Bryanna Graduates from Summer Steps!

Keystone SMILES has an amazing program and a wonderful opportunity for kids entering kindergarten!  Bryanna spent the last 3 weeks going to school!  It was a wonderful preview to what she can expect to experience this fall.  She had class in one of the kindergarten rooms, ate lunch in the cafeteria, and played on the playground.  She was able to go to the gym and the library, and learned about green, yellow, and red cards.  She learned the pledge of allegiance, improved her writing, and learned a little about playing with friends and listening to teachers.  She loved her 3 weeks of school, and now is REALLY looking forward to fall and catching that big yellow school bus!  Here are some shots from her Summer Steps Graduation Day!

Receiving her certificate from Miss Jaime and Miss Bethany.

She was so excited the first day to learn that her friend Brandon sat beside her in the classroom!! 

And Bryanna with her teacher Miss Jaime.  Bryanna talked and talked about Miss Jaime, and loved her to pieces!!

And proudly displaying her certificate!  Oh, please allow the next 13 years to slow down!!  It brings tears to my eyes thinking this will be her someday with her diploma!

A funny story from school:

One day on our way home from school Bryanna said, "Momma, I need to tell you something, but you have to pinkie promise me you won't tell Daddy".  I agreed, and reached my hand to the backseat to complete the deal.  Bryanna continued to tell me that a boy had asked her to be his girlfriend during school that day.  My heart skipped a beat --- already?!  I asked what she said, and she said, "Momma, I couldn't say anything, the teacher was talking and it's against the rules to talk when the teacher is talking!".  Ahhhh....a little girl that follows the rules!  May all the boys in her future ask her out while the teacher is talking!! 

And for the record, I continued to ask his name and other information about him. I didn't know him or his parents, so the next day I questioned Miss Jaime about him.  She said he was an excellent little guy!

Oh, and they are not a couple.  Unfortunately, he's shorter than Bryanna, and in Bryanna's little mind, the boy must be taller than the girl!  Whew!

Coming Home....

Thankfulness!  That is the one word I can use to describe the day we brought Hanna home from the hospital.  We had another healthy baby girl, and our little Mong Family was complete! 

Hanna was discharged at 5 lbs 14 oz, and looked so small in her carseat.  However, as Bryanna puts it, "SAFETY FIRST!".  Luckily, Big Sister is always right beside us as we put Hanna in the carseat saying, "Don't cry Baby Hanna, Big Sister is here...you are alright!".

Will traveling with 2 little girls always be this easy?  :)

Backing up a bit....Last day out as a family of 3!

Bryan wanted to plan a day out and about with "his girls", saying he wanted one more fun day as a family of 3 and also to celebrate Father's Day and my Birthday.  We planned it for Sunday, June 12th, not realizing that so soon after, we'd become a family of 4!  He wanted Pittsburgh for fireworks, the zoo, and a ride on the Good Ship Lolipop ---- at almost 37 weeks pregnant, that was waaaaay over the top for me!  We compromised on Erie Zoo, and shared an amazing day!!

Bryanna's favorites at the zoo are the giraffes and the penguins.  We found both!!

And she loves to look at the animals through the binoculars --- trouble is usually she has them backwards!  :)

Daddy and Peanut shot....

Lilly pads are always a favorite!

Bryanna wanted to feed the birds...but of course, as soon as the first bird landed, Bryanna was scared!  But she soon warmed up to the "Little Birdie"...

During the day I asked Bryan what he was going to do with 3 girls in his life, and only 2 hands.  He said I'd be out of luck!  Couldn't think of any better way to have my husband's hands filled than with our 2 daughters!

And below is the final preggo picture I have --- I earned the name "Big Momma" from my wonderful family, and looking at this, I guess maybe it fit!

What a wonderful last day to celebrate being a family of 3....but now we can't ever imagine our lives without Baby Hanna!!