Ellie's first day of 4-K!

We can't believe Ellie has had her last FIRST day of preschool!  Holy Moly have the years flown by!

 She is loving 4K!  She is happy to go to school in the mornings -- no tears at drop off yet (knock on wood).  She and her teacher are a match made in heaven and we feel very blessed and are looking forward to a great year of lots of learning and soaking up time with sweet friends she has made at SSC!

 and backing up...Ellie before she met her new teacher at open house!

Last week of Summer!

It's unbelievable to me how quickly the summer passes.  We stayed busy this year with multiple camps for Ellie and fun vacations and play dates and nights at the pool-- it was exhausting but it was all fun!  We know next summer will be even better with Thomas being a year older and being able to do more!

 Thomas had his 15 month well visit with Dr Dobson.  I have been horrible at doing monthly posts for him since he turned one but he is healthy and growing and we couldn't love him one ounce more if we tried.

 Thomas eating his first Oreo!  He is the craziest thing...he immediately splits it down the middle to lick the icing off and then he eats the cookies.  I'm not sure if he saw Ellie doing this or if it's something inherent but he will not eat an Oreo any other way.  

 Thomas had to get a hair cut -- he had gotten a bit shaggy so we went to Jellybeans for Mrs. Ashlei to clean him up!  He was so happy with his balloon, jelly beans, and a pop!

 Ellie went to zoo camp in Columbia this week and she came back with a fresh haircut too!  We were happy to have her home!

 things that never will get old -- a baby sleeping with his bottom in the air and sucking his thumb.

 I had to dump my iPhone pictures to the computer and delete some pictures due to space issues so I'm missing the picture of Ellie heading off to meet her teacher for 4K.  She got Mrs. Shamblin and is in class with two of her besties and all is right in the world with that girl.  After meet the teacher, we went to Bonefish for dinner -- for whatever reason, she loves bonefish!

and a Sunday morning picture to wrap up the week!  

What a great summer -- we can't wait until next year!

Week 8 of Summer!

I hosted a Shrimp and Grits party and Thomas and Ellie obviously had to try everything on.  Josh nicknamed Thomas "Thomasrina" whenever I put something he finds especially girly.  I just don't think there is anything in this world sweeter than a baby in a bubble and I am mourning the fact that my days are numbered with having my own baby in one.

These pictures got out of order but on Saturday we went to a Clemson event downtown and Thomas saw the tiger for the first time.  He was hesitant at first but once the tiger offered his tail, Thomas warmed up very quickly.

my sweet tigers.  We are READY for some football!

Ellie continuing to accessorize for church.  I told her since she loves necklaces so much that daddy and I would like to start a special necklace for her for Christmas (you know...thinking like an add on pearl type so that she'll eventually have a full strand).  She replied, "OH YES mommy!!!  Please a sparkly ELSA necklace".  Not quite what I had in mind, my Elsa obsessed girl.

It was rare this summer but every now and then she would crash during nap time.  She has all but dropped her nap.  Mourning that loss as well in the Vickery home.

I tried to match them as much as I could this summer, knowing that they're not together nearly as frequently when school starts.  

One of Ellie's bestie, Claire, had her birthday party at the Pavilion bounce house and Ellie was in heaven doing her FAVORITE activity with her FAVORITE friends

We bounced with Campbell too!  Ellie has made the most precious friends at SSC.  We are thankful she has one more year with them before they all split up for elementary school.

Ellie's Art Show

Following Ellie's last day of art camp, they had a fantastic show displaying all that they had worked on that week.  We were able to take all of her projects home following the show and we will treasure them for years to come!  She did self portraits, learned about developing film, talked about famous artists, and had the best week getting to be creative and make art -- which is one of her most favorite things to do!

 The little artists decorated for the art show and Ellie was especially proud of this tree.  They allow them to paint the house and the trees and basically anything that they can reach!  It's a kid's wonderland. 

 Ellie and Ms Madeline

 Ellie and Sam.  She was a big fan of Sam -- he was a helper for her 3rd birthday party as well as the son of the art teacher -- and he was so awesome with the kids.  

and some pictures that CAT took during camp!

Week 7 of Summer!

Ellie had art camp this week at CAT -- I was nervous at how she was going to do at drop off (she's used to Grammy and Thomas being with her when she's at art) but she handled it like a champ and had the best week.  I was extremely impressed with all that she learned and worked on that week -- I'll do a post next from her art show that she had on Friday!

 Thomas was a little bummed that he missed out on CAT but then he realized he got one on one time with mama and a Publix cookie!

 Ellie was VERY into accessories this summer.  Sunglasses, watches, necklaces, bracelets.  She thought she needed it all, everywhere we went.

 One of her favorite art teachers of the week -- Ms. Madeline.  We even got her number to babysit in the future we liked her so much!

 Saturday we went downtown for the Farmer's Market -- E and T loved walking around and eating Soby's pancakes for breakfast.  These two little love bugs really started playing together this summer -- they love to play chase and hide and seek and they squeal when they see each other after several days of being apart and their relationship developing has probably been my most favorite part of the summer.  

and of course -- an action shot from the moving target of Thomas after church!

Fourth of July

I happened to upload Ellie's first day of school pictures and noticed that I had pictures that I haven't uploaded from earlier in the summer...so we're back tracking a bit to post some from the 4th.  

 My sweet Tom Tom loves being outside.  

 and Ellie bug does too!  She and Emily (a cousin) are best buddies when they're together.  Ellie is mildly obsessed with "big girls".  

Week 6 of Summer!

Josh and I spent the 6th week of summer in beautiful West Palm Beach.  We haven't been away for a full week in a long time and we honestly just wanted the beach, a pool, and nothing to do.  We stayed at the Eau Palm Beach resort and it most certainly fit the bill.  We were relaxed and rested when we returned home to our critters!

 Sunday we of course headed back to church and Ellie wanted him right beside her (which never happens) so this is the best picture we could manage.

 Tom Tom's happy place is IN the bean box!