First Day of 2nd Grade

This girl just lights my heart on fire. I love, love, love her to bits. Sure, there are days when I'd like her to do better at picking up after herself but overall, God blessed us with such an amazing little girl. I am excited to see what 2nd grade has in store for her!

Wild, Free and Three

And then, it happened! He turned 3! My baby turned 3! B-A-B-Y is no B-A-B-Y anymore. He's such a witty, zany, intriguing little dude that keeps us entertained non-stop. He really completes our family. And we celebrated in RACE CAR style!

School cupcakes!

Dressed for his actual birthday. He's trying to hold up 3 fingers.

When Bella and I picked him up he got to choose where we could go------PLAYGROUND!

Then, home for a little present opening.  Sissy got him 20 new Hot Wheels.

Hot Wheels tracks

Cupcakes and Candles

Then, his party rolled around a couple days later

It wasn't my normal bash, but there were a few cute touches here and there

Race car bouncy castle

Hot wheels cupcakes

Octonaughts!

An interesting way to push a stroller

A

Party Favors: Hot Wheels cup, pencil, and tattoos, plus a Hot Wheel and candy

A couple days later, this obscene amount of Mike n Ike's arrived in the mail from Aunty Sissy and Uncle Tom

1st Day of Busy Bees

When your kids go through any milestone, its a mix of emotions- pride, relief, excitement, anticipation, fear, and sadness to name a few. On August 15th, my last child started Busy Bees, which is the same AMAZING nursery school on a farm that Bella went to. I can't believe he is almost 3, and that we have been in England so long that he is following in some of Bella's footsteps. God's plan for our lives thus far has exceeded any of our expectations. We are so blessed and thankful for these memories.

Look at him.  So sweet.  So big.  Yet so little, too!  He wasn't even 3 just yet!

Putting on slippers upon arrival is the Busy Bees way

He seemed right at home with the trains

Vroom Vroom

As Joziah approached his 3rd birthday, it was time to say goodbye to the Sock Monkey Nursery. His choice: Race Cars. So, I put on my creative hat and planned out the cutest room I could remembering that we now lived in a rental. This hindered some of my ideas, but in the end, it was perfect for my little race car lover.  He was thrilled and that is all that mattered.

Checking out at IKEA

Big boy Toddler bed was finally together!

The power of vinyl stickers!  They really are the best way to add pizazz to rooms you can't paint. 

I added a race track inspired tape around the frame of his bed, too and he loves to drive his Hot Wheels around it. 

Two ore drawers to finish

Be Boppin Around- June-Sept

Here are some memories worth mentioning!

One day when Joziah came home, Bella had a letter and small gift for him.  Why?  Just because.  She is such an amazing little girl.  

Here's the outside.

Since we are talking about how sweet my daughter is, here's another example.  She loves playing restaurant.  Her and Nana had the table set and dinner made when we came home.

Complete with place cards and............

Signs to get there.

Woah, the service just couldn't be beat

Someone had a rough day

Bella debuting her straightened hair

Operation Sort Legos

Just another day of going to Worship our Savior

Another awesome day of trackbuilding

At the end of July, we had to say goodbye to the Engels....this was our last night.  We kept stalling all night because it just was too painful to say goodbye.  

The Engels entered our life when they had no children and Bella was turning 3.  Here's our fab 4!  So many memories and so much love!

Apparently, these lego people were going on a field trip.

Backyard sprinkler fun!

Bella discovered a new favorite thing----Bungee Trampolining.  

Mommy/Daughter school shopping day included NANDO'S!

Big boy took a tour of Busy Bees because he was ready to start soon!

Summer Soccer Camp.  This time it was with the Cambridge Professional Team! She loved it!

Joziah had to help put together the stools for the lego tables we built.

Summer also brought a visit from the Elliots! We had fun at a local park.

Elliriggs Kids Forever!

Movie day out with the kiddos.....Someone LOVED his pasta at Bella Italia.

A day out to try our local"ish" Trampoline Park

What's the best way to cool off after an hour of trampolining?? SLUSHIES!

Joziah was thrilled to get BLAZE from the Engels

Bella teaches Joziah many, many, many things....like how to comb out Barbie hair!

Then, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a judge at the Barbie Talent Show.  It was so exciting to hear each one sing an entire song. There were 7 contestants.  Longest. Show. Ever.  

And so begins the year of Hot Wheel Tracks!