A Day with Piggy Pie

Piggy Pie is the class' pet at Maile's school.  She is a stuffed little piggy ( they used to have a real pet last year) and she takes turns and goes to every child's house for one day and one night and stays for a sleep-over. Also, as part of their "adventure", every child gets to dictate a story about their day with the class' pet and have the parents write it in this journal that comes home with them as well.
The next day, the teacher reads the story to them in class. It is such a special treat  and they all look forward to having a turn with Piggy Pie.
Yesterday was finally Maile's turn to take her home. She was so excited to have Piggy Pie meet her sister and the rest of the family.
We went after after school and had some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches...Maile's favorites. Then it was time for a nap. Maile didn't really sleep but she stayed in her room and rested for a few hours.
After that, it was time for Piggy Pie to meet the rest of the crew. Maile introduced her to her best best friend, Ariel ( the bear that she herself built at Build-a -Bear), her dolls and even her dog Lucas.
While I was getting dinner ready, Maile and Audrey got to play firefighter and doctor with Piggy Pie. This whole week at school, they had been learning about community helpers, and today she had made a doctor's kit at school. They pretended like Piggy Pie had a boo boo on her leg so they gave her a band-aid.
Then they decided to take a break and watch the "Swan Princess" movie. Daddy was home around 6 PM and got to meet our "guest" for the day as well.

We sat down and had dinner together, and then took everyone out for a walk, Lucas, Piggy Pie, Audrey , mommy and daddy..we all decided to take a walk. On our way, we stopped at the park so Maile and Piggy Pie had fun going down the slides and making even more friends.

As a matter fact, one of the "friends" liked my 4 year old so much, he asked for her number and when she didn't give it to him he just said.." Ok, we'll meet again at the park..on Saturday, after dinner".
At this point, I am pretty sure daddy was ready to pull out the guns..haha
It was a full day at our house..we came home after the park, did baths ( Piggy Pie got a little  dirty), read a bedtime story and went to bed. Maile got to sleep with not just her best friend, Ariel but also her guest for the day.
She had such a blast and can't wait until Piggy Pie gets to come back for a visit.

This morning I actually volunteered in Maile's class so I got to take a little video of Ms Gleason and Maile sharing their story about Maile's day with Piggy Pie.

Here it is:

Finger painting Fun

There are so many things that make my girls happy at any given time but painting has definitely become one of their favorite activities.

The other day while Maile was in school, Audrey and I decided we'd try our hands, at finger painting.

I could try to tell you how much fun she had, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

Maile wants to marry daddy

I was in my closet this morning trying to get ready for our day.This whole time Maile is "browsing" through my dress collection, like she does so often when she looks at me and says:

Maile: " Mommy, I really wish I you would share your clothes with me, because when I grow up, my clothes aren't gonna fit me anymore."

Me: " Well, Mai..I'd love to share my clothes with you, but I am not so sure you're gonna want to wear mommy's clothes when you are all grown up. I bet you're gonna have your own style."

Maile: "I know mommy, but I really need a dress to get married in."

Me: "Are you ready to get married? Did you find your prince already? 'Cause you know, when you get married, you won't be living with mommy and daddy anymore."

Maile: "Well, I just want to marry daddy, just like you."

Wow, Mai...you are so precious in so many ways, and I love that you love your daddy as much as I do. Not sure you'll be marrying him, but I am pretty sure you're gonna look for someone who's going to love you at least as much as your daddy does. And I know for a fact, your daddy will be in your wedding, shedding tears of joy...you will forever be his sweetheart.

First Official school picture

And just like this, our little girl recently turned 4...and just like that...she started Pre-k....and just like that...she had her first official school picture taken...

Looking at this, I can't help but think to myself..."This is SO her!! Her smile, her shyness, it all says Maile to me."

Years from now we'll be looking at this picture and the many others she'll be taking every year, and wondering...."Where has the time gone?"

I wish you could stay little like this forever, my sweet girl.

I absolutely LOVE this stage you're in. I love your creativity, your curiosity, your sweet innocent spirit, your determination...I love it all.

I love YOU, my princess!

True Friends Pick you up when you are down

Friends are the people who stand beside you through the good times and the bad. They are the ones that you share your adventures with when life is good and the ones you lean on when it isn't.

They cause you to laugh and sometimes to cry, frustrate you, and amaze you. They are the ones that provide you with all those crazy experiences and emotions that make your life worth living.

I had started my morning in such a bad mood...I was frustrated with so many different things and I was almost ready to cry....and just when I was almost ready to do that...my friend, Amanda was there...and after just a few minutes of talking to her I can honestly say I felt better. Things were looking so much better all of a sudden.

I don't wanna necessarily go into details, but let's just say that the two things that had me most worried and stressed as of this morning, both seem to be solving themselves.

My other friend, Jacquie had a lot to do with that 2nd thing and I am so grateful for her kindness and her genuine interest in helping all the time.

So, I am sitting at Amanda's house this morning, while the girls were at school and I just happened to mention to her that I've been looking at coloring my hair. Totally, out of the blue, she goes..."I'll do it...today...we'll do a "What not to wear" type thing...where you don't get to see the reveal until the very end..."

Wow...how awesome is she? That she is willing to put everything aside and worry about me?? About "picking me up" when she sensed I most needed it?? I felt spoiled and loved and grateful to have a friend like her..

Needless to say, a few hours later after picking the girls up from school, I was back at her house..

She had made lunch for all of us..so sweet again..

The kids had a blast playing together. Maile was super excited to see Kyler, whom she is totally convinced is her cousin.

They played pretend, they dressed up, they chased each other, they got all sweaty, they had cookies and had an awesome day together.

I had an awesome day with my friend, getting all dolled up, and feeling so special..

This is the before ...

And this is the after...

And this is the sweetest picture ever of 2 VERY good friends..
Mai and KY


Thank you Lord for blessing us with such amazing friends!!

Underwater adventure

This past weekend we had the chance to go swimming 2 days in a row. On Saturday, our friends The Cowdens were able to borrow a water camera and boy did we have fun with that!!!

At first I really wasn't sure if any of the girls were gonna go under but as it turns out, we got some pretty cute pictures and even some videos.

Maile seemed like she enjoyed this experience more so than Audrey, however by Sunday afternoon, when we went swimming at uncle Roger and aunt Lisa's house, she started getting more and more comfortable and really "testing the water".

I, myself was really impressed with Maile this weekend. She hasn't had any swim lessons in over a year and yet she seems like she's really wanting to learn. She did great dunking her head under water, for quite a few seconds at a time and by Sunday she was unstoppable. She really loved swimming back and forth from daddy, to her uncle, aunt, or whoever was around to "catch" her. I really think seeing her friend Carlie swim like a fish has been a good motivation for her to do the same.

Plus, Ariel is always a good example too. She has been in love with Ariel for quite a while now and I am sure she would love to swim just like her.=)

I LOVE this shot of Eric and Maile waving at the camera.

A cool shot of Audrey swimming above Eric in her pink swim ring.

On another note, Eric and I managed to get quite a bit of painting done this weekend. We finished the sitting area of our master bedroom...which we had to repaint for the second time since the first color choice ended up being a little too bright. And, we almost finished our master bathroom. Boy that was a process...with having to tape all the nooks and crannies...

Pictures to follow..