Riley Turned FIVE!

Yes, we're two months into her being five, but it's a fact!  Riley is a WHOLE HAND!  This year, we started a new tradition of celebrating a ten day countdown to their birthday, so she got a lot of extra attention.  She decided that she should get her birthday pancakes on the day of her party this year since she chose breakfast for dinner for her actual birthday dinner.  So, mama obliged.  :)

We celebrated Riley's special day this year at Aspire since she was finishing up her gymnastics lessons.  She really loved that place!  It was a fun afternoon with some of her friends, and of course, cake!

On her actual birthday, we surprised Riley with a brand new bike.  She got her first bike for her third birthday, but, of course, she is getting bigger by the minute and it was time for a new bike for sure.  She loves the basket and streamers.  Gavin thought it was pretty fun, too.  Haha!

Despite being 6:15 am, she had to take it on a test ride, complete in her pajamas!  

She definitely LOVES riding her bike!

I took the goofballs to Chickfila for her birthday lunch, and the silly girl thought she was too big for the kids' menu.  She chose a Chickfila sandwich, ate about half, and then decided that it wasn't her favorite and that she'd stick to the kids' menu next time.

After lunch, we headed to Target for her to spend some of her birthday money.  I kinda loved that she picked out a Playdough set that Megan and I used to play with when we were kids.  

And for her birthday finale, our family dinner was her pick -- pancakes with chocolate chips and bacon.  :)  I think she enjoyed her birthday celebration!

 Happy birthday, sweet girl.  It seems like Daddy and I blinked and you went from baby to big girl.  We love your personality, your sense of humor, your fashion sense, and your imagination.  We love listening to you sing Riley originals, seeing your art work adorn your walls, and finding sweet notes you leave for us all the time on our pillows.  We love your snuggles and how you still sneak into our room to sleep in our bed from time to time.  You bring us so much joy, and that will never change.  Love you, Riley Savannah!

A Preschool Graduate

We're already a month post-graduation, but it still gets me all teary eyed when I think about Riley finishing up her time at Tiny Tots preschool.  

She was so excited for me to straighten her hair the morning of her graduation and wear her new dress and jellies (which was the only time she wore them before Phoebe ate one...)  I remembered at the last minute to print off the 'Last Day of PreK' sign and get pictures just before we walked out the door.  Of course, Big Brother had to do some photobombing. 

We headed in and snapped some pictures with two very special ladies before school started.  I'm sure I've mentioned the story before, but Miss Tricia stepped in and took over the classroom in January after a sudden resignation by her teacher and it truly was the best thing that could have happened to our preschool 4s experience.  We are so thankful for her! She helped Riley find that love of learning that she seemed to be losing during the first half of the year.

And Miss Misty...oh, how can we ever thank Miss Misty enough?  She was Riley's teacher last year and made such a huge impact on her.  Riley hated leaving her classroom for a new teacher in her preK 4s class and missed Miss Misty terribly.  We were very grateful to have her as the new preschool director this year, and I hope that she is able to stay in our lives in some way over the years because she is such a special person.

 I learned my lesson with Gavin's preschool graduation program.  They cram a ton of people in the small classroom ad I knew I had to get there early, so I showed up about 30 minutes early and helped set up chairs so I could claim a front row seat.  While the kids were still getting ready and in their places, I got a sweet little gesture from my little BFF.  A couple years ago, we were going through a rough patch with an angry little girl, and these precious little moments remind me of how far we've come.

The program was a quick little recap of the school year with song songs and dancing (and eventually I'll get the videos on YouTube!).

And then, of course, there has to be a 'diploma'! 

Jarrod and I are so proud of this little spitfire.  She has grown up so much and is destined to do great things.  Deciding to send her to kindergarten was really tough on me, but I'm so excited to see where her new journey takes her. 

We love you so much, Riley Savannah!