New Earrings

 Helen asked to have her ears pierced for her 6th birthday

 me and my girl :)

 getting her ears marked - she has such a serious face

 ...maybe a little nervous

.... very nervous!

 happy!

 checking them out

 my pretty girl

...still can't believe she's six!

Sweet 6

 she's been waiting all summer for this day.... often telling people that she meets "my birthday is at the end of summer!" 

 can't forget Jillian's first day of pre-school today

birthday lunch with Helen!

 silly Jilly

 per her request - spaghetti, meatballs, bread, and.......

 cake!

 after more than 20 minutes of deliberation at the bakery ---- in a quest to find the perfect cake - she finally chose Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

no birthday celebration is complete in our house with the Dutch version of Happy Birthday!

she's been around the world..... leaving a little bit of her personality in each place she visits.... Helen Martha Kay Randolph Watermelon (you'll have to ask her about the Watermelon part of her name) came into this world 6 years ago today. 

 meeting her brothers

my sweet baby girl

jayden sharing his blankie

shopping with Grandma for an American Girl Doll

celebrating 2 years old

Proud Big Sister

some ice cream in Belgium

such a good big sister on a ride @ Disney Paris

A park in Belgium along the Tour de France route

 hot and sweaty in Germany

catching butterflies in the Netherlands

celebrating her 3rd birthday at her brother's soccer practice

riding her bike!!

my sweet Helen

 on a boat in the fjords of Norway

her 4th Birthday in the Netherlands

Celebrating her 5th birthday on the first day of Kindergarten last year in Michigan

1st day of school!

Well - They aren't the best photos.... but here they are!  The first day of school - Graham 4th grade, Jayden 3rd grade, Helen 1st grade, and Jillian preschool.

 Helen at her open house - finding her desk

 Helen and her teacher :)

 Picking her locker.... she said she chose the one closest to the bathroom --- not sure why? :)

 awe - can't believe she's in 1st grade already!!!  time flies

 jilly and her cheesy smile

 jayden going to his classroom at open house

 not the best picture.... but it's the first day of school... we'll try again for a better photo tomorrow since Jillian "technically" starts preschool tomorrow

 Helen waiting in line @ school

jayden said he was a little nervous to start 3rd grade in a new school so he asked us to walk him to his classroom.   Graham said "see ya this afternoon, mom.... and no photos, please"

As I walked away from Jayden's classroom this morning, with Jillian on my hip - she turned to me with a BIG grin on her face and said "Well, mom - it's just you and ME!".