KINLEY'S FIRST DAY!

So last Tuesday was Kinley's first day of preschool.  Thankfully we had been up to the school to tour on Thursday, pay registration on Friday, and turn in paper work Monday so she was pretty familiar with the place!  She did amazing...and I can't believe I didn't shed a tear.  It took just a little bit of convincing her to go in her room but she waved bye to me with a smile.  I had forgotten her snack so when I went back to her class she was playing and looked like she was having a good time.  I just had to So last Tuesday was Kinley's first day of preschool.  Thankfully we had been up to the school to tour on Thursday, pay registration on Friday, and turn in paper work Monday so she was pretty familiar with the place!  She did amazing...and I can't believe I didn't shed a tear.  It took just a little bit of convincing her to go in her room but she waved bye to me with a smile.  I had forgotten her snack so when I went back to her class she was playing and looked like she was having a good time.  I just had to  snap a pic!! Not the best quality but a sweet reminder to me that day that she was o.k.!!

London had written her a note and put it in her bag before she left for school Tuesday morning.  I had to make Matt read it to Kinley.... I started crying before I finished the second line.  Although London can be a little toot sometimes, this just reassures me that she loves her little sister so much.  I hope she always watches out for Kinley and is there for her!  

"Kinley, I hope you have a great first day.  Don't be scared.  Meet new friends. 

 You're a big girl now.  Me and you both go to school.  Love, London

 Here is my sweet sweet right before we said goodbye!  

And.... a few pics of her bag and nap mat.  I only had part of her bag finished for her first day and hadn't even started her nap mat cover.  Thankfully I was able to finish everything for Thursday.

A CRAZY WEEKEND

I've been trying to decide on what preschool to put Kinley in for next year.  I had my mind made up and then found out we would be out of town the day of registration.  BUT.. a friend of mine used to work at the preschool I wanted so she convinced me to take a tour even though I would miss registration.  I took Kinley up to tour the school and talked to the director.  I explained the situation about us being out of town the day of registration and pretty much walked out with no hope of getting her in for next year.  It was a long shot but I asked if there was an open spot now and asked if I enrolled her now if I would have a spot for next year.  There was not a spot.  :(  I went home and started going over the other schools on our list.  This all happened on Thursday.

Friday came and we were getting packed up to head to the ranch and I get a call from my friend telling me the director called and said they had a spot for Kinley to start on the following Tuesday.  YIKES!!  She could have the spot IF we came that day and paid 1/2 the registration for the year, February tuition, AND registration for next year (since she would be considered a current student we were able to register for next year before Sat.)  I made a quick call to Matt with the grand total and he said YES!!  Sooo....My decision to start her in preschool next year was just forced to change and put her in in a few days.

In the mean time... 15 minutes before our friends were arriving to meet up and head to the ranch I get a call saying my grandmother was dying.  We had been called to come to the nursing home on Thursday but after my mom went up and assessed my grandmother, she said she was talking and didn't seem too bad.  Well, Friday things made a quick turn for the worse and we switched gears and headed to the nursing home.  BUT, on our way out we ran by the preschool and paid for Kinley to start and got all the necessary paper work for her.

We headed to the ranch after spending some time at the nursing home and got there about 2am.  Saturday night I got a call saying my grandmother had passed away.  I was so sad for my dad.  I can't and don't want to imagine what it is like to lose your mom.

We headed home Sunday and got the run down on what was to expect as far as the memorial for my grandma. There will be a memorial Friday and lunch with family afterwards.

I had lots to do for Kinley's first day so I got to work on her bag.

Monday Matt ran by a teacher supply close to his office and picked up a nap mat.  I sent her to school with an unfinished bag and a bare nap mat and a blanket.  Thankfully I finished the bag and nap mat cover Tuesday afternoon and all day Wednesday.

I'm tackling the growing pile of laundry today and hoping to get my sewing room in order before Monday. Tomorrow is my grandmothers memorial and we have a Saturday full of parties.  I'm exhausted already.

RUNNING AROUND

We did alot of running around last week.  Holland's 4 month check up on Wednesday.... after we had to reschedule it earlier in the week, and then the big girls had dentist appointments at separate times on Friday.  Needless to say, I spent alot of time in waiting rooms last week.  

Since we had been scheduled for the wrong appointment the first time we went for Holland's check up, we made the most of being by some stores not so close to home.  I got my boots then right next door is a teacher supply store.  London loves doing workbooks so I grabbed a few for her and got a pre-school one for Kinley.  We've been looking for a preschool to start her in next year and I thought a workbook would be fun for her to do.  Well, and she loves doing anything London does.  She surprised me with her tracing skills.  Now just about every page in both of her books are traced.

Both girls checked out great at the dentist.  NO CAVITIES!!! YAY!!  

After school we ran around and stopped at the cookie place for some ice cream.  Yes, we did buy some cookies too :)  My mom had come down to help watch the girls while I was at the dentist with London so she tagged along and spent the afternoon with us.  I found my dress for the rehearsal dinner too!  

Back tracking to Wednesday when we went BACK for Holland's 4 month appointment I stopped by Sam Moon for some jewelry to go with my new dress.  I couldn't resist clipping on a fake pony tail to Kinley.  I think we might be getting one for her to wear at the wedding.  Poor girl has such thin hair and we need lots of curls for the wedding :)

Holland had to eat before we drove back home so thankfully there was a Babies R' Us next to Sam Moon and Kinley was able to run around the nursing room while I fed.

(I was not asked to write the following...)

OK... and my new hobby ... if you can call it that after 2 weeks.....RUNING!  After last weeks crazy idea to start running I made a goal to do a 5K.  I found this great app on my phone, downloaded it and made up my mind to finish it.  I'm only on week two of eight... and so far I'm still enjoying it.  I am someone who hated to run, always quit at the first pain in my side and just never thought it was fun. But this program is a great.  I downloaded some fun cardio/workout music and can play my own songs while the app is going and the trainer talks over your own music.  

http://runningmatemedia.com/5k-101/

I'm sure there will be days that I want to quit and that I feel like I want to die after the run but I'm determined to finish.  My dad was a marathon runner and I think of him every time I run.  I can't wait for my first 5K.  I want him to be there for sure.

GIRLS WEEKEND

This past weekend Matt went to my future brother-in-laws bachelor party.  Sooooo... it was just me and the girls.  Friday I got London from school and we had a low key afternoon playing.  I always keep dinner simple when Matt is gone so we had quesadillas.  I bathed the girls early and they wanted to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie.  I was glad for bedtime to come and somehow managed to get all 3 asleep by 9.  Not too bad considering Matt usually helps out with getting K and L settled.

Saturday we got up and dressed and Matt's mom came over.  We all went to Rainforest Cafe for lunch then strolled around the mall for a little while.  I lucked out and found a few spring/summer dresses for the girls and Grandma let them pick out a toy.

We came home and I left again to do some returns.  It was great to get out without any kids.  It's amazing how much more I can get done :)

Sunday I got the girls up and dressed for church and picked up donuts on the way.  I was a little worried that Kinley and Holland wouldn't do well in the nursery since we have been out of church for a while but they both did great!!  I told Kinley she was going to 'church school' and let her wear her back pack in.  She loved it and walked right in her class with no problem.  I had planned on keeping Holland with me during our Bible Study class but ended up taking her to the nursery about 1/2 way through so she could nap and finish eating.  She did great and was all smiles when I picked her up.

We headed to lunch with our small group at a neat burgers/bbq place.  The food was great and they had a big field for the kids to run in and a sandbox and pony rides.  I wish Matt had been with us so we could stay longer but I couldn't keep and eye on 2 kids running around while trying to feed Holland too.

Matt got home shortly after we did Sunday afternoon and we geared up for the upcoming week.

Monday morning came with a big surprise.... what may be my new hobby.... running :)  I ran and came home to get ready for Holland's 4 month check up... only to find out that they had us scheduled for her 2 month check up WITH THE WRONG DOCTOR! So.... we rescheduled and since I needed to get some boots for my sisters rehearsal dinne,r we stopped by Cavendars and picked up these....




I finished all the wedding programs too!!!  Well..... except the 30 that my mom thinks will be needed.

That wraps up the weekend and Monday.  I'll get Tues and Wed post up soon!

THAT'S SEW CUTE

 

I'm linking up with Kelly over at Kelly's Korner for 'show us what you make or sell'.  I love to sew and monogram for my kids and am open to doing stuff for others.  I'm the go-to person for my family when it comes to birthday shirts or baby gifts.  It's the greatest hobby and I've been blessed with 3 girls so it has really come in handy!!  

I started a blog just for my sewing/embroidry projects.  I will say that I haven't updated my applique designs in a long time.  BUT... I am always buying new ones and can always find one to suit your needs.

Check out my stuff at www.t-s-c.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by!! 

WEEKLY RECAP :)

Last week I went on a stroller search.  After going at toddler pace through the mall and ending up with Kinley sitting on the parent tray of my current stroller resulting in me practically carrying the stroller through the mall....I was convinced I needed something for two!  Now... I hate strollers.  London was out of a stroller and preferred to walk shortly after 2 and Kinley was the same.  BUT... now that I have to push a stroller, when K's legs get tired it's not easy carrying a toddler and steering a stroller.  SOOOOO...  introduce the Joovy Caboose.  

I knew I didn't want a full double stroller.  I wanted the smallest stroller that could hold 2 and not be a side by side. I have seen the sit and stand type strollers and decided that was the best fit for me.   I tested out the Baby Trend sit and stand and didn't like it.  It was long and bulky and Kinley didn't look comfortable in the seat.  AND.... our Chicco car seat didn't fit well.  I had read reviews about Joovy and it seemed that the Baby Trend would be a better fit but I went ahead and bought one off Craigslist.  Surprisingly I loved it.   I love that it is easy for her to jump on and off when she wants and It is compatible with our carseat. K fits well on the seat in the back and she enjoys standing too. When I compared the Baby Trend and Joovy online, it seemed that the Baby Trend had more room in the back.  I don't think so... 

I ordered the parent organizer to go on the handle bars and we are set!!  We've already taken it out and about and I have no complaints.  So if you're looking for a double for a baby and toddler I'd definitly try out the Joovy :)

I'm making progress on my sisters wedding programs.  I've started taking a handful with me to work on while I sit in the car rider line.  I'm determined to get them all done by tonight!!  Last night i put al the ribbon on them and now I just have to sit and tie bows.

 The ribbon is glittered .... of course I had on black pants and was covered in glitter in the car!!

Don't look at the pic if you get grossed out easily..... Holland had one of those nice massive explosive diapers.  Needless to say she got a nice mid afternoon bath!! 

Today Matt left for the ranch to go to my future brother in law's bachelor party.  Kinley and I made some breakfast casseroles for him to take.  She loved tearing up the bread.  She felt so big and actually was a big help.  I was able to brown the sausage and get the eggs ready while she pinched off little pieces of bread.

She got serious when it came to stirring it all up.  Check out the double spoons.

I picked up this cute outfit at Wal-Mart of all places.  I put an H on it and now Holland has a cute play outfit for summer.  I can't believe I am already buying 6-9 month clothes for her to wear this summer.

And to leave you with a smile... H gave us her first big giggle yesterday ......

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS

On Jan 9th we had a huge rain storm.  It produced a little hail but mostly it just rained and rained and rained for hours.  This was the result of so much rain so fast....

I called Matt in a little panic.  I haven't seen that much water in a neighborhood before.  The thought of not being able to leave and get London scared me a little.  The two cars on the street ended up not running and sat with the doors and hood opened for several days.  The red car had to be towed away and is up and running again.  And to make things worse it was trash day.... so everyones trash was floating everywhere.

Once the rain stopped the water receded pretty fast.  Thankfully it was all gone by the time I had to get London from school.  We sent the video to the news but I quit watching for it to show once the rain stopped.

 It's sad that a few months ago our state has hundreds, if not thousands of acres burning because of the drought.

 These are pics of the aftermath of the Texas wild fires.  My sister's bachelorette party was in Horseshoe Bay and I had to drive through Bastrop to get there.  It was so eerie to see mlles and miles of burnt land.  I saw many burnt down homes and businesses too.  Sorry for the poor quality... These were taken from my car window with my phone.