Haven Started Preschool!

Dear Haven,

You started 3-day/week preschool this week!  As much as I would rather have you stay at home with me, Tippi Toes needs more of my attention in order to be able to provide for you!  We also think it would be beneficial for you to get some interaction with other kids your age and other adults.  Not to mention, you will have fun!!  At least that's what I've been telling myself...

The weeks leading up to your first day were killer and so fun at the same time.  I wanted to soak up every minute with you and struggled with guilt about the whole situation.  But I know that ultimately, we are doing this for you.  So that you will grow and develop, so that we can be able to afford taking care of you (and future siblings for that matter!).  I'm sure some will think I'm being overdramatic about 3-day/week preschool, but let them think it.  It's a big deal when you're used to spending all day every day with the most precious love in your world. 

Fast-forward to your first day.  I wanted to be like all those other cute Moms and post pictures of you with a big happy smile and a chalkboard saying it was your first day.  Mom fail on a few levels.  I don't have a chalkboard and forgot to buy one.  I am not the one taking you to school in the mornings because of coaching pom, and let's just be honest - Daddy's photography skills are not the best.  I did leave the camera with him, but this is all we got.

Poor girl, you were not happy about your first day.  You clung to Daddy, screaming and crying, and they had to peel you off of him.  I knew that's how it would be and thank God I didn't have to be the one to drop you off, or I would have absolutely bawled my eyes out.  But when I got there to pick you up, you were SO happy to see me!  The teachers said after you calmed down, they didn't hear a whimper from you the rest of the day!  Hallelujah!  I was so relieved to hear that.  We had the sweetest conversation about your day.  "Haven play outside!  Haven ta-da!" (You went down the slide).  You said "boys be nice" with a look of disappointment, but after your 2nd day, said "boys nice!" with a smile.  Ha!  You talk about your lunch, your teachers, and "Haven night-night... shhhh."  So cute!  I love your ever-growing vocabulary and that I can actually get a sense of how your day was!  I love you!

A few other things of note... you LOVE the things you have to take to school - your backpack and Tink lunch box!

Your teachers asked us to make a poster about you so I have officially completed my first Mommy homework!  I'm not gonna lie... I LOVED doing this for you. :)

You also made your first school art project!  I have fridge artwork!! :)

Overall, it was a fabulous week.  Every day when I picked you up and asked if you had a good day, you replied with an emphatic 2-syllable "Yeah!"  I got so much work done that I never could have possibly completed with you at home, so I know we are doing the right thing!  Daddy and I love you so much and want nothing but the best for you.  I truly believe we have taken the first step towards making that happen.  I'm looking forward to carnivals, Christmas performances, Daddy-daughter events, and all the other fun things that come along with school.  It's going to be a great year!  We'll get that cute first-day-of-school picture next year. ;)  We love you Haven Jane!

Daddy Love

Haven has been especially affectionate with Daddy lately!  It makes my heart melt.

When he's trying to take a nap on the couch, she likes to interrupt...

Little stinker!  On a night at the park recently, I was lucky enough to have the camera ready for these moments...

Thank you Daddy for all you do for us!  We love you so much!

"I Stuck!"

There have been several mornings recently that when I go to get Haven, I realize she has tried to remove an article of clothing since waking up.  Key word:  tried.  This was by far the best occurrence.

Love that silly girl so much!

The Park Never Gets Old

Gorgeous weather yesterday morning so we headed to the playground at LaFortune!  I'm so glad free outings are the best kind!  Woop!

For months now, she has been calling herself "Hanen."  I guess the "v" was too hard.  But just in the last week she has figured it out!  I want to remember her little voice forever!

Splash Pad Fun!

We've also done a few trips to the splash pad this summer!  She hates water in her face in the bath, so I never thought she would love this as much as she does!  Each time we have gone, she is nervous when we first get there, but eventually warms up to getting drenched!

What to Wear...

If Haven picked what she wanted to wear everyday (as she does some days when I don't want to fight the battle - she's only 2 and we're already having this battle?!) it would be this outfit... What she calls her "Lella dess" (after Cinderella...but why she relates the two I'm not sure - I guess just bc she feels pretty!) and her "red farkle shoes" that "Dowofy" also wears.  Too bad they don't go together so the aforementioned battles happens often.  Lord help me.

Baby Cousin Love!

The newest addition to the Friske fam is our precious niece, Gibson!  She makes some cute faces...

And Haven actually came within inches of her this visit!  Making progress! :)

Wagon Rides and Feed the Ducks!

Another recent favorite of Haven's is a wagon ride in our neighborhood!  And surprisingly there have been a couple of August evenings that have been perfect for this!

On the most recent ride, we brought some bread to feed the ducks.  She did awesome throwing the bread in the water for them and got a big kick out of it!  Until the ducks thought they should come on land with us, and then she was a bit unsure.  As was Mommy!  Yikes!  Maybe we'll both be more comfortable with some experience under our belt for next time...