Sunday/Funday

And today Mark, Evie, & Tiana stopped by for a quick layover visit.  We had a lovely day with amazing food and lots of lego playing and swimming for money!

Oh and how about Grampa and his granddaughters!??!  love these.

Look Who Is Here!!!

Katie, w/kiddos, and Grana & Grampa!!!

We seriously CAN'T get enough of sweet little Hannah!!!  

Foto Friday

He asked if he could snuggle me for a few minutes.

Three minutes later...

It's been a BIG week.

ugga mugga

Olivia: "Mommy, I don't want to walk in by myself.  Yesterday when you had to leave me at the front door I walked in and wanted to turn around and come back out and get you but the teacher told me to keep going to class."

you wanted me...and i couldn't be there....

SERIOUS HEART STRING JUST PULLED.

The 3rd Day....

And then came the 3rd day...

The first day we could walk her into the classroom (GREAT!)

The second day we could walk her to the classroom door (GOOD!)

The third day we could walk her to the entrance of the SCHOOL (BLAH!)

UGH...that was not fun.  She's still little.  And yes, she knows her way to the classroom, but I want to be there.

Thankfully, I saw another mom standing by the door to their hallway....I can watch her walk into her classroom if I wait by the door :)  I'm sure her teacher finds this extremely annoying and surely Mason and I look silly with our faces/noses/mouths plastered against the cold window...but I get to see her.  We exchange usually two-three rounds of blowing kisses, signing iloveyou, and waving...depending on how fast she walks from the front of the hallway to the last door on the right.  

I miss her.

Mason's First Day of PK-4

So we skipped pk-3 ... since his birthday is right at the cut off, I've had some flexibility in the classes Mason has been in.  I really like the teachers for pk-4 and the schedule (Mason will be going to school Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-2:30).  He will have the same teachers that Olivia did last year.

He wants to be a helicopter pilot when he grows up.

He also had an awesome first day.  He didn't even want me to walk him in!!!!  I explained that it's the rule that all Mommies walk kiddos on the first day...it's just something that Mommies have to do ;)

**and i walked into the quiet house, took a deep breath, and did one million things before my alarm to pick up Mason went off.  FASTEST DAY EVER!!!!**

1st Day of Kindergarten

It's the first day of school....  

"hey kiddos, lets take some pictures...."

ha--goofballs! 

First Day of Kindergarten

She wants to be a horse trainer scientist when she grows up :)

Walking into the classroom

 We walk to school and leave at 7:35am, she walks so proudly and excitedly into the classroom.  She puts her backpack away and sits in her seat.  She didn't even look back at us.  

She is ready.  She is excited.  She is a kindergartner!!! 

I had a pretty solid lump in my throat, but managed to get away with no tears.  

Mason, on the other hand, was completely lost.  We prepared ourselves and Olivia for this day, but we forgot about Mason.  He kept asking about Olivia and didn't know what to do.   Poor guy, his go-to-buddy was missing and what was he supposed to do.

We played legos, he took a little nap, and then it was already time to walk and pick up his sister! Don't worry buddy, tomorrow you will start preschool :)

Who came SKIPPING out of the school.  

YES, she had a great first day of school!

And we celebrated (along with every other parent) the first day of school with some fro-yo!

That night when I checked on her....

Kindergarten in exhausting ;)

Summer Moments...are now over.

Today, we spent our last day of summer playing.  

Can't believe that it's over.  I can honestly say that I don't want it to end....  

And then we went to bed, reading all my books about the first day of school from my teacher days. 

We left her in bed...she wanted to reread this one herself.

So it begins....

It's ARRIVED

A 1967 VW Bus.  It has been 10 months since Tim purchased the car, but it's been at a local restoration shop getting a little "fine tuned".  (Tim will further update this post later)

There have been a lot of happy passengers recently!

Previous blog post about "the bus"

Foto Friday: Meet the Teacher

Today was a big day.  To start, we had Olivia's Teddy Bear Tea at 9am.

So we left the house at 8:30 and started our walk to school (we will be walkers because of our proximity to the school).

We met her lovely teacher, found out there will be 19 other students, she did some coloring, shared her stuffed animal, and listened to stories with her new teacher; while all the kindergarten parents were in a meeting learning about our new adventure.  And then, afterwards, she practiced meeting us in our special spot to walk back home :)  

This is going to be a great year!

Immediately after Olivia's meet the teacher, we headed to Mason's! Mason will go to school T, W, R 830am-230pm and will have the same teachers as Olivia did last year.  When we walked in the classroom, he immediately started playing (he choose the puzzles over coloring) and then he looked up at us and said, "You can leave now Mommy. I'm going to have fun."

Cramming in the Summer Fun

Today we met The Hawks at the zoo (they were downtown for an appointment, so we had Reagan) for some last bit of summer fun

It was hot...but the houston zoo does a great job of having indoor areas to cool down and lots of shade.

Grasping onto summer with two hands and not wanting to let go....

Dentist

For the first time...I had no one with tears at the dentist!!!  

Excellent tooth check :)

Puppies

Olivia: "Reagan, let's take a selfie"

The DAY is Approaching

It's soooo close.  One week from today.  She can sense it and is ready!  Although I'm mostly very excited about the next stage, I've also started carving out more and more time for just the two of us, treasuring our moments together with a little more vigor.  I've been questioning if I did enough and analyzing what I could have done more off.  I've lost sleep at night thinking about her new friends...and her innocence...and will she still love princesses...will someone make fun of her because she greets them with an animal noise...will she share...will she stick up for herself....will she ask for help...will she get enough alone time...when will she get to play....is she going to have enough time for exercise...will she be hungry....wondering how she is supposed to do 8:05am-3:05pm without me.  

As I watch the clock creep into early morning hours, I remind myself to take deep breaths because Tim and I constantly encourage independence and being self sufficient.  Since she was toddler we've told her that she can do things, and when something is hard...you keep trying, and it's not always going to be easy, and if the light is off in your bedroom and you can't reach the switch, you need to find a way to turn it on....that your brother can be a teammate and to work with him to solve problems.  We know she is ready.

She is a pretty cool kid, who is starting a fun new exciting time. She is growing up fast and we love watching her change, and learn, and just be.   

Certain articles have been grabbing my attention...I think it's the impending day that brings these to light.

Oh this one!!!!!

And I've become so protective of play time

I said I wasn't going to cry, but I might...

More play!

We need to let them move

I can't even begin to link all the articles I've read on homeschooling ;)

Boating, Tubing, Kneeboarding....

...just your typical Sunday Funday!

Happy 4th Birthday Mason-Man

WOW!!  You are such a joy to be around Mason-Man.  

love your Mason smirk

We had a glow-stick pool party, including all things spiderman   

Mason and his buddy Avery...they have such a sweet friendship!

Unfortunately it got dark too late and most of our guest had to leave before the glow sticks could really shine...but it was still fun celebration!

 Thank you to everyone who grabbed my camera and took excellent pictures!! I'm so grateful to have all these memories.  

My Buddy Throughout the Past Year

 (somehow I always forget your half-birthday tidbits...so we have a lot of catching up to do!)

Tidbits:

*height: 3'5.25"

*weight: 38 lb

*wears size 4T and some 5T 

*shoe size 10

*nicknames: Buddy, Mason-Man

*words to describe Mason: sweet, sensitive, caring, laid back, giving, thoughtful

*loves to show us his muscles or how fast he can run

*enjoys listening to books, especially anything truck, plane, boat related

*writes his first name (sometimes "s" is backwards), started working on last name
*knows most of his letters (confuses i/y, b/e/, z/c)
*sleeps 11 hours at night with a 2 hr nap  

*wears a pullup when sleeping but  nap is usually dry
*asks to watch Aurora (he wants to see Maleficent)

*has an infectious laugh

*super ticklish!!!
*still sucks his right thumb, although we are starting to really limit his time with his thumb

*does not like playing alone, would much prefer to play with someone

*loves spiderman 

*looooves trains, planes, boats, cars, trucks, etc...

*enjoys legos

*potty trained during the day...but that doesn't mean that all the pee always makes it in the toilet!!!  BOYS!!
*says "ham-brella" (umbrella), "key-mote" (remote), "wem-o-wade" (lemonade)
*sensitive...will cry if  voices are raised or if he gets in trouble
*DOES NOT like to clean up nor does a good job...soooo super slow
*good friends: Cameron, Kason, Avery
*drinks milk every morning and loves juice

*will scream at the top of his lungs if he is frustrated or not getting his way...and slams doors!
*is really excited about soccer starting
*can not find things well at all!!  A lost toy, his book, shoes, clothes, etc...

*(this is a repeat from his three year old list...but still applies) always asks "What are we going to do now?" "What are we going to do next?" "Then what are we going to do?" The kid wants to have an sequence of events for every minute of this day and the next five...seriously
*looooves his sweets...ice cream, cake, cookies, brownies, etc...
*snuggler - likes to sit close to you and touch you

According to Mason

Favorite Color:  Rainbow Green

Favorite Person to Play with: Cameron

Best Place to Shop: HEB

Good Place to Play: Park

Favorite Food: Ham and Cheese? Toast? (I would say pizza)

Favorite Drink: lemonade (wem-o-ade)

Favorite Song: Nothing

Favorite Show: Auroa

Favorite Movie: Jack and Neverland Pirates 

Favorite Thing to Do Outside: Go in the pool

Favorite Book: Good Night Good Night Construction Site

Favorite Toy: Hoover-craft (he was holding it in his hand during the interview...I would say legos)

Favorite thing to sleep with: Pillow pet

Favorite Breakfast: Pancakes with syrup
Favorite Lunch: PB&J

Birthday Dinner: Broccoli with Vegetables 

Favorite Dessert: chocolate

 DO NOT like to eat: water

Favorite Game: Wii

Favorite Sport: Sporty Car 

Future Occupation: Jet ...(when I asked this question...I said, "what do you want to be...when you grow up", I think he only heard the first part and decided to talk about what he wanted to be for Halloween)

Foto Friday

Notice the three transformers standing at attention...waiting for their boy to wake up and play with them

Evening Swim

We enjoyed an evening swim with friends.  

Olivia had Aubrey  &  Mason had Cameron.  

Two Fishes

Things I See In Mirrors:

Her Cell Phone

She's started carrying around this old broken phone and saying things like:

"Want to take a selfie with me?"

"I'm gonna blog about that."

"Let me check what's on my grocery list"

"What time is it?"

"Siri - text Aunt Erin, 'we're on our way'"

"Oh someone is calling me"

"I sent Aubrey a text message and she hasn't replied, she must be busy"

"I'm going to turn some music on"

"oh...I see some rain clouds, let me check the radar and see if there is a thunderstorm nearby"

Not sure I like this reflection...

Siblings.

I know I will look back on this era with fond memories.  My children are incredible playmates.  We have been in this period for awhile now, with our children being each other's favorite friend.  They spend HOURS together playing endlessly.  They take turns, they use their manners, they share, they help each other out, sometimes they argue and disagree...but they shout&scream and most of the times work it out.

Yes, I am bragging.  But I'm aware that this might not last and I want to remember this GOOD STUFF!!!  

When we discussed having children we wanted them close for this reason.  We wanted them to have playmates when they were young and hopefully share some of the same interests and activities.  Although, we've known that just because they are close in age doesn't mean they will play together.  But we've strongly encouraged it.  When they were younger, it started with us sending them upstairs to start playing and we would meet them up there in 10 minutes.  And occasionally we would get distracted and it would take us longer to get up there, but the quietness of them playing nicely would let us know that they were doing good...sometimes we would join them and sometimes we just let them be. 

There have been days this summer when the kids will run upstairs after only 15 minutes of morning cartoons and start playing.  Only to come back downstairs two hours later for a snack.  They then move into the garage where they start playing again for 90 minutes before they have lunch.  Afterwards they move onto their next activity together.  There are times when I go up to check on them or play with them...but decide to just leave them, their current dynamic is so perfect that I don't want to interfere at all.  I've selfishly turned down playdates with other people because it's easier with just my kids playing together.  There have been times when I felt guilty for not playing with them, but sometimes when my presence is added the synergy dissolves and each kid wants me individually, leaving the sibling out.  

Maybe I'm reflecting on this more since I know Olivia is about to be gone at school 40 hours a week.  She's wake for about 11 hours a day...which only leaves us with 3 hours during the week for playtime (oh wait, we have activities, baths, dinner, stories....).  I know their intense time together is limited and a gradual separation will most likely happen naturally. 

So my sweet children.  Play, play, play, have a disagreement, work it out, and play more.  Laugh, be silly, experiment, try new things, share, help each other, and have fun. 

I'm incredibly thankful you both shared so much this past year.  You've got a strong start to your sibling relationship...and I'm excited to see it evolve.

Tim McGraw

Three days ago I posted this on facebook:

"If you're reading this, there's going to come a day" when I don't want to be "angry all the time" so I "think I'll take a moment and celebrate my age".....

I wanna be "in the open field out on the edge of town" "where the green grass grows". " I wanna drink that shot of whiskey" with my "suntan line and red lipstick" and be with "country boys and girls gettin' down on the farm"

“I wanna go crazy

You can go crazy too”

"I’d do anything that you wanted me to, when all is said and done, I’d never count the cost, it's worth all that's lost, just to see" Tim McGraw on Saturday night. 

You see "it just does something to me, it sends a shock right through me, I can't get enough". "I guess that's just the cowgirl in me"

Do you have a ticket I can buy?

I don't know why I didn't just buy a ticket when they were on sale, but with Tim being gone and the full-press Momminess that has been going on, I felt extra inspired to get to the Tim McGraw concert.  

430pm on Saturday, the night of the concert, I get a call that I might have a ticket coming to me :) And I  started scrambling to get everything organized.  By 6:30 the stars were aligned, I got a sitter, strangers to pick me up, a concert seat ticket, and fun people (whom I've never met before) to sing and dance Tim McGraw songs with all night long.

Hands down - one of my favorite concerts ever!!  Thank you Brian!

The close-up backside picture came from a friend who was in the pit...and when I asked her to send me a good pic...that's what I got ;)

Foto Friday

Buddies!

It's HOT in Houston

During the months of June, July, & August we don't spend a lot of time outside playing unless we are in a pool.  It's just SO hot.  However, my kiddos start to miss all their fun toys and games they do only outside.  Today, they wanted to play outside...and so I sat in the shade with my ice water with sweat dripping down my back, while these two crazies RAN up and down our street...screaming and laughing.

Two Peas in a Pod

Tuesday Storytime

We love our Tuesday storytime visits at Wendys.  

Barbies, Ponies, Princesses, etc

While Mason is gone, we've done a lot of this:

Another Sleepover, Lots of Movies, and Boating

While Mason was at Grana and Grampa's, Olivia went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Which means, it was just Jerry and I at home!!

So what did I do?  I picked up some Macaroni Grill (some of my favorite pasta), put on my comfy clothes, poured a glass of wine, sat down on the couch,  and watched SIX movies!!!!  I could have done a million other things.  Called friends, cleaned the house, workout, caught up on realty work...but no, the only thing I wanted to do was sit by myself and do nothing!  

Thank you to both sets of Grandparents for giving me this lovely afternoon.

Today, I met up with Olivia and we had the most perfect day out on the boat.  We did a little fishing, some swimming, and lots of cruising.  It was perfect.

His Birthday Vacation

For his birthday, Grana and Grampa offered to take him for a few days for a vacation by himself!  They did this with Olivia last year and it was a huge hit (somehow I didn't blog about it then?).  Here are a couple of pictures of their visit together.