Kathryn's First Field Trip

Kathryn was so excited to go on the bus. She gets driven to day care everyday after school, and she was so excited to ride the yellow bus. Tim was able to go on the field trip, since I've already missed 3 days of school with my sick child. I was jealous, but thankful he was willing to go!

He took a couple of pictures at the park, and I think forgot about the bus, but I was glad he took the camera with him! She had a great time. They were at he park, and then went to the town library to check out books. Then the bus took them back to school.

The Big ONE!

Tim and our neighbor went fishing last weekend and caught 3 beautiful salmon! Kaelyn keeps asking where the fish are...and Tim keeps saying, "in the freezer." She's completely confused, probably because she sees our fish in the tank everyday, and thinks he brought these home to go in there too!

Jesus Loves Me

I have always sung Jesus Loves Me to Kaelyn every night since she was a baby. When we were driving home from school one day, she wrapped up her baby doll, and was singing Jesus Loves Me to the baby. It was so cute, and so I pulled the camera out of my bag, and snapped it over my shoulder. She is so cute! I am so glad that she is learning such a tender way to take care of a baby. Now we just have to work on not putting the blanket over the baby's head!

Pancakes!!

Last weekend, the girls asked me to make them pancakes for breakfast. For some reason, Kathryn asked for a really big pancake that she'd had at a restaurant a LONG time ago. This was the result. It was kind of fun for me, because in college, my roommate Amber and I used to make these big pancakes for dinner sometimes. It was kind of a fun memory!

Our Neighborhood

We have been in our new house now for about 3 months. It's amazing how settled I'm feeling. I love the friendships we've made. I love watching my kids "playing outside" which is what Kathryn and Kaelyn look forward to everyday. We decided to have another block party last weekend. It was a lot of fun. We drug the bbq's to the street, everyone brought their own meat and a side dish, and we hung out.

It's been really fun to get to know everyone. There are lots of kids, and everyone is very nice. Our cul de sac actually has 21 kids...19 of which are girls. That will be interesting huh? I think the picture of all the people is really neat!

Mommy's Little Helper

I was home last week one day, (actually I've been home 3 days with Bug already this year, but that's another story). I decided to put my china in my china cabinet. Kaelyn decided this was a very important job, and she needed to help me. I sometimes forget how big she's getting. Kathryn used to help with things all the time at this same age, but Kaelyn still seems so little sometimes.

Anyway, I decided to have her help me, and I was so impressed with how careful she was. She was so excited to open each little package of newspaper to discover the treasure hiding inside. I loved watching her eyes light up as she carefully unwrapped each one, and then gently handed it to me to put away. She was so proud to be helping. I'm so glad I didn't take this moment away from her in fear of something breaking.

She was very careful...and the good news...nothing is broken!

A Neat Little Poem

The First Day of School
Author Unknown

She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside
The others in her class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed
In learning how to write..
It seems as though she must have grown
To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred as hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar her first beg day.
Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the and
To lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
My baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out.
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play:
She's not a baby anymore--
She's in Kindergarten today!

KINDERGARTEN!!!!!

Kathryn had her first day of kindergarten today! It started with a parent orientation on Tuesday, and then she went with Tim to her visitation yesterday. At orientaiton, she had to find things around her classroom, and find her way to various places at school.

She woke up VERY excited today which I was thankful about becuase she is often very apprehensive during new experiences. I am so thankful that her teacher is my very good friend and past teaching partner Mrs. Yates! It is making this transition so great for all of us!

Today was great. I was so proud to be taking her to school with me in the morning. She played with her friend Aleah, and then went willingly to her classroom when "her kids" were there. She was very excited that her friend Kelli was there, and settled in well without clinging to me, although she did look cautiously around to see what was going on.

I was a little sad when I realized I couldn't pick her up after school, and had to wait until I got out of school today at 4:00 to see how her day was. She was happy, and eager to tell me the details. I called her at day care on my lunch break, and I was glad to be able to talk to her! It made me feel connected, but I found myself a little jealous of the moms that got to pick their kids up at 11:00.

I was really happy to have her in my building. I love knowing that she is right down the hall, and in the wonderful classroom of my good friend and a super teacher! I am excited to get to "peek" at her as the year goes on!

The red plaid school girl dress was from today, and the pink shirt is from orientation. I think she looked so grown up! It's amazing that she is starting school. It's exciting, overwhelming, and a little nostaligic. I'm excited to watch her grow!

The LONG guilty (and FUNNY) message from Kathryn

(Here's a little background. Otter pops are a huge hit in our culdesac. The kids LOVE them. In fact every morning when Kaelyn gets up, she asks for an otter pop. Well, we have two rules about them. No otter pops until after lunch and then you can have 2 a day. With that knowledge, you can continue to read--she also told my mom that she needed to leave me a LONG message.) Feat accomplished.

Yesterday my kids were at my mom's so that I could work in my classroom and get things changed over to my first grade room. Kathryn called and left this message on my cell phone. I was totally cracked up!

Hi mommy. I love you. This is Kathryn.

Um, mommy? I had 6 otter pops today. And so I wondered if you cared about that. I actually had 7. I accindentally did that. I just had 7 otter pops. I did it on accident. I actually had 7 otter pops. I asked Grandma if I could please, please please have 7 otter pops. She said yes. I'm really sorry about that. Can I have 7 otter pops? Um, Can I have 7 oter pops every day now? Grandma gave me them and I'm really sorry. But I already had 7 otter pops. So, can I please PLEASE PLEASE have 7 otter pops today? I already had them. It was an accident. I had 7 otter pops today. I'm really sorry. I really want to have 7 every day. Um, I probably have to go now because we're going to go take Saylor for a walk right now. Well, bye!

Fun in the 'Hood!

A little Dirt won't hurt!

We've been working hard, (Tim more than I) to get our back yard ready for grass. We had a ton of dirt delivered last week, and the kids were thrilled! Part of the process was picking up rocks and sticks which is why Kaelyn has her gloves and boot on...pretty priceless huh? The yard is looking nice now. We're ready for grass!!

Monkey Bars!!!

Kathryn has been trying hard for the past few weeks to get across the monkey bars. Well, she came home from my mom's house today, and Voila!!

She was so proud!

Notice the new hairdo as well! The picture in the mirror was when she was saying,
"Wow! I think my hair looks beautiful!!!"