O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Charlotte asked if she could use my phone to take some photos of our Christmas tree. I just love how these came out! Christmas is such a magical time for my girls at this age and seeing things like this from their perspective is pretty magical for me.

Natalie's Thanksgiving Program

Natalie's Thanksgiving program at preschool was adorable!
We are so thankful for the time we've gotten to spend together with our families this week. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Monday Funday

Natalie and I had a busy morning running errands today. She's at a great age to drag around town - potty trained, inquisitive, everything's an adventure!

First up was Parts Depot, where I was able to get a new timer knob for my dryer - since mine broke in the middle of a laundry marathon over the weekend.

Next, we drove out to Animal Control so I could bat my eyelashes at them in an effort to waive the late fees they sent notice for - - the vet has always tacked those on to the annual checkup bill, but changed their policy this year without notice. Lucky for me, it worked & they let me off the hook for $50 in late fees! Nat wanted another kitten... 

Time for a haircut for Natalie! The sucker at the end is always the best part. :) 

Then we hopped on over to Aldi for a few things I forgot to pick up during our weekly grocery trip this weekend. Natalie said, "My tongue made it to Sucker Island!" LOL 

The last stop of the morning was Grease Monkey - my car was just a couple thousand miles overdue for an oil change. No line and we were in and out in about 15 minutes! Nat enjoyed a pop tart (impulse buy from Aldi...) while we waited. Maybe I had one, too. ;o) 

Natalie sure does know how to make the best of a morning full of mundane errands! 

Charlotte Loses Her First Tooth

"Dear Tooth Fairy, I want my Dad to see my tooth. Sorry. Come tomorrow, please." 

~Charlotte Grace Stiers 

 Ben is working late tonight, but Charlotte didn't want to give her first lost tooth away before her Daddy got a chance to see it. 😍 I love this girl so much and can't believe what a big kid she is! 

Her tooth has been getting looser now for a couple of weeks (the one next to it will be out soon, too). It was super wiggly last night, but she didn't want us to pull it. So I sent her to school with a little plastic container in her backpack *just in case* it came out at school. I must have thought of her and her loose tooth 30 times today, wondering if it had come out while she was at school. As soon as I picked her up, she flashed me a giant smile. "Look, Mom! My tooth came out!" She said it was hard to eat at lunch, so it was time to pull the tooth out. She said the lady supervising in the cafeteria gave her a napkin and Charlotte pulled it out on her own! 

Charlotte Goes to Kindergarten

Today was the big day! My baby had her first day at kindergarten and she loved every minute of it! The only thing I heard her complain about today is that they didn't get to stay a full day. :-) 

One of the things Charlotte (and Ben) have been looking forward to when school started has been riding to school with her Daddy each morning. Even though we all went this first day, she wanted to ride in Daddy's car and walk with him - just like they will for the rest of the year. Charlotte and Ben have a very special bond and I love watching the two of them together. 

Right as they walked up to the playground, Charlotte found her new friends she's met a couple of times over the summer. They played for a few minutes and then the teachers announced it was time to line up to go inside. With one last wave goodbye, she went right on in without so much as a glance back. 

We stayed a while and had coffee with some of the other parents and let Nat play with the other younger siblings. She asked why Charlotte wasn't coming with us when it was time to leave, but other than that, she seemed pretty happy to get some 1:1 time with me! We walked up to the park & then made a quick stop at HyVee. She looks SO BIG pushing that kiddie cart!! 

After a quick lunch, it was time to head back over to campus to pick up Ben and then go get Charlotte. She said she had a great day! She had PE, Music, and Technology today, along with lunch and recess. Sounds like a very busy 5 hours!! To celebrate such a huge milestone, we went to Carl's for ice cream. With eyes, of course :) We're so excited to see what this school year will hold for you, Charlotte! 

Charlotte's 5th Birthday

I think Charlotte had a wonderful birthday! I still can't believe this little girl is five years old!!

Waking up to birthday balloons on her door is one of her favorite traditions. :-) 

She opened her gift from me first thing in the morning - some new rain gear!

After lunch, we went to Cherry Berry to set up for her birthday party. 

She had so much fun having frozen yogurt and playing with her friends! She got some really great gifts, too! :-) 

After the party we came home and all of us had some quiet time. Charlotte picked sausage pizza for her birthday dinner & we got a small ice cream cake from DQ (since we hadn't had enough ice cream yet - haha).

Ben's birthday gift for Charlotte & me was a trip to Merlot and a Masterpiece - which we did this morning. We had so much fun painting with a real artist! Charlotte really loved it!

Happy birthday, baby girl! You are such a funny, creative, smart, thoughtful, loving, and amazing little girl! We love you so much!

Branson 2016

We were fortunate enough to spend the last week of July in Branson with Ben's parents. They spoiled all of us rotten with mini golf, go karts, Silver Dollar City, food, shopping, ice cream, and a wonderful condo with a pool! 

First thing the girls wanted to do! 

Pirate Golf

Arrrrrrr! 

Outlet mall shopping

 We had so much fun at Silver Dollar City. The girls were big enough to ride plenty of the rides. The crowds weren't bad at all and they were able to ride as many as they wanted! They both loved getting splashed on the river ride, getting dizzy in the teacups, and climbing around in the kiddie treehouse. They also loved their first roller coaster ride! It rained a bit on the second day we were there, but I don't think anyone minded slowing down for a while - - especially Natalie - she fell asleep despite being carried around in the rain!

Ben and Charlotte on the roller coaster

Nat did not want to stop for a potty break! 

Nat was just so tired

They got to ride up front in the shuttle back to the parking lot

holding hands :) 

Charlotte was tall enough to drive her own kiddie go kart this year! She loved it!! 

 They both loved the Frog Hopper :)

Ready for go Karts

Riding the trolley in Downtown Branson

such a vicious roar! 

The girls did great in the car and I can't believe how different it was being away from home with two kids completely out of diapers, bottles, pacis, and able to delay or skip naps without nuclear meltdowns!

We had such a wonderful time and made so many great family memories. Thank you so much, Jim and Val, for making it possible!