Polka Dots and Little Black Spots...

... that's what ladybugs are made of...

Today Alora celebrated her 4th birthday with a Ladybug themed party. Her birthday was actually 2 weeks ago, but with everything going on, this was the first chance we had to throw it. She chose ladybugs because she has been OBSESSED with them ever since finding a ton this past spring in our neighbor's yard. She chose six friends to attend and together they all seemed to have a lot of fun. Another successful party accomplished!

I decided it might be fun for the 3 & 4-year olds to do a little craft instead of playing a bunch of games. We ended up making these cute little ladybugs for them to take home. Thanks to http://everything-ladybug.com/ladybug-paper-plate.craft.html for the cute idea!

One of games we played was "Put the Spot on the Ladybug."

Alora had to have a pinata. We found this cute ladybug pinata at www.CelebrateExpress.com .

The idea for the cupcakes came from http://www.cupcakecentral.com/. They are supposed to have antennas, but my licorice was too pliable and kept falling down.

Alora with all her gifts... what nice friends she has! Thanks for coming Rachel, Halle, Finley, Isaac, Hone, and Matt! Alora loved everything single gift and having her friends come play.

Our Little Preschooler

Today was Alora's first day of preschool. Having stressed all summer about finding a good (and inexpensive) preschool here in Goodyear, I finally found one just in time. Two women from our church just started their own preschool, "Little Learners Preschool," and Alora was fortunate enough to secure a spot. Ever since then, Alora has been super excited about starting school. This morning when I dropped her off, I lingered for a moment, just to make sure she was going to be okay. Apparently she was, since she told me very firmly, "Go home Mom! I'm fine."

Alora at her desk writing her name.

Heart-throb

We apparently have a little heart-throb on our hands. This week the boys had their first parent-teacher conferences (doesn't that seem early?). Both received raving reviews and Noah has even been placed in a more accelerated reading and math curriculum. As for who the heart-throb is, it's Jack. When I was talking to his teacher, whom he LOVES, she got all teary eyed because she feels so bad that he had a bad teacher last year because she thinks he's a great kid who has the most beautiful eyes. That may not make him heart-throb material yet... but just wait. Later that night I was informed by another parent, who's daughter is also in his same class, that when she asked where her daughter was (she left her kids with me)and the mom replied she was "at Jackson's", the teacher replied, "Oh Jackson, isn't he just dreamy?" Haha! How funny is that?

Fun in the Sun

I have heard the same thing over and over lately, "There is no real end of summer in Arizona." Here their winter remains in the 50s and 60s, nothing like we're used to. I still, and probably will always, consider the end of August the end of summer.

We were finally able to enjoy some of the amenities our little secluded community has to offer this past weekend. We took advantage of the swimming pool and water park, fed the ducks, played at the beach, and explored both the North and South Lakes. When the weather gets a little cooler, we plan on taking the kids on the paddle boats and pulling out the fishing equipment to see what things we can catch in the lakes.

Happy 4th Birthday Alora!

Little Miss Alora officially turned 4 today. Where has the time gone?! This is the first year she'll get a friend birthday party and she has decided on a ladybug theme. Ever since she and the neighbors caught a bazillion ladybugs this past spring, she has been obsessed with the cute little bug. Today we just celebrated with some family and her party will be happening soon!

BEWARE... Alora thinks smiling means looking like a bunny.

Presents she received from her friends back in Eagle Mountain. How awesome that they remembered her birthday!

Presents received from her Aunt Kenya and Uncle Ryan.

Proof that commercials do influence our kids. Ever since Alora saw the stinkin' "Pillow Pet" commercials, she has been obsessed with the ladybug one. Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Frye for fulfilling a little girl's wish!

A pillow pet wouldn't be complete without matching slippers!

Alora's "big girl" bike. Good thing our new house has ample space- Alora took off riding once she saw it!

Happy Birthday Princess!

It's Officially Ours!

After patiently awaiting 2 LONG months in a cramped, 2bdrm apartment, our house in Estrella Mountain Ranch is now completed and officially ours! It's nice to be able to spread out again and for the kids to have more room to run around. Pictures of the inside will be coming soon...

Noah volunteered to help sort and alphabetize the DVDs.

A view of South Lake, one of our two community lakes. This lake is just a couple of minutes away from our house.

South Lake sunset... it was even better in person!

Progress On Our House...

Pictured above is what our brand new home looks like in the Estrella Mountain Ranch area of Goodyear, Arizona. This coming week we'll be doing our walk-thru and then on Monday, August 16th, we sign our closing papers. Tuesday, August 17th the house will officially be ours! Hallelujah and good riddance apartment living!!!