Dress-up.

It is a wonder that I ever get Presley out of her dress-up clothes. And today while Presley was out with her dad, all Stella wanted to do was get dressed up in the dress-up clothes. She was so frustrated that she couldn't get the feathered, heeled shoes to stay on while she walked.



Presley is currently "earning" a pair of Cinderella slippers--please, thank you, and doing what mom asks all get her closer to the prize.

Preschool.

This picture just about sums it up. Presley, who couldn't wait for me to leave her at Princess Camp and on those initial days of school, now is almost in tears every Tuesday and Thursday and I get her ready for school.


She participates in dance, but won't do the karate class. I came early a few days just to watch and Presley was sitting out, not playing with the other kids. The next week during karate I showed up early and did the class with her. I have finally resorted to bribery--a huge hand full of candy corn if she participates in the whole karate class.

Let's hope she is motivated.

**For those who want to know we are just about at the half-way point in the 100 lessons book to learn to read. I am so proud of Presley. She ready the short stories everyday and even loves to read signs when we are about town (her favorite was when she learned she could read n-o-r-d-s-t-r-o-m). I highly recommend the book**

Our little walker.

Stella officially took her first steps on August 24th--for Grandma while Presley and I were at "Back to School Night". I couldn't believe Chris and I had missed it. Grandma said she loved walking a few steps and then falling into her arms, laughing.






Well now, nearly 6 weeks later, Stella is officially walking. She rarely crawls and is slowly learning to walk without her arms in the air for balance. Still a bit bow-legged (who wouldn't be with a soggy diaper??), but oh so cute--and she loves it!

I love Stella's rare laugh--though she smiles all the time. She even teases strangers with waves and her signature big, toothy grin.

Family portraits.

After much of this . . .


. . . we actually ended up with quite a few good family pictures! I credit the photographer--Krista.






It was pretty funny to see my nearly 7 month pregnant (with twins) sister squatting and sitting on the ground trying to take our picture--can you believe she is still doing weddings?

Presley and Stella were both coming down with little colds and all they wanted to do was play in the gravel.

Our favorite.

We love Sundance--lots of memories. The girls and I met Chris and Paul, who had been biking all afternoon, for a chairlift ride and dinner. The trees are turning orange and red, the aspens will turn yellow later in the fall.








Here we are, all happy as can be! Chris dirty and worn out from biking, me with my camera, Presley with a sucker, and Stella saying "WEEEEEE" the whole time riding the lift.

A bit fuzzy . . .

. . . but that is me as a baby! My guess is 8 months. My sister in law has been scanning in all of our old family photos, and I need her to scan in all of my old pics--remember the days before digital?

Just don't ask me to share the ridiculous "hair" pictures from junior high and high school. It is so BIG.

First Day.

Presley's first day of preschool was today. She attends Wasatch Dance Preschool and will participate in dance and karate along with all the other preschool things you do--story time, alphabet, crafts, music, show and tell. Her teachers are Miss Vicki and Miss Tina and she already has a friend in class, our neighbor Elle.

Ready to go!

Presley and Elle, coloring and waiting for us moms and our cameras to leave.

This morning as we were taking pictures Presley kept telling me that I had to leave her there and that I couldn't stay--she is definitely ready to leave the nest. Chris and I just can't believe how quickly this is all happening.

Forward facing!

Stella is nearly 19 pounds! All thanks to the pancreatic enzymes she is now taking that help her digest food. She is eating predigested proteins, oats, turkey, apple sauce, and bananas. The only side effect has been a case of hemorrhoids--it is so painful to even watch her go to the bathroom. Poor Stella!

Soon we are going to add in another food--the doctor thinks that in about 6 months her digestive systems will be developed enough to be off the enzymes and eating everything a normal toddler should.


For now I am happy for silent nights, a good eater, and a baby who is nearly walking (she can do a few steps at a time but still prefers to crawl). Stella is now, finally, facing forward in her car seat--everyone is happy.

No naps . . .

. . . for a couple of weeks equals a worn out little 3 year old. Just the other day she fell asleep on the couch while we were getting dinner ready.

The new plan for when school starts is up at 7 AM, no naps, and to bed at (or before) 7:30 PM. We are all exhausted.

Children's Museum.

With most schools in session, and still a week's wait until Presley starts preschool, we decided to take a trip to the Gateway Discovery Children's Museum. The pictures say it all (sorry for so may--I am testing out the new camera).








The girls had fun and we couldn't leave without something to remember our time by--Presley got an Automoblox car (in pink that daddy helped her put together) and Stella got a green ball with lady bugs on it. Stella's new favorite thing to say and play with is any kind of ball!