Emotional

This girl ......

.... and this girl ....

.... had big follow-up eye appointments today with the pediatric eye doctor they've seen since they were first born -- and it went GREAT!!

Both girls' vision is exactly where it should be.

There are NO concerns.

We go back in THREE years -- in 2013 -- when they are almost 7 1/2 years old!!

Today was emotional for me.

It was another reminder of how lucky we've been.

Ella and Zoe were born a little over 10 weeks early, they were both strong little fighters (with THE BEST nurses and doctors taking care of them), they both dealt with a lot of stuff and there were many bumps along the way -- but there were so many 'could have beens, should have beens' that didn't happen.

Many babies born as early as the girls were have some sort of long-term medical challenges, including eye problems. Ella and Zoe's challenges have been manageable and so far have not had any major long-lasting effects.

Again, we have been so lucky.

It really takes my breath away at times.

And Tom and I ......

..... we are two very happy and very grateful parents.

We're Going To Be Friends

Tom first shared this song with me (by the White Stripes) when Ella and Zoe were babies -- I loved it back then and I still love hearing it now. This kid-version is so sweet and the girls love watching it too, and I think it's so fitting with the start of a new school year : )

Things that make my heart happy ....

Spending time with my dad

and watching my girls enjoy cuddling with their grampa ....

Watching Ella and Zoe build designs inside ......

Watching Ella and Zoe create chalk art outside

(while taking a bike break) .....

Watching Zoe fly down a big slide at Pump-It-Up with a huge smile on her face .....

Watching Ella jump, slide, build and play at Pump-It-Up, and stop long enough to smile for my camera ......

Watching my ballerina girls learn from their ballet teacher .....

Watching Ella have so much fun while dancing and practicing her ballet moves .......

Watching Zoe have so much fun while dancing and practicing her ballet moves ......

*Listening to Zoe and Ella play together in the other room and genuinely have fun together*

what they do when they're SUPPOSED to be napping ....

A picture says a thousand words, right??

At least the bunnies .....

...... and the dolls and stuffed animals are resting!!

Now we're working on what 'Quiet Time' means

for the 4 year olds {grin}.

Happy Birthday Mom,

Love, Zoe and Ella

*my gift also sings 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' and dispenses candy*

Life is Good ....

Ella and Zoe's first week at preschool went really well and they both are so excited to go back on Monday. Ballet class started this past Wednesday and both girls were so happy to see their teacher and start dancing again, and watching them stretch, dance and smile made me smile too ......

Today is also my Birthday -- and it's been a great one so far.

I love hearing 'Happy Birthday Mama' and questions like 'did you jump out of bed when you remembered it was your birthday?' and 'I am so happy it's your birthday I have a tear of joy in my eye'. Tom took the day off from work so we're all going out for dinner, and I'm getting excited to open some presents : ) This is the first year I haven't been told my gifts are a secret as they whisper what the gifts are, but I have heard my card is very very funny ......

Yup, Life is GOOD!!

First Day of Preschool

The first day of preschool went really, really well.

There were big eyes, and ears that listened.

There were some tentative smiles and some that reached from ear to ear.

There was no crying.

There were two 4 1/2 year olds who felt like big shots walking into the Butterfly Classroom.

It was a GREAT first day!!

The first word out of Ella's mouth, before she even sat up in bed and opened her eyes was, PRESCHOOL -- and Zoe told me she was ready to be a butterfly!! Eating their 'I Love You Soooooo Much' breakfast of toast and eggs, filled up two hungry tummies ....

.... they had their 'Good Luck Pennies' from their Dad tucked in their backpacks, and we even had time to take some photos before we left the house.

~ Zoe Dianne ~

~ Ella Marie ~

~ Both Girls Together ~

Then it was off to school .....

.... and away they went!!

~ After class we took a quick picture of Ella, Zoe, Bella and Mia -- All four girls started out inECFE together so we're thrilled they're back together for their last year of preschool : )

Back home Zoe and Ella opened their treat bags from their teachers and found these items:

(click on photo to enlarge)

It was like frosting on the cake after such a great morning at school. I had to laugh, the first item Ella pulled out was a cotton ball -- she was so excited and told me 'I got some fluff!!'. Zoe was thrilled her band aide was her favorite (current) color, blue.

Day Two (today) went just as well and we also went to their first ballet class (since last May) this afternoon, which was AWESOME.

I'm really excited about this year, even though there's a part of me that can't quite take in how grown-up my little girls are looking these days.

See you next summer, Como Town!!

Yesterday afternoon Tom and I took the girls to the much loved Como Town for one last 'Summer Hurrah' --- it was gorgeous weather and we all had a great time.

The Frog Hopper still ranks right up there as a favorite ride......

.... and so does the Tea Cup ......

..... and Driving School!!

The Giant Swing is also still a favorite ....

.... and so was pretending to be a Fire Fighter.

But after each ride, no matter what it was, the girls would request another ride on the Frog Hopper, which they did again, and again and again!!

When we got home we had a special Back-To-School dessert;

Butterfly Cake, of course, for the two little girls who are now in the Butterfly Class at preschool!!

And it was really sweet, while they were eating their cake Zoe commented on how she tasted strawberries, and that it was 'really really really yummy', and then Ella told me she could taste the love I put in it. Seriously, when these two aren't driving me nuts they make my heart feel so happy : )

What a fun way to end our summer and to start up a new school year!!