Student of the Week

Emily was given the award of Student of the Week at her school.

This is why her kindergarten teacher said she was chosen:

She is such a hard worker. Emily always does her work neatly. She works quickly and quietly. She is a great friend. She is wonderful in writing and is a great reader! Her smile always brightens my day. :)

We are so proud of Emily. When she came home she was SO excited about her award but didn't really know why she'd gotten it. She was just excited to have her name called over the intercom to come to the office. First she told me her name was picked from a drawing and then she said maybe it was because she's always nice to everyone in the class. When I explained the award to her and read what her teacher wrote she was so happy and proud.

And the best part for the parents was that she got a free meal at Cafe Rio. Pretty awesome since it's our favorite restaurant ever. Hopefully it won't confuse the kids too much when they find out they have real kids meal there...not just free kids quesadillas. :)

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

One of my favorite Christmas activities is sending out Christmas greeting cards each year. Mostly because I love receiving Christmas cards from family and friends from all over and getting a little update on people I haven't heard from since last year. This year I was seriously considering opting out on the Christmas cards UNTIL I saw Shutterfly's new holiday card collection. I absolutely love their cards and I'm so excited to try something a little different this year. They have lots of new, modern designs that are so cute. Here is one of my favorites:

The folded greeting cards were the ones I plan to use. They have the traditional picture on the outside. But inside they have room to write out your message, complete with pictures to go along with it. I think this will be an easier way to send out a message along with the photo cards. Here is one example:

To see more examples of their Christmas cards go to:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

Shutterfly has lots of other photo gifts you should check out. I have used their site to make photo calendars and photo books. I am always impressed by the products I get from Shutterfly. Their products are very professional and high quality. The pictures are crisp and clear.

Here is a link to their photo calendars: http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars

If you are a fellow blogger and are interested in blogging about Shutterfly's Christmas greeting cards you can receive free Christmas cards!

Three Months Old

Blue

The other morning I was out running errands. We pulled into the Target parking lot and Carter became outraged. Our conversation went something like this:

C-What is this store?

Me- Target

C-It's red. I want to go to a different store. I want to go to Walmart.

Me-NO, today we're going to Target. Why don't you want to go to this store?

C- It's red and I like blue.

Me-huh? Is he serious?

Oh, he was very serious. You should have seen the look of disgust on his face as I placed him in the RED shopping cart. I'm thinking he might be taking his Cougar loyalty a little too seriously.

Smiles Captured

I've been trying for a month, without much luck, to capture those first baby smiles. Finally I managed to get a few pictures that capture the big, goofy, toothless grin of our Matson.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Here is my little Emily on her 6th birthday! I can't believe she's 6 already. I've been trying to keep her my baby girl since she was born and it just isn't working. She has really grown up in the couple of months since starting school. She has become very friendly and outgoing and is making lots of new friends. She is a feisty, spunky little thing that keeps us on our toes. Emily loves playing polly pockets, writing and coloring, riding her bike, jumping on trampolines, practicing Gymnastics, doing monkey bars, and creating forts and ships to play in.

Here is Emily at school waiting for her turn on the monkey bars...which is her favorite thing about school. She loves school and gets upset on Saturdays because she can't go. She rarely tells me about what she is learning, which is okay because she already knows everything she will learn in kindergarten. The topics of interest to her are who she sat by on the bus, what she did at recess, and what girls were wearing matching clothes that day! It is funny to hear the things that are noteworthy to her. School is very much a social thing for her and recess is her FAVORITE! I love seeing her at school because she is so friendly and comfortable and I am always amazed by her because she is so different from me in so many ways. She is a happy, free spirited girl who makes me smile every day.

Emily's favorite colors are yellow and turquoise so we made her a butterfly cake in her favorite colors. She loved it.

Happy 6th Birthday to my baby girl!

Oh Dolly Party

Years ago (when Emily was just born) a friend gave me a magazine with birthday party ideas. One of them was for a doll party. I've always wanted to do it, but my girls never were on board with the idea, until now. Emily loves dolls and was so excited to bring her "glass" doll from her great grandma to the party.

The girls all came with dolls in tow for a tea party. We played pin the bow on the doll, did a relay to see who could dress the baby the fastest, and did a musical cake walk. The girls decorated their own paper doll girl to take home and we ended with a pinata that never broke. We finally resorted to dumping the candy over the balcony and calling it good. :) My little birthday girl had a great time and I my only wish was that the party was a little longer. We ran out of time to do everything and the girls were having so much fun just being together and were perfectly behaved. Thanks to my mom and John for showing up to help, even though I thought I could handle 13 party goers plus my 2 year old and 2 month old. Turns out I REALLY needed the extra hands. Thanks!

Emily and her doll

The paper dolls

Making good use of the new swingset

The pinata