I want to remember

I want to remember this day. She was my tag-a-long to the bank, Target, gym and UPS store all before 10am. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in just doing all the stuff that needs to be done and forget this little person who is growing and developing is RIGHT THERE with me.

I had laundry to fold, bathrooms to clean and a slew of tasks waiting at home. I instead told her I had a surprise for her. On our way home, we pulled into the neighborhood park. She RAN full speed ahead to the swings. We stayed until she was done. I played nursery rhyme kid songs on my phone for her. It was wonderful. I know she won't remember these special moments, but I will. :)

Just Like the Big Sisters

LG has and probably will, for a long time, want to be doing what ever those big sisters are. So as they've been packing up their backpacks and lunchboxes, she has too. The above is what she had packed in her backpack for school. She really did stuff all those things in there! I made a few adjustments before she took it today. :)

She's also been practicing carrying it around. The girls' new backpacks came with little stuffed animals on the zipper pull. She's convinced her wooden birdhouse should be tied to her zipper.

Today was finally her turn to put on her backpack and go to her first day of preschool.

She was so confident and ready to go. She walked right in to her classroom and never looked back. We didn't even get a hug goodbye!

Tonight she packed her lunch while the girls' were packing theirs. She used a stuffed animal dog carrier and I think she'll still be hungry.

The last baby is growing up.

Random Thoughts

• I don't know how my mom didn't have a pair of kitchen/utility scissors when i was growing up. A pair came with our knife set a billion years ago and I use them at least 5 times a day.
• Feels good to get organized- cleaned out the junk drawer, under my bathroom sink and my dumping ground for paperwork.
• So glad to see t.d. from high school has fixed her hair issues, good job.
• Would pay to know where LG's lost Dora flip flop is hiding....we've owned it for 4 days and it's gone. (since found it under sister's dresser!)
• The pens my mom bought at a scrapbooking event in 1997 and then gave to me are still working.
• Convinced the update for my old generation iphone has intentionally made it super slow so I'll want to buy a new one from them.

Six Years Old

Can it REALLY be six years ago today, I was sitting in the hospital holding a sweet baby that was less than 2 hours old?! When I think of all the experiences, memories and life that has passed by, then yes, it has been six years. Six wonderful years.

I'm not sure how my children's birthdays have become weekend long celebrations but celebrate is what we did this past weekend!

Friday night we had a pizza party at a local arcade where Nat and her friends and family had lots of fun! Saturday afternoon she spent the day with Grandpa Tom at the movies, Micky D's and Toys R Us. And because Dad has to be out of town today on her actual birthday, we gave her our presents yesterday.

This was yesterday, at the reveal of the big surprise gift from Mom and Dad...

Meet Isabella, the mouse.

Even Daisy likes her :)
Happy Birthday Sweet Nat West-
You bring us so much joy and happiness!!
I hope your birthday celebrations made you feel as loved and as special as you are.

They did this all on their own...

As if this weekend wasn't busy enough, Natalie also cheered at her first event. She's doing Pop Warner Cheerleading this fall, where they cheer for the football players. The real uniforms aren't ready yet so they're in their practice gear. It was a billion degrees outside and I was prepared for whining and complaining, but when I picked her up after she said, "When's my next game?!"

She's the 2nd from the left in the front.

Beach Days

We had a fabulous time at the beach before school started up. It's getting easier with the youngest being 2!!

No dishwasher, which I think the girls actually love :)

This crazy lady was bathing herself and her 3 grown kids in the kiddie pool. Seriously, she was in there with a bar of soap lathering up! There is a wash off shower not 20 feet away!

And Weeee'rrrreee Back

The girls were supper excited to start school this morning.

Natalie is starting 1st grade and Valla 3rd. They are thrilled after meeting their teachers and we all look forward to a fabulous year!

Never to be left out, Lauren grabbed her backpack too. She is actually starting 2 year old preschool next Thursday. What will I do with THREE WHOLE hours to myself each week?!

This was the scene last night, ready to go.

This is Nat's note to her new teacher, Mrs. Lynn

She is beyond thrilled about Silver the mouse, the class pet.

Valla made the most beautiful card for her teacher, Mrs. Glum

The Breakfast Club

Natalie Elizabeth

Five years and 355 days old starting First Grade

Vallarie Mary

8 and a half starting Third Grade

Bright and early at 7:09 Nat ready to climb aboard!

Can't wait to see what adventures, stories and experiences this school year brings!