Princesses and more princesses

 

Well, we made it through Sadie's birthday and it was on to Halloween. The girls were of course, princesses. Nana sent us a great costume for Claire and Sadie wanted to be Belle so we found her a costume too. We went to the fall festival at Gabe (and Sadie's) school. It is always great and we come home with way too much candy! Our plan was to take the girls trick or treating on our street on Halloween night since we had not done that before, but Gabe called after school and said that Sadie was running a fever. We all got home, checked Clarie and guess what? Fever. So, our Halloween was spent at the walk in clinic getting antibiotics. They both had a virus, cough, crouppy thing. Claire was not as bad as Sadie, but it was rough. The doctor at the clinic felt really bad that they were not going to get to go trick or treating so he gave them a plastic bag and let them go in his office. It was really sweet. I tried to tell him we had plenty of candy, but he still filled their bags. I guess they must have looked pitiful. I will admit that they seem to know how to turn on the charm when candy is involved. 

 

 

 

 Princess Claire

 

 Princess Belle

 

 

 Face painting

Playing games with friends.  

Sadie turns 5!



Well, I thought that I was just going to do a fall recap, but I have ended up with too many pictures for one post, so here is the first with Sadie's birthday.  

 

 

 

We had her party at one of her favorite places.  She calls it the "princess store" but the name is really Sweet and Sassy.  It is a dress up store for little girls.  My girls love it and we knew Sadie would love to have her party there.  The girls all dressed up in princess costumes, had their hair and nails done, and then danced on a runway.  It was a great group of girls and they had so much fun!  Claire was old enough to participate and it was fun to see her with the "big girls." 

 

Sadie has started Pre-K and is definitely not our little Sadie anymore.  She is very friendly and very outgoing.  She is loving learning and loves school.  We are so excited for who she is becoming and the plans that God has for her.  I am so thankful that I get to watch her grow and be a part of what God has planned. 



Dressing up!

Getting their hair and nails done.

 



Preston, Sadie, and Kaitlyn. Such sweet friends.

 



Two princesses

 



Dancing on the runway. 

 



Getting ready to dance. 

 



And of course some cupcakes for our big 5 year old. 

 



A Day of Firsts...



It was a day of firsts for the Gillespies this morning.  The most exciting for all of us was Sadie's first day of Pre-K.  She started this morning at Gabe's school in the dual language program.  She was so excited and had a great day.  She came home saying that she learned Spanish.  She said, "Uno, dos, tres, quatro, banana."  Gabe said, "Banana?"  She said, "Yeah Dad, it means Thank you."  Banana, denada, they're close right? Gabe started his first year teaching third grade today.  Of course it was great.  He is such a natural teacher.  I had my first school day as an Assistant Principal.  It went really well and I am loving it.  Our only mishap for the day was that we put dinner in the crockpot this morning and forgot to plug it in, so it turned into a pizza night.  Not bad for a first day!  

 

 

 

Sadie (and Gabe's) school started standardized dress this year.  We are thrilled and loving not having to decide what Sadie (or Gabe) will wear every day. 

 



Of course Claire had to have a backpack too.  She thinks she is just sooooo big. 

 



Sadie with her friend AnnaBell before school. 

Here we are walking in.  I was so grateful that Carla was there to snap a picture.  .

Sea World

The Gillespies could not have a summer vacation without a stop at Sea World.  Shamu is a common topic of conversation at our house.  It was on our way to the beach and they are still offering free season passes for teachers so how could we really say no.  Especially to those cute faces!   Sadie was all about taking a picture with the dancer from the dolphin show, but do not get her close to a character in a costume!  She totally freaks out!  We are hoping that will get better as she gets older.  She even would try talking herself up by telling Claire that they are only people in costumes, but she couldn't quite do it this time.  Maybe next year.  Her's a few pictures from the fun we had.

Claire was tall enough this year to ride more of the kiddie rides so she was super excited.  

Of course the Merry Go Round is always a favorite.  

 Sadie being a great big sister to "show Claire around" now that she could ride some of the rides.  

Feeding the dolphins.  Claire was all about it, but Sadie wanted to stand back and watch. 

I just had to include this picture because ever since we started Claire in gymnastics about a  month ago, she has wanted to turn EVERYTHING into a bar and hang on it.  This includes sinks in bathrooms, tables, and any other bar she can find.  When she stared hanging while she was looking at the penguins, I had to snap a picture.  

Gabe and Daddy on some twisty caterpillar ride.  Claire and I were sitting across from them.  So fun!

 I love this picture of Sadie at the Shamu show.  She was so excited.  Shamu came out early and was hanging out in the pool.  Gabe took her down and she got to get pretty close.  With the dolphin show and the shamu show, the animals wanted to play around in the pool so they had to delay the shows a little while.  I thought it was really cute when the girls were "re-inacting" the shows later and Sadie would say that it was time for the Shamu show.  She would then say that Shamu is wanting to play around for a few minutes so we will be back later to start the show.   

 Claire said her favorite part of the show was when , "dat durl dave Shamu fish to eat."  

A couple more pictures of feeding the dolphins that got a little out of order. 

A Beach Vacation

I can't believe it has been a month since I have blogged.  Summer sure does fly by.  We just got back a couple of days ago from our San Antonio, Sea World, Port Aransas adventure.  It was great to travel with the girls and we made some great memories.  We were definitely more exhausted when we got back than when we left, but I guess that is how "vacation" works with a 2 year old and a 4 year old.  We started out in San Antonio.  (More pictures from Sea World later)  From there we drove to Port Aransas to spend a few days at the beach.  Gabe found a great beach house for us and the girls loved just playing in the sand and collecting sea shells. 

The girls loved the hotel.  Here are a few pictures of them helping us pack up to head for the beach. 

 A few pictures of the girls playing at the beach.  It was so fun to watch them.  When we were driving to our beach house they were chanting from the back seat, "Where are the duckies!  Where is the beach!"  They were so excited when we finally got there.  

 Here they are sorting through some of their sea shell treasures.  

 Daddy and the girls enjoying a snack at the beach.  

We were at the beach over the 4th and we found a great cruise that we could go on and see the fire works.  We didn't have to fight the traffic, find a place, or entertain the girls until the fireworks started.  They loved being on the boat and were both actually awake for the fireworks.  It worked out great.

 Here's Sadie on the boat enjoying her Skittles while we went out to our spot.  

 A picture of the fireworks that Gabe took.  I kept missing them and was getting a lot of pictures of all black.  I'm still working on my photography skills.  

...And sweet Claire on the boat getting a little wiggly before the fire works started.  Luckily there was some room for her to wiggle.  

First week of Summer Fun!

Just a few pictures from our first week.  Lots of swimming and lots of fun.  Yesterday we went to the pool and then grilled out and Gabe took the girls to Sonic for dessert.  Today after church Sadie said, "Yesterday sure was a fun day!"  I agree.  

 The pool we go to has a lazy river and the girls love it.  We all just float around.  It's so great!  Check out Claire's hair.  I have no idea how that happened, but I bet Daddy had something to do with it. 

It's Summertime...Finally!

Welcome to Summer!!!!!!!!  We are so excited at the Gillespie house!  We've already been to the pool three times and I am actually blogging on a Sunday because I don't have to get up for school tomorrow!  We have some fun stuff planned and are looking forward to all being together.  Here's some pictures from our trips to the pool.  They are all from snack time.  I haven't gotten the camera out while we're swimming.  Hopefully,  I'll remember to do that soon.  

 Sadie enjoying a snack...One of their favorite parts of swimming. 

 Here's Claire, livin the life!  Les is sitting with her on the chair and is feeding her Cheetos and a Capri Sun.  I told hm all we needed was a fan to fan her as he fed her and she would be all set.  She LOVES Les so much! (And I think she's pretty special to him too!)

 On the way to the pool!  So excited. 

Ready to swim!