Our "Firsts"

Wow, what a CRAZY week. At the end of last week we took Chance to his "Aunty Jennifer's" to get his first haircut. I have been putting this off, but when someone referred to his hair as a mullet I knew it was time. Jennifer is a stylist, but we thought he would do better if we did it her house where he is familiar. He was PERFECT. I could not have been more thrilled. He sat so patiently while she was cutting all of his curls off, yes it broke my heart. I saved a few for his book, but who really wants to see their hair when they are a grown adult? The things we parents do......
As for McKenna, she started kindergarten. I can honestly say this has been the easiest transition we have had in her entire life. I have been nervous about this day for months. Monday came and she came down the stairs and told us she was a bit nervous and Paul and I quickly changed the subject and explained how fun school is. We walked her to school where her precious teacher awaited their arrival. Her teacher is a first year teacher, so I know she must have had butterflies in her stomach as we were all dropping off our "babies" to her. McKenna put her backpack and lunch box on her table and went to the carpet to read a book, just like her teacher had asked. I went to walk out, no tears yet, and I couldn't do it. I leaned down and told her how proud she makes me each and every day and that I couldn't wait to hear about all the adventures that kindergarten would bring. The tears were just rolling down my face, actually as I am writing this it makes me cry. My sweet little angel is truly growing up. I gathered the strength to walk out and she was all smiles....I had to get to work my my students were waiting on me.
I called her as soon as school was out, and her response to me was that "kindergarten is the most fun she has ever had". That sure puts things in perspective, we want our children to love school and so far mine does.
I couldn't just take on kindergarten this year. She is of course still loving dance. She does ballet and tap. She is also going to play soccer this fall. We have our first practice tomorrow, who knows how that will go. She is most excited about getting her very own trophy at the end of the season, she is MY child, keep your eye on the prize!
Paul and I are super busy with school, work and kids and looking forward to football season!!!
I will post pictures soon of our "firsts"......Until next time!

Where did my summer go???

As my summer is about to end I am wondering where in the world it went? Two and a half months seems SO long, but its already coming to a close for me! We had a good time, many play dates with friends, two girlfriends having babies, A LOT of home improvements, swimming lessons and best of all, spending quality time with the kiddos. The end of summer is always a strange feeling for me. I love routine and knowing what to expect everyday, but on the flip side of that I miss not having to get up so early and miss the snuggling I get to do with the kids everyday. As they are growing up I am finding my time just slipping away from me, it makes me sad. I am ending my summer on a high note, it was a GREAT one. Now I will have to look forward to the weekends and long breaks we get. We went for a walk this morning and as I was pulling the wagon where they were playing and talking to each other, it hit me, I am very lucky to have two beautiful children. We have McKenna's open house for kindergarten next week, hard to believe its here. I am about to send my baby off to school where they will help prepare her for the world, we as teachers are SO lucky to have such a big responsibilty with these young minds. As for Chance, he won't start at his school until the winter, I hope they are prepared for him, because he is a handful with a curious personality.

Life after Vacation

We spent last week in Joplin, Missouri with my aunt and uncle. My parents went along as well. It was wonderful waking up each morning looking out to the woods and creek. We took McKenna fishing for the first time down at the springs, the only thing she caught was a stick, but that trilled her to death anyway. Paul, my dad and uncle went fishing the next day and caught a lot of catfish, needless to say, we had dinner for the night, there is just nothing like fresh fish. My mom, aunt and I took McKenna to the Precious Moments museum. This is the original place where precious moments was started. She was in "awe" of the amount of dolls, characters and memorabilia. It was amazing to see. It took her what seemed like all day to pick her favorite doll, which of course Grandma bought. She is at the perfect age to appreciate a place like precious moments. If you ever get the chance to go through it, it is quite amazing, there is even a chapel where you can write your prayer requests in a book and is kept there in a safe place. One of the nights we were having a hard time figuring out where to go for dinner, now for those of you that have never been to Joplin, it is a nice size city, but is also a hub for truckers to stop, refuel and continue traveling. Of all places, we ended up at the Iron Skillet, which is a truck stop restaurant. According to McKenna it was "the best restaurant in the whole world", the world through the eyes of a 5 year old is precious. The only thing she knew was that the chicken and macaroni and cheese was delicious. I have always heard that the truck stops have good food, but news to me that it is the "best in the world". We are back to the heat of Texas, 107 today, and counting down until I have to go back to work. Looking forward to starting a new school year, but going to miss the down time with the kids each day. Not looking forward to sending McKenna to kindergarten, she is growing up TOO fast.......