Fashioista

S: Girls, please get dressed. It's a homeschool day and I want to get started. Girls go off to the room, and then Kate comes back, naked, and says: K: Are we doing anything today? S: Maybe. It depends on how homeschool goes today. K: Well how can I possibly get dressed if I don't know where I am going? S: I think you should just get dressed in comfy clothes. K: Alright, but if we go somewhere I will change to some fancy clothes.

Kate's First Day of Preschool!

Kate is so happy to be attending preschool. She has the same teacher that Hannah had last year, Mrs. Wills, and is already feel comfortable and confident, which surprised me since she usually takes a while to warm up to people and new situations. I cannot tell you what a relief is it to hear that she is talking to other kids, talking to her teacher and enjoying her time at school! I love Kate soooo much, and just want other people to know what a treasure she is, which means she has to feel comfortable enough for her true colors to shine through.

We went to meet her teacher just the two of us, since a friend kindly offered to care for the other two girls. It was nice to have the time with just Kate.

The very first day of school we stopped by Target and enjoyed a coffee/milk together. We toasted Kate, celebrating the beginning of her school career...one I hope will be fun and filled with learning and adventure!

Kate asked if I wanted a picture of her sitting in this circle, which of course I jumped at the chance for a picture of my beautiful girl...

...but then her older sister jumped in and gave bunny ears to her yelling, "PHOTO BOMB!" The dynamic of these two is hilarious!

Here she is, running to preschool since now she is 4 and no longer gets the luxury of riding the double stroller (thank you Erin and Luke for passing the stroller back to us!).

She had a great first day, and reported that she made a new friend named Hannah (although I later found out her name is Anna...did I mention that she is getting her hearing checked again...that's a separate blog post through!). I can't wait to see how this tear unfolds for her and see her develop into her own little person. What a blessing she is!

Meeting Mrs. Cavalier, and Other Moments (to forget)...

We were able to meet Hannah's kindergarten teacher before the first day of school, and I have to admit that both Hannah and I were super excited. I was excited because as a former kinder teacher I was looking forward to teaching her and having fun with her, and thought for sure the teacher is going to see how smart Hannah is and how capable I am at handling two young ones while teaching. She was excited to have a teacher and make friends. We may have had different reasons, but we were both still excited. She picked out her favorite Hello Kitty shirt, and I tried to look casual and yet pretty. First impressions are important... So, when I lined the girls up by Hannah's room to take a picture and Rachel Lee fell in I was slightly embarrassed.

I had interrupted the meeting right before my scheduled time (I wanted to be early, of course) and now I had a crying kid. So, I did what every good mom does when you are trying to save face...kisses, hugs, and then try again...laughing the whole time about how cute 2 year olds are.

The meeting with Hannah's teacher went well. She is a super sweet teacher with lots of energy (which is good...I think she can make up where I am lacking) and she even asked if I wanted to take a picture of her with Hannah (she commented that she noticed us taking a picture earlier...gee, guess we were obvious).

We then walked around the school and I let the girls play a little on the playground to try to meet some other kids that were playing. Hannah then came up to me, said her tummy hurt and that she needed to go to the bathroom. I found one close to the playground just in time for her explode from both ends...it was not pretty. I had to go back to the office and inform them that my daughter had just created quite a mess in the bathroom close to the playground, and although I tried to clean things up, it needed to be cleaned. Seriously embarrassing for both Hannah and I. Poor Hannah really did not want her teacher to know, and I tried to be vague about the details for her sake but it was seriously one of the worst messes I have seen. We then came home and she spent the rest of the day like this:

Fast forward to the first day of school and my big girl coming out of class as the line leader. Hannah ran to me and as she did she got really quiet. I thought she was tired, but then she told me that she had pooped her pants. WHAT?? Yep...she said she had to go at school and was waiting and when she saw me she got so excited that she just pooped. I hope I don't have that effect on people. We cleaned her up, came home and I prayed for an extra dose of patience and a stronger stomach. Life as a mom...

Hannah's First Day of School

This week marks Hannah's fourth week of school and Kate's second week of school and I am just now getting to blog about school starting. Phew...I am ex-haust-ed! Jeff and I still find ourselves questioning whether the charter school is really a good fit, and there have been a few days that by the end of the day I am ready to enroll Hannah in any school. But, things are getting better as we establish new routines and as I figure out how to be a homeschooling mom, not just a mom or a teacher. Here is Hannah getting ready to go meet her teacher for the first time. I took pictures and she was being super giggly...

...and then she pulled out some money that she had stashed in her pocket.

Both she and I were cracking up!

Here she is on the actual first day of school:

She was silly with her sister, Kate, but Rachel Lee was in a super bad mood that Monday, so anytime I tried to set her down she cried. I think she was worried I was going to drop her off at school!

Hannah was super silly waiting for school to beginning, and then when the principal came over the loud speaker and dismissed the classes starting with Mrs. Cavalier, her teacher, she gave a slightly worried look...

...which mad me tear up, but I kept it together and knew that she would be fine and that she needed me to send her off with a hug and kiss. At the end of the day she came out and was so thrilled to be the line leader...that's my girl!! A born leader!

The first day of school down, and looking forward to the next 13 years of learning and fun! (and then off to college for some more...and then graduate school and then...)

Last Days of Summer

The last few days of August were spent beating the heat. Usually it meant playing in the kiddie pool, sliding on the slip 'n slide, and going to the library to enjoy some AC. It was hot, but fun, and it was the last few days of summer for my sweet ones. School is here and I am struggling to keep up with everything (especially blogging). I am thankful for all the hose-water-drinking-fun we've had these past few days. Many blessings, indeed!

Then and Now...

Kate: 4 Years Old!

My sweet Kate is four years old, and it seems like every time I look at her I wonder when my baby turned into a little girl. She is every bit of a little girl too: princesses, dolls, dress up and house are her favorite games. She loves being the mommy, and often asks if we are going to have another baby soon, which I lovingly answer, "No." We were away with family for her birthday, but were able to celebrate with a cooking party with her friends before we left. We also celebrated on her birthday with family, so in essence she had 2 parties this year! Luckly little girl!! Here is the birthday girl, the last few minutes as a three year old sleeping peacefully in bed...

...with her older sister's hand in her face...lucky little girl!

She spent the morning with baby Luke, and was so happy to take care of him!

We had a lovely time at Audrey's sister-in-law's house the day of Kate's birthday and called it a pool party in her honor.

Lunch was Mac'n Cheese, one of Kate's favorite meals, which I only make once in a while because the smell gets to me...one more way to show Kate how much I love her!

Kate wanted a castle cake for her birthday, so I found a Youtube video on how to make a castle cake and we were able to pull it off! She picked white cake alternated with chocolate cake (the chocolate was for her daddy, she said) with pink Stawberry Mist frosting. we decorated the cake with sprinkles, graham crackers and swedish fish, and had 4 wand candles that she found at the store and was so excited about that when we got home she went around to everyone (all 15 of us) and showed the candles we bought. She showed me the candles twice, and I was the one who bought them! Also, this cake combination is what you get when you let a 4 year old pick out a cake.

We had many hands to help us decorate...so much love!

And her family spoiled her with presents galore!

My Dear Sweet CupKate, I love your gentle personality and how you take joy in taking care of others. You are a nurturer and an encourager, and you bless our family through your gifts and natural talents. You are quick with a silly joke and a funny comment, but only share your silliness with your trusted family and friends, making it even more special for me to be part of your inner circle. I love that you try new things, and then realize that you like your routines and your favorite things. You are a perceptive and funny little girl and I love the girl you are growing into. May God continue to bless you and keep you as you grow this year. I love you deeply! Many blessings, Your Mama