The Birthday Girl!

Monday was a big day in the Harding - Wheeler house - Ellie turned three and started preschool all on the same day! I think Ellie initially misunderstood and thought she was going to school with Peter and Molly so at first she was very upset when they left. Once she realized she was still going she got excited and couldn't wait for the bus to get here!

Good Morning, Birthday Girl!

Once all the kids were up Ellie got to open her presents.

Just a little help from her sisters opening her presents.

Ellie got some ponies which she loved!

Our beautiful Birthday Girl!

Lizzie was not happy that this was not a joint birthday - she had gotten used to sharing in the present opening! Ellie was very sweet letting Lizzie open a present because she wanted her to stop crying!

Ellie's new baby!

Sister love!

Kk came over to see Ellie on her birthday and got to help us put her on the bus and wave goodbye on her first day of school. Everytime we asked Ellie what she wanted for her birthday she responded with "Tay Tay"! She got her wish!

Since it was her birthday Ellie was a little bit bejeweled for her first day!

Ellie posing in front of the picture tree!

When did she get so grown up?

Our little princess is ready for school - hopefully Miss Newman and Mrs. Donovan are ready for her!

Proud Mama, Daddy and sister loving on Ellie!

Special kisses for Mommy before she leaves for school.

A little pep talk from KK!

This is what Lizzie did the entire time we were taking pictures and watching Ellie get on the bus!

Looking for some reassurance - Ellie hangs onto KK!

Her smile melts my heart!

In her big girl seat on the bus! She is ready to go!

Bye Bye Mama and Daddy!

Okay already - lets get this show on the road!

Ellie's first day of school was a huge success! She came home excited and anxious to tell us, in her own way, what happened at school! The kids inundated her with questions about what she did and who she played with. It was nice because a friend of ours has a son, Noah, and he is in Ellie's class. They have known each other for a long time so Ellie had at least one person in her class that she already knew!Papa picked Ellie up at the end of her first day and she made his day when she sprinted into his arms!

The girls and Daddy started a gingerbread house while I was out for a while on Saturday but they needed some help finishing up when I came home. I was secretly excited that they didn't do all the fun stuff while I was gone - I really don't like to miss anything! The girls ate so much of the candy beforehand that I had to replace it with chocolate chips and peppermints.

Lizzie was the biggest culprit - even the chocolate chips started to disappear!

Our gorgeous girl with the sun shining on her perfect little face!

Tiny little hands decorating the house!

Very cool gingerbread house! The girls did a great job and we have another one to make next weekend!

On Sunday Molly, Annie and I went with Auntie Ann, Sister Anne to Mercy for the Catherine McCauley play. We got to have mass at Mercy then share brunch with "the nuns", as Annie called them and then stay for the play. Annie was still recovering from her double ear infections so she was quiet but she loved the play and she and Molly were both terrific!

Lizzie fell asleep on me the other day and Bob thought it was adorable so he actually took a picture!

Snuggle Bugs!

Annie Bananie had a rough week. She still has ear infections in both ears but we are having trouble finding an antibiotic that works. We were back at the doctor for the third time with no luck. The great thing is that Annie is a trooper and each time we go back we think her ear infections are gone because she never complains. We are hoping that we are on the right track now but who knows - this poor little thing just wants her tummy to go back to normal after all of these medications!

GNM - ILY!