Birthday hike

On Sunday we went for a birthday hike, at Sophie's request. My parent joined us and we had a fantastic time hiking for 2.5 hours! Sophie was a hiking champ! She did very well, got tired at the end when we were headed straight up hill but loved it all! We finished our hike with a nice picnic, too. Our weather was picture perfect, couldn't have asked for better for our birthday celebration! God is so good! I love the month of September. Now that Sophie is 5 and the stress of her being born 2 months early is behind us, I'm so glad that she has a birthday in September :)

Sophie turns 5

I can hardly believe that Sophie is 5 now. I remember being 5, and it's strange to think that she's such a big girl now. Time just doesn't stop going faster and faster. Sophie is such a miracle, born 9 weeks early, spending 4 weeks in the NICU and just look at her now! She's taller than many other 5 year olds and keeps us laughing all the time! We had a glorious weekend celebrating our big girl turning 5! Fun kid party on Saturday and a wonderful family hike and party on Sunday. What a perfect weekend for our sweet girl! We love you, Sophie!

First day of school

Sophie started school last week, 3rd year of preschool! She has the same teacher as last year and she is so excited about going! We are doing afternoons this year and it's a nice switch. But, as we adjust to the new schedule of going in the afternoons the question of the morning is "when are we going to school?" to which the reply is "after lunch" and the immediate question after that is "when is lunch, can we eat now?" :) Each day she has skipped in and out of school, dancing and singing all the way! It is wonderful to see her so excited about going!

We have taken a photo of her at the front door all three years of school!

Summer really is ending...

It's so hard to believe that school is upon us, fall sports, busy calendars! But, I am looking forward to a renewed sense of routine and the new experiences, new friends, and new adventures that a new school year brings. I went to Sophie's open house last night. She has the same teacher, same room, and a great bunch of kids in her class! She already knows half of the class. I think it will be a great year for her. Because she is doing one more year of preschool I feel challenged to kick it up a notch at home as far as what we're doing on a daily basis. I want to incorporate more intentional learning in her day, specifically math, reading, art and bible. We went to the library yesterday and checked out a bunch of non-fiction books. It was the first time I'd spent any amount of time in the NF section of the children's area. I was really happy with all the choices that they have! I see fun learning ahead! But, I'm looking for a little bit more in terms of structure, so if anyone reading this can point us to a good at home pre-K curriculum, especially one with a bible emphasis, I'm all ears!

5 things about us...

So...I've fallen off the blogging map but I feel ready to get back on it! I'm inspired by all my blogging friends out there and I'm feeling an itch to do it again! I have removed the privacy filters from the blog, so hopefully if you want to check things out at the Cotts' blog it won't be too difficult for you now!
I'm going to do an update be means of 5 things that have happened (or are about to happen) here lately, some good, some not so good:

1. Tom got stung by two bees this weekend when he was mowing, and he's allergic. Therefore, he's very swollen on his left leg and not too mobile. Could have been WAY worse, so I'm thankful, but still sad that it happened to him. He looked down and there were 7-8 bees on his leg and a few on his hands. Pray that he can work soon! Ground bees are nasty creatures.

2. Speaking of nasty creatures...we had another BAT in the house last week. I was in my room crocheting and relaxing. Tom was working in the garage, using power tools and unable to hear anything apparently. I was sitting on my bed and in swoops a bat from the hallway at full speed. It proceeds to circle my bed, swooping lower and lower and lower. I feel pinned down to the bed and fear that if I try to get off I'll get a bat in the face...kind of a worse nightmare of mine. I was screaming like the house was on fire...no response. I tried calling Tom's phone...no response. I even called my parent's! My dad answered and was greeted by a hysterical person on the phone. At the same time I was trying to talk to him I was able to get off the bed and slam my door. As I made it to the hallway Tom had finally heard something and was coming my way. He went back out and got a tennis racket and the rest is history. I was so mad about the recurrence of flying rodents in our house...rodents with fangs. So gross! We've (Tom) have done some additional bat-proofing the only place we can think of having them get in...hopefully we're done with them for good.

3. We lost my mom's dad the week before last. He was our last grandparent, the girls last great-grandparent. It is always sad to loose someone, but he is at peace now and back with his wife, whom he lost in January of 2005. My mom was able to make it to see him before he died and be with her family. I was so sick that week I didn't make the trip. That was sad to me, not being there to support my mom.

4. Sophie is anticipating preschool starting this Friday! She's very excited about a new year, new friends, and so is mommy! She also starts soccer tomorrow night, always good for a laugh or two. In less than two weeks she will turn 5. I can hardly believe it. Where does the time go! She is such a spirited, extroverted, sweet girl! I love her so!

5. Sadie is growing like a weed. This summer she has changed so much. She is so busy, always on the go if she is awake, but a good sleeper when she sleeps. She loves to be where her sister is, and "play" with her now. She loves to make people laugh. She makes funny faces, she blinks and she dances! She is say a few words and a couple of animal sounds. She is a happy, loving baby and I am so blessed! Each day her smile in the morning makes my whole day!