Happy Heart Day: Then and Now

Then:

Two years ago today Alaina had heart surgery to repair her AVSD. While heart surgery is a scary thought, for Alaina is was a truly wonderful thing. Not too long ago babies with this type of heart defect died in early childhood. Thanks to tremendous advances in surgical technology something like 99% of kids now survive. Before surgery she had a difficult time breathing and required a feeding tube to eat. Almost immediately afterward she turned around completely and has never looked back. Aside from yearly visits to the cardiologist it's not a topic I think about very often.

Now:

(performing some sort of surgery on Bitty Baby)

Congratulations on your Happy Heart Day Alaina!

Dancing in the Rain

We had some much needed rain here on Monday night. It has been so hot you could literally see steam rising off the pavement as it came down. At first Olivia and Alaina put hats on trying to keep their little heads dry, but soon it was clear they were going to get WET! They had so much fun splashing in puddles. The only thing Alaina doesn't like is when Olivia trys to pour buckets of water down her back. Yikes!

Olivia's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Right now Olivia is enjoying her 1st day of kindergarten. Yes, she is going to year round school. There are multiple tracks of times the kids are in, but most year round kids start in July. Olivia only goes today with a few others kids and then won't go again until next week. She has been super excited about it. I know she's going to do great!

Greeting her teacher, Mrs. Mackey. She seems really nice. Some girls who live down the street said that she was their kindergarten teacher and they really liked her. It makes me feel better to know she has a great teacher.

Finding her cubby hole:

and off to play with new friends...

and no I didn't even cry ;) Although they are having a "Tea and Tissues" gathering next week for kindergarten parents. Maybe I will let it out then. For now I'm feeling optimistic that this will be a great year for my big girl!