Mikayla's Birthday

Today is our baby girl's second birthday! We can't believe that she is already two! We had her birthday party last night here at home in our back yard. There were lots of family and a few friends here. There were many others who would have loved to be here, but were unable to! We sure missed you, but know that we will see you soon!

Mikayla had a ball. We have been asking her for several weeks what she wanted for her birthday and all she would say is cake. We always got tickled when she would say that. We went to let her pick out her birthday cake last Saturday. Drew wanted her to get a Shrek cake, but we had to remind him that this was her birthday and that he got to choose his cake for his party at Chuck E. Cheese's. Once we reminded him of this he was okay with her choice of a Disney Princess cake.

We went to do some last minute shopping yesterday morning. We picked up her cake, balloons, and drinks. We decided that we would order pizzas for supper.

Mikayla kept asking to see her cake and every time we would show her she would say "awwwww". Drew said "Mikayla, that is beautiful!"

Later in the afternoon we started decorating for the party (it started at 6). Daddy went to Poppi's to get tables and chairs, then Daddy and Uncle Jason went to get ice. Grandpa brought Uncle Chris' tailgating canopy for us to use. Drew and Mikayla went swimming in their little pool while they waited for the guests to arrive.

Once people begin arriving, we put up Drew and Mikayla's moon walk tent so that the children could play. They also liked playing on Drew and Mikayla's swing set and in Drew's jeep.

Once everyone arrived, we ordered pizza so that we could have dinner. After we ate pizza, we brought out the cake and sung Happy Birthday to Mikayla. After cake and ice cream, she opened her gifts (with the help of Drew and her cousin Lauren). She got many great things. Lots of clothes that had "princess" on it. She will always be princess to us! She is beginning to pick up on this as well. Friday, while we were at the doctor's office with Drew (He had an ear infection), she was twirling in her dress saying
"princccesss". She is so funny.

She wasn't really interested in opening gifts at this point (too many other things going on). Instead, she wanted to play with her cousin. She wondered around the yard saying "where's baby, where's Belle?". Aunt Angel was pushing her around in her stroller. Once the excitement from the party died down though, she had a ball with her gifts.

It started getting dark on us around 8:30 or so. Some of the guests started leaving. They had driven an hour or more just to be here for her pary, and they had to get back on the road. Others helped us clean up and then joined us inside for a few minutes.

Once everyone had left, Drew and Mikayla were pooped! As soon as they got still, they were asleep!

It was a wonderful day for a party. The weather was excellent. Not too hot, and the rain held off!!

We hope a great time was had by all. I know Mikayla greatly enjoyed her party (so did Drew).

First Day of School!!

Thursday, August 18, 2005 was Drew's first day of BIG SCHOOL! He started in the afternoon class of the 4 year old program at the school where I teach. The plan was Craig would still take Drew and Mikayla to daycare every morning, then Ms. Gale would drive Drew to my school on the daycare bus.

I was doing okay until about 11:00. I was more nervous about this than Drew was. He was very excited and couldn't wait. I was worried that he would be scared, or that he might not like it. I was also a little worried about his behavior. I sure didn't want him to embarrass me in front of my co-workers!

I also started worrying about how Mikayla would do without Drew at daycare in the afternoons.

Well now that the day is over, I feel like I worried for nothing. He LOVES kindergarten and his teachers. His favorite centers are blocks and kitchen! His teachers tell us that he does well in class. They did say that he likes to wonder around the room, but that this is normal at first. I should know this, I teach 5 year olds!! He hasn't embarrassed me yet!

Also, Mikayla seems to be adjusting well to not having Drew at daycare with her all day. The only thing is that if I haven't gotten there to pick her up by 4 she gets a little upset and starts crying for mommy! I think that this will get better as we continue the year. They were at home with mommy all summer!