Sneak Peak

On Sunday the girls and I headed over to my Mama's to get generation photos done. My Mom has been wanting to do these for awhile. We found a great photographer by the name of Laura Elliott. She took one of my cousin's senior photos this year (Ironically after taking our photos Sunday she went in and took my cousin's family photos that afternoon). She is a stay-at-home mom who does photography on the side. I have to say she is SO reasonable and does great work. You can check out her site and blog at www.lauraelliottphotography.com. We were a little worried the outdoor photos weren't going to be because of the rain, but by 8:30 that morning the sun came out and it was a beautiful day.

Last night while on Facebook I saw some of the photos pop up in an album titled "Sneak Peak". I was so excited. So excited that I wanted to give you all a "sneak peak". I can't wait to see the rest!!! For now here is your sneak peak:)

Enjoy!!!

Brad's Birthday!

Brad's birthday was this past Saturday. He is not much of a birthday guy, if he had his way we wouldn't do anything at all for it. Unfortunately for him he does not get his way. At least not 100%. When he got home from hunting Saturday morning the girls gave him his gifts. He got a Wii gun with hunting game and some slimey and stretchy mini-body parts, Ainsley picked those out.

Then later that afternoon we had family over for a bonfire. It was a cool 86 degrees so good thing we had a fire:) While we didn't spend much time by the fire we did hang out outside a lot and enjoyed the day.

Brad got lots of help opening his gifts!



Daddy and his girls!


Ainsley took a photo of the Birthday Boy and Abby.


Wearing their "Dad" shirts!

Sarah's Shower

As Brian and Sarah's wedding is quickly approaching we celebrated with Sarah this past weekend by throwing her a shower. We held it at my mom's house and hosted Sarah and her mom and grandma's and some of our friends and family. We opted for a Sunday afternoon shower and featured desserts. I nervously made the cake. I always make my girls' birthday cakes and enjoy doing so, however this was my first time with fondant and I felt a more high pressure situation. Sarah seemed to like it so I guess I will consider that a success! Everyone seem to enjoy the shower and it put us one step closer to the big day this November! We are all super excited to be a part of their big day and welcome Sarah into our family.

What I am learning in Kindergarten...

We are a little over a month into Kindergarten and I am definitely learning a lot! Here is what I have learned so far:

*It's OK to give up that little piece of control, because sending your child to school is a positive thing.
*Even after the first day has passed it doesn't mean you still won't get teary eyed when you think about your baby in school or when you see commercials about school supplies. This still happens to me.
*The plethora of birthday parties continues in Kindergarten, as it did in Pre-school, tonight I will be taking Kaylee to her first Kindergarten friend's birthday.
*My daughter hops off the bus everyday with a huge smile on her face and skips all the way inside. This tells me she loves school.
*Having a Kindergartner like Kaylee means she will now read to me, instead of me to her, or instruct me on when it's my turn to read and when it's my turn listen:)
*Realizing the school has a library in it will be more exciting then learning your going to Disney.
*Riding the bus is AWESOME!
*Having swings on the playground is also pretty cool.
*Everyday expect to see a green paw print. Any other color=EPIC FAIL!! Especially when you are Kaylee.
*Attending PTO meetings is a great way to be involved, taking your husband with you when they will be talking about the budget is a great way to be embarrassed:)
*The preferred lunch is to take your own because your Daddy draws you a picture everyday and sneaks little treats in there like M&M's and Skittles.
*Being a Kindergartner Rules!! To see the first Progress Report with all +'s and "Great Job!" Makes a Mama and a Daddy very proud! It's a great day to be a Bulldog!

Faith

Faith~Noun; Defined as:

1. A: allegiance to duty or a person: Loyalty b(1): fidelity to one’s promises (2): sincerity of intentions
2. A (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b(1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust
3. Something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially: a system of religious beliefs.

Faith is what I told Brad Monday night I needed to have. Faith that we have done what we needed to do, as parents, to give our children a strong foundation to stand on as they get older and gain more independence, and we as parents lose a little control. These are some of the things I am realizing as Kaylee heads to Kindergarten.

Montessori is a familiar environment for me. Generally any time of the day I can look at my watch and know what they are doing. If I need find out something, have a question, want to check in, whatever I could just text her teachers. Now the game has changed. Now I don't really know what they are doing when I look at my watch, I can guesstimate based on time of day, but it's not the same. I can't just text her teacher. I can call the school or even email her teacher but again, it's not the same.

I do like Kaylee's teacher. I think she will be a wonderful Kindergarten teacher and a tough act to follow for Kaylee's first grade teacher next year. However I don't know what happens if someone hurt's Kaylee's feelings? If someone leaves her out, picks on her on the bus or doesn't play with her on the playground. I know all of those things will happen eventually. Maybe not in Kindergarten, but eventually they will. Eventually she will have friends that I don't like or think are good influences. Eventually Kaylee will make choices that I don't like. It's part of growing-up.

So I have to have Faith that Brad and I have instilled values in her that will help her in these situations and will help her in the choices she makes. I remember those times when I was a kid and was picked on or just felt alone. I have to have Faith that in those times she knows she is not alone.

Brad and I don't necessarily see eye to eye on Faith or it's importance, but for me, while challenging to always have Faith, it helps. I know there is a plan that was set for her and I have Faith in that plan. I will continue to have Faith that Brad and I, as parents, will continue to do our best and giving her the tools she needs to be successful.

All these thoughts continued to go through my mind this morning as I watched her get on the bus, for the first time (not only on the bus but in any veichle not driven by a family member), and not riding with any family member.

But I had Faith and will continue to have it a pray for strength and guidance as the journey down these roads continue. God IS good!

More School Days!

Today, Ainsley was on her way to Montessori! She was so excited! For the past several weeks she has been saying "My Montessori". I have to say that transitioning from her baby sitter to Montessori was hard. Karen started watching Kaylee when she was 5 1/2 months old and started watching Ainsley when she was 7 weeks old. She has been a part of our family for 5 years! She took such wonderful care of our children and I know we can never fully repay her for that. She was such a blessing to us!! She and Ainsley especially had a close bond. Friday was a hard pick-up, as we knew it would be our last. Needless to say there were many tears shed between Karen and I. However we will definitely stay in touch with her and visit.

Ainsley was up and ready to go this morning and ready to head out for her "First Day" photos.

This is pretty typical of Ainsley. She is very much a "class clown"!

Ainsley in front of Montessori, ready to get inside!

Not before a quick picture of her and Daddy!

I was teary leaving Montessori. I can remember working there and being pregnant with her, and Kaylee. I remember Kaylee's first day at Montessori like it was yesterday, and here we are with Ainsley. She is very ready for this new journey and I'm excited to watch her. While I have been a teacher at Montessori being a parent of a Montessori student was a different experience. I know Ainsley's Montessori days will be different too because she is different than Kaylee. I am excited she will be in Kaylee's old room with the teacher's Kaylee had. However one of the very fortunate things about Montessori is having worked there and really feeling comfortable with all the teachers as I worked with most of them and we are still friends.

So my new job title as Kindergarten and Preschool Mom has officially taken over. I couldn't be more proud to be called that!

The time has come...

The first day of school got here in a flash! Kaylee has been anxiously awaiting this day since March when we went to preview. I have been trying to avoid this day since May 17th, 2005 when she was born. Don't get me wrong when she was born I would wonder what she would be like at different ages, however the whole actually seeing that has come much to quickly thus far!

We have been gearing up for this day for some time. Mostly me mentally preparing myself and Brad wondering exactly when the breakdown would take place. I knew the first day would be a bit easier as it's only an hour and we got to go with her. She picked her outfit out the night before and we were ready.

Everyone was up and ready to go on Monday and we had plenty of time for some photos.

Ainsley was going to hang out with Paw-Paw while we took Kaylee to school. However she wasn't going to let that stop her from being a part of the photos.

Me and my girls! It's hard to believe that the time as come for these "Firsts". Weren't we just doing first words, first haircut, etc?

We took Kaylee to school and everyone gathered in the gym and Mrs. Jennsen the principal opened the year. We then went into her class and put her supplies away and the kids got to have some free time. Kaylee knew one student prior to school but she quickly made some new friends. Mrs. Lancaster gave us some information and answered questions. I have to say I have heard wonderful things about her. She seems SO laid back and warm. After we were dismissed we told Mrs. Lancaster good-bye and took a quick photo (I think Kaylee was quite annoyed with my photos at this point but she was a good sport about it).

After school we went home and got Ainsley and then went into town. Kaylee picked Steak-n-Shake for lunch. We played at the park and then last night for her special dinner she chose salmon, couscous and salad (this is one of the ways she is most like her Dad), and we had some DQ for dessert.

She was pumped to go back the today. I'm so excited for her. I know she is going to do great things in this world!!!