Auby Hearts Books

{Daddy Daughter Story Time}

...

To say our girl simply enjoys books would be a huge understatement. She LOVES them! From the moment she wakes up, throughout her day, and even as we are heading off to bed, she wants her books. Some of her favorites include Bed Bed Book (The Going to Bed Book), Opposites by Sandra Boynton, Noah (Noah's Big Boat), Pip , Bilabo or Moon (On the Night You Were Born- It has two polar bears on the front and has a moon throughout its pages), La La (Moo Ba La La La - another of our Sandra Boynton favorites. We like to read our books in our chair, on the couch, in the car, on the floor...

We even like to take our stories on a stroller ride. I cannot tell you how happy she was to put all of her sweet little favorites in the stroller, until moments later when they all came crashing down.

It is so fun to hear her "read" her stories. Mommy and daddy sure like to hear her exciting adventures.

Auby, you are my silly, sweet, and strong-willed little munchkin. I absolutely adore your excitement for books. May you always love stories and find creativity in all things.

Aubrey Letters: Daddy's Day Memories 2015

Happy Daddy's Day!
Today we celebrate your daddy. It's Father's Day and our second year to celebrate him. I want you to know just how incredibly special he is. I am so in love with this handsome hunk. He is an incredible husband, father, and friend. God truly blessed us with a man who would do absolutely anything for his family. He loves you more than words sweet angel. Oh how you have eyes for him. Not only do you look just like him, but your soft, sweet, and silly way about you has his likeness. I'm so thankful for all he is as he is such a wonderful, and Godly leader for this family.

This year we spent Father's Day in Florida. We kept it pretty simple on gifts. We (mainly mommy) made this handmade tie inspired card as well as a handmade finger print frame.

 

I dipped your fingers in paint and after a few swipes and a bit of help by mommy, we created this cute little desk memento. Daddy and his desk mates love it.

What a perfect day to celebrate your daddy!

Gym Dandie Play with Eva Mae

 

We surely enjoyed our 1st Gym Dandies class with our sweet Ogle lady friends. With our friend's recommendation, we signed up for each Monday this summer for an hour of fun music, movement, and play. Auby was a bit nervous in the beginning. She held tightly to my leg and said, "mommy, mommy, mommy" with her little voice. As soon as the teacher brought out the instruments, the bells and the egg shakers to be exact, she began to let loose. She started swaying those little hips which is beyond words adorable. After our mommy and me music time, we made our way down a set of small stairs into an extra large play room. Different stations were set up as it was a free for all play time for the children to explore. From instruments, building blocks, balls, horse riding, slides, hot potato, and trampolines, it was so much fun. Enjoy some pictures of our Gym Dandie play with Eva Mae. 

{Slide, Push Toys, Horsey Rides, Trampolines, and Parachutes}

 {Auby's Horsey Ride'n}

 {Team Work on the Slide}

{Trampoline Fun}

After our time of play, we went back upstairs for more movement and songs. The girls loved the parachute. Once our hour of fun had expired, we gave our high fives and received a blueberry stamp, held hands with our sweet friend and made our way out.

I loved hearing the sweet girls call for each other as they found a new play area. Eva Mae loved holding onto Aubrey's little hand as they walked. What sweet little friends. I'm so excited to watch this little friendship continue to grow. I can't wait until our next Gym Dandie fun day!

1st Week of Summer Tidbits 2015

This summer has brought about some productive, fun, and pretty adorable days here in North Dallas. Enjoy our first week of summer tidbits.

The family made our way to Windsong Ranch's Artisan Market and Craft Fair in Prosper this Saturday to support and encourage our sweet friends, Kristin and Jenn, and their crafty creations. I am so incredibly proud of them. Plus it was a gorgeous day to view some exciting craft pieces.

I absolutely adore this little munchkin and her piggies. This week Auby is still at daycare. She is finishing her final week before we all go on break for the summer. We've enjoyed several days of little miss sleeping in. She wakes up with all smiles.

With hugs and books in hand, our Auby and Miss Eva Mae are ready for a Parent's Night Out at our church while Ray and I enjoy a fun little date night out at Studio Movie Grill to see Jurasic World. I love my time with my little girl but am thankful for our little night away with her daddy.

We still love our books. Pip the Penguin is our new favorite. And by favorite I mean we have screaming fits if we do not bring the 4 books every where we go.

And this week, while mommy has been resting after days of cleaning, I've enjoyed my time with this adorable snuggle buddy. I love my time with Miss Mattie Mae. I'm looking forward to more productive days next week before our little family vaca away. Happy 1st week of summer 2015!

Auby & Robert Splash Pad Play and Dinner Date

I absolutely adore these little splash pad pals. On Saturday afternoon we met up with our Cox crew at the McKinney Splash Pad at Hope Park. It was so fun to watch their different little personalities. My Auby is our cautious and shy little lady while Robert was the outgoing happy little hunk who loved his water play.

After a few run away sessions and exploration around the pad, the littles enjoyed some fun in the sun and some water play together. It cracked me up to see Robert go from water sprinkler to the next. He was in his element. Our little girl would run back and forth between her daddy and I saying "huggie" and holding tightly to our legs before going back for a splash or two.

After an hour and a half, a good snack, and a bit more play, it was time to head home. We invited our play date pals over for a pizza dinner and more baby play. I have never laughed so much. These two were hilarious together. From cheering each other on, going down the slide backwards, 4 wheel riding, reading in the garden, to throwing full sized bowling pins and all fall downing... it was a pretty amazing evening. I loved hearing Aubrey say, "Robert" and run after her little friend. And don't get me started on the dancing. Talk about toddler cha-cha- slide. Adorable! I loved every moment of our evening together.

 {Auby & Robert}

 {4 wheeler fun}

 {Our 4 wheeler pro}

 {Toddler bowling pins- All fall down}

{Robert & Auby- 20 months}

 ...

Thank you to Daniela and Robert for a fun evening with friends. I am so thankful for these sweet littles and love all the fun adventures that they will have together over the years!

ABF Wednesdays: Dinner Date & Baby Play

  

I surely am loving our Wednesdays with our ABF bible study group. This Wednesday we enjoyed a couple's dinner date at Ten 50 BBQ. At 6:30 we met at the church and dropped little miss off.

 

 {Our Little Fam of 3}

She loves being in the younger room mainly so she can watch the window for baby bunnies. She was even able to play with a few of her little church besties.For dinner, we ate with our friends and were able to enjoy a great night of good food, good conversation, and time with friends. It was a much needed night away.

{Erin & Eva Mae and Georgia; Auby & I, Amy & Kayleigh; Julie & Audrey; Anna & Westin}

When we returned, the kiddos were all smiles. We decided to take a mama and baby photo. I cannot believe how big are babes are all getting. I am so thankful for growing and sharing in God's word with these women, for their friendship, as well as being able to watch our kids grow up together.

I have to say I'm so in love with this little growing friendship. Each time we see E-ma Mae (as Auby says) we get the best little smiles and happy feet. They love holding hands and walking/running together as we leave the church.

I'm already excited for our next activity together.

Final Days of First Grade

 

Each year brings so many joys, triumphs, ups, downs, and in betweens. But each day brings a new learning experience and teachable moment. I was gifted 18 beautiful kiddos this year. You can read about it here. This past week, we completed our final two days of school before celebrating summer. I am so thankful for these special ladies and friendships. It is going to be so hard to say "until next time" to my work bestie, Hue. I'm surely thankful for these last 3 years and all the fun memories we've made. I look forward to our summer swim and baby play dates.

Next year our theme is #What's APPening. I love the technology driven theme. With having a few days and a bit of extra time on my hands, I researched a few ideas and found these super cute ones. 

Birds are all a-TWITTER about the 2015-2016 school year!

 

 Our Classroom Facebook Page

 

 What's Your Pinterest? 

I am so in love with posting the kids' art work here.

 

 {Loved my time with these ladies, Hue and Tanya}

I wish my smarty pants a fantastic summer and wonderful adventures for second grade.

This used to be the rainbow I saw each day while teaching my 18 firsties. But I'm officially saying goodbye as I'll be with my own bundle of sunshine for the summer!

Auby Month-iversary Series: 20 months

Dear Auby,
Each day you grow bigger and bigger sweet girl. You continue to make me smile with all of the new things you learn. I love the moments that make you smile... the silly kind of smile that shows full teeth and dimples. I love the "ah ha moments" when you do something yourself. And while I'm still working on the super power to stop time or maybe just slow it down a bit, it seems that I haven't uncovered the secret just yet. So until that time sweet girl, continue to grow, to learn, to play, and to explore. Always remember that you will forever be mommy's baby (and big girl). But forgive me for the pictures, for documenting of those moments in time for I want to hold them with me forever and have a place that when 5 years pass, 10 years pass, that I may look upon them and share them with you as this mommy will forever be proud of you for all of your growth over time. 

Now for this month we have had a hard time with teething, with biting, and with fussing. But what this shows me is that you are growing, learning, communicating, and working through the growing pains such is life. But these are small moments of time (and hopefully not an indication of the terrible 2s around the corner), but I have loved our cuddles and our songs and family dance times. You my sweet lady made me a mommy and you will forever be mine!

Date: 6/7/2015
Age: 20 months
Measurements: I will have to update at her next appointment.
Clothing: You typically wear 18-24 month clothing with a few 2T pieces. You wear a size 4 diaper and a size 5 shoe. We are loving our little sun dresses, shorts, and skirts these days. 
Eating: Your favorites this month are MILK, cereal, meatballs (which is any type of meat), veggies (bean beans and carrots), fruit (gapes, strawlillies, and bluelillies), chips and salsa, and queso/cheese. You absolutely love Chinese food as you will eat your weight in chicken fried rice.  
Teeth: You have 8 teeth, 4 top and 4 bottom.You have your top and bottom molars and seem to be getting your two year molars and bottom eye teeth. Teething was a big issue this month. Sadly it has lead to many days of daycare biting. Mommy and daddy are not pleased.
Sleeping: You continue to be a great sleeper (minus your nap today which was non existent). Your bedtime has been around 7-7:30PM. The sun going down later was thought to be an issue, but not seeming to bother you too badly at night. You go down for a nap anytime between 11 and 1 depending on the activity of the day. You tend to take longer naps if you go down closer to 11 as compared to 1. You will usually take a 2.5-3.5 hour nap.

 New Activities & Random Tidbits:
- You are learning colors through coloring with crayons and chalk.
- You are giving multiple word responses like want it, fix it, and I would do (I love you).
- You love music and will try to sing, dance, and spin.
- Being upside down or flying like a bird always makes you smile.
- Your favorite color seems to be yellow as is everything including us.
- Your favorite number is #2 as we have been practicing for her next birthday. 
- Sadly biting has become a new activity for you at daycare. We are in the process of working on this issue. I say, no bite. Mouths are for blowing kisses and eating food. I ask you why did you bite and you say, "toy, Auby's." Oh we are in trouble. But you started doing a lot better when your teeth didn't hurt. We work on being gentle and you will rub our arm and say sorry, mama. gentle.
- You want ALL.THE.THINGS. We are working on taking turns.
- You love your independence but are still our cautious and shy little lady.
- We bought you a backpack this month. You absolutely love wearing it.
- We had our first swim of the summer season. It will be an acquired taste. Plus it was a bit on the cold side. You have warmed up to splash pads and enjoy it with sweet friends. 
- You are learning to jump.
- This month you started holding the shopping cart basket. You are such a big helper.
- We visited our Zellner and Waldrup families in Sugar Land this Memorial Day weekend.

Likes: Books, books, and more books! You have even named of all of them. It is also the source of many of your meltdowns as of late. Your favorite books are Bed Book, Moon, Opposites, La La, Puppies, Noah, Bilabo, and Owl. You love to color color, drawing with chalk outside, making rings and bracelets out of play dough, putting things into and out of bags, putting shoes on mommy and daddy, puzzles, splash pads with friends, cooking with mommy, pancake Saturdays, cookies.

Dislikes: Not having the book you want, being told no, having a toy taken away, not having a snack when you request it.

 I love my mini! Watch her grow!

Hats Off to Our Sassy Splash Pad Saturday

Hats off to our Sassy Saturday!
What an exciting day of outdoor play and shopping with the family.

Our 7:40 morning view. We may be a little mismatched and our clothes may be covered in chalk, but what could be better than a lazy Saturday morning of chalk,  and outdoor play before the temperature turns 90 degrees.

Auby adores being outside. Her two current favorite words seem to be outside and chalk. We've definitely had a meltdown or two over having to stay indoors. This has also become one of our favorite seats outside. This little face is so funny to me and so serious.

We let daddy sleep in for a bit. When he awoke,we decided to celebrate our first June weekend at Klyde Warren Park. We love it's cozy location deep in the heart of the city as well as sampling the delicious food trucks. This time we also thought we would check out it's splash pad and kiddy park for Aubrey.

Aubrey did so well at the park and splash pad. I really loved watching her get excited about splashing in the water and finding falling leaves.

Then our excitement quickly went from the water to playing in the stroller. When we had enough of the splash pad, she tried climbing and spinning, reading stories, and running around with her ball.

After our time in the kiddy park, we made our way to check out the food trucks. My favorite, Ruthie's, was the only truck that remained closed. After waiting quite awhile, we made a choice for quesadillas and sliders from The Buther's son. It was delicious. Aubrey thought so too. But after a few hours of family fun in the hot sun, it was time to return home so baby could get her nap.

 {Oh how I love my little mini.}

 

After her afternoon nap, the family went to Target for a few essentials. We also wanted to look into getting hats for our upcoming Florida vacation. I don't know who had more fun? Auby went through the hat section like a Texas tornado. 

She would pick up and put down which meant mommy was reminding her to put them back... but they she started picking out hats for Mommy and Daddy. Loved this sweet moment. This is how mommy feels about our vacation. I can't wait!!!