Preschool 2013- The Official Photos

I started teaching preschool three weeks ago, an idea that seemed crazy to begin with but one that has turned out to be just the challenge I needed (we will save the details of that for another post). I have four absolutely adorable students (yes, Harper is one of them) and I'm having a great time seeing them learn and develop day by day.

We were lucky enough to have Ryan from In a Trance Photography come out and take some preschool/daycare photos a few weeks ago. They came back today and I have to say that I'm beyond pleased. Seriously, the cuteness is quite nearly overwhelming.

These little people are a huge part of my life (Harper's, too!). I can't wait to hang one of these darling group photos in our classroom (which, by the way, I need to show you sometime- it's so cute!).

           

            

(Side note: I'm growing my bangs out and they are driving me bonkers. Totally bonkers. Remind me of this next time I think bangs sound like a good idea.)

Anyway, if you are looking to have fall photos, you should give In a Trance Photography a call. Find them on facebook or look around their website. I interact with Ryan and Jen on a daily basis and can say, without hesitation, that they are some of the best people out there. If you go with them, you won't be disappointed.

Horseback Riding with Harper

I think I knew deep down when I added "Take Harper horseback riding" to my 2013 Bucket List that there was more to it than just seeing Harper in a saddle. You see, the horses that I intended for her to ride are my birth father's horses. My birth father is a true blue cowboy. He doesn't just wear his boots to the rodeo (which is something I'm totally guilty of). He wears them, along with his hat, every single day. He trains and shoes horses for a living and his business card reads "Cowbow Dave." True story.

I know that I inherited a love of riding from him. I remember riding with him when I was small and I've missed having that chance for many, many years. In honesty, I've missed Cowboy Dave, too.

My dad (Jack, my adopted father) is my hero and is one of the few people that I love more than life itself. Jack is my dad. He raised me (not an easy task) and has loved and supported me in all things, good and bad. Nobody could ever replace his spot in my life and my heart. Nobody.

Still, Cowboy Dave is my birth father. He's also my adopted mom's brother, making him my uncle on top of everything else. I see a lot of me in him and I've always cared for him. I'd like him to be a bigger part of mine and Harper's lives. I'm pretty sure my subconscious knew this when it prompted me to add horseback riding to my list of things to do with Harper this year.

I've put off calling him all summer because I felt nervous and shy. Finally, I did it. I picked up the phone and called. I couldn't be more glad that I did. Harper and I spent last Saturday with him and his wife. We had a great time. Harper is a natural on in the saddle (I'm sure it's in her blood too) and insisted on riding alone AND taking the reins after only a few minutes with Magic, the roan gelding that David chose for her.

Important words were said. Memories were made. It was an amazing, and much needed day, for Harper and I both.

I know that I speak for her, too, when I say that I can't wait to visit Cowboy Dave again.

Harper insisted on feeding Magic a carrot and two apples. She also pitchforked his hay for him, just like a real cowgirl.

 

Harper has been asking to go back and ride Magic some more on a daily basis. We are thinking springtime riding lessons might be in order.

Story Time with Harper: New Books

Harper has, to my great happiness, become very interested in books. She's always liked story time but just recently the books we read have really started to make sense to her and she is always wanting me to read to her (I feel like jumping for joy each time she asks). Some of her current favorites from our children's library here at home are Birdie's Big Girl Shoes, Pinkalicious, Silverlicious, Purplicious, Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck, and Courdoroy (a long time favorite for both of us... if only all children's literature could be as good as Courdoroy...).

I can't say enough how much Harper and I both enjoy the Pinkalicious series from Victoria Kann. I know it's really popular and that I'm probably not telling you something new when I say that it's a good one. I can't write a post about reading with Harper without mentioning it, though, because my little Harps really is in love with the four books that she has. She has the first book memorized and is planning for a Pinkalicious birthday party (Ideas? Inspiration? Send them my way, please!). She will be receiving Goldalicious as her official birthday book, a favorite tradition around here, in October (which is when she turns four, which is not something I'm altogether prepared to talk about). I wanted to give her a few other books for her big day as well. That, combined with the fact that I started teaching preschool last week (more about that later), has given us good reason to visit the library a bit more frequently.

We have found some pretty good books lately and I thought I'd share them with you. You can find my other favorite Harper books in this post.

Claire and the Unicorn, Happy Ever After by B.G. Hennessy and Susan Mitchell:

I love this book and so does Harper.

The story and the photos are magical.

We returned our library copy earlier this week and Harper was really sad.

What she doesn't know is that there is a copy wrapped and waiting downstairs for her.

She will be getting it for her birthday.

Butterfly House by Eve Bunting and Greg Shed:

This book is beautiful. 

It made me cry.

Harper liked it, too. 

Then again, anything with butterflies is a win with her.

The Invisible Moose by Dennis Haseley and Steven Kellogg:

Harper loved this book.

We read it at least once a day while it was here.

Although it's not my favorite, the story is cute and I will be ordering it because Harper liked it so much.

When I Feel Scared by Cornelia Maude Spelman and Kathy Parkinson:

Harper is in a stage where being afraid happens daily.

Strange noises make her jumpy and she is always afraid of something.

Monsters, zombies, vampires, and all sorts of creatures creep into her mind every night at bedtime and convince her that she is too scared to go to bed.

I don't want her to experience unnecessary fear and so I've been really blunt with her.

We have been talking a lot about what is real and what isn't real.

It's starting to make sense to Harper that some things really exist while others are just made up.

I feel bad for ruining some mystery for her but would rather her feel secure than believe in unicorns.

(On a side note, she isn't quite sure she believes me yet about fairies and mermaids belonging in the "not real" category.)

This book has helped us along the way.

It's been a great tool for opening up discussions about fear and what she should do if/when she feels afraid.

What are your little ones reading lately?

Any good suggestions for us?

Growing Up

Growth of all sorts happened at our house last week.

Harper wrote her name properly for the first time last week and on Sunday, I celebrated my 30th birthday. Surprisingly, neither milestone brought me to tears. I am so proud of Harper and am amazed at how bright she is and at how willing she is to learn and try new things. As far as my birthday goes, I'm doing well. I had an amazing birthday weekend with friends and family and so far, thirty feels good- really good. 

I'm ready for a great year and I think Harper is, too. We recently signed her up for ABCMouse.com and she will also be starting preschool (with me and three other adorable three year olds) next week.

I love my little Harper and hope that we can keep growing (and laughing/dancing/singing/cuddling/playing/exploring/adventuring) together for a long time to come.