WEEKEND UPDATE

Wow!!  What a week.

We finished the first week of school with all smiles........and a few more tears.......but mostly smiles.   I think I'm going to survive now.

London came home excited everyday and had so much to talk about.  New friends, PE, art, music, recess, who she sat by at lunch, and all things that are important to a new Kindergartner!!  After day 3 of school the kids were on their own in the mornings.  I couldn't walk her to her class anymore.  It was hard.  It was real hard to let her get out of the car without me.  The first day was rough, like reliving the first day of school.  She was crying, begging me not to make her get out and go to school and I was in tears at the thought of how scared she was.  BUT, the music teacher came to the rescue and I drove away.  The next day was a bit better.  Still some tears but not as many.  Friday was even better and I knew that slowly but surely the two of us would be able to confidently part ways with a simple hug, kiss, and I love you.

I was so excited for the weekend.  I got to have both of my girls at the same time all day long for 2 whole days.   Matt had a trip to the ranch planned for some time with a group of archeology enthusiasts.  He REALLY enjoys arrowhead hunting at the ranch and jumped at the chance to shadow some people that really knew what they were doing.  I was going to take the girls to my parents house and have a fun weekend swimming and hanging out with my mom, sister, brother and new sister in law.  Oh, and to use my mom's computer to download more applique designs.  BUT, Saturday morning came and London was in such a grumpy mood.  We had warned her many times while we were packing to 'change her attitude' and 'be kind'.  Well, she didn't listen and I ended up unpacking our stuff and staying home.  I WAS NOT about to get in the car with a grouchy winey 5 year old who was attacking everyone and for some reason couldn't stand to be around her baby sister.  Thankfully, her attitude changed and the whole rest of the day she was so sweet and fun to be with.


Sunday we skipped church packed a picnic lunch in a real picnic basket and went to the zoo.  It was really fun to get out with the girls and just have mommy-daughter time.

It was HOT but we found every misting fan in our path and managed to have a good time.  London wanted to take the wagon so she and Kinley could ride together and they ended up pulling/pushing the wagon together half the time.  London doesn't look to thrilled to be pulling but I promise it was her choice, not mine.

Kinley loved seeing all the animals and tried to say the names and sounds of each one. Of course she pointed at every bird at the zoo too and said "bir" while signing.

London loved hearing all the facts about the animals and I tried to make sure she had some sort of educational experience at each animal we saw.  We didn't see many animals though, they were all snoozing in the furthest corner from us.  I don't blame them though, it was HOT!!!

Sunday night I was on my own again and got the girls bathed and in bed.

Monday was good. London went back to school and had a great day.  She got out of the car great and had a little help making it to her class.  No tears for us though.....I did circle around to make sure she made it in the school though.  She brought home her first homework assignment (yes the have homework in Kindergarten) and finished it all by herself.  Writing your name is hard work you know.  ha ha!!!

Matt came home Monday night. He shared his 'archeology' experience with us and was already chomping at the bit to get back to the ranch again.

Now it is Tuesday.  London did phenomenal this morning, she got right out of the car after our hug and kiss and made it to her class with NO help.  She was so proud of herself and so was I.  Kinley and I ran errands, got our groceries for the week and played at the park for a while before picking up London.  Our afternoon consisted of more name writing homework  and more playtime in the water hose after dinner.  We ended the night with a good batch of chicken spaghetti and baths.

Now Kinley is up...I don't know why.  Better go for now.

Tomorrow is hump day!!

WATER FUN!!

The water hose is always a good source of entertainment for the dog.  She loves it.  The more you spray her....the more she wants it!!

But... someone else loves the water hose too!!

WE DID IT!!

(ignore the dates on the pics, I guess my camera date is off!!)

Do you know what we did?

We made it through the first day of school!!!!

After staying up late making sure everything....YES EVERYTHING....was labeled and the teacher gift was perfect I finally settled down and tried to sleep only to wake up to a morning that I have been dreading so bad.

see, EVERYTHING was labeled.  ha ha!!

teacher gift full of goodies

(i forgot about the student teacher...good thing I put 2 of everything in the basket)

the rolling backpack and matching lunch kit all ready to go

The morning started with me popping out of bed and then being convinced by Matt to snooze just 10 minutes.  London and Kinley were both up shortly after the 'snooze' was over.  I had big plans to make London's favorite breakfast......biscuits, bacon, eggs, sausage....but she told me she would rather have oatmeal with a Hershey kiss.  Being the first day of Kindergarten...I gave it to her and she didn't like it....so, she then requested just oatmeal with brown sugar as usual and I'm pretty sure she  only took about 5 bites of it before we left.

I got her dressed (in the dress I made her) and she looked so adorable.  I had no idea what shoes to put with it and I battled between just plain white tennis shoes or navy but after searching I just put her brown mary janes on and called it a day.  I even bought knee socks for her to wear but, then thought that was cruel since the heat index was over 100 today.

There she stands all ready for her first day with the backpack (with rollers because that was her #1 request for her backpack).

The line of cars at the school was crazy.  I think we had to park about a half-mile away.  Seriously, we were about half way to our neighborhood when we finally found a spot to park.  London was quiet the whole way to school.  I could tell she was excited and scared at the same time.  I was terrified.  I fought back tears the whole way.  She rolled her backpack so proud all the way to her class.  It wasn't until we got down the hall to the door of her class and my tears couldn't be held back anymore.  London started crying and Matt later admitted he got teary eyed.  Oh, we are a bunch of nuts I tell ya!!  London cried, "I don't want to go Mommy."  I just hugged her so tight and whispered to her, "I love you, it will be great!"  We gave her teacher her gift and showed her the book London brought for her to read (time permitting of course) and somehow we parted and she went in the class and Matt and I pushed Kinley in the opposite direction.  I think I did pretty good at holding myself together.

the book from Nana for London to take on her first day of school

 We then checked out the 'cheers and tears' reception and it wasn't much.  The school had some muffins and juice out for the parents so we grabbed a muffin for Kinley and a juice for Matt and got a PTA info sheet and left.  If I had known anyone there it would have been worth staying at.

I came home, Matt went to work and the waiting game started.  I cleaned until I didn't have anything to clean then I sat....and looked at the clock....and fed Kinley lunch...and sat...and put Kinley down for a nap....and looked at the clock...and decided to lay down and nap....then Kinley woke up 20 minutes after I laid down.  So....I made these for London to give to her friend Katie and her brother.  And I had one waiting for London too.

My sweet friend Melissa came by too and we chatted about how hard the morning was and how it will get better.  She got a 'happy first day of school'  treat too!!Then it was finally time to get London.  I thought I was doing good by leaving 20 minutes early.  Wow, the line to pick up the kids was so long.  I searched for my bow headed girl every chance I could.  Finally it was my turn to pull up and there she was, so sweet and serious.  She got in the car and that's when I knew my baby would be o.k.  I asked her every possible question about her day.  What she did first?  Who was at her table?  Did she go to recess?  Was there enough food in her lunch?  Did she like her lunch?  Did she like her snack?  How was her water?  Did it stay cold?  What lessons did she learn?  Did she color?  And the list goes on.  She told me everything about her day.  I knew she was going to be alright.  My little girl survived her first day of Kindergarten......and so did I!!!  And she had a 'happy first day of school' treat too....and she ate all 3 cookies.....and I let her.....because it was the end of her first day of school.

I can't wait for day 2!!!

And here is Kinley, I couldn't help but show her off too.  She was so sweet today and probably so confused on why the house was so quiet.  I asked her once during the day, "Where's London?" and she looked around then just shrugged her shoulders.

HER FIRST DAY

My Precious London,

Today is your first day of school.  Your first day of Kindergarten.  Your first day of being with someone else longer than you are with me.  My days of walking you to the door of your classroom are almost over.  They tell me I can only walk you in for the first 3 days.  What will I do?  Will you make it to the right hall?  The right classroom?  The thought of it makes me crumble inside knowing that this is part of you growing up and me having to let go a little bit more.  I always thought it would be nice to be able to drop you off but now that that day is near, it scares me to death.  You are only 5 but you are still growing up right before my eyes.  I can remember the first time you looked at me.  Your eyes so wide open and taking in the world from the beginning.  

Sometimes when I watch you * all five seasoned years of you * I think about just how lucky I am to be your mommy.  I would have never imagined I would be so lucky or that I would be able to understand just how much joy a tiny 4 pound  7 ounce bundle of happiness could bring to our family.  

You light up a room with your energy and I will miss that everyday you are at school.  Kinley will miss you, I know this for sure.  Will she understand?  Her eyes will sparkle at the sight of you coming home and mine will too.  I know there will be hard days and fussy days and days that I don't want to do but I will because that's just part of coming home from Kindergarten.  

My prayer for you is that your dreams will come alive and you will grasp the world even tighter than before and  enjoy it.  You are growing up my sweet London and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

I LOVE YOU!

Mommy

She started school this morning, 
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.
And as she took her place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.
Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.
This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.
My eyes were blurred by hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar her first big day
Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.
And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.
But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.
And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She's not a baby anymore --
She's in Kindergarten today.
~author unknown

I DO!

A quick update on Colorado....I'll update with more details when it's not 12:30 a.m.

My baby brother got married....8-14-10.....in Colorado Springs.  It was absolutely beautiful and we all had a great time.  The ceremony was outside at the Pro-Rodeo hall of Fame.  The weather was amazing and the reception was a blast.

Kinley, London were the flower girls and cousin Morton was the ring bearer.  They were all so precious and did such a good job walking down the aisle.  

The rehearsal dinner was at The Broadmoor and let me just say that place is AMAZING!!  Here is a view from the pool!!

18 months!!

My sweet Kinley girl.  You are 18 months old today.

You are doing so much now and still as sweet and easy going as ever.

You are doing baby sign language all the time and I can teach you a new sign almost daily.  You can sign...dog, cat, eat, all done, thank you, please, I'm sorry, airplane, flower, close your eyes, sleep/bed, hungry, elephant, fish, Jesus, doctor, cookie, cracker, cheese, banana, apple, hurt, more, bird, music, blanket, table, cupcake, O's, star, ball, milk, water, up, down, out, baby, mommy, daddy
Sometimes you even try to finger spell and it cracks me up watching you work your little fingers into imaginary letters.

You know pretty much all your body parts and can say their names and point to the correct one!!

You sleep about 11 hours at night and take one nap that usually lasts about 2 hours - 2.5 hours.

You love to color...especially with markers and you really LOVE to color on yourself.  

You can talk up a storm.  My favorite words you say are...

bird
baa-beet (blanket)
wok (rock)   you say this alot at night when I'm trying to put you in your bed
lallo (yellow or color)

nak (snack)

die (yes)

na-nee (nana)

naa-naa (night night)

ba (bed/ball)

la-lu (love you)
dee-da (London)

You can say so many more words and I never have to guess what you want.  Between your vocabulary and your sign language, you always get your point across.  

You have been teething for a few weeks now and your 2 teeth on the bottom (next to the middle ones) finally broke through.  I think there are 2 more coming in too.  I'll be glad once all your teeth are in.  

You were the cutest baby flower girl ever in Cody and Gogie's wedding.  London dropped rose petals down the aisle and you picked up and held one single petal in your outstretched hand as if you wanted the world to see it.  

I love you forever my sweet baby.  It is such a joy to watch you grow up.  Just don't grow up too fast.

Love, Mommy

MEET THE TEACHER!!

Mrs. Edwards is her name.  London's Kindergarten teacher.  She is precious and sweet and all things I imagined that my first impression of her would be........but I still cried.  I don't even know why.  It wasn't like I had to leave London there today.  In fact, I don't have to leave her there for 4 more days.  The teacher probably thought I was completely nuts.  Matt looked at me like I had lost my mind.  I couldn't control myself though.  The tears were too heavy to fight back.  Come Monday, I am in for big time trouble.  I decided that I will just pray hard and hope God can help me stay calm and collected on the first day of school.  Why is this so hard?

After a few minutes of looking like a fool and of Matt reminding me to cover my face since I have a really ugly cry...I composed myself and was able to have intelligent conversation with Mrs. Edwards and hopefully convinced her that I'm not a nut.  I signed up for every classroom volunteer opportunity possible.  Of course I would, why wouldn't a completely overprotective mother want to be in the class as much as possible.

London got to sit at her desk and Mrs. Edwards took her picture too.  After a few minutes she slowly and quietly scanned the room and checked out all the centers.  I could see it in her eyes, I could read her mind when she looked at me.  Her eyes were screaming, " Do I really have to do this.  You are really going to make me go to Kindergarten.  I'm excited but scared mommy.  I want to take this Kindergarten thing and run with it but I want you close."  At bedtime I told her it would be o.k. and that she would have so much fun in Kindergarten.  London's friend Katie had Mrs. Edwards last year so that made her excited too.  She talked about the ABC center and how she wanted to play with the letters and how Kinley kept walking to the kitchen center even though it was "closed" today.  I hope however much excitement she has will grow and that her fears will fade.  I'm confident that will happen and I hope I can put my fears and tears aside and cheer her on.

I know it is good for her and that she needs (and has to) go.  But for some crazy reason, It is tearing me apart.

All I know is that is will take some major prayer to make me comfortable quickly.  The halls are long and there are kids from all faiths and all walks of life in that building and in the same class as London.  It scares me.  It scares me alot.  Maybe I should have more confidence in her.  Maybe she is capable of finding her class after only 3 days of me walking her to the door.  Hopefully Matt and I are doing our job and building a strong Christian faith in her and the other children from other faiths will only make her want to grow closer to Jesus.  Maybe they are in the class with her so she can share the Gospel with them.  I can only hope and pray that she is going to be o.k.  Deep down I know she will be.....eventually.... but right now I am scared.  I know she is too.  At least a little bit.

I am going to hold on to her tighter than ever these last few days before I make the long walk to her class on Monday morning.  Then, I will watch the clock for 3:20 when I can get in the car to go get her.

OH Monday.....please don't come so fast.

PORT ARANSAS

Our summer ended with two great vacations.  First we spent a week in Port Aransas at the beach with Matt's family.  We had a great time hanging out in the sun and in good company of family! 

 If London wasn't at the beach building sand castles she was in the pool or on her way to one of the two.  She is such a little beach girl and could stay all day everyday and never let the gritty sand bother her.  

Kinley on the other hand hated the beach.  She wouldn't even put her feet in the sand.  

The last day we were there we played in the sand dunes.  The kids loved jumping down the dunes.  The adults tried it too but the kids were much braver than us!!

We took a trip to the Texas State Aquarium and one day rented a little car thing to drive on the beach.  Did a little souvenir sand castle toy shopping one day and had ice cream just about every day.

And just a few more pics from the beach.....

                                                         

          

THE END.

QUICK TURN-AROUND

We just returned from Port Aransas (I'll post on that once I get my pics downloaded) and I'm home long enough to do our laundry from the beach vacation and re-pack it for our trip to Colorado.....along with a few more things for the wedding and all the parties before. We aren't even home 24 hours before we have to get in the car again.  Matt will fly up Friday and spend the weekend with us and join in all the wedding festivities.

My kids are loving being home and tucked away in their beds with all the familiar sounds and smells of home.  London knows what is happening tomorrow but there is no way to prepare Kinley.  We are starting our drive to Colorado with my mom and I am dreading every mile of it.  I'm really happy and looking forward to have some time with my mom but dreading having to have my girls stuck in the car again.  It will be so nice to finally get there!!  We are going to take our time and split the drive into 2 days so I hope that helps.  And, Nana is known to make a LOT of stops which usually includes some kind of treat or snack so that makes for happy kids......i hope :)

Matt went to work for a few hours tonight and I'm posting while I wait for the laundry to dry.  One more load......then bedtime for me!!

Love,
Heather