HOME!

I have talked about our countdown, and today was the day.  Today daddy came home from his last Sun-Fri trip for a while.  We were all jumping for joy! 

So there were a ton of emotions going on.  I feel relief and a sense of survival as we made it through a really tough year. 

The girls made him a banner and AG was very excited to break through that herself.  (I did the letters and let the girls paint after me, and ML filled in the "e" in welcome...) 

For all the emotions that we felt, I know that Matt had some of his own.  Not the least to mention exhaustion.  He always booked the very last flight on Sunday to have the most complete day with us.  That meant checking into his hotel at about 2am (without delays) and getting up for a full Monday.  For the most part it's over, we survived and we are happy to get on with our time together!

Meeting Ms. Allison

Morgan Leigh and I got to go up to tour the classroom today.  I am so excited about her teachers, her classroom and the new friends that she will make!  Here's to a great year cupcake!

Car pool

I often find this when it is time to leave for car pool pick-up.  Stinks to wake her up.  She looked at me, but her fingers in her mouth and tried to go back to sleep.

I don't blame her, car pool this fall has been brutal.  I hope it gets back to the way it was last year, or I won't be able to use it any more!

Story time

Aunt Betsy and the girls joined us for downtown story time today. 

The girls made some boats afterwards.  It was not the best story time, but at least we had company! :)

Nap time

We were spoiled this summer by being able to sleep from 2 until whenever.  This afternoon ML said I don't want a nap and I obliged.  She got awful quiet and when I looked up I saw this.  She is wrapped in the blanket from her bed and her favorite bumper pad.

First Day of First Grade

Anna Grace requested "juicy" eggs for breakfast this morning.  She was so excited to start her day!

 

We snapped a few photos on the porch before we got in the car.

I didn't realize how dark it had gotten outside while we were taking the pictures.  It started raining as soon as I buckled ML into her seat.

We found her name outside the classroom, and she was disturbed that it said Anna again this year....

 

On the car ride to school she said, I get my own desk this year!  Here she is and I think ML is ready to snatch that chair and stay for a while herself.

Daddy remembered that last year I made her write the sign so that we could see her writing change every year too.  He was right, I just forgot in all the hoopla of the morning.

And lastly, her GIANT cookie.  Happy first day Peanut!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAST trip

This has been our routine with Sundays for a while now.  Family dinner, baths and saying good-bye to daddy on the porch in our jammies.  One of them usually pulls his suitcase out to the car.  AG is usually sobbing before he is gone.  This week was no different.

It has been a long year for us.  Last Sept is about when the travel started.  We are SO glad this is the last trip.  We made it and can't wait to have daddy home again!

 

Tents

My mom helped the girls build some tents in the dining room and family room.  They each had their own and eventually emptied her cabinets so that they could "bake" for everyone.

We also made a trip to Target while we were there.  Although we didn't find the doll stroller, ML got a few new outfits.  It was a great week there, and it is always easier to drive there than back.

Pool Time

A trip to Nonna and V's couldn't be complete without some pool pictures.  The girls were so disappointed not to jump right in Monday.  With all the rain though it was a mess!  So we were in first thing this morning and again this afternoon.

I love this picture because Morgan Leigh kept telling Anna Grace that she could be a starfish too (float).  It is much easier with floaties though!

Allie the giant blow up alligator was AG's favorite thing this trip.  She was riding and diving off.  Not quite as entertaining as when my mom tried to ride it last year!

 

1 more....

Sundays have been harder and harder for the girls....Luckily, next Sunday is the last teary good-bye!  The girls are ready and so am I.

Date night

Matt and I had a date tonight at Ellerbee's.  I have wanted to go since it was written up in Bon Appetit after it's first month in business.  It lived up to the hype, we will be back.

Christmas in Aug!

Matt's early Christmas present arrived this week.  Are you ready for some football???  Matt is :)

Catching up

ML woke from her nap as soon as Matt stopped his truck in front of the house this afternoon.  They both sat down to have a snack and catch up.  LOVE!

Blueberry cows

One of our late summer traditions will always be to make soda shop style cows!  Yum.

Spa day!

We have had a busy week. Playdates, dinners with friends, shopping at Sam Moon.  I promised AG a complete Fancy Nancy style spa day. 

We stayed in our jammies and did facials, manicures, pedicures, hair and lastly my make-up.

 I let them do all my make up.  Here's my proud girl putting on powder me.  I wish you could tell that I have one color blush on one side and another on the other.  I had chevron style eyebrows drawn on, huge thick sparkly eyeliner, and 5 colors of eyeshadow.  Lovely!

Chicks and Ducks

 I got a sweet call from a friend to come and visit their newest animals.  They got 4 chicks and 2 ducks for their backyard.  We made a beeline there this morning so that we could hold and pet the sweet things.

After much coaxing, ML finally touched the duckling over my shoulder.  Thank you Margie for thinking to have us over!  AG asked if we could have a chick before we hit the door to leave...

40th!

A dear friend of ours celebrated his 40th this week and his wife planned a surprise.  I said we wouldn't miss it!  The girls were so excited to see one another.   The band started shortly after we snapped this.  ML spent most of the rest of her evening dancing all by herself!  Matt captured a few videos. 

We took a hayride to the front gate so that we could all be part of the surprise.  ML asked if we could ride the hay all the way home.  Yikes! 

And lastly, the cake.  We could not miss a minute of celebrating with them!  Happy, happy birthday Grant!   And sweet Amy - you plan one great get together.

Cherries

We were eating lunch after our shopping excursion today, we had a late lunch.  AG started putting the cherries she pitted on every finger.  I remember doing that as a child with olives (which I hate now) and it made me smile. 

Backyard

Our backyard is tiny.  Tiny, but big enough for the slip 'n slide.  I filled up the pool and the girls were all smiles.

All smiles, and the two fingers of course!

Bounce!

ML got really brave and did the big slides by herself.  I caught her sliding down like this.  Once again, I huge blur!

So I had to ask them all to stop and pose for a shot.  We do love playing together with these sweeties!

VBS - day 3

One of my friends commented today how good a big sister ML would be...She fully entertained Alex (18 mo) for 30 min.

We were outside for most of the time, but as thunder hit we quickly moved inside.  It sure made the singing louder! 

Fr. Mark had us divided into our groups and I caught AG standing all alone.  I tried to get her to move up, but she wanted no part of it.  So sweet Mary Katherine joined her in the back.  So sweet of her to make sure she wouldn't be alone.  We will all be in our "armor" on Sunday for worship.  The girls can hardly wait!

Puzzles

We took Nora today so that aunt Betsy could meet with her house builder.  Nora LOVES puzzles.  The three of them sat at the table most of the time she was here doing puzzles together.  LOVE it!  We'll have another friend here this afternoon. 

VBS

Our church hosts a 3 evening VBS.  This year I was in charge of the pre-schoolers.  This is my gang as we were "marching" to our next activity.  I love getting to know each of these special kids in a new way during VBS!

It was a boot camp theme, "Put on the armor of God".  We traced their figures and here is ML and her good friend decorating together.  Since ML was in my group, I have all pictures of her, and none of AG.

Lastly, we gathered for praise songs.  I just love this time with our small church.  We had 82 volunteers and kids!  Amazing for our small church!

Good friends

This is one of AG's first friends form 3 year old pre-school.  She is such a cutie and I love that they can get together like no time has passed at all!  We met at the museum for a quick tour this afternoon before VBS starts.

Canvas craft

We make a LOT of pinterest crafts.  These were so fun.  I let the girls pick a bible verse, and the font.  I applied it to the canvas and then let them paint all over it.  The result is awesome!