Cousins!!!

We were so blessed that Megan, Steven, Matthew and Katelyn made the long flight all the way out west to visit us. Really in the 7 months we have called California home we have had many visitors. (Papa twice, Ms. Barb, Nana & Pepere several times, GB, Uncle Jeff and the Falconieri's.) It makes life sooo much more enjoyable when we are surrounded by the ones we love.

The Falconieri's spent a week with us. We were able to take them to all our favorite San Diego places and have the much needed relaxing time too. Alexa and Matthew instantly connected like old friends. They had so much fun and really enjoyed each other. It is a joy to see them interact and watch their relationship grow and evolve as they get older. Addison and Katelyn took a little more time to accept each other. They always got along but I don't believe either girl really knew what to think. It's a great start to future BFF's. 

Here are some pictures for their week with us.

We missed them the minute they left. We hope they will come back again soon. Otherwise we know we will plan a trip to see them and maybe even vacation somewhere else.

Oh the places you will go

Alexa has officially finished pre-school. She has had a great 2 years in 3 different schools. She started her 3 year old program in Kansas. She learned sooo much there and those teachers are the ones I have to thank for teaching Alexa to LOVE to learn. They have no idea what huge impact they made on our little girl. Alexa started Pre-k at KinderBugs academy in Arizona. This school is top notch. It's probably my favorite thing in all of Chandler, Arizona. Seriously! Ms. Nicole and her 30 years of experience is the best teacher out there. She pushed Alexa to new levels and promoted so much independent learning. We miss her every day. Once we moved to California, Alexa finished her Pre-k year at Little Steps Christian Preschool. This is school is more like a daycare but they do have a great Christian curriculum. I think the combination of all three schools has been great for Alexa. She is truly ready for the elementary school.

We have recently learned that Alexa wants to be a fire fighter when she grows up. I am sure this will change at least 10 more times before she graduates high school. So far she has wanted to be a teacher, head doctor, Mom and fire fighter.. all at the age of 4. Whatever she decides I am certain she will achieve.

Alexa will be starting Junior Kindergarten in September. Junior Kindergarten (or TK) is a California program for children whose birthdays fall between September 1st and December 2nd. This allows them to start a kindergarten program but still only with children close to their age. So she will then go one to her second year of Kindergarten next year. As much as I KNOW she is ready for regular kindergarten, there is no way around J/K. Alexa will have Spanish, art, gym, bible and then the normal academic courses. She will eat lunch at school and even have field trips. She is very excited.

Alexa has also finished her first year of cubbies. We are very proud of her learning all of her verses and completing her entire first book. She cannot wait to start next year as a Red cubbie.

This summer Alexa is doing 2 VBS programs, gymnastics, swimming and summer camps. She is a busy girl but keeps asking to do more. We are very proud of our pint size princess.

Addison 21/22 Months Old

Our little Lou is growing up. She is now about 24 pounds and growing quickly. This month she has really started talking. She is finally moving past the basic one word answers. I love watching her put mini sentences together. The sweetest thing she does is calls everyone "Yoshi." She will hand out a toy and say, "Here you go, Yoshi." She is even talking more to strangers. Her stranger danger is gone and she is becoming a pint size social butterfly. She still doesn't know how to share her toys but she doesn't mind parallel playing with others. 

Addison has continued her swim lessons. She is sooo ready for the next level. I cannot believe how quickly she progressed from clinging to me during class to being independent in the water. She does everything asked of her and even some extras. She can get in and out of the water on her own. She digs, kicks and does bubbles on demand. She will jump into our arms and float around with her puddle jumper. We have three more classes and then she moves up to level two. This means our parent/ child classes are behind us. It's a bitter sweet time for this Momma.

Addison has recently started open gym gymnastics. Basically we get to plan in the gym with the coaches but it isn't too structured. Addison's favorite thing to do is run the tumble track. She enjoys rearranging the toys and climbing over the beams (not walking across them). We will be doing the open gym about twice a week for the next several months. We may join an actual class once Addison is a little older. Addison this month also learned how to ride a scooter. She does it quite well but at a snails pace. It's adorable to watch!

Addison has been out of her crib setting for over a month. Basically all we did was take down the rail and put up a tiny one that will hopefully prevent her from fall onto the floor but it doesn't keep her in if she wants to get down. We have had several good nights and a few rough ones putting her back into her bed. More recently it has been mostly good nights. Just another reminder that our baby girl is growing up.

Alexa calls Addison "Add." They play really well together and building their own friendship. I hope this continues. That's about it for this month(s). I hope I do better in the future but the reality is I am too busy living my life to sit down and type about it. One day... one day...