The Big Day!!!!

Well, it's finally here! We all got up extra early, had a special yummy breakfast and were all ready to go by 7:10!! We were warned about the scary drop off line traffic so we left extra early. We got to school and found our classroom and Mrs. Angell was waiting with a smile. Chloe was so excited. We got all her supplies put away, found her locker and she was ready to wave bye to mommy! I was a little more hesitant. Mommy, Daddy and Hayden said our good-byes, gave our hugs and headed out. Mommy held it together but Hayden just couldn't handle it. His little lip and chin were quivering as he asked why we were leaving Chlo. We went to a boo-hoo breakfast put on by the PTA and headed home to play and rest.







Mommy and Hayden were in for quite a shock at pick up time! We waited for over 40 minutes. (Thank goodness for the icee cup in the car ;) She had to stand and wait for the while so I snapped a few pics without her seeing us! When we picked Chloe up she was all smiles said she had the best day ever. Her favorite part was chasing the Gingerbread Man all over the school. She said they never saw him, but they sure smelled him :) There were yummy cookies waiting for them in the classroom. She said she couldn't wait to go back tomorrow.



At bed time however, her memory lapsed as she asked what were were going to do tomorrow!!! I reminded her that kindergarten was every day now...little does she know :)

The Night Before Kindergarten...

Twas the night before Kindergarten and all through the house...
Wow! I can't believe my baby starts kindergarten tomorrow. I have so many mixed emotions. I am so happy she's excited and ready to conquer the world but at the same time my heart is hurting because I feel like it's the end of our little chapter. We have sacrificed lots for me to stay at home with Chloe from day 1. It wasn't always easy but it's the best thing I've ever done! We have had the best time together and have been able to do so many things. I have been able to shelter her, control what she sees, hears, does...and in some way I feel like I'm handing her over to the wolves! Here's where I have to start trusting that we've given her what she needs to make good decisions. She has been a blessing and I am so excited for her big day!

Tonight we gave her "The Kissing Hand". It's a book about a baby raccoon who is nervous about going to school and his mama tells him an old family secret. She kisses his hand and tells him to hold it tight and he can feel her love any time he gets scared or sad. I bought her a necklace with the kissing hand on it and she was thrilled to wear it her first day :)



We got all our supplies ready, clothes ready lunches made and baths! I asked her what she was most looking forward to and she said "the water fountain"!! That's my Chloe :)

Tomorrow will bring such excitement...can't wait! (Ok, maybe one more day :)

We have done all kinds of special things this last week leading up to Kindergarten! I have felt like we've had to cram everything in :)
Thursday - We had a Mommy Date on Thursday and went to the American Girl Store. She was blown away. I have been saving it for a special time. We had lunch in the bistro, got her baby's hair done and bought new matching jammies for them both. We went to meet the teacher when we got home. She was so excited because she has Mrs. Angell! Before we met her, Chloe said, "I just hope she's silly". :)








Friday - We spent the morning trying to figure out where we wanted to go. We were up with the storms all night, so we were moving slow. We decided swimming sounded good so we got our suits on and headed outside. It felt so wonderful outside that at the last minute we threw the wagon in the car and headed to the zoo, swimsuits and all. That turned out good because the kids had a blast playing in the stream at the playground.



Saturday - Now it's Daddy's turn. It's Daddy date time. Chloe wanted to go to Olive Garden and to a movie. They had a great time and talked about "important things". Hayden and I had a day together and had so much fun! I look forward to one on one time with him. We haven't gotten much of that.
Sunday - We went to church and came home for a little rest and then went swimming. (My plan to wear them out so they would both be tired by 8:00). Well...let's just say it worked for Chloe. Came home to a spaghetti pie dinner and brownies and started heading to the bed about 8:00.

Let's have a staycation instead :)

Well, the vacation we had been looking forward to all summer had to be canceled today. I have been fighting kidney stones for the last couple of weeks and had to have surgery...body just wasn't ready for a 12 hour trip, so we were so sad but had to cancel our trip. Chloe and I got sick with a stomach bug the next day so we were really thankful we weren't in the car! The kids took it really well. We went to Dallas for a few nights and really had a great time plus it was only a 20 minute drive!! We swam and swam and swam, watched a concert in the park, ordered room service, went bowling, rode go-karts, swam again and again, shopped a bit, swam some more and headed home. Found out that our resort was hit by a tropical storm, so one more positive about staying home! All in all, it was a great way to end the summer!>

Summer Spontaneity

Last weekend we decided to be spontaneous and take a little weekend trip. Chloe and I needed to do some kindergarten uniform shopping and we just needed a getaway so we checked into the Westin hotel and headed for the pool. They had a great slide for the kids and we enjoyed spending the day splashing around. Chloe is swimming like a fish and Hayden can't get enough of the water! They also had a mini putt-putt by the pool. Craig thought it was a great opportunity to give a few lessons. We enjoyed eating out new places, doing a little shopping and ordering room service dessert! When we were at the mall they had a trampoline bungee thing (?) Chloe was pretty reserved but Hayden wanted to go higher and higher!

After such a great day of relaxing and fun, the kids were in the bath and I went to get jammies. Right as I was coming back into the room I heard it, then I heard him...Hayden had slipped in the tub and cracked his front tooth. Not a fun way to end the night. And, needless to say, breakfast wasn't as enjoyable for him the next morning :( All in all we had a great time but I may be taking the rubber mat to next hotel!the>