daddy not to be at work and wanted him to wake her. You know, this made me happy, ironically. The girls finally see how AWESOME their daddy is.

 

Now for Reese’s large heart. Today Dewy had yet another GI problem (details left out here). I had to drop Dewy off at the vet midday to be treated. I explained to the girls Dewy was sick and needed to stay there at the doctor to get better. As we were walking out, Reese starts whining that “I want to bring Dewy home at daylight”. She didn’t want to leave him there and I had to really talk her down before I could leave to go home.

 

I love these girls of mine!

Wordless Wednesday: Mothers’ Day Fun

Happy Mothers’ Day

My friend Tara gave me this idea and I just couldn’t resist seeing what potential answers I would get.

 

For reference, when she says I am good at cutting, she told me afterwards that meant I was good at cutting coupons

 

I tried with Reese, but every answer was I don’t know.