Chapter Books & Dance Classes

Yesterday was a great day in the Smith house.  James read his very first chapter book (48 pages) and Piper went to her first solo dance class.

James read High Rise Private Eyes: The Case of the Missing Monkey.  There were a few words that he came across that he had a little trouble with but he worked through them and is really reading like a champ.

Piper went to her first ballet/tap combo class.  She was adorable.  She focused and listened to the teacher and tried really hard to do everything she was asked.  She likes her tap shoes but she LOVES her ballet flat.

They are really growing up fast - remind me again how that happened.

James is a 1st Grader

Here's our big 1st Grader!

It is harder for me to wrap my head around having a 1st grader than it was to have a kindergartner - it just seems to official to write a number in "grade level" instead of a letter.  He has come such a long way from the little guy we sent off last year.

Here he is with all the other little munchkins in his class - our neighbors Jimmy, Eaven, and Jasmine are in his class too.

Here's hoping its a good year & lots of learning and growth happen in this class.

Piper goes to Preschool

Our little girl started Preschool this year.  What a big girl, I'm still not sure how she's old enough for this...

She looks so happy & eager to start.

James was so proud of his little sister

And so were we.

Here she is walking into her classroom.  So proud of you big girl, here's to the start of something amazing.

Last Lunch Out of the Summer

 We took advantage of a good Groupon and went out to lunch to celebrate the end of summer.

Daddy's Birthday - August 29

Happy Birthday Daddy....

We went to the Harbor beach and jumped off the bridge, paddled out with surfboards, rowed in little boats...sorry we only have 2 picture - we were having a blast...

We went out to dinner and had a great time trying new things like a 50/50 burger (50% ground beef & 50% ground BACON) and for dessert we had a Bacon Brownie and it was fabulous!

Boy...we have some cute kids.

Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you!

Fun with Friends

We had a long overdue dinner evening with friends.  Next time we'll try for a group shot but for now just some general fun-time pictures.

Our little knight James

Rae & Piper trying to pull Steve down so they can tickle him...

Girls in the tunnel -

Pam & Justin and Leslie & Kensington

Bon Fire Nights

Summer night are perfect for....Bonfires!

We had a great time with our neighbors - The Beavers

Cute Kids...

They love them some S'Mores!

It was a fun night with good friends!

 

Piper's 1st Haircut

Piper is now a little over 3-year old and the only scissors that have ever been used on her hair were used to remove a mechanical car that had gotten too close.  So, we had decided we would get her hair cut - then Tangled came out and she thought her hair would change color and not grow if she got it cut.  It took some talks from me and mostly the example of a sweet little girl that she looks up to to convince her that her hair would stay the same.

So, she agreed and we made the appointment...

Before...

She was very good and sat still to have her hair cut and was very nice to the hair stylist

  

What a difference just a few snips of the scissors make...

After...

She's so cute...but I could be biased. 

Happy Birthday BFF - Pink Black & Zebra Print Party

Happy Birthday BFF!!

This summer my BFF's awesome husband worked hard to assemble a small army to throw her a surprise birthday party.  We had a great time orchestrating this amazing evening - I Loved the theme - here's a peek at the decor .  We took, Pink, Black, Zebra Print & RAN...

Here is the sweets bar...turned out amazing 

Complete with a great candy bar

   

and take out boxes to fill with candy - complete with Bling

There was also a table filled with some of the birthday girl's "Favorite Things"

  

Even the lanterns were dressed for the party

Perfection is in the details

   

Here are the cute centerpieces & bar candles

    

It was so fun to be involved with this party - it came together beautifully and it was Perfect.