Bella's 1st day of kindergarten

Bella had her 1st real full day of kindergarten today. She was all smiles and as soon as I saw that bus come around the corner I lost it. I cried the whole walk home and so did Nonny. I remember when she was little people would always say to me 'before you know it, she'll be going to kindergarten' and here it is already!!! She is getting so big! This day is such a milestone in her life and I will remember it always.

Nonny, Bella and one of the neighbor girls

Bella, Nonny & Gwen

Orientation Day

Miss Yurgalewicz reading a story to the kids about kindergarten

Bella had her orientation day yesterday. The bus picked us up and I rode with her to school. We met her awesome teacher, got a story read to the kids and then one to the parents, and went through paperwork. I was a nervous wreck! Gramama was crying and I was going with her....

Bella at her seat

she would not pose for a picture with her backpack so here is a candid one of it.

Bella & Gramama

Amazone

We took a trip to Amazone in Medina with Aunty Chris, Uncle Mike, Aidan and Aaron. It was fun!

Bella & Aidan

Daddy and girls playing air hockey

Gwen

Gwen & Aaron

Swings n' Things

Quick trip to Swings n' Things with Tara & Hunter...


Bella coppin' an attitude

Gwen cheating at putt-putt

Hunter, Tara, Bella and Gwen putt-putting

Cuyahoga County Fair

We went to the Fair with the Kriegmonts, Schiemanns, and Covens. Hard to all stay together at such a big thing when the kids all go on different directions...but it was fun. It was kid's night and all the kid's stuff was cheaper.....



Hunter + Gwen



Hunter + Gwen

Hunter + Gwen

Bella + Gwen

Hunter + Bella

girls looking at the animals.

Drive -thru safari

We drove out to the drive-thru safari (only on in the whole US i believe...) in Port Clinton. It was about an hour and fifteen minute drive but well worth it. We got there around 1100 and the animals were so hungry so they were all coming up to the car windows, riding along-side the car, sticking their heads in the window. Paul and I enjoyed more than the girls. The first time through Bella hid in the back row with all windows closed and Gwen was on my lap in the front. Second time through, after we played on the playground and ate our lunch, Bella loved it and Gwen was afraid and wanted her window shut. The animals were not as hungry the 2nd time through!


Gwen (my little poser) and I on the playground

Daddy + Bella

I loved feeding the zebras!

Yeah, FINALLY Bella feeding a deer

WOW! We shut our windows for that big guy!!!!

Paul feeding a buffalo. He even drooled on Paul's shorts~ew!!!

me feeding an alpaca. they had horrible breath!

I have always wanted to feed the deer by hand......

Zoo

We did our annual summer trip to the zoo (anyone who knows me, knows that I loathe the zoo!). Bella put me in a mood~she was crabby the whole time and whiney. AFter 3 hours, I had enough. We saw almost everything anyway. Bella was so excited to see the dinosaurs and then was afraid of them and would not get out of the stroller. We thought Gwen would be terrified and she loved them! My girls are polar opposites....

at this point, Bella would not even get out of the stroller. so she missed the polar bears and seals.

Bella by the lion's den

Bella is a painter?

Once we started painting the foyer and kitchen Bella really wanted to 'help.' So Paul (not me, I knew better..) gave some paint on a brush and told her to paint the wall. This is what it looked like~really quite pretty. I did not take pics of the paint all over the baseboard and floor and....