songs

Both girls came home with new songs or sayings yesterday.

Av said, "I know my principal's name." Of course I said, "what is it?" She said, "Mr Bodine and he says Wild Wild cats do their best." It was soooo cute. She has it a little wrong its "Wilder Wildcats always do their best" but close enough for sure. Love her!!!

C came home singing:

I am special

Look at me

You will see

We can work together

When we're at school

heheheh so cute too.

fortunate

I feel so fortunate. For many many many reasons but right now I am feeling fortunate for a wonderful husband that took great care of our kids so I could get a long weekend away with my girlfriends and for how well Kindergarden is going. I am so thankful. Not sure how I got this lucky in life but I know I have a great life and I am thankful for every minute of it. I left early on Thursday for Folly Beach, SC. I was meeting my best girlfriends from college for Christine's bachelorette party. Some other girls joined us that I knew from college and some others that Christine has met thru the years. The weekend was wonderful. Everything I needed. Lots and lots and lots of girl talk time. We just sat for hours and talked. We also had one long nice beach day and that was much needed too. I loved my weekend and I love my girls and I can't wait to see them again soon at Christine's wedding. John did so well with the kids and he enjoyed it too. They went on bike rides to the park and to the fair and camped in the back yard. Who wouldn't have a great time doing all that?

The second reason I am so thankful is kindergarden. She just loves it. Talks and talks and talks about it. She can't stop telling me about it when she gets home which is AWESOME!! She loves the bus and her teacher and her new friends and her school. We do not have one complaint. John went on Thursday to her open house (killed me that I missed it). Mrs. Roth said Av was doing great. She said that she is a sweet girl, liked by the other kids, listens well, starts up conversations with friends, smart and she is keeping up with the other kids. Music to our ears.

I'm not sure what I did to deserve to be so lucky but thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Busy weekend

We had a busy weekend once again. Friday night was normal, bike ride, feed the kids and then takeout for J an I. I love our Fridays! Saturday we got up and walked to the farmer's market to meet up with Av's bff then walked to get E's haircut and then walked to Target to get a bday gift for Jocelyn. After our walk we got home only to rush out again to head to Jocelyn's bday party. The girls had a great time. It was all family and us. How super nice that Jocelyn wanted to include Av and C in her bday fun. They dressed up in princess dresses, put on makeup, made some crafts, decorated theit own mini cakes and then played, played and more play time. I had to drag them out of there so we could head to the lake for the night. We are so super lucky that not only the McG's let us use their lake house but also they include us in their family celebrations. Matt (J's bff) and his wife Andrea were in town for a visit and the family was enjoying some lake time and we were invited to join. I feel so blessed they think of us as extend family as we do with them. Anyway we of course had a blast like we always do there. It is one of my favorite places on earth. John and I even got some time to ride the wave runner together. That has never happened and it was a super treat. It was so nice seeing Matt and Andrea. Wish they lived closer. Sunday we got up and enjoyed the lake a little more before heading home to get ready for the week. It was a nice weekend.

5 days in

Av has successfully completed 5 days of kindergarden!!! She is still loving it and getting on the bus in the am and getting off the bus in the pm happy! I am so proud of her. The big question now is how many more days will I continue to cry seeing that bus leave in the morning? I am crazy!! As soon as she is out of my sight I tear up. I can't help it. Wonder if I can go for the world's longest crying record???

no car day

Today was awesome!! My car didn't leave the garage all day. We walked/ran everywhere we went. I love days like that. We got up and walked Av to the bus stop, then we headed home to pack up snacks and finish getting dressed then off to the park we went. I ran us there. By the time I run us there, do a loop on the path and then run us home its about 2 miles. Not bad pushing my huge children. We stayed at the park forever though. It was such a perfect morning and we kept running into more and more friends. C played with Sam, Jocelyn, Ella and Abby. She loved it. After running home we ate lunch and then E took a 3 hour nap!! C watched a movie for quiet time and then we worked in a workbook, painted, played Candyland, and read books. It was a perfect afternoon. After that we walked to the bank and Walgreens and then biked/walked to the bus stop to get Av. Only thing that would have made the day better had Av been with us. She had another great day though. She loves is and loves the bus. I could not be happier. Here are some pics from the bus stop today.

I have a walker

Somebody is pretty much officially a walker. All the sudden. He is obsessed and it's all he wants to do. He worked on it this weekend and then today he has been walking if he can. He makes it all the way across the room. He thinks he's big stuff. It makes him so happy.

First hair cut

E had his first hair cut this weekend. He needed it. It was long and way over the ears and always a mess with food in it. I had no idea how a hair cut on a 10 month old would go but I got my answer. HORRIBLE. He HATED it. From the minute the strange women came towards him with the strange objects until the minute we left the place he screamed. I felt bad for the other 2 peeps in there who had come to get a relaxing hair cut. He started out sitting in the chair by himself with me standing right in front of him. That quickly turned bad so I held him. He hated the cape and it was pointless bc by the time we left we were both covered in hair. I had to hold his neck steady which was very hard. The lady kept trying to give him breaks to calm him down but he was not having it. All he wanted was out of that place. It turned out okay. He looks a lot older and very cute. J will have to take him next time though. This is pre-cut/pre-fit. Last pic I got since I was busy holding him down. Then a pic of him later in the day after he finally calmed down.

First day of school pics

Unexpected trip to the zoo

These pics are from last week on Tuesday. The day was supposed to be Av's second day of K but it wasn't so we took advantage of it and I took my 3 fav peeps to the zoo. Wonderful last adventure together. Here are some pics.

School

Both girls had a great day on Friday! C was very happy when I peeked in on her before her class got out. Av's bus got home 5 minutes early and the driver said they would prob be earlier and earlier. Such good news. When I asked Av if she got a green card again for the day she kind of sounded sad and said "yes I didn't get to change colors." A color change is bad so we want her to stick with the green. When they get a color change it means there have been behavioral problems. I explained that to Av and she said, "I know that!" I told her to listen to her teacher and be happy with her green card.

finally a post about c

C did great at her first day of school. Today she said all day she didn't want to go. She was saying it last night too. She is going to be my tough child (surprise surprise). She complained all morning and was hard to get dressed. When we finally got there she could not resist all the fun toys. She started playing and was fine when we left. Not overly happy but ok with it. I am sure she will have a great day.

I was cuddling on the couch with her trying to cheer her up and told her we had a bday party this weekend for a good friend. Told her, her bday was coming up and she would have to tell me if she wanted to invite any friends from her class. She said right away, "Emily." Ugh about ripped my heart out. That is her bff from her old school. They were inseparable. We have not talked about Emily in awhile but I guess she has not forgotten her. Made me feel so guilty for changing her school. Ugh there's that guilt again. If its not one kid its the other. She will be fine, she is only 3 and she is at a great school so whatever. But I will try my hardest to get in touch with Emily's parents and plan a playdate.

she loves the bus

She was super excited to get on the bus this am. She missed it from not riding it home last night. hehhe. She said this am, "I am on the bus for a long time." I got sad. I took that as a bad thing. Apparently its not a bad thing though bc when I said, "I know, is that ok?" She said "Yes!" I told her if the bus is not working we will make something work so just tell me. She was barely listening. We got to the stop before Luke and when he got there she was so happy to see him. Then when the bus pulled up her bus friend was already waiting for Av in the front seat. She stood up excitedly and waved at Av. You could tell she was so happy to see her. Av was just as happy. She got on that bus, sat down, and they started laughing and talking right away. I could see her head bobbing happily as tears again welled up in my eyes. Wonder how many days of kindergarden it will take before I have a tear free day????

we got this!!

She had another super duper great day. I know this is early and probably going to jinx everything but all I just want to say, "We got this!!!!" heheheh Just so proud of her. I can't get over it. When she got in the car today (she had hbr so I will be picking her up on Thursdays) she was all smiles. I asked her if she liked it or loved it. She said loved it. She has made a new little friend Jill and still loves her bus friend who she saw on the playground today (the girl is in first grade). Yes I was a mess all day today but she wasn't at all. I have been so happy ever since I laid eyes on her coming out of her school. Her fav part of the day was her popsicle she had outside today. In the car she was singing a new song she had learned and Av has never sung a song by herself. C will start a song and then Av will join in but never ever ever has Av just starting singing out of nowhere. I loved it. She learned about China today and made a magnet so she can proudly hang all her work she does. She came home with a folder in her backpack that will stay in her backpack and go back and forth to school with her with notes and such. The way the teacher communicates with us and how we send notes to the teacher. She was so proud of that folder and showed J first thing. She asked if she could ride the bus tomorrow so I feel much better about that too. 2 days down and a bunch to go but we are starting off on a good foot and I have nothing but positive thoughts for the rest of the year.

life

Take everything I said yesterday and throw it out the window. I am a MESS. Av is fine, nothing in this post is about her crying or breaking down. It is all about momma crying and breaking down. It hit me this am that this is our new reality. Our new life, everyday will be this. Not what should we do today, or what should we do tomorrow. It's get up early (so used to sleeping in till almost 8 which is late and lucky for a mom of 3), rush rush rush to get Av out and then either take C to school or decide what to do with our day. It is nice that I still get to do that with C and E. Thank goodness I do. But my baby, my first born, my best friend. I miss her soooo much. How is it possible that this new chapter has begun and now she is with her teacher more than she is with me??? It's not fair!! I feel guilt today. Why? Not sure, have not totally put my finger on it. Maybe I am feeling like I didn't enjoy her enough or cherish the moments we had together enough. Ugh. I did though, or least I tried to. But not always, maybe I yelled too much or was short a lot or too rushed with the other 2 kids and didn't give her enough. It's sooooo hard. It's like I'm mourning her. Everything I look at that's hers makes me sad. Or I feel guilty (again) that she's not here enjoying her fav stuff. When I look at her seat in the car I long to hear her cute little voice. OMG talk about a drama queen I am being. It's hard. Losing your baby is rough. Another part of my guilt I think is the bus thing. She leaves an hour before school in the am and gets home an hour after school is out. That is a super long day on top of the super long day that kindergarden already is. J and I talked last night and we want to give it a month. She if it works and if she gets used to it. If not we will change and that is fine. We both decided that the time on the bus is good for Av. It gives her 1.5 hours a day of straight talk time to peers. What could be better for a speech delayed kid than that??? So maybe it is best for her, time will tell. Again the guilt is coming in and asking why are we sending her to this school that is further away from our house (I can get there in 7 minutes from my house so it's not far) instead of our home school so she would be on the bus way less. Well it's a better school for sure and she has been there for 2 years with her speech therapist. So those are 2 great reasons. So why didn't we move closer?? We talk about moving all the time and know that we need to at some point. So why didn't I get my lazy butt moving and do it. Ugh. Life is soooooo hard sometimes. I just want to throw myself down on the ground and scream and yell for time to stop. Please!!!!!!!!!

Don't look now Camille, there's a scary monster behind you

All 3 of my kids are running around playing with each other right now. They are wound up!!! I looked at C and she had a red thing around her head. I said "what is that?" She said, "its a headband, its keeping me safe from the scary monster." Av is running around her being the monster. It is too cute. Where they got it I will never know but they are all happy so let it be.

Hooray for my girls!!

They both came home super happy and excited. Camille has not stopped talking about all the singing and reading they did and how they want to "the park 2 times!!" Av did not get home till after 5. Very long day for her. Sounds like she will be on the bus for 40 min in the am and pm. Not sure how I feel about that yet but we will see. She loved it all though. First thing she did when she got home was strip out of her uniform. hehehe Let me see if I can think of all she has told me.

They sang the ABC's

The bus was hot

The bus ride was long

They didn't go outside (????)

She didn't have time to eat her lunch(no surprise there. She is a VERY slow eater. I have been telling her this for weeks)

She sat with the same girl on the bus both ways. Teeann(????)

She can't remember any friends names but we met Jill and Hannah at orientation. When asked about them she said she "talked to Jill a lot and sat at the same table."

She liked her teacher and likes her school

Fav part of the day was playing in the gym.

She has a bathroom in her classroom (hehehhe)

When I asked if its okay Caroline was not there she said, "yes" (but not in the happiest of voices)

I'm so proud of my girls. They both went to new schools today. Places where they didn't know a single other kid. They both took that challenge on and won!! They are both super strong and brave.

10 months

This is a little late but I have been super busy. Not too much has changed for him though. He is still super sweet. He is talking more. He babbles ALL the time but he also says "mama, dadda, dog, bye bye, and Jack." He is starting to wave and do "soooo big" with his arms. He started taking steps this month and then stopped for a week or two. Now he is back on that mission. He usually starts off by walking and then when falls finishes up where he is going crawling. He can take up to 6 steps. He is still really unsteady though. He walks with his arms straight up in the air. It is about the funniest thing I have ever seen. Most kids start with them out in front like Frankenstein. Not E, he has to put his straight up. He is sleeping well, eating well, drinking all his milk for me and just a really happy baby. Loves, loves, loves his sisters. C makes him laugh just like she does the rest of us. I think his daddy and C are his favs. He is getting tooth #7 finally. He hates that he can't run off with his sisters. He will sit on my hip and just bounce and kick his legs as fast as C and Av run with their legs. When they stop he stops. Its pretty funny. The cutest thing is he kick to answer a question yes. When you ask him if he's hungry or wants to eat he kicks his legs happily to answer you yes. He's a neat little man!!!

First day of school for my girls

Pics to follow.

It could not have gone better. It was very hectic and rushed but it worked out great and everyone was sooooo happy. I got the girls up at 7:20. We rushed through dressing and I force feed them. We loaded up in the car at 7:50 to head to the bus stop. We will usually walk but I wanted to follow the bus today so we went in the car. The bus stop is 2 blocks away. Another little boy is at her stop too. He is starting kindergarden as well but at the other school. Av right away started playing with him and being silly like she had known him forever. We waited about 10 minutes for the bus. She was very excited. When it came we met the bus driver (Miss T) and she sat Av in the front row with another little girl. Off the bus went. We lost it bc I had to get both kids in their seats again before we could leave. I did manage to find it. We drove all over the neighborhoods around us. I think her bus is the misfit bus. hehehe It's all the students in our area going to the non-reside schools. At one point the bus was stopped at railroad tracks and I could see Av and her little friend stand up and look out and laugh together. That made me feel a ton better. At 8:45 we were still following (w 3 other cars -I'm not the only crazy mom) and John was at Av's school waiting for us. He was going to wait in the car with C and E while I walked Av in. At that point I aborted the following the bus mission. Decided it was silly to make C late for her first day of school when J was at Av's school and could meet her and walk her in. Plus I was dreading walking her in bc I didn't think I could separate myself from Av again wo losing it. So off to C's school (Av's old school so a new school to her as well) we went. She bounced in that school as happy as can be. Found her cubbie which she was super excited to have finally and put her empty backpack in it. Right into her room she went. She started playing the minute we got there and didn't flinch at all when it was time for E and I to leave. As soon as I walked out the door I was on my phone to J trying to see how they were doing. He didn't answer so I had to wait. When he finally called he was chocked up with pride. She had done so well. Off the bus she went and told the person directing who she was and what her teacher's name was. They understood her and told her where to go. She didn't need J's help at all. She was not expecting to see J and was very excited when she did. She found her locker and her cubbie all by herself. Her little bus friends yelled "bye Avery" when she saw her in the hallway. Av picked a table in her classroom and that's where J left her. She was completely fine. We will see how she gets off the bus this afternoon. I CAN'T wait to see her.

Snow days in August???

Who gets one of the biggest days in their little life delayed? Avery did this week. Kindergarden was supposed to start on Monday but it didn't until today. So they are already starting off the year -2 days. We had a big storm on Saturday and it knocked out the power for half the city. We were wo power for 24 hours. 40 Schools didn't have power Sunday afternoon so they had to call a "snow day." (they have never had to cancel school due to anything other than snow so that is still what it is called. I supposed after this we will have "weather days.") Monday afternoon a lot of schools still didn't have the internet and that is where all their databases are stored so they had to call school that day too. It delayed the end of the agony and anticipation and left me with "the start of kindergarden" butterflies for longer. I do think it was the best thing that could have happened to us. I had 2 more days with my first born baby. 2 wonderful weather days to enjoy having her with me. We went to the park for hours on Monday and went to the zoo on Tuesday. 2 extra days to have my 3 kids together enjoying fun activities. They are days I will always fondly remember. It also showed me how ready she is. Since these days were so unexpected it was even harder for her not to show her boredom at home. We had a great summer, the best summer ever but by the end she needed more!!! Needed what only school could provide her. On Monday her little brain was so ready to start school and she was craving the stimulation of it but then it didn't happen. She is ready and she NEEEDS school. After seeing that so clearly it made it much easier on me to see her leave today.

new do

Av's hair was in a terrible state. Too much sun and chlorine this summer. She needed a fresh start for her big day, and that is exactly what she got. She is the cutest thing alive. She looks so cute and so much older. Love her soooo much!

one more week

We have one more week of summer vacation and then we will have a kindergardener in the house. How in the world did that happen? I am going to miss her so much. We are going to have the best week possible. Going to make it as special as possible and enjoy every minute of it. She is so special I just want her to have the best memories ever. This summer went so fast. Where did it all go? I am going to be a mess next Monday. She gets on the bus at 8:00 (yes the bus, i know it's hard to think of your kid getting on the bus but to us it's all part of school. plus sitting in those car pool lines is not fair on anyone including the environment) and I will follow the bus to school. Yes following the bus, that's what my life has come to. I need to know where that bus goes, how it gets there, and how long it takes. I can't give up all control. It will be one of the hardest days of my life. This up coming week could not go slow enough for me.

swimming

Both of my girls are swimming!! Like full on underwater swimming!! Av has been for awhile but she is just getting better and better from the swim lessons at camp. Much more confident and learning how to "scoop" the water along with safety things like "always swim for the wall." Av can stand though so when she gets tired she just stands up. Camille on the other hand, our not yet 3 year old, can swim. She will swim back and forth from the stairs to you over and over and over and over again. She is so proud. She cannot touch the bottom of the pool yet she gets around like she's 5. She jumps in, swims to the side only to jump in again. Now if I could just get Everett swimming.

big camp girl

Av is still LOVING camp. She just jumps out of the car in the am and every night says, "do I get to go to camp tomorrow?" So sad she only has 2 days left. Monday her bff was not there again. Av didn't care at all. I told her on Sunday and she said, "okay." Then on Tuesday we didn't know if Caroline was going or not. I was trying to get a hold of her mom so I could tell Av but I never did. Av said, "that's okay mom" as she was getting out of the car. She didn't care at all. She is super strong. Today for camp it was "dress like a friend day." Av and Caroline wore the tie-dyed shirt they made, gray shorts and pig tails. This is a pic of her before she left. She looked soooooo cute. I can't believe how big she is. When I picked her up this afternoon though I knew the minute I saw her she was not wearing her tie-dyed shirt. Her and Caroline accidently mixed them up. So funny. She is a teenager already.

new leotards

2 cute girls in their tie-dyed leotards.