Back to School!

Today was Grace's first day back to preschool! This year she'll be going 3 days a week and there are 8 students in the class -- 6 boys and 2 girls!! I was a little worried about how she would react going into her classroom... Lately she's been a little hesitant about group activities. But God is good, I've been praying about this day and Grace and I prayed together on our way to the church! When we got there, it was very much like last year -- she just walked in like she owned the place and started playing! She barely acknowledged her teacher (we are so blessed, it is a woman that I've known since I was 15 that I love dearly and who I know is an excellent teacher), and of course didn't have time to give her mommy a kiss or a hug good-bye!

Rachael missed her big sister so much that she just ate and began her nap immediately when we got home! :-) I'm sure she'll be happy to see her when we go pick her up!

Here's a few shots of Grace in her classroom -- she found so much to do in such a little span of time!

Not to be outdone...

Grace couldn't be the only one getting bigger and trying new things... I set Rachael in her crib to go get her bath ready, and this is what I returned to:

I called Chris and Grace in to see, and Rachael gave her Daddy the biggest grin -- she was so proud of herself!! (And, yes, we will be lowering the mattress before she gets back in there!!) The girl isn't showing much interest in crawling, but she loves to stand up -- I guess tonight she decided to show us just how determined she was to do it on her own!

They only get bigger!

Grace starts back to preschool next week, and she'll be 4 in just over 3 weeks! Here are a few recent pictures of her... Chris' Aunt Carol made these adorable dresses for her, and then there's one of her before she headed to her praise dance class! She is really enjoying that, and we can't wait to see what she learns in preschool!

Grace The Fish

As I mentioned before, Grace had swimming lessons this month. She started out wailing every time she was supposed to go under -- I think the first day we were there she didn't stop crying for the entire time we were there! Fast forward to this week, and we have a full-fledged swimmer on our hands! Not only does she go under voluntarily, she swims across the pool on her own, she is excited about jumping in! It's amazing! She had two wonderful teachers in her Grandma (Chris' mom) and the instructor that we've been going to for the last few years. Here are a couple of pictures of Grace's adventures...

Grace asked me to take a picture of her going under -- she was so happy to show off!

Here she is, REALLY swimming!

And Grace takes the plunge! She was eagerly waiting her turn to jump in -- when I was at the first lessons with her, she was begging to not have to do these things!

And I want to add some very special thanks to Chris' mom, the girls' Grandma, for the amazing help she has been this summer for me! She was especially wonderful to take care of Rachael for me while I worked at VBS, and then she took Grace to swim lessons! Interestingly enough, Grace made the most advancements after Grandma started going with her -- coincidence?? Here's Grandma with Rachael -- Rachael was not impressed with the heat and humidity while waiting on her big sister to finish splashing around!

Chris and I are so blessed to have all of our parents nearby, they are always willing to help, and we are so glad that our girls are going to have special relationships with all of their grandparents! We love you all!