The Start of School

Well, the school year has officially begun which therefore means I have had a lot less time to share what we have been up to. Three weeks ago the girls started back at school and me in my classroom, unofficially. Since then, I have worked more hours that I can count up at school, on the weekends, at home while the girls are in bed, and even once went a whole day without laying eyes on little miss Janie Belle. It's been a busy, busy few weeks and I'm afraid they won't slow down for a few more.

Now, I have the first official week of school {with kids} under my belt. Next week we have our first full-day week, but Justin & I are going out of town for 5 days so I have a lot to prepare with all that time away from school. My goal is that come mid-September I can reel it back and not have to work on the weekends as much. Cross your fingers for me.

Throughout our first week back in school, we had a really rough time transitioning back. I didn't have to be at school at a specific time, so I just let the girls sleep in as they usually would throughout the summer and then we got up, got dressed, ate and went out the door. Drop off was rough. Then, we had painters at our house so we ended up moving to Mimi & Pop's house mid-week. Which, as you can imagine, made leaving the house that much more difficult. Mimi and Pops are always up to fun things when grandbabies are not around, ya know!!

In these past few weeks, the girls have gotten SO much better with drop off at school. Interestingly enough, once I started waking them up in the mornings {at the crack of dawn...} they were better about being left in their classrooms. Maybe it's because they knew the routine after practicing for a week. Or maybe it was because we were back at home. Or maybe it was just because it was what they remembered from last school year and they felt more comfortable. No idea. But... it's been better so I'm happy with that!

One incredibly cute thing that I've seen happen since being back at school is the excitement on Janie's face when Nora and I come in to get her from her classroom each afternoon. It happens every single time we go in there and it is darling. Once she sees us, her face lights up, she starts squealing and runs over to give Nora a big hug. I usually get one after that, too. She is a bundle of JOY and I can't stand how cute it is!!

I got it on video! She saw us coming through the window, 

so I didn't catch the whole reaction, but it's sweet none-the-less!

Thankfully, we get lots of sweet pictures of the girls throughout the day from their teachers. When we get home, it's usually dinner time, then bath, sometimes we play a little, but then bedtime routines start since we wake up so early. I do have a couple of sweet pictures from our first few weeks:

Not the best quality, but Nora ready for our first official school day! {Fig bar in hand.}

Picture from Primrose, so the quality is not great...

The girls both got to see the same music program at school one day. 

Nora has always LOVED it but this was Janie's first time and she was scared.

Nora sat by her sister & comforted her! What a sweetie!

Pajama day at school!

With the start of school also comes the start of fall dance class!

Nora is excited to take class with her friend Harper!

And there's this sweet moment. 

Curled up sleeping with a favorite story and baby Jo.

This was while staying at Mimi & Pops' house.

Snuggling with my girls after work!

Oh, and apparently since starting back at school, Janie is learning more about counting! While she was waiting for dinner one night, I swear she counted to ten. TEN. I have heard her count "seven, eight" {random, I know} and sometimes "one, two" but NEVER straight up to ten. So naturally, I did what every mother would do: grab my iPhone to take a video of her doing it. And naturally, she did what every toddler does while the camera is out: not do it again. She was pretty funny trying to count. Apparently "mommy" is a number now. And I think the hand motion helped her.

Janie counting!

If I spend time away from my family, I'm happy it's with these great ladies!

I wish I could say I don't have any more things to do in this room... but I can't.

It is ready enough for school to start & I'm excited about my class this year!

I am excited for a good year both for my girls & for my class.

Nora's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Nora's 3rd birthday this weekend! Although she won't actually be three for another few weeks, we doubled up with Nora's friend, Harper, who is also turning three, and celebrated in between both of their birthdays.

Our birthday girl! 

THREE YEARS OLD {almost}

Our goal for this party was to keep things a bit more simple and try and make less work for us mommies this time around. After looking into quite a few places, we decided to go with a splash pad birthday party. There is a splash pad right down the road from where we live so we rented the cabanas and then got to planning!

Our theme for the party stemmed from the splash pad location and therefore we had a "splish splash bash" for the girls.

We set up yummy snacks in sand pails from an idea via Pinterest and served cold drinks, cupcakes, and fruits & veggies. Our friend Danielle made all the cute labels to go with the food!

Kids took sunglasses home as favors and we had some sunscreen & toys set up for kids to use as they needed.

The girls had a great time and we all appreciated everyone coming out to play with us or sending love from afar!

And now... the big moment for the girls!

Happy early birthday to our big girl, Nora! I can't believe you are three whole years old!

First Day of Preschool

Nora Lane

First day of Preschool

August 10, 2015

Although not officially the first day of school, today was Nora & Janie's first day back at their daycare since I went back to work in my classroom.

Janie has been moved out of the "Young Toddler" room and into the first "Early Preschool" room after our summer off. She had her first day with her new teachers, though familiar to us from when Nora was in that classroom, and her old friends were there too. It was a little bit rough at drop off (I couldn't expect much better, really) but I think she had very few bumps after she calmed down from mommy leaving.

Janie contemplating her first day back at school!

{Can you see those piggies???}

Holding hands with her friends.

(Janie is in the pink dress.)

Nora ended last year in the second "Early Preschool" classroom and began today in the actual Preschool class, making today her first day of "official" preschool! So many emotions!

I mean, we've been going to our daycare since Nora was almost one and mostly things are going to be pretty much as she expects them to be. Not a huge transition or anything. But, it marks a milestone for us and that in itself is exciting. So naturally, we had to snap some pictures before we left for school in the morning.

Side note: It took us an HOUR AND A HALF to get out of the house this morning. Not including mommy. I was up and ready before either of them got out of bed. We are really going to have to work on our morning routine before next week if we are going to get anywhere on time! I won't elaborate a whole lot on how taking these pictures took twenty minutes but I will tell you that it involved chasing multiple dogs in and out of the house, picking up doggy doo before toddler feet stepped in it, and chasing around an eighteen month old. I was sweating and it was only 8:30 in the morning!

Nora was all in for taking pictures because I promised a marshmallow. Janie didn't really understand the bribes that I offered so she wasn't as good about taking pictures. One of the only clear shots I got of her!

On the way home, we talked about her day. She told me she had a good day. She liked playing with the dollhouse and was looking forward to having a puppet show tomorrow. Her teacher also told me that they were going to get out princess plates for the home center and Nora was pretty much thrilled with that idea! She told me that she was sad when she had to go to the potty but wouldn't elaborate on why. She apparently did not take a nap but instead "talked the whole time" {her words} so hopefully that doesn't become an issue! She painted shapes with sponges, traced her name, and learned the sprinkler dance move. All in a day's work!

We got sent this picture of her sorting rocks!

We are so proud of you, Nora! 

You have grown up to be such a big almost-three-year-old! 

You amaze us with how much you remember and 

how well you can articulate your thoughts and wishes. 

You are very kind to others and 

try your best to use good manners. 

You have such a special little giggle that makes our hearts sing. 

We love seeing you learn & grow and 

can't wait to see what you learn this year at school. 

Happy first day of Preschool! 

We love you!

Mommy & Daddy

{Crossing my fingers that drop off will improve tomorrow!!!}

Summer Week Nine

This past weekend we spent a lot of time around the house. We did some good & necessary cleaning {bleh} and quite a few loads of laundry and a little grocery shopping to top it all off. Nothing big & exciting this time.

This will be our last week at home together as next week the girls will start going back to Primrose five days a week. I'm going to spend next week (my last official week of summer) working in my classroom a bit so that I don't feel quite as overwhelmed when I go back on contract. We have a lot of things to mark off the checklist this week, though: a team brunch & meeting, a haircut for Nora, our kitchen lights getting installed, drop off some donated items, plus more.

Still enjoying my birthday flowers!

I got in Nora's new dance shoes this week and can. not. WAIT for her to put these babies on. They are so cute!!! I may regret saying that once she starts making noise with them. But, c'mon... is there anything cuter than little mary jane tap shoes??

Since Justin has been traveling, we've been using Face Time a lot more on our iPhone/iPad. Nora found an usual spot to chat with daddy this week:

This is what happens when Janie Face Times... 

She hangs up and then takes pictures of her feet.

She has also been quite intrigued by the camera and is taking great joy in capturing moments on it. I need to get her a kid-friendly one STAT. I thought this picture was most likely how my children view their mama all day - a vision of happiness with sunshine beaming from behind her. HA! I thought it was a decent picture for a two year old. Blurry... but decent!

We've been dog sitting for my parents, which means that their dog Austin gets to spend a whole lot of time running away from the girls. They really like having her here and want to pet her and include her in their fun & games. I think she mostly likes them but she is not used to having so many little hands reaching her way!

Nora got her back to school haircut this week - only her second ever - at a Pigtails and Crewcuts. Okay, moms... I wasn't super impressed. Where do you take your kids to get their hair cut?? Did I just have a weird experience this time? It's not like the haircut itself was bad, but we waited forty-five minutes for them to spray down her hair and trim it up, which took about ten minutes tops. (For the record, I called and asked if I needed an appointment as was told "no" so I didn't make one.) And I paid $20. No dry, no style. I took her to the kids place this time because I thought it might be more convenient for us, but I would rather take her to my hairdresser who would at least give her a little more attention for that price. Anyways, we got her hair trimmed up and she enjoyed sitting in the fire truck seat and then Janie got a turn sitting. I wasn't quite ready to give her hair a trim but it's possible she may need it if she will not allow me to put her hair up!

A highlight for me this week was getting to catch up with my dear friends from high school! Auntie K held down the fort at home since Justin is out of town.

Our kitchen lights were installed! Next week the painters come and I'm super excited!!!

We made some tasty no bake bars {link here} and some sponge balls for Nora's splash pad birthday party {link here} this week as well. And since it is the first week of August, we got out the school related window clings!

Finally, we had our share of movies this week. We went to see Curious George as our weekly summer movie. We also went out as a family to see the Minions movie. Oh, my... minions. It was cute, though and we ate dinner there, too since it was one of those dine-in movie theaters.

One more week of summer!!! And just for fun...