Stella's Last Day of Preschool!

Stella wrapped up her last day of preschool on July 13th.  What a year it has been for my two little ones.  As you will recall, when we first moved to England, we lived with my in laws for three months in a semi, two bedroom house.  Steve and I slept in a double bed while the kids slept in a single bed at the end of our bed.  Each slept with one head on opposite ends of the bed.  We were living out of the suitcases we packed and brought over while all of our worldly possessions were sailing across the Atlantic.  While it wasn't ideal, it was what had to be done while Steve and I diligently searched for homes each day. 

Steve began working 2 weeks after we landed full time.  I had no car at that point and to be honest was hesitant about driving anyways.  The roads are so narrow, they drive on the left and use roundabouts vs. traffic lights.  It wasn't until September of last year that I finally got brave enough to buy a car and start driving.  With that said, I went about a month and a half walking everywhere.  Unlike the States where everything is so spread out, everything you need here is within walking distance.

Lottie started school around the first of September last year so with her getting settled in her new school, I thought it would be an ideal time to get Stella used to going back as well.  After looking online, I found a preschool that I thought would be a good fit for her.  We walked to check it out and it just felt like you would be dropping her off at grandma or granddad's house.  They were very welcoming and kind.  Stella started off going 2 days a week for 3 hours at a time.  I swear those 6 hours a week are what kept me somewhat sane during those 3 months living with my in laws.  Don't get me wrong, I love my in laws and realize that it couldn't have been easy on them either. 

By the end of the school year, Stella was going 3 days a week for 3 hours each time.  I can't say enough about the staff.  They put on Christmas productions, picnics, sports day, end of year celebrations, etc.  They also visited a nursing home every couple of weeks where the children would sing to all the elderly folks.  I can't imagine what joy that must have brought to them.  :)

It's hard to believe that at just 3, my baby will be entering into her last year of preschool before joining her sister at big school.  

Here's a few photos of Stella's last week at preschool!

Teddy Bear Picnic (that is Stella's BFF - Imogen)

 

End of Year Celebrations

 

Last Day of Preschool!

Spring School Photos 2015

School photos wouldn't be school photos without at least a couple of awkward photos from the kiddos now would it?

The culprit this time around is Stella!  I swear I sent her to school with a bow ready to be put in her hair by her teachers.  Who knows if it even made it there?  I suppose I should just be happy that they make it to school every morning with their teeth brushed and their hair combed right?  Or at least I hope they do (Steve does drop offs every day).  :)  

Without further ado................

I guess they came the day before to do the classroom photos.  I literally laughed out loud when I came across this photo!  Stella looks so rock and roll, it is not even funny.  Between her hair, that Beatles t-shirt and her black boots, I was rolling!

Lottie's photos came out adorable!  She is just growing way too fast!  I want to keep her at this age forever!  

Lottie's class photo!  Of course she would be seated next to her BFF Blake!

Last but not least - my sweet girls!  Honestly, they are both at the most perfect ages.  I want to keep them like this forever!  Time - please slow down!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lottie's 4th Birthday Party

For the past three years, I have thrown Lottie a birthday party at our house.  With her getting older and wanting to invite all of her friends from school, I thought something away from the house would be best this year.  Not to mention with all the construction going on, it would have been impossible to do anything at our house anyways.

Lottie loves art!  She loves to paint, draw, do crafts, etc.  With that in mind, I thought the perfect little party would be an artsy one.  We had her party at Noah's Art in Blakeney.  It is a cute little studio and all the kids had the place to themselves.  Lottie chose to do Frozen themed arts and crafts.  They played the Frozen soundtrack in the background and upon arrival, they gave all the kids painted tattoos on their hands.  They then invited them to a separate play area to play while waiting on all of the kids to arrive.  Once all of the kids arrived, they sat them down and talked about what crafts they would be doing for the day.

They did a total of four crafts.  The first craft they did was design their own crowns.  Of course my children did not want to wear them.  Lottie refused stating she just wanted to wear her headband.  The next craft was a beaded snowflake.  Then, they painted a Frozen picture and finally painted/colored/designed a wand.

All in all, the kids seemed to have a great time!  Lottie thanked me a million times for her party which made it all worth it.  She is such a great kid.  You couldn't ask for a more sweet, funny child.

Prepare for photo overload!  Maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to collage the photos as not to overwhelm you!  :)

Lottie dressed herself and insisted on wearing this dress paired with silver moon boots!  :)

The separate play area during breaks from crafts

Lottie's BFF Blake

My girls!  Lottie writing her name - making claims on that crown!

Pretty sure Stella stuffed a handful of beads in her mouth!  That was fun!  Note to self - she is still too young to have anything to do with beads!  Banned!

Aunt Amy helping Stella paint

Lottie's Birthday Cake - Frozen

I ended up getting her cake at Publix.  It was delicious!

Funny story...............

Stella is a beast!  After eating her own piece of cake, she continued to slide down the table and eat whatever cake was left on the plate from the other kids who had already gotten up from the table.  After we caught her, we all died laughing.  She didn't care one bit, she just continued stuffing her face with whatever cake she could find on the table!

These two.................  I could eat them up!  

Cake snatcher making her way down the table.................

They wrapped up the party by giving Lottie a big hug!  Too cute not to catch on video!  See above!

Following the party at Noah's Art, we had more family and friends come over to our house for pizza. 

Lottie got to blow out candles for the THIRD time that week!

The following day Lottie and Steve played with the present he got for her.  It is a scalextric race car track.  Pretty cool.  They played on it for hours.  I secretly think Steve bought this gift for himself!  

We also had an English tea party.  We all sat around drinking cups of tea and eating tea sandwiches and cake!  The girls loved it.

All in all, it was a great weekend!  I still can't believe my girl is 4!!!!!!!!!!  We love you so much Lottie!  I can't wait to watch you grow throughout this next year!