1st Grade

    I can not say that I remember being in first grade but I do not think I was as busy as Emma! She is off to a great start in her class and we love her teacher.  Emma has done a total 180 from last year. Kindergarten year we struggled with yellow and red days for talking and all around attitude.
   
    I normally would not air our laundry like that if it had not been greatly improved. Emma has matured over the summer and is making efforts to understand what is expected of her on a daily basis. I am truly proud of the way she has turned it around.
 
     You never know what type of parent you are going to be on that first car ride home. I did not expect to only really be understanding and trying to make myself better as a parent during this last year. I am sure there will be more learning experiences through our life. I feel that being a mom is going to be my biggest accomplishment and my hardest challenge in life.

  We look forward to the remaining school year with Emma, and hope to be posted some of her academic achievements in the near future.

June

June has been the busiest month! Our trip to Disneyworld was amazing. All that I read and heard was true. We all felt like it was a magical experience. From being the first people in the Fantasmic show to the cast members that made it pleasant even during the longer lines. The girls came back from the trip closer than ever. I love to see them holding hands and hugging on a regular basis.
 Emma and Ellie have been spoiled this month too. Several birthday celebrations and plenty of presents. We feel loved to have so many family members who celebrate Emma and Ellie with us. Here are some of the things that we have learned about our girls since their last birthday.
    Emma
      1. She is an amazing artist. She loves to draw pictures for the ones she loves.
      2.  Swimming is the top priority of vacation and summer.
      3. Loves to sing pop songs in the car and can say when a Beatles song is playing.
      4. Great big sister!
      5. Very athletic and a fast runner. Family races have been known to happen.
      6. Makes great breakfast on Saturdays for everyone.
 
    Ellie
       1. Does not like Dinner at all.
       2. Ellie is brave! Wants to ride all the rides and swim by herself.
       3. Her vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds.
       4. She loves to cuddle and snuggle.
       5. Loves the library!
       6. Blanket goes everywhere.


 I can not imagine life without my two June bugs. Love them to the moon and back.

Life in the fast lane

I always mean to write here more and keep everyone updated with what is going on with the girls. As you know life gets crazy and sometimes good intentions fall behind. Lots of things have been happening since my last post!

 Josh and I are now the happy owners of a three bedroom, two and a half bath house in Round Rock. (Just north of Austin) We moved to be closer to my parents and Josh's mom. Owning a home has been different this time around. Our first home in Leander felt more like a fun house then a home. Our new house has been great. We are within 2 miles of Emma's school and still close enough to our jobs. We are decorating and fixing things to be the way we like them. The girls rule the roost on the second floor that includes a nice size play room for them. We are hoping to be able to have a lunch here soon for everyone to come see the new house.

 Emma is currently in Kindergarten and is adjusting very well. We had a few rough months but with the new addition of glasses she has settled right in. Helps when you can see! Her favorite thing about school is Art. Only 9 more weeks and she will be a first grader. We plan to enroll her in a few art classes this summer to help her learn more.

 Ellie is growing more and more each day. She still has her own language but most days she speaks very clear. Her favorite thing is still Minnie Mouse and loves strawberry milk. On the weekends she is Emma's shadow. We like to call them Pete and Repeat.

 The biggest thing on our radar is our trip to Disney World in June. Shhh...surprise for the girls. With the help of our tax return we were able to pay for our 7 days there. I am looking forward to spending some time with them and Josh. We hope it will be a magical adventure that brings us closer as a family.

  We have been through hurdles and dips since November but we look forward to each day together. I know that we have learned and grown a lot as a family unit. It is the hard times that show you what is most important in life. And the beat goes on.

1...2...3..4....

Five! Emma is turning five tomorrow. I wrote about the night before she was born on facebook tonight, but it was that next day that really changed my life. I would no longer be just Angie, I would be mommy. A role that can be hard sometimes but truly rewarding with Emma. We learn so much together, but here are some things I have learned about her this year.

 1. She is a big helper. 

 2. Emma is a Leader. She knows what she wants and is going to make it happen.

 3. Imagination as big as the universe

 4. Fashionista. We question the mis-match clothing sometimes but usually let her show her true colors.

 5. She is quickly becoming a lego master and builds for hours.

 6. Chicken and fries is still her favorite food.

 7. Can't hold us by Macklemore is "Her" song.. oh and mommy turn it up!

I look forward to learning more about her, and growing with her as we face these new obstacles. Emma will start school in August and is so ready to be in class. I loved going to school and I hope that she will too. 

Ellie the Loveable

Tomorrow my Ellie will turn 2! The time has really moved since she was born. I think about that June 6th 2011 and I know what I was going through. Rough, hard, long contractions every 10 minutes. Little did I know that I was being prepared for someone so kind, and loving. It was all worth it looking back. Here are some things that we have learned about Ellie in this last year.

1. Repeat! Anything Emma does Ellie does!
2. More and more loving. Now she can say I love you, (Mommy,Daddy,Emma)
3. Miss Independent
4. Favorite foods-Grapes, candy, spaghetti, goldfish, and chips
5. Builds with blocks, and train set for hours and hours
6. NOT an early riser. (Just like Mommy)
7. Doesn't like to be told what to do. (Just like Daddy)
8. Must have Puppy and Blankie at all times.
9. Empathetic to others feelings. Gives hugs when needed, and even pats.

There is so much more! We are so happy to have Ellie in our lives. I look forward to celebrating her Birthday and watching what new things she will learn.

Milestones

  As Josh and I hit big milestones this year, 10 years married in May and 12 years together on Friday, I have to say it isn't easy. If I told you it was a walk in the park I would be lying. I love my husband, don't get me wrong, that isn't the hard part.
    We were sitting together last night at the dining room table, and I couldn't help but to stare at him. I asked him if he thought is was funny how far we had come. Being Josh his answer was very logical, and true. I hadn't clued him in to what was going on in my head though. I looked at him and realized this is not the boy I met and felt instantly connected to. He looked so different from that high school kid, and was now the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. We have both changed, together and as individuals. Yet we still fit together so well.
    I feel like if we hadn't changed we wouldn't have made it this far. We were kids when we got married and now getting closer to being adults. Marriage is my best accomplishment so far. I don't get trophies or raises when I do something good. I do however have the satisfaction of knowing that Josh and I have worked together as a team to jump a lot of hurdles. We are getting better at this everyday. We talk without barriers, and don't walk on eggshells. We ask for help and know when to admit our mistakes. Our marriage is in no way perfect, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
   I am so happy that I get to start and end my day with this wonderful man. We don't celebrate this anniversary but I will never forget the day my life got better. The day our paths joined and began our adventure together.
  Love is the light guiding our way.

On Track

Life is so busy! I always feel like I need a pause button.

 We have been living in Wes's house (our house) for almost a year now. We have moved around the girl's rooms to make room for more play. They are beginning to enjoy each others company and play well. We all enjoy the space that the house brings. The summer has been a little too hot to go out in the back yard too much, but hope to start using it more soon.

 Emma and Ellie are growing like beautiful Texas wildflowers. Ellie is now up to her big sister's shoulder and I am sure will pass her up in the next few years. Emma's heart continues to check out well. She had a follow up in July and is doing great. Both have a very independent spirit. We are challenged most days but find opportunities to better ourselves. Bath time is their favorite time, and bed time their least. Ellie is working on saying new words like Shoes and purse, while Emma continues to learn writing and reading. I am hoping to get updated photos of them done soon.

 Josh and I are busy working away, but still find time for the occasional date night. We are making progress with our goal of being debt free in 2014. Shorter goals are our plans for our 10 year wedding anniversary. Josh and I are going to renew our vows next May. I enjoy planning another wedding, much smaller and intimate this time. Just the 2 of us! All I can say is the Chapel has been booked. Josh has an upcoming birthday in November but Austin is sure to be a mad house with the F1 races that weekend, so we plan to travel outside of Austin for his yearly birthday bash.

 As for myself, Jazzercise. I have said it before, but it's good for me to say it again. This is a journey that has no end. Taking care of myself is not only better for me, but my family too. This year has been a very good reflective year. I am 29 this year, and this age has a lot of meaning for me. It is the last year of my twenties. I am sure a lot of people get here and begin to look inside. I want my 30's to be amazing though. I want to be able to live a little extra for Denise. She was almost there, my exact age now. I don't plan on going anywhere, so it is in my hands to conquer the unknown. To reach my goals, and stop looking back. I'm going forward. I'm on track and there are no signs of stopping.

The Haar Family is thankful to have such a wonderful group of family and friends to share our lives with.  We appreciate everyone's love and support.