Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A Summer Mini Album

The end of summer came way too fast this year and although it was a busy one filled with lots and lots of activities I didn't want it to end. So I made a mini album to highlight some of the fun things we did and the places we went. I am going to fill this mini album with our favorite summer memories and photos.  I love it and can't wait to finish it.  I might even add a few extra cardstock pages for journaling from the kids.  My plan is to have to completed next weekend. I will post the finished product then.  How are you going to remember all of the fun things you and your family did this summer?





Monday, August 29, 2011

Muffin Tin Monday

We have neglected Muffin Tin Monday for way too long. So we are back and ready to get creative with our Monday lunches.  This is what Ian had today: animal crackers, yogurt, Capri Sun, Cheez-its, noodles with an octopus hot dog (which he loved and asked for another one!!) and ketchup for dipping.  It was a successful lunch!!

  I'm linking this post here
Muffintinmom.com

CBS

I joined our local Community Bible Study my first year as a SAHM. I didn't really know anyone who went but it was something I wanted to do. I hadn't been able to be part of a women's Bible study because I worked full time. So once I stopped working I really wanted to join. I was completely out of my comfort zone when I decided to sign up. I went to their coffee and registration and met lots of wonderful women. I made some great friends in my core groups and Isabella had the best time in the CBS kids program. In 2008 I started to help in the children's department working with the 4-5 year olds. It has been a blessing and a joy to serve in this area. CBS has been such a blessing to me and my kids. I've learned so much doing
 these Bible studies and I've made some wonderful friends. I'm so happy to be back again this year serving in the children's department with a new co teacher and a new group of kids. I'm excited about studying 1 & 2 Peter and Hebrews. It's going to be a wonderful year of studying Gods Word.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Passing Notes

Isabella and I were passing notes today in church. I know I know.  We shouldn't be doing that in church but she started it and I ended it pretty quickly.  Her portion of the conversation is highlighted in pink.  It was a funny conversation and I think I giggled a little at it before I made her put it away.  
This is what was said:

Isabella:  Can I have a pillow pet?

Me: Maybe

Isabllea OK (picture of happy face)

Me: Please sing now! Thank you

Isabella: I'm trying to concentrate on writing

Me: Concentrate on singing

Isabella: There is no song on

Me:  There will be right now

Isabella:  Ok

Me: Now let's pray

Isabella:  Can I have a pillow pet?

Me: NO

Isabella:  Awww (picture of sad face)

Me: Sorry but it's church time. No pillow pet talk

Isabella: The End

It's little things like this note that just make my day so much better.  I think I will save it forever.  



Saturday, August 27, 2011

First Week

The first week of school is officially over. It was a good week. Isabella came home everyday in a good mood and excited about something new she learned from her teacher.  He is fast becoming the favorite teacher since he knows a lot of cool things.  There was homework, scripture memorization, spelling words to practice, and papers to be signed. She shared funny stories from lunch time and recess.  She learned the names of the new kids in her class.  She wore all three new pairs of shoes this week and wore shorts to school for the first time in 4 years (truth be told she was too lazy to deal with buttons on shorts).  She didn't complain about getting up early or when it was time to go to bed. She even brushed and styled her own hair once this week.  She was a great big sister when Ian went to preschool and she has really come into her own this year.  Yes it was a good first week.  I can't wait to see what the rest of the school year brings.


oh yes, there was also a lovely picture of me she drew at school.
of course it looks just like me

Friday, August 26, 2011

One of those Days

Today was one of those days. You know the kind I'm talking about.  You have a list a mile long of errands you need to run and you want to get them done as fast as you can.  Only you can't really because all the stores you need to go to are about 15 miles away from each other which means you and your little fellow spend way too much time in the car driving all over town.  Then you spend all of 10 minutes in the store getting whatever was on your list.  Then it's back in the car for more driving.  Yeah, today was one of those days.  We left the house at 8:30am and arrived back home after 2:30.  I hate these kinds of days. Especially when we leave one store and Ian asks "Can we go home now?" and the answer is "No, we have 4 more stores to go to."  He was a trooper. Maybe it had something to do with the 2 lollipops and gum I gave him while we were shopping.  Hey, it kept him happy and I was able to do everything I needed.  You know you do that too.  

playing with his new train, which kept him occupied in the van and in the shopping carts

my venti skinny vanilla latte, I needed a pick me up towards the end of the day, I was fading fast

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Preschool

Today I had Community Bible Study training all day.  I usually have a babysitter lined up for this day since it happens every year but this year I was unprepared and without a sitter so Mr. G and I decided that Ian would go to the preschool at Isabellas school.  I am good friends with the preschool director and I knew that he would be in good hands. Many moons ago I was a substitute teacher at the elementary school and I would take Isabella to the preschool the days I worked.  She loved it and I knew Ian would too.  I even got the crazy idea to ask the bus driver if Ian could ride the bus to school with Isabella and then meet them there to sign him in.  He loves the bus and waits at the window or the door every morning for Mrs.Williams to pick up his sister.  She honks the big bus horn and they yell "Good Morning" and "Hi" to each other everyday.  So this morning he was ready to ride the big yellow bus to school.  I was so excited for him until he got on and drove away. I could picture this happening every morning in 2 years when he goes to kindergarten and I stay home all alone.  Both of my babies would be in school spending most of their day with their teachers and friends. I would only get the handful of hours at the end of the day to sit and talk with them, to help them with homework, to cook dinner with them, or shuttle them to their after school activities.  That made me very sad.  As I followed the bus to school tears started to well up in my eyes and I was overwhelmed by sadness at the thought that, yes one day I will have the house all to myself, empty, quiet, and  lonely.  I'm not ready for that.  What makes this all the more sad is that Ian had the best day ever.  He loved preschool and my friend said he did so good.  He took his school work seriously, he shared, and he really fit right in with the other kids.  When we left Ian said, "Bye see you soon".   My little fellow is growing up too.  I hope that when it's time for him to go to school full time I will be excited for him and all the wonderful things he will learn. But for now I am going to be a little selfish and hold on to him at home just a little longer. 
  P.S. I found out from one of the teachers aids that Isabella was a very protective sister.  She watched him like a hawk and recess and when she saw he wasn't getting a turn on the slide she walked right over to the fence and made sure the teachers knew so they could do something about it.  Isn't that the sweetest thing you ever heard. 


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

SMASH

 I am in love with the new Smash books from K and Company.  If you are a scrapbooker you know all about them. If you aren't a scrapbooker you should find out about them.  They are premade journals/scrapbooks for you to use to capture everyday adventures or to keep all the momentos we tend to keep laying around our desks, junk drawers, and purses.  I bought 3. Yes I know that seems a little crazy but these things are hard to find so when I saw them I snatched them up as fast as I could.  I also bought a lot of the accessories that come with the Smash books.  I'm a sucker for accessories.  I have a tendency to buy everything from a scrapbook line even if I'm not entirely sure if I'm going to use it.  That's not a good idea but I have zero self control. I need help in that department. Anyway, here is everything I have from the Smash line and at the end of this post is a video that better explains what they are all about.

Eco Style Smash book

Simple Style Smash book

Retro Style Smash book


 Smash Pads

Smash tabs, paper clips, clips and stickers

Smash pens, stamp, and tape

Smash pockets and rubber bands

Smash pockets





Monday, August 22, 2011

The First Day of 3rd Grade

Today was the first day of school.  Isabella is officially a third grader now.  I know. It's sad.  She is growing up way too fast.  I remember taking her to kindergarten on her first day. She was so tiny then.  Why can't they stay that way forever?  Anyway, here are some photos of her first day.  I can't wait to hear all about it. I'm praying that it was great and that she is excited about the school year.  I'm also praying that she doesn't have too much homework. I mean it is the first day of school.  

breakfast, yes she had two different things for breakfast, I guess she was hungry today

time to brush those teeth

lets get dressed

hair is all combed and looking fancy

here's my baby all ready for school

a quick smile before we leave

we're here!!

in front of her classroom

her friends Madelyn and Miranda (they have been together since kindergarten,they are all sweet girls)

bell rang and time to line up, oh and there are twice as many  boys as girls in her class this year

putting away her supplies

look at all her books, I am happy she gets to study Gods Word everyday

all set and ready to learn

that looks like a lot of learning right there

lunch bag and messenger bag are hung up in her spot