1st day of school

Both of the kids started school today, Allie started 1st grade and Austin started at his new preschool, so of course I had to get the first day of school photos. We could not get any of Austin just standing still so we were in the photos with him and you have to still be quick becuase he is so busy.

They each did good and we did not have any tears at drop off. I think Austin must have cried some at nap time and then did n0t nap at all. His teachers said he just laid there quietly but never went to sleep. hopefully this will not be a trend, and he will learn to sleep their. After school we all went and got a treat to hear about their day.

A friend of mine posted this prayer on Facebook and I loved it and thought it could not be more true.

A Mom's Prayer On the First Day (and every day) of School

Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full.

And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom still has to ask.

Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?

Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away?

Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?

Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts?

Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them?

Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?

Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care.

Amen.

Summer time

Well I realize that summer is officially over after today so i thought i should at least get some of the pics from our summer up. This summer Allie went to 2 different camps one at the arboretum and one at Plano Children's theater. They were both really different but she loved them. At the arboretum camp on the last day they got to play in the frog splash area. I also put Austin in his suit so he could play, but he was not as into the splash area as she was.

We also went to the city pool and my mom's pool alot. Allie has become a really good swimmer this summer and just loves the water. This summer we also went to get snow cones a few times and went to some baseball games. Ms. Kristen (one of the kindergarten teachers) watched the kids this summer and they loved it. We could not have asked for a better person to watch them. It was such a blessing to know that I had someone who I completely trusted to watch them and that they had so much fun with. They swam, did crafts, read books, went to the library, meet friends for lunch, went and got afternoon treats and alot of other fun things. She even had Allie practice her reading and writing in her journal most days. The pictures below are from 4th of July. We went to watch fireworks at Kaboom town on the 3rd and then to a rangers game with my parents on the 4th. I could not get Austin to cooperate for pics so I just told them to make a funny face and was able to get one cute one. I also have pics of each of the kids with the pooh bear on their 1st 4th so I can see how little they were then. Allie was actually just a little bigger than Pooh on her 1st 4th.

At the end of summer we went back to Jackson Hole with my family but I will include those pics in another post.

Happy Birthday Little Man

Austin turned 2 back in June and we decide to just do a birthday party at the house with family. I decided to do a cow theme since he is obsessed with cows these days. It does not hurt that we have a field of them not far from the house so he is always on the look out for them. We found a ton of cute cow things this past year at Target so Austin got some cow rain boots, a lunch box, a plate and bowl, a cow chair, and a cow with baseball clothes (similar to build a bear). I also made his cake again this year and put the cow face that was on his plate. I think it turned out pretty cute considering it was all free hand. I am fortunately to really enjoy being able to make the kids cakes. It is alot of work but I always enjoy it. So now that Austin is two here is what all he is into. He loves animals, any ball but especially baseballs, He has started to enjoy playing with puzzles and reading books but usually only for a short time since he is always on the go. He has also recently seen a few Thomas toys but for some reason he has decided that Thomas is not a train but any type of earth moving equipment. So if we see a dump truck, back hoe, fork lift anything, I hear Mommy Thomas, Mommy Thomas, over and over- it is really cute but I never realized how many construction sites were around out house until he pointed them all out to me. He loves to snuggle with me first thing when he wakes up of right before bed but otherwise he usually wants daddy, or just wants to go go go. He has started calling my mom Nina recently instead of Nana, even though he has always called her Nana in the past he will no longer call her that. He is 2 after all and knows what he wants and how to get it. He is still my Little man and I love being his mommy, having a boy is so different from little girls but I would not pass up one day with him.

Here he is showing off his "cow" boots

The cake

Getting ready to blow out the candle

Austin got a crab sand box form us, which is just as much fun to sit on top of as inside.

As you can see by the look on his face, he was not to sure about the sand at first, but eventually figured it out and was covered by the time we were done. We actually had to strip he and Allie down outside and take them right to the bath.

Last day of Kindergarten

Allie had her last day of kindergarten back on June 4th. The last day they pretty much had stuff going on all day. First they had a graduation, they all lined up and walked in to the typical graduation song, wearing these cute paper caps. The they sung this song, and her teacher had said it was going to be a little long- well that was an understatement it was like 15 -20 minutes. It was kind of like the military song that you sometimes see groups signing when they march that ends with "and they all go marching down" (Heath said it's the song from Die Hard 3, - I am sure that totally clarifies it for all of you). Anyways it went something like this "The kindergartner marched one by one Hora hora, (repeat), The kindergarten marched one by one and Allie stopped to do some quick arithmetic, (Allie's line) eleven plus eleven equals twenty two, and they all go marching down to the school to go in to first grade." except Allie was number 19 out of 20 students and they each had their own line and it went one by one, two by two, three by three, etc all the way to twenty by twenty. Heath started taping it and actually ran out of tape about 10 min. in to it but thankfully we had another one and he was still able to get Allie's part. After that they handed out class awards that all the kids voted on. Allie got Most Funny, which I am not sure I agree with but she thinks she is and was so happy about that award. Then they also handed out the perfect attendance awards (We did not get this since Allie had pneumonia around spring break) but she did get the super scientist award. that is given out each 6 weeks to 1 student per class that shows a special interest in the science section/topic for that time. Then finally they each got their diplomas from her teacher. After that they had their class party, which I stayed to help with then they do a balloon lift off for the 5th graders as they walk the halls for the last time. After that it was almost over and Allie's teacher gathered them all around to talk with them one last time and to get one last hug from each of them. This was a very emotional time because Mrs. D is not going to be at her school again next year. She told them to each give her the biggest hug they had ever given and when Allie went to hug her I felt the tears well up. I was so emotional, first my little girl is getting so big and second she had just the best year with the most wonderful, loving teacher. I was nervous before school started but Mrs. D. was better than I could have imagined. She taught Allie and all the other kids so much, never raised her voice, and truly loved each of them. Every time I was in the class room I was always amazed at her patience with them and caring attitude. She was the best 1st teacher Allie of I could have asked for, so saying good by was VERY hard. I have not posted pictures of her before because I wanted to protect her identity but since she will not be at the same school I think it is OK. By the time we got to the car I had pulled it together but Allie was on the verge of tears. She kept telling me "I'm going to miss Mrs. D." over and over. It just broke my heart. But thankfully when we got home Allie still had a few birthday presents she had not played with so I opened them up and played with her while Austin napped. Later that night though when Heath got home she climbed up in his lap and just cried- it totally broke my heart-but also made me happy at the same time.

Allie with her Diploma

Allie with her Super Scientist ribbon

Hearing one last story

The final hug from the best Kindergarten teacher ever. We love you Mrs. D.

1st haircut

Austin had his first haircut back on June 3rd. It was getting pretty long and would curl up in the back, especially when he would wake up from his nap (as you can see by the pics below). I had been putting it off it is so hard to cut those little curls and I did not want him to look all grown up. You know there is just something about little boys when they get their first haircut, they suddenly become big boys. He was not to sure about getting his hair actually cut as you can see by the pics, but there were no tears so that was good. This has been his only cut so far but I am going to have to have it cut again very soon, and probably we will actually have to have them style it a little more this go around because it is so stick straight in the front and sides.

The after picture

Dance recital

Allie had a min-dance recital the last week in May. She has taken tap and ballet from the same instructor for the last few years but this past year her teacher decided to go out on her own so they are not able to have a formal recital, but they do have a mini one at a local nursing home. It was really cute to see all the classes and I think she had fun getting to perform in front of people. Plus she got to wear make-up which is even better in her eyes. I only have one picture from the actual dance that does not show the other girls face's so it is posted below. Since it was at a nursing home, we had to stand in the back so the residence could sit up front. Hopefully next year they will be able to have a more formal recital because I know she loves her dance classes.

Sprinkler fun

Well since I am doing multiple updates in one night I thought I would combine some from the last week in May. On Monday, memorial day we just did stuff around the house, so that Allie could play with some of her new birthday presents. Later that night we decided to go out back and let the kids play in the sprinklers. So we all go out back and then Heath's mom decided to go back in and get her camera, but some how the door got locked on our way out. So there we were in the back yard with no keys, no phone, and the back gate had a pad lock on it, so we were literally locked in the back yard. I made Heath climb the fence and go to the neighbors to call my parents, unfortunately no one answered at first but my dad got the message and about 30 min. or so later he came over and let us back in. The kids were so excited just playing in the yard it would not have mattered if he had taken 3 hours, but the rest of us were hot. Austin is so funny he does not like to get all the way in the water or even run through it. he will get close enough to feel the water on him and then runs away smiling, so it is hard to get any good pics but I think these are pretty cute.

After we were able to get back in the house we did Austin's birthday presents from Heath's mom since she was not going to be back for Austin's birthday. He got some cute stuff but by far his favorite gift was his very own Hannah Montana microphone. She had run out to target that day to get Austin one after watching him with Allie's the night before, he is too funny with that thing. He just loves to sing and dance and is actually pretty good, so Heath and I wonder if he might have some musical ability one day.

Field Trip- Zoo day

I got to go with Allie's class on their one and only filed trip to the zoo today. We were supposed to go a few weeks back but the swine flu cancelled the trip so I was glad we still got to do it. The kids were so excited to get to ride the bus since none of the We walked around with one of Allie's best friends who's mom teaches Kindergarten at their school, and then 3 other little girls and 2 other parents. The first thing we had to go see was this strange (nasty) little animal called a naked mole rat. Allie's teacher had told them about it and how she just loves it and had told them if they saw it they would get an extra ticket (they get these for doing something special). We also went in this one area where they have zoo staff that will tell you about different animals and let the kids put on little zoo keeper outfits. One of the guys was telling them about the snakes they had their and got one out of it's cage. I think it was a boa, but can not remember for sure but after he told the kids about it they each got to touch it. Allie was not to sure about it but I told he if I did it would she do it and she agreed. I got a shot of her touching it and was so proud she was so brave. We did not get to see all the animals but I think the girls had a great time and were worn out by the time we got home. I know a few of them fell asleep on the bus ride home. Heath worked from home that day so I did not have to worry about Austin.

Allie is the one right in the middle- sorry there are not more pics but they all have her classmates in them.

I Blinked

OK so I wrote this almost 2 months ago (May 15th, and totally forgot to post it because I wanted to add pics- oops, but I think it still rings true ad I am trying to do several posts below

I realized this week that Allie is almost done with her 1st year of school (like less than a month to go) And I thought where did the time go. I swear we were just starting Kindergarten a few months ago. I feel like I just blinked and the 1st year is over and the bad thing is I will have to blink again soon, and several more months will have gone by. How is it that my kids will be 6 and 2 in a few weeks- that is not possible. I feel like they should both still be babies, especially Allie. She has grown up so very much this past year. She is now reading and writing doing math and comes home every day telling me something new she has learned. She has made a ton of new friends and is becoming more independent. She is still my sweet little girl who will not walk across the street without holding my hand but she is growing up and I am seeing her change. Don't get me wrong I love the idea of her learning new things and making new friends but it also feels like she does not need me as much as she used to which as a mom is very hard. I mean she's my girl, my shopping buddy. How can it all be going so fast. She is no longer my baby, and will repeatedly tell me that if I call her that- when did that happen- I think she will always be my baby girl. I have even told her several times lately that I was going to put a brick on her head to keep her from growing to which she reminds me that I can stop her from growing she is going to be in 1st grade soon. Oh time you are going to have to slow down because I am not ready for my girl to grow up this fast. So for the next few months I am going to do my best to enjoy all of my days off with them and to not close my eyes, because we all know what will happen if I do, I will open them and she will be another year older.

Allie's 6

Wow where does time go, it is hard to believe But Allie turned 6 today. She has grown into this smart caring little girl. She always wants to make other feel included part of the group. She often tells me how some of her friends don't like some people in her class but she likes everyone, and I know she does. She is just so caring and loving. She is the best big sister around, she is always helping out with Austin and loving on him. I think sometimes she wants to love on him to much because he gets tierd of being loved on becuase he will scream and push her away but that is my sweet girl. She still says she wants to be a vet when she gets big and loves animals so we will see what the future holds for her. No matter what she does I can't imagine she won't be great at it. I am excited to see how far she had come in the last 5 years and can't wait to see what the future holds. I love you so much baby girl, you are my special girl.

Now back to the birthday fun. This year we did her party at the local pool and Allie even invited 2 boys from her class. This is the first time she has had boys besides my friends kids so that was cute. Since it was al the pool we did a beach theme and I made the cake again which I always like to do. The main cake looked like a huge sand bucket with shells and the cupcakes look liked a beach scene with water, sand and little umbrellas. I am going to post a few pics but can't post to many becuase they rest have other kids in them and I don't like to post pics of other kids without first asking their parents.

Here she is with the main cake. I don't think we got any pictures of the cupcakes - oh well.

We had great weather- it was surprisingly not to hot, but it was windy at the pool so we had a very hard time getting her candle lit and staying lit.

Here is a picture of her opening presents. The ones below show her swimming with her friends and Heath and the kids.

These pictures are from the family party we had later that night back at the house. We grilled and did presents with the family. Sharon, Heath's mom, got Allie this Hannah Montana micraphone that plays music and you can record yourself singing. Well Allie let Austin look at it and he would not let her have it back. He LOVED that thing. He kept singing into it saying "best show, best show" In the last picture below you can see Allie behind one of her gifts and part of Austin is in it and he he is holding the microphone singing into it. The next day we did Austin's birthday presents with Sharon becuase she could not be in town for his birthday so she got him his own Hannah Montana Micraphone. I am sure one day he will hate that I have ut this out these but we all thought it was too funny, and Allie being the great big sister that she is was willing to share her gift with her baby brother.

Field Day

Allie's school had field day today so Austin and I went up to watch. It was so much fun to watch her whole class run around and play together and just have fun. Here are a bunch of pics- they are not the best but I think you can just see the pure joy on her face in them. She was having so much fun. The first picture is of Allie attempting to jump rope. They also did tether ball, tug of war, wet sock races, an obstacle course, hula hoops, and basketball, bean bag toss, snow cones, tattoos, and colored hair spray. As you can see by the pics Austin also had a good time and got a snow cone. I love that I am able to work part-time and be involved in the kids school activities, it is so much fun to see them interact with their friends and grow-up.