Ally was super excited to get a package from her Great Aunt Martha. In it was a beautiful new dress – perfect for twirling, scootering, going to Church and watching TV. Basically a perfect fit for Ally. She loves the colors.
We matched on Sunday at church in our blue and turquoise colors so I had someone take our picture.
Ally rode her scooter all the way home from Church.
But when we got home she was tired. She settled in on the couch with her doll to watch a little TV.
Ally’s beloved park – where she learned to pump on the swings, climb ladders, and spent hours on monkey bars was torn down last Spring. It came as a bit of a surprise when it happened and it has been under construction for over a year. But last week, on the first day of school it opened!
First a recap of our old park:
The new park has a really neat all season ice rink but other than that is falls a little short on climbing and slides and has no swings for Ally. Sometimes change is hard.
Ally and her friend Olive had fun on and off the ice. We did Christen the new park with pizza for dinner on the new picnic table with friends.
I just love my family.
It was a school holiday today, Becky had to work and so did I. A neighborhood mom offered to watch 4 1st grader!
From left to right Aiden, Ally, Olive and Maya. They spent the day at Maya’s house.
Playing, lunch and a movie. Maya’s mom said the only disagreement was over what movie to watch, so in the end they watched a few minutes of a couple movies and ended up going to the park.
They were all pretty tired at the end of the day. But it was fun.
It was a very rough bedtime last night – took 3 hours for Ally to fall asleep. She was sad summer was over, a little bit nervous about school today since she has all Spanish this week. Now that Ally is in first grade the students switch teachers each week, one week everything is taught in Spanish and the next in English. She is excited for school, and woke up in a great mood, got ready, ate breakfast, took pictures with me and waited at school for a bit since we were early.
Outside in the yard ready to leave for school.
Walking to school – yes her backpack is huge – but I was glad she was actually carrying it herself. Then waiting outside her classroom.
Inside her classroom – sitting down at her spot. In her class she is student #17 (out of 25) it was tricky for her to find her # since she is listed as Alejandra and there is an Alexandra and an Alexander in her class! But she figured it out, and we told the teacher that she prefers to be called Ally, and her teacher said she would make the change moving forward on things in the class room.
I can hardly wait to pick her up in 5 hours and hear about her day!
Sunday night we had friends over for dinner. This is 4 of Ally’s friends from pre-school and their parents and siblings. 10 adults 9 kids.
Early on in the evening I took this picture of Ally & Stella & Erik:
After dinner I got a group shot of all the kids. The one on the left was supposed to be normal smiles, but Kai and Nicky just couldn’t resist being silly. So then I told them to all give funny faces and the one on the right is that.
Top row: Erik, Violet, Kai, Nicky & Charlotte
Bottom row: Ally, Stella, Liem & Andy
Ally decided she wanted to make some things for Baby, Dolly and McKenna. She wanted to make a couch, curtains and something else. I suggested pillows. Thankfully the couch project was abandoned for another day. But here is Becky patiently showing Ally how to make a pillow. They created a pattern, cut the pieces, Ally helped sew them and then she stuffed them. Becky sewed the tops.
Ally chose the fabric to make “curtains” for the doll 4 poster bed.
Unfortunately while Becky was sewing the curtains Ally was working on a project of her own and ended up in a full on melt down. She got really frustrated with whatever it was she was making – we still don’t know as she was unable to explain it to us. After some food and cuddles from her moms she was fine.
Then it was off to Gabi’s house for Guat Girls with Rosa and Gabi. They went swimming in the rain in Gabi’s pool.
When we got home Ally wanted to teach Spanish. I think she wanted to refresher time for starting school tomorrow. In 1st grade its one week of Spanish and one week of English – and lucky Ally her first week is taught in Spanish. She is a little nervous about it. After the Spanish lesson it was “Beauty Salon” time. Becky and Ally started with McKenna and put in some colorful hair extensions and lots of braids, then they proceeded to put a bow on every one of of Ally’s “special things” and there was a beauty contest. Kitty was the winner.
After dinner Ally danced to the Muppets, played Sleeping Queens and is now getting ready for bed. Hopefully she’ll go to sleep quickly tonight and be well rested for her first day of school tomorrow.
