Thursday, June 30, 2011

Last Day of School

What a difference a year can make. 


I remember dropping Simone off that first day of Toddler Time, completely unsure how it was going to go.  Was she going to cry when I left?  I had never left her before, would she understand that I was coming back?  It turned out fine, I was the one that cried and she was super okay with me leaving her.  Having this time each week really has been great for all of us.  Mom and Dad have had a few hours to themselves each week and she has had a chance to meet some new friends and learn how to be a good girl for her teachers. 

There have been many changes for Simone this past year besides the obvious physical growth; she's taller and her hair is longer.  I am shocked that she can still get those shoes on, seeing as they are a good two sizes smaller than what she is wearing now.  I had hoped she could wear the same dress today that she wore on the first day but it was a no go, a bit too short these days. 

Simone's vocabulary has changed so much since that first day.  She has blossomed into quite the talker instead of just a head nodder.  She is super funny, loves to laugh and has the highest pitch squeal I have ever heard and I am convinced that she could talk to dolphins because of it.

She goes to the art table first thing now instead of having to be begged to sit down and make a picture.  We do make a pretty big deal about the stuff she brings home and she does like seeing it out on display.  Either way, I'm very happy that its a favorite activity of hers now.


She's learned a lot of really fun songs and she loves to sing them.  Her favorites are Slipper Fish, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABC song.  She just about has the ABC song down, we just need to focus a bit more on character recognition. 

It helps to have two really great teachers guiding her this past year.


Ms. Susan (r) is the teacher and Ms. Miryam (l) is the aide.  They are so great with the kids and work so hard at what they do.  They really care a lot about the kids and Simone really loves both of them.  It was hard to say goodbye today, we will miss them both very much!

Simone only has the month of July off for her summer break and seeing how most of that is taken up with swimming she will be back in school before she knows it.  Next year she is headed to Tiny Tot Pals preschool and her teacher will be Ms. Robie.  The classroom is a bit closer to our house and 3 kids from her current class will also be there.  Her new school will still be two days a week but it will be 3 hours instead of an hour and 45 minutes so Larry and I are super excited for the extra time we will have.  Getting a gym and shower in within and hour 45 has been tight.  We may actually have some time to relax.

Anyway, back to Simone and how proud we are for what she has accomplished this year and how much she has grown into a big grrrrl as she says. 

We love our Simoney Baloney....


P.S. in case you picked up on it in the picture from today, yes she has a giant fat lower lip.  She fell off one of the bar stools in the kitchen on Tuesday night and landed on her chin.  She's fine but has quite the boo boo.

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Flower Girl and the Academy Grad's

This past Friday was my niece Christina's wedding and she asked Simone to be the flower girl.  Simone had an absolute blast and loved every minute of her time as a flower girl.  Starting with the rehearsal on Thursday night she adapted very quickly with her petal tossing task and had made sure to walk slowly and count out her steps carefully.  She had no trouble remembering her steps for the actual wedding and there may have been a tear or two as she walked down the aisle with Cole the ring bearer.  The wedding turned out lovely and Christina and Byron were very happy with how things turned out and really enjoyed their day.  Simone spent the whole reception on the dance floor with all the bridesmaids which was really cute to watch.

The following photos are candids taken before the wedding.  Most were taken by a family friend of Mary's, I wanted to enjoy the day and didn't take one picture if you can believe it.  The official photographer seemed to take a bazillion shots of Simone so I'm really looking forward to seeing those shots too. 

Practicing her pose for the photos to come at the church.  Aunt Christina (Dwyer) did her hair and it looked so cute!  Check out her cute yellow toes too...

Simone and Daddy

Me, Simone and Larry before we left for the church

Simone said she looked like a princess, couldn't agree more.

A princess that really, really, really wanted her own veil.  Christina was a beautiful bride.

Cole the ring bearer

The wedding party, the colors looked so pretty



Love this one

and this one too

Mary and Christina

Larry and Delaine

Christina and Delaine

On Saturday we held a party for Mark Jr. who graduated from his Fire Academy the same night as the wedding.  Since he couldn't be at his ceremony we watched it on video.  A lot of family was still in town so it was a nice way to end the celebratory weekend.  Christina and Byron stopped by for a bit before they left for their honeymoon.  Here are some photos...

Ashley, Katy and Christina
(Ashley was the one that took all the great candids at the wedding)

Christina Dwyer made these super cute cake pops for the party, they were so good!

Joyce (Ashley's mom) and Christina

Mark and Larry manning the BBQ in the rain...

The Academy Grads Mark Jr. and his friend Josh (we love Josh, he's like a member of the family)

Some of Mark's family came out for the wedding and Mark's party, it was so nice to see them
back row L to R Herman (Mark's brother), Mark, Mark Jr.
front row L to R Katy, Herman's wife Julie, Mary, Mark's Dad Warren and Kelly

What a weekend, I recovered on Sunday by spending most of the day on the couch.  It felt like I had been standing up for two straight days between the wedding, party prep and the party.  It was an absolute blast and we had a great time at both events.  I wish Christina could have stayed longer but she will be back soon with the kids for an even longer visit.