First Day of Kindergarten

Bailey and her schultute the night before school.

(a German tradition and a Leseberg tradition)

Bailey's schultute was filled with underwear (of course!), socks, candy and a new dog lovey (usually has school supplies, but I bought her packet online and they are sent directly to the school).

First Day of School/Night Before School Special Treat.

On the first day of school, my Mom always had a special treat (almost always Brownies) for us. We had Guh and Papa over Sunday night for dinner, and since Brandon wasn't going to be home on Monday night, I decided to do the treat last night. I made her a cake that was supposed to look like a piece of paper.

Getting ready to go to school.

Always cute!

Bailey and Mrs. Witanek
I drove Bailey to school this morning and walked her into her classroom, and as soon as we got there, she said "Okay, Bye, Mom." SNIFF! She was so ready and excited to go! I wasn't though!

I insisted on one last picture of her before we walked away. This picture will be forever ingrained in my memory and heart...Bailey...so ready and waiting for kindergarten I managed to hold the tears back until we were out of the school. But not Benson. He started crying and screaming for "Bubba comeback! I wanna go! Bubba!" Luckily he had friends come over today to distract him. But as soon as "Bubba" got off the bus, he started screaming for her and didn't leave her alone until they both collapsed in their respective beds.

Here comes the bus!

All of us Kindergarten Mom's got so excited when we saw the bus round the corner to our street. Part of the excitement was because the 45 minute wait in 105 degree sweltering heat was over (the bus was late!), but mostly because our babies were back. I'm heartbroken to think I only have about 4 hours (awake) with her every day now. I know this is what is best though... ...because she had SO much fun!

She was so excited to tell me (and Grandmas and Dad!) all about her day. She loved it and had a wonderful experience. I know she will do great...but it still hurts.

the girl with kaleidoscope eyes

I finally got Brynley's pictures done. Slightly overdue...she's eight months old. She was so good (and the other two were very patient), and all the pictures turned out wonderfully. They captured her peaceful disposition and kaleidoscope eyes. It was so hard to choose! After I chose way too many, I realized my coupon wasn't so good after all. I think the pictures (and the hassle of taking three kids to do pictures) were well worth it. Besides, with the other two kids I had spent way more $$ on pictures by this age, because I had them done so many times.

This full body pose looked so familiar to me...oh wait, it's identical to one I had as a baby.

Also familiar...Bailey had some of these identical pictures too!

Happy 6th Birthday, Bailey!

August 4, 2009

Bailey started out her super birthday with waking up to a new bike and helmet (forgot picture!), and then out to breakfast at IHOP with Guh W.

Her favorite part is when they sing to her and bring her ice cream!

About the time she got home from breakfast, it was time for her Cooking Party to start. She had 11 friends over and they decorated aprons and chef hats, made their own pizzas, decorated cupcakes, and played games. It was a crazy, but fun party! Best of all, Dad stayed home from work to help with the party and celebrate Bailey's special day!

OoPs!

We forgot to sing "Happy Birthday" until Bailey was almost finished with her cupcake!

Meanwhile,

Guh W took Benson away from the party (which Bailey was sad about, but he was contagious with Fifth's Disease) and they went to Isaac's (cousin) house and had his new favorite food...CHEESEBURGERS! (which he can eat all of, and loves the "BIG PICKLES!")

After the party, we all took a short rest, and then went as a family to Red Robin, Bailey's favorite restaurant. Then the rest of the family came over for cake, ice cream and ....

...PRESENTS!

Bailey was totally spoiled by her friends and family!

Grandmas and Grandpas totally set her up for school with backpack, lunchbox, and LOTS of clothes! She was most excited about her "CREDIT CARD" (Wal-mart Gift card) from the Stewarts and her $$ from Memaw. It was burning a hole in her pocket and we had to go to the store first thing the next morning.

At SIX, Bailey can:

READ!

Ride a bike with no pedals!

Help take care of siblings!

Make her own sandwich!

Change a diaper!

Play Piano

Do addition and subtraction

AND...

Starts KINDERGARTEN!

Best Buddies and Best Baby

The Buddies and the Baby.

Bailey and Benson helping make pancakes.

It's sad. Just as Bailey is getting ready to start all day kindergarten, Benson and her have become best buds. They play all day long together, and pretty nicely, most of the time. They've both gotten old enough to play well with each other, for the most part. It's so nice that they play together and entertain each other, and it's so fun to watch and listen too. They are so cute and sweet to one another...

...like Benson telling Bailey to 'come sit my lap' when she was scared of the thunder (she's still a little traumatized by the hurricane!). She 'sat on his lap' and he hugged her and sang to her and told her sweet little things to comfort her, like "Don't woeey, Bubba." (don't worry, Bubba). He's such a tender little boy...

...and she's so sweet to always share with him.

Brynley and Benson have also gotten old enough to play pretty well with each other (for short amounts of time...Benson looses interest pretty quick, since Bryn can't do much). Benson loves that Bryn can sit up now and do more things. He's quite interested in watching her play, helping her play, and laughing at her play (because baby's are just so funny!). Brynley thinks he's quite an interesting creature, too, and loves to laugh at/with Benson! So heartwarming to watch.
(btw: notice Bryn's sitting up now...a new development in the last month.)

Bailey snuck into Bryn's room while she was sleeping and thought she was 'so cute' and I thought so too. She really is the best baby ever.