A Week of Firsts

My baby has taken her first step toward being a full fledge 'big girl' :( This past week Quin had her first two days of preschool - okay, it was three-school, but still... She also had her first official dance class. I can't believe that she is old enough to do these things. {big sigh}

On Tuesday Jason went to class with her - a parent was supposed to accompany each threeschooler. I made him promise to take pictures for me since I was going to miss it :( I have begun to suffer slightly from 'guilty working mommy' syndrome! Jason often reminds me though, that if I didn't work we couldn't afford to send her to school. I guess he is right...(just this one time!)
When her 'preschool' size backpack arrived, I knew it was small. I didn't realize how small it was until I saw this picture of it next to the other kid's backpacks. What in the world will they need to put in them?!?!? :)

She was hesitant to join in anything, but did tell me all about the train.

Jason also brought her this past Friday, for her first full morning without him. He said that she was very stand offish, until her best bud Izzy got there. (Friends always make a new situation easier!) So far, I think threeschool has been a take it/or leave it kind of thing for her. I hope she grows to look forward to each Tuesday and Friday!

She is the 'beary special student' this coming Friday - which is just a snazzy way of saying that they have to have a parent (or special person) there to volunteer. I am so excited to spend the entire time there with her - watching how she interacts with other kids, and getting to know the other kids in her class!

She also started dance class. When I signed her up, she hid behind me the entire time! This past week, I had to persuade her to go in, but she went - yay!

As I was carrying her out, she used her small little whiney voice and informed me that she didn't want to leave - woo hoo! I was so happy!!! For being such an outgoing kid in familiar situations, it is so strange to me how shy she is when she begins a new situation.

It will be so much fun to see her grow and develop in both of these areas!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lincoln!

Last weekend we went to my sister's house to celebrate my nephew's first birthday. I can't believe that Baby Lincoln (as Quin calls him) is a year old. Boy, time flies!
Lincoln can't believe that he is a year old either :)
Quin LOVES her Baby Lincoln, and was excited all week to go and see him. She was a little sad when she realized that there were a bunch of people there, and that she had to share Linc with others ;) She got over it quickly, and had a ball with the other kids there.

Unfortunately, my kids kinda took over opening presents - sorry to everyone who has pictures of their backsides instead of Abbey and Lincoln showing off their new stuff!

Lincoln is such a good baby, and is just so stinkin' cute! He had a monkey themed party, and loved this monkey that his other cousins gave him.

My sister didn't think he would like a cake. She ran out early that morning to get one, more of an after thought than anything. It looked like he may be a dud for the first few minutes.

Well, Abbey walked away and this self declared 'favorite aunt' couldn't let him get away without making a mess. So with a little verbal encouragement, he had a ball with the cake. It ended up flying everywhere, and the cake had two smooshed divots on either side. So fun to watch!

We have loved watching Linc grow and develop over the last year - I can't wait for the next year to come! Happy Birthday to Baby Lincoln!!!

Back To...Zoo

Quin and I took our 2nd annual 'Back To... Zoo' trip. Last summer Jason and I brought her to the zoo for the first time as an end of the summer/mom going back to school trip. This summer I got Quin all to myself! Quin loves animals! She has asked on more than a few occasions to go back to the zoo, so I was excited to take her.

Of course, we stopped on our way in and took her picture next to John Ball himself. She wouldn't sit on the sculpture, but would at least hug it (she wouldn't even touch it last year).
She had a definite plan when we went in. She knew which animals she wanted to spend time watching, and which ones were fine with a walk by. After paying the dollar a piece, she wouldn't touch the water that the sting rays were in. And, after waiting in a long line, she wouldn't touch the sea stars (but did like looking at them close up).

I thought I would get away from the water displays, and go for the birds (which I actually thought would be worse). We were able to purchase a food stick that the Budgie birds could sit on and eat from. Quin did a fabulous job!!! She stood very still while a few different Budgie's ate. I remember seeing Budgie's when I lived in Australia, so that in and of itself was a treat for me!

Quin also liked the petting zoo area, and even touched the baby goat all on her own!

The highlight of the day for me was that Quin loved the penguin exhibit! While we were there last year, she fell on the wet ground and split her lip/chin open. Every time she has seen a penguin (t.v, books...) she retells us about how she fell. She was very hesitant to go in the exhibit at first, but after I carried her for a minute she wanted down. The penguins were playing follow the leader under the water and she wanted to see them up close as they raced around. I knew we successfully overcame her fear of penguins when she wanted to make one last trip into the exhibit on our way back out. Yay!

Quin and I enjoyed ice cream as we were leaving. I enjoyed the most heavenly treat - fried cookie dough with ice cream. SO YUMMY! If you happen to make it to John Ball Zoo, I would highly recommend it. Although I will eat it right away next time, so I feel like I am walking it off ;)