Open House and First Day of School

Grasen's open house was on August 16th at 10:00. I had mine at 8:00 and got my last parent out of the room at 9:59 and Grasen and I walked quickly down the hall to her new classroom. She got to meet Mrs. Grigsby, find her desk, and stay to do fun activities while the principals went over school rules and policies with the parents in the cafeteria. Grasen had a great morning and was even more excited to go back for the first day of school!

Bayler's open house was on August 18th at 4:00. He was SO excited to wear his new backpack with his airplanes and meet his teachers. He played with his new friends while Mommy and Daddy went over the handbook with the director of his prek aka my mother. He is looking forward to going to school everyday just like sissy!

The first day of school was August 20th and I am proud to say we all made it on time. I even allowed 15 minutes for pictures outside. The kids were happy and ready to get on backpacks. I was a little nervous that they would be grumpy and tired from getting up so early.

We had a good and challenging first week. Bayler started getting sick the 2nd day of school. One of the joys of being out of the home and into the germy classroom! Jordan stayed home with him the 3rd day. He was feeling a little better the 4th day and wanted to go back to school. Friday he woke up and was pitiful. I had to call in sick and take him to the dr and he had a double ear infection, so he is now on antibiotics.

I am so grateful and blessed that my children love school, their teachers, and don't want to miss school even when they don't feel good.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears....OH MY!

We had Grasen's 6th birthday party yesterday and had so much fun in the land of Oz! Grasen started watching The Wizard of Oz about a year ago and has a love for the classic movie almost as much as her mommy did when I was her age! Several months ago when we were narrowing down birthday party ideas, it came down to Pinkalicious or Wizard of Oz. I was tickled when she chose Oz. I have had the best time searching for all things vintage and ideas related to the movie.

We had lots of family and friends over to our home. It was a 2:00 party, so we feasted on finger foods....tin man hearts (pbj sandwiches and ham & cheese sandwiches), the yellow brick road (cheddar cheese rectangles), Over the Rainbow (fruit shaped like the rainbow), Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead (Ding Dongs), and Melted Witches (pinterest inspired, but the whole thing is edible). We also had strawberry cake and old fashioned sodas with paper straws.

The kids had fun at a table by themselves and when they were through, they played Pin the Heart on the Tin Man.

Everyone was so generous and spoiled Grasen so much! She really enjoyed opening all her gifts and she has had a blast playing with all her new things today. I think I have all her new clothes washed and hung- finally. She is set for this Fall!

We got to watch Grasen try out her new Razor scooter from Nana and Papa after most of the guests left. Aunt Carrie demonstrated how it worked, then Papa and Uncle Cody held the scooter and ran along side as Grasen cruised down our street. It will take her a little while to learn how to balance and not be scared.

We had the best time at this party!! Mommy can now take my party planning thinking cap off and relax until Spring! ;)

Happy 6th Birthday, my Grasen Marie!

On this day 6 years ago, I was in my kindergarten classroom, taking a little break from screening kids. I was working hard and fast, trying to get my 6 weeks of lesson plans finished since your due date was 6 days away. I was on week 2 or 3 in my lesson plan book and I stood up to grab something and my water broke. I called your Nana, who worked at the elementary school 2 minutes up the road, and told her to come and get me- it was baby time!

We drove to the hospital and your daddy met us there. A few hours later all our family was there, anxious for your arrival! At 6:05 pm you were born. You were the most beautiful baby we had ever seen and we loved you with all our hearts. You just looked up at us and that was it, you had us wrapped around your finger.

You have grown so fast, Grasen. You have turned into such a pretty young lady with the sweetest heart. You have a quiet spirit and it takes you a long time to warm up to people. You are soooo very smart. You love reading your books and you blow us away with the words you can read. I love your love for learning. You are very into writing right now. You will make cards and give them to us and most of your words are spelled correctly. You enjoy playing in your room- your dollhouse, barbies, and kitchen are a few of your favorite things. You are not as interested in naps as you use to be. You maybe nap 3/7 days. You are so sweet to your brother and are such a little momma. You are loving kindergarten. So far, recess is your favorite and you are enjoying the swings and slides.

We celebrated tonight by going out for Mexican food. Yaya and Pop, Nana and Papa, Gigi, Gran, Daddy, Mommy, and Bayler were all there to celebrate with you. Yaya made a strawberry cake. We came home after and surprised you with your new big girl bike. I think you were a little excited.

Happy 6 years, Grasen! You are the sunshine of our lives and we love you, dearly.