FIRST GRADE!!

I can't believe it.... I have a first grader.... and she is oh sooooo sweet!!

As expected this morning was hard for us both...  I knew it would be.  I'll probably always have a hard time with the first day of school.  I try and try to keep it together and not cry but I'm convinced it isn't possible for me.  I'm a crier.  period.  nothing I can do about it but cry and get it over with :)

Although there were tears, there was excitement too....   

Kinley was so sweet and knew just what was happening.  She looked so sweet in her crayon dress just like London!!  

We left earlier than usual as to avoid the crazy parking we had to deal with last year.  It ended up not being too bad and we had some time to hang out before the school doors opened.  London saw her best friend and a few other friends from last year.  I think that helped calm her nerves a little and get her excited.

We walked London to her class and Matt helped her find her table and get settled.  She didn't want to give her teacher her gift when we got there so I just left it in her bag.  

I tried to get London to take a pic with her teacher but she wasn't quite ready.  Maybe tomorrow!!  I did get one of her at the door to her class :)

oohhh, I could just eat her up.  My sweet girl is growing up too fast :)

Kinley and I had a relaxing day.  The house stayed clean and we both took a great nap!!  When Kinley woke from her nap she ran into the living room and started looking for London.  She came back to me and said "London is hiding" and I reminded her she was at school.  

I had planned on running to Hobby Lobby before picking up London and much to my surprise I had locked my keys in my car.  After a panicked call to Matt he rushed home and I was able to get in the car rider line just in time.  Kinley was so cute.... when we drove by London's school she yelled, "THERES LONDON'S SCHOOL!!!"  She knew we were minutes away from picking her up.  

I could immediately tell London had the best first day by the big smile she had when she saw me in line. She got in the car and told me how great the day was and that she loved first grade so much and that she had the best best best teacher ever!!  

She pulled out her pic she colored this morning at school and it says it all...

school is so cool

After London got in the car Kinley held London's hand the whole way to the cupcake place and only wanted her to help unbuckle her and help her to the door.  She sure does love her big sister!!!

I let London pick a fun place to go for an after school treat and she picked the cupcake place!!

We ran into a friend there and visited for a while then came home and London had her best friend over to play.  

I know for sure tomorrow will be a great second day of school!!  

ONE LAST TRIP

With school fast approaching.... like the first day is tomorrow, and Matt being so swamped at work and only being home a couple hours each night he decided to treat us to a last minute overnight trip to the beach.  He knows how much the girls love staying in hotels and wanted to do something fun and not too far away so he picked the beach.

The beach is always a win with London and I but Kinley was hit or miss.  Last time we went with my mom she ended up sleeping the whole time and the little bit she was awake, she wouldn't touch the sand.

Well, this time was golden...Kinley loved the beach....sand, waves and all!!!  In fact, she asked to go back in the water and jump the waves.

The girls dug holes and built sand castles....

And..... with a snow cone stand on the beach.... how could we resisit!!!

More sandy fun....

After a few hours at the beach we headed to the hotel to clean up and go to dinner at Rainforest Cafe!  There was a bit of a wait so we did the river ride and the girls loved it as always!!

And no meal from Rainforest Cafe would be complete without a VOOOLLLLLLCAAAAAAANOOOOOO!!!

And after dinner a little hotel fun.... 

and my favorite part of hotels.... room service!!!

the whole reason I think the girls love staying in hotels. 

We took the girls to Moody Gardens and had time to go through one of the pyramids before heading home.  London picked the rainforest pyramid. 

these little tubes were my saving grace.  Inside the pyramid was so hot and humid but these tubes blew out cold air.  I wouldn't have survived without them ;)

 Of course London's favorite part was the butterflies and she even was able to hold one!

 OK, this is the freakiest pic.  Matt was trying to help Kinley touch a butterfly and I tried to snap a close pic of her touching it... well, her arm was directly behind his and it looks like he is holding a baby hand in his hand.  eeerie!!!

 going through the steam...

Kinley's favorite part of the rainforest was the smelly board.  Well, that is what we ended up calling it. There were 6 buttons on a board and each had a little sprayer (see by K's nose) and a picture of a rainforest plant (coconut, nutmeg, vanilla, cocoa, banana, and one other I can't remember).  The purpose was to push the button and make a scent come out of the little sprayer and try to identify it.  I'll just say that Kinley spent enough time smelling and going back to the board that by the time we were able to finally drag her (kicking and screaming) away from the board... she knew what each scent was and which plant matched the scent.  

Of course a failed attempt to get both girls smiling for a pic... sigh!!!

another tube blowing cold air... check out Matt's hair... that shows just hot hot and humid it was.  I'm sure it was extra hot and humid too with it being 100+ degrees outside.

We had a great time on our little trip and are ready for the first day of school tomorrow.  We are so glad we got to spend time as a family and that Matt didn't spend all weekend at the office :)

IT'S HOT!!

I normally don't take pics of the temperature, but the past few days my car thermometer has hit numbers I had to look twice at to believe.....

seriously.... 115???  Too hot for this preggo!!

Seriously..... It's HOT and I'm so ready for fall.  Bring on my sweet baby girl Holland, pumpkin bread, football,  and let the holiday cheer begin :)

I got out early with the girls today and our first stop was the library to get London's reading trophy. She did the summer reading club and read more than the required amount of books.  Well, little did I know that the library didn't open at 10... it opened at noon.  Sooo, we headed to Hobby Lobby for a few things to finish up London's first day of school teacher gift...

Teacher gifts are always hard for me.  I never know if a 'teacher/school' themed gift is too cheesy or if I should do something like a goodie basket with snacks.  I ended up doing alot of monogrammed gifts throughout the year last year so I"m sure I will do more this year.  I was at a loss and had some extra wood blocks and spray paint on hand so I decided on a 'back to school' wood block frame.

I had some chalkboard paint too so I did a frame for my sister.  Tomorrow I can prime the front with chalk and I'll write her name on the front in chalk to finish it up!  She is a new teacher so I think she will like this... especially since its from her favorite first grader!!!

London wrote her a sweet note on the back!

(the paint pen wasn't cooperating with us)

  We wish Aunt Liz would come teach in our district :)

After Hobby Lobby we headed to see 'Smurfs'.  It was cute and London enjoyed it.  It was a little long for Kinley but we made it through without any complaints.  I grabbed lunch for all of us at Chick-fil-a after the movie then attempted to put Kinley down for a nap.  A nap was not in Kinley's plan and I gave up after about an hour of her getting in and out of her bed.  Luckily the girls quietly watched a movie and I whipped up a quick baby gift my mom had asked me to do....

argyle onesie with matching burp cloth

all wrapped up for the sweet baby.  

I love cellophane bags with a cute bow at the top.  Its a cute way to show off a personalized gift!

Matt is getting home late tonight so its an all girl dinner.  It will be so nice to have him home for the weekend.

A last minute beach trip is planned for tomorrow and then we are back in the school mode full force come Sunday night!!

Have a happy weekend :)

BACK TO SCHOOL...

I hope we are done with all the back to school chores.

The backpack and lunch kit arrived in the mail while we were at the ranch and I was able to monogram the backpack as soon as we were unpacked!!

I took the girls out Monday and Tuesday to do a little back to school shopping.  Talk about exhausting... London was pretty good about picking out clothes she and I both liked but I think some things we both settled for just so we could get out of the store.  I'm still not convinced I really like all the clothes we bought so some may be going back.  I just can't get used to all the graphic t's and 'blinged out' clothes for little girls.  You bet my baby... or first grader should I say ... is wearing a smocked dress the first day of school.  And yes, she is excited about it!!  I promise!!

Meet the teacher outfit was done for London and part of Kinley's was finished.. although I still need to applique Kinley's shirt.  

my sweet sweet first grader.... when did she get so big?

this little sweetie... and her mama... is going to miss her big sister come Monday... but ooohhhh, I get my afternoon naps back!!

Back to school haircuts were a hit with the girls and Kinley felt like such a big girl getting her hair cut for the first time!!

After haircuts were finished we did a quick run to Target to get the last piece to finish up the girls room.... a down comforter for London's duvet.  I love the girls' room so much and it couldn't have turned out better!!  Now I can focus on the nursery!!

And the bathroom is all finished too.

monogrammed hooded towels hanging on the picket fence towel hooks I made!

I had to volunteer {passing out school supplies} before Meet the Teacher tonight and Matt met me at the school later on with the girls.  It was insanely hot!!  We met London's new teacher, she got to sort out all her school supplies and fill her desk with story pads and her school box and then we stopped by for a quick visit with her Kindergarden teacher before leaving.  I think London will have a great first grade year and I can't wait to watch her bloom!!

We had Mooyah burgers and Tutti Frutti yogurt for dinner then headed home.

We are just resting up for school the rest of the week. Tonight I'm cooking dinner {see pic below} for a sweet friend and soon to be mommy of a little girl.  She has been on bedrest for a week and since we are an hour away from her I figured dinner is always a good way to help out.  

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Hopefully I can get some shopping done for the nursery.... slipcover for the glider and ottoman and first on the list and canvases are hopefully being started soon :)  I have the curtain fabric picked out but think I'll tackle that chore later in the game.

Here is a pic of what I'm working with...  not a totally blank slate but it definitely needs a little sprucing up.  {canvas paintings above the crib...ahem, the paper placement on the wall, monogrammed slipcover for chair and ottoman, shelves for pics and accessories, curtains and maybe just maybe I'll do a crib bumper too}

But a separate post is in store for the nursery makeover!!

Enjoy the last few days of summer break!!!  I know we will :)