Annie

LaLa gave Harper the Annie costume for her birthday.  Harper LOVES Annie.  She not only knows all the words to all of the songs, but she also knows every line in the movie.  When she wears the costume, she is Annie.  I am not allowed to call her Harper and she refers to me as Daddy Nor-Bocks.  She was eating dinner the other night wearing her Annie costume.  When finished, she turned to me and said "Daddy Nor-Bucks, please can I get up from the table?"  Daren and I laughed hysterically!  SHE LOVES ANNIE!!!  We still haven't mastered the wig but we are hoping that by Halloween, she will wear it. 

GGGGOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The Lightning Bolts had their first game of the season last weekend.  Claire was so excited to begin soccer; she couldn't wait.  Surprisingly, she was actually nervous.  She asked me on the way to the game, "Mommy, is it okay if my tummy feels a little crumbly?"  By the time I figured out what she was asking, I realized she had a big case of the butterflies.  Well, there was no need.  Claire did great!  She worked hard.  She listened well.  She SCORED THE FIRST goal of the season for the Lightning Bolts!  WAY TO GO, CLAIRE!  I was so proud of her.  Tears came to my eyes.  Boy, am I in trouble when events get more intense and important than 5 year old soccer.

Pre-game warm up at home in the backyard with Daddy (and her Barbie mermaid dress)

Waiting on our teammates to arrive

Practicing her kicks with a partner

We are missing a few kiddos but this is a cute pic I got of the Lightning Bolts after the game

Grandma came to cheer Claire on!

Claire's cheering squad

Claire's cousins and sister were very proud of her.  She scored the first and only goal AND she was chosen by her coach to win the medal for the day for being the best listener.  WAY TO GO, CLAIRE!

My family meets Lilliann

The Nixes were making their way to San Antonio in order for Lilliann to meet Becky's side of the family.  Lashelle was kind enough to stop in Austin and share Lilliann with my family for a little while.  We loved another chance to get to love on her, and my family loved the chance to meet her.  It was such a wonderful treat.  Lilliann is such a snuggle bug.  She really is such an angel.

Mom made Lilliann a tree of gifts.  The big hits were the cow (because all Nix girls MUST have a cow) and the Baylor picture frame.

Christi holding Lilliann.  Lilliann was very much at peace in her arms.

Harper was busting at the seams for another chance to hold "her baby."

Pops loves newborn babies and she settled in quite nicely.

Grandma has been cheering for you, Miss Lilliann.  She was so excited when she found out you were on your way to your Mommy's arms.

Uncle D stealing another snuggle

Sweet Princess Has Arrived!  What a beauty!

Let's Go to the Hop, Oh Baby!

Claire's school, Hill Elementary, holds an annual Sock Hop.  Families are invited to come dance, play outside and have fun.  The attire is supposed to be fifties dress, although I couldn't convince Daren to join in on the fun.  He joined us at the festivities but not in the 50s attires.  Hill has been a wonderful place so far!  We feel lucky to go to such a great school. 

She's ready to go!

Harper was so excited to join big sister at her Kindergarten.  She quickly changed into her favorite dress up outfit and grabbed her lunchbox.  :-)  Mommy and Daddy didn't have the heart to make Harper change.

It wouldn't be a party without Grandma and Pops!! 

Mommy and Claire are ready!

The fam

I was proud of my shy Kindergartener who was brave enough to enter the hula hoop contest!  She did pretty well!

Claire was very patient and sweet with little sister who shadowed her every move. 

Claire may have been too shy to join the Bunny Hop, but not Harper!  I think she was the only 3 year old in the mix; but, trust me, she held her own.

Mommy and Harper playing in the fields

Claire loved playing on the playscape at Hill and showing us all her favorite recess spots.

Happy Birthday to Harper!

I know every Mommy says this, but I really can't believe my baby girl is three years old.  The time has flown!  Harper was born and was instant sunshine in my life.  When she was just a few days old, I started calling her "sunshine bear" and it really fits.  She is pure sunshine.  Now, don't let me mislead you.  Harper is sass, spice, spit and vinegar.  She has opinions and she makes sure she is heard.  She is emotional and she is not afraid to share what she's feeling.  She is funny and loves to laugh, be silly and play.  She wants to be heard, and she will scream if she thinks you are not listening intently enough.  Harper notices every little thing about people, and she is sure to point it out.  (This had made for some very embarrassing moments for Mommy & Daddy, but also some very funny ones.)  She remembers everything you tell her, so be careful.  She will remember and she will repeat it!  She is super independent in many ways and wants to do everything herself, but she also wants Mommy to hold her at all times.  Becky, Daren's Mom, told me a long time ago that Daren wouldn't let her sit him down until he was 5 years old and I thought she was crazy.  Well, now I fully understand.  Miss Harper loves to be held and she loves to be held all the time.  She sleeps like a champ.  The kid will sleep in on a Saturday until 10 a.m. with a 7:30 p.m. bedtime.  She is happy; she is sunshine.  She loves to play with babies, sing, dance, play teacher and play dress up.  She loves to pack toys in her purses and carry them around the town.  She looks up to her big sister very much, and she loves her big boy cousins.  She loves to pretend her babies are her little cousin, Lilliann.  She really is a love.  She's my sweet Harper Ann and I can't believe she is three!  I love you, sunshine bear!

If you asked Harper what she wanted for her birthday, she would answer "a necklace, earrings and a lunchbox."  She was ecstatic to open up her very own lunchbox.  I'm not sure when or where we will use it but we just couldn't resist fulfilling that request.

Harper is a performer.  She puts us in the audience, and she sings and dances for us.  We got her a karaoke machine for her birthday and she hasn't stopped singing yet.

Blowing out her candles with sister

First night in her big girl bed - she did great!  She loves it!

With Chris, Charlie, Chase and Claire in the cyclone at her birthday party

Every princess needs a princess cake!

Miss Harper Ann on her throne

Harper with all of her friends

Meeting baby Lilliann

We drove to Houston last weekend to meet our new Nix family addition, Lilliann Elizabeth.  The girls couldn't wait to meet their cousin, and we couldn't wait to hold her.  Let me just start by saying...she didn't disappoint.  She is as beautiful, serene and sweet as she looks in her pictures.  We all fell in love in an instant.  I got to hold her on my chest for her afternoon nap on Saturday and it was heaven on earth.  I used to love those "chest naps" with my own babies, and it was really special to enjoy one with my niece.  Every now and then, she would love on me with her hand.  She's just so sweet!  She has the cutest little nose and chin.  She is so tiny.  She definitely knows her Mommy, and the minute she sees Lashelle, she wiggles her little feet.  We already miss her and can't wait to see her again soon.

Daren and Claire giving Lilliann her bottle

Claire holding Lilliann (and sweet Harper's hand on her cheek)

My little bundle of love and me - I forgot how itty bitty newborns are!  LOVE IT!

Claire loved holding the baby and did a very good job taking care of her.

All the Daren Nixes with sweet Lilliann (even our Daisy)

Little Miss Harper loves babies, so she LOVED being with Lilliann.  She sang to her and gave her a bottle.  She was a natural.

Harper feeding Lilliann

Claire was very good with Lilliann.  She fell in love!  She asks me all the time when she gets to see her again. :-)

Our first days of school

Everyone in the house, except for Daddy, started at a new school this year.  Mommy went back to teaching and is at Austin High again.  Claire is a big girl who just began Kindergarten at Hill Elementary, and little Miss Harper began pre-school at Hyde Park Baptist.  All of us are adjusting and enjoying our new schools.  All of us are happy and also still have some fears.  But, we are all in great places where we will thrive and grow.  Change and growth are good things for all of us.  I didn't expect to cry at all about our changes; they are the natural part of raising children and living our lives.  All of the changes are ones we wanted and hoped would happen.

I promised myself that I always want to enjoy each stage and that I did not want to mourn what has passed, and I never expected to be filled with sadness when Claire started Kindergarten.  After all, I am honestly and truly 100% happy for her and I know that she is ready to learn and be a big girl.  She loves it and has been off to a great start.  But, it has been mountains of tears for Mommy every morning as I watch her walk into assembly or drive off in the car with Daddy as they are headed to school.  (Don't worry, I don't let Harper or Claire see me cry.)  Harper LOVES Hyde Park!  She loves her new friends, the new playscape, the trips to chapel, the music class, the baby center, the cafeteria, etc...  She is really happy!  I knew she would be, but each day that she heads off to school, I cry.  I am not unstable, I swear.  And, I don't think I am crying tears of sadness.  I haven't quite figured out yet what all the tears are about, and I'm not sure I ever will.  The good news is that, as each new day passes and each of us adjust and grow, the tears are less frequent.  I love my job as a teacher and I am proud of what I do.  I think some of the tears come from a place of guilt that I am not home all day with my children, but I am proud that I am showing them that it is okay to follow their own personal passions.  I think I struggle that the clock is ticking so quickly and they are growing up.  I struggle when Claire tells me while we are snuggling together at bed time that "she really missed me today while she was at school."  I struggle each morning when Harper asks "to have a play day."  I am proud of my little munchkins and I love being their Mommy.  I am happy that they love their new schools and I am blessed to be back at mine.  So, here's to hoping the tears stop soon and here's to school being off to a good start!  Overall, the first few weeks of school = OPERATION SUCCESS!!

Claire searching the class rosters for her name.  She is in Mrs. Scace's class!

 Mrs. Scace sent each student on a scavenger hunt around the classroom to find all the important places - their backpack hook, the bathroom, their assigned seat, the place where they put their school supplies, the reading rug, the class calendar, America on the globe, etc...  Claire had a blast with it.  I was so impressed with Mrs. Scace's creativity in showing each student the important things in her classroom.

Claire and I on the scavenger hunt at Meet the Teacher

She found her backpack hook!

She had each family sit one at a time in her reading chair and took pictures of us.  Brilliant!

Harper's 1st day at Hyde Park.  She is ready to conquer the world!  Look at that sass.

Walking Claire into Hill on her 1st day of school.  She looks a little nervous, and Miss Harper is full of her sweet sassiness.

The Hill Armadillo!

Mommy and Claire at her assigned seat.  If you look carefully, you can tell that my eyes are full of tears.  I didn't want Miss Claire to see these tears so Mommy hauled shortly after this picture was taken.

Daddy and the girls on the 1st day of school!