School Days

Most of you already know that we have decided to let Rush and Sydney wait a year before starting kindergarten. They are turning five next Tuesday (more on that in another post), but we are excited that they are going to have a year of pre-k before they start "big school". We think it is going to be a great fit for them this year. Phil and I went for the parent orientation last week, and we are so excited about all of the fun stuff they are going to be doing! And I LOVE their teacher! Love her! Of course, I am a teary-eyed Mama a lot of the time. I get that from my Daddy. I get all teary and my throat gets tight when I think about them with their little pre-k tote bags and lunch boxes on the first day. Can't help it. They will be OK, I know, but I STRUGGLE with thinking of them at school in a place I don't know all about. I can't believe I ever considered separate classes for them. They will be together, and I am so glad! Of course, I also worry about them touching the public toilet seat and putting their mouths on the water fountain. So, let's just chalk it all up to me worrying about pretty much everything. So there.

I have always taken the kids to daycare at Sue Sue's because her house was about one minute from my school. This year, Phil will be taking the kids every morning because the earliest they can be dropped off is 7:30. That is the latest that I can be at work each day. This is probably the thing I am struggling with the most. I just like seeing those sweet faces right before I leave to go to work. I will be driving to work by myself every morning. It is going to be so strange and quiet. I haven't done that in five years! They love riding with Phil, though, so they will, as usual, be totally fine and have a blast every morning. I will probably be all teary and feeling lonely in the beginning. I'm sure I will adjust. Just have to get used to the new normal!

We have had to do a LOT Of prep to get them ready. Lots of supplies to buy, reading lists to complete, and lunch boxes to contemplate. We had to get them each a nap towel, so I got a friend to embroider their names on the towels that they chose for themselves. Sydney chose a rainbow colored polka dot/striped towel, and Rush chose a green one. Over the top? Maybe a little, but I don't care. I have never made school lunches, so this is a whole new world. Especially since my kids don't eat anything but peanut butter and jelly. Should be interesting! The lunch boxes are cool, though! Purple butterflies for her and Star Wars for him!



I am interested to see what Monday holds! I think the kids are excited. Rush was a little "iffy" there for a while, but the classroom iPads and train table have him thinking this place could be pretty cool! I hope all goes well. I will post again after the first day.


With their new teacher...

How is it possible that my "babies" are going to school? I won't even let myself think of this as real school yet. That's next year, right? Slow down, please. Just slow down.

Working Days

I had to work the last two days. I get even more super-attached to these two during the summer, so it was hard. I missed them. They are oh so much fun this summer! I think almost-five might be my favorite age so far. I think I have said that about all of the ages so far. They have all been my favorite. :-) Except age three. I didn't say that about three. Saw these pictures on my phone today and they reminded me of some of our summer fun! Time is flying by so quickly! It will be the beginning of a new school year before we know it!

Beach and Fourth of July

This week has been busy, so I haven't had time to write about and post pics from our vacation at the beach and then at the lake. We had so much fun! The kids had lots of fun at the beach this year. It was definitely rainy, but we had some good weather every day, and the last day we were there was beautiful! We ate LOTS of delicious food while we were there. The last night we were there, we stayed on the beach and had a picnic. The kids loved it! We came home for one night and then headed for the lake! My cousin and his family were there, and we had so much fun! Again... it rained, but we just kinda ignored the rain and kept going. We had fun swimming in the lake and tubing. Fran went tubing for the first time! She really liked it! We started the summer with Rush having a pretty significant fear of the water after a scary pool incident he had at the end of last summer. He has made great strides this week at swimming lessons, but he wouldn't go tubing last week. I think he would have done it if he had already been to swimming lessons. Miss Amber has really helped him overcome that panicky feeling he had in the water.

Now for the picture overload...

Angry Birds Star Wars... the new summer must-have

The sleep wars continue around here. Everyone tells me that one day I won't be able to get them out of the bed during the teenage years. I don't have to worry about that, though, because I will be 80 years old by then. I am aging at twice the normal rate from LACK OF SLEEP. I think I am getting paid back for all the times I told people my babies were "such good sleepers". Note to self... keep mouth shut. It is highly unusual for every single person in our house to sleep all the way through the night. Highly. Even Fran has decided to join in the fun. She now needs to be "retucked" if she wakes up during the night. She says she sees shadows in the hall. Oh.my.word. So, now we have returned to all out, not trying to disguise it, bribery with Rush. If he stays in his room for five nights in a row, he gets a pack of Angry Bird Star Wars little things. They come with two in a pack, and he loves them. So much so that he is not coming out of his room.

We never said anything about staying the in bed, though. I probably should have added that to the bargain. Sleep in your bed.

Summer Fun... well, mostly fun

We are off to a great start with our Summer 2013! We have several fun things planned. We started off the summer with a weekend at the lake. We had lots of fun, but some plumbing issues at the lake house sent us back home sooner than we planned. It wasn't before a beautiful sunset boat ride and a fun day of playing in the water. We also got to spend time with our sweet Kate. They are all at a fun age to play together really well. It is hard to notice the 18 month age difference at this point. They love being together!


Frannie packed her own things for the trip to the lake. This was the day before we left. Think she was looking forward to it?





Frannie participated in the cheer camp that is hosted by our local high school. She really enjoyed it! My favorite thing she learned at camp? A cheer that says, "... and we can beat those turkeys any 'ol time." Except she says, "... and we can eat those turkeys any 'ol time." When I told her it was probably beat rather than eat, she was quite adamant that she was correct. I guess cheerleaders really like to eat turkey. ;-)


We also went a reception for some sweet friends that got married last weekend.

Rush also tried soccer camp this summer. It didn't go well. There were tears and some sobbing. To make a long story short, it was pretty much a disaster, but he looked really cute in his gear, didn't he? He said he might try it again when he is five. Stay tuned...


Even though soccer camp didn't go as planned, we did get to hang out with my best friend, Michelle. She comes into town each summer and stays with us for a couple of days while her boys are participating in the university's football camp. We even got to enjoy lunch with Zack and Carter before they left to go back home. The kids were completely SPOILED the whole time she was here.




We've also been to the new Dunkin' Donuts.. twice. And that just kind of makes everything better.



And yes, Frannie definitely got a new short hairstyle! We all LOVE it!! I think it looks so cute on her! We may keep it that way for a while. :-)

Saying Good-bye to Sue Sue

We have had a great time easing into our new summer routine. We have already been having lots of fun! Before we could say hello to summer, though, we had to say good-bye to a really important part of our lives for the last four years. The kiddos finished up their last year with Sue Sue, the home daycare provider we have loved for the last four years. She has been wonderful to our family, and we will miss her so much! Yes, I cried, but who is surprised?
These are a few pictures from their first day at Sue Sue's and a few of the morning before we left to go to Sue Sue's for the first time. I LOVE the one of Frannie crying and Rush just chilling beside her. Pretty much the way they still are today. Although she doesn't cry all the time, she's definitely a "show all your emotions" kind of gal, and Rush is still laid back for the most part.


Last day at Sue Sue's...