School Daze

What happened to time? Where did it go? How did preschool sneak up on us? Today was Emily's first day of preschool. Granted, she is starting early, but still. Long story short, I wanted Emily to have a few days a week to be away from me, learning to sit still, listening to a teacher, playing with others, etc. And to be honest I was looking forward to a little free time myself. Like you know, time to use the bathrom by myself, and maybe do the grocery shopping without having to say "No" 100 times. But because the school cut-off in TN is Sept. 30th Emily was going to be put in the 2 year old class at almost every school I called. Boo. :( However, Collierville Presbyterian Day School has a December 30th cut-off and so she is in their 3yr old class! It worked out perfectly. It is less than a mile from the house and she'll only go 2 days a week from 9:15-2:15. The school is really small, which I like. There are only 4 classes in the whole school (Two 3yr old classes, a 4yr old class, and a Pre-K), there are only 6 kids in her class with one teacher, Miss Beth. And she's learning more 3yr old stuff like letters and counting, things a 2 yr old class wouldn't. And since this school is one of the only ones with a late cut-off, there are other younger kids in her class. She isn't even the youngest. It's just perfect! She is very, VERY excited to go to "chool" as she calls it. And surprisingly, I was really excited too! I got a little sad last night, but this morning neither one of us cried! Whoop! Whoop!

And now you know what's coming. Yup. I was THAT mom. As much grief as I gave my mom for making us take that stupid "First day of school" picture year after year, now it begins for Emily. So here is our big girl, all grown up (as she would say "Growed up").

Me & My girl!

Being silly to let out a few nerves.

I will admit that promptness is not my strongest trait, but in an effort to change for the better we showed up EARLY! No, really! I wanted to have some time to take a few pictures in front of the sign. Yep. I'm THAT mom. :)

Yep. She's checking out her own shoes. They are pink sparkly sneakers and she picked them out all by herself!

One of the perks to this school is that our good friend Chloe is there too! I am really good friends with her mom and we are use to seeing Chloe often. Her older brother Austin went here 2 years ago which is actually how I learned of it. She'll be 4 in December so she's in the 4 year old class. But they see each other on the playground for an hour each day. Apparently they're going to give their teachers a run for their money. Today they we playing "dead" and burying each other in the sand. Ooops! That would be our girls.

Emily with her teacher Miss Beth. Sorry for the picture quality, I was trying to snap it and go before someone started crying.

And so it begins, twice a week my little girl is going to "chool."

The Power of Prayer

Over the past several months Emily's imagination has totally taken off and I'm amazed everyday at what that little mind of hers comes up with. I've been meaning to start a "Funny things Emily says" regular post. But the trouble with a 2 year old is you're so busy keeping up with them that you don't have time to post all the funny things they say! So here's tofay's installment. And I promise to be more diligent in the coming months.

Now, the reason for the title about prayer was today's toddler moment. While shopping today Emily found a cute set of newborn nightgowns. The conversation went something like this:

Emily: Awe, these are cute.
Me: Well, Emily, those are for little bitty babies.
Emily: Mommy, I want us to have a tiny baby.
Me: Well, maybe you should ask Jesus for a baby.
Emily: (Immediately sits down under the rack and folds her little hands) Jesus, please can I have a baby sister? Amen.
Me: (tears in my eyes)

fast forward to car ride home...

Emily: Mommy, we need to tell Jesus about the Veggie Tales movie and the Lolly-pops.
Me: Baby, I'm sure He knows, Jesus can see everything.
Emily: But we still need to tell Him about everyting (Misspelling intentional)
Me: OK. "Jesus, thank you for today, thank you for our time together and for the Veggie Tales movie. I'm so grateful for my sweet baby girl who has been soooo good today." (With a little wink to the backseat) "Amen."
Emily: No Mommy, we need to ask Him for a baby, remember.
Me: Ok, "Jesus, please send us a baby sister for Emily."
Emily: No, Mommy. Jesus is going to give us TWO babies.
Me: (trying not to swerve off the road) No, ma'am. How about we just ask for one baby.
Emily: No. A baby brother AND a baby sister.
Me: Well, Em, babies are hard work. Let's just ask for one baby.
Emily: No mommy. You just have to try real hard. I know you could do it. You just gotta try real hard.
Me: (Trying so hard not to laugh) Ok Em.
Emily: No, Mommy you gotta ASK Jesus for two babies.
Me: OK, here it goes. Jesus, please send us (choke) two babies and the grace to handle them!

So if in a few months you see a post that I've been committed, you will know that prayer works!

Babies And Not So Baby Anymore!

WARNING! Not for the faint of heart (aka, hormonal, sentimental, or otherwise likely to cry)

Babies, babies! Everywhere I look there are babies. Newly pregnant friends, just born babies, and soon to be born babies. Over the course of 4 days I had two friends have babies and 1 friend announce a pregnancy. Geesh! This weekend we traveled to Franklin for a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Leigh and soon to arrive, Baby Harper. It was a great night put together by some of Leigh's friends. Maw Maw, PaPa and Jacie came up from Alabama and all us grown up girls went out to dinner to celebrate.

Before we headed back today we went by to see our friends Scott and Anne and their two girls Morgan (almost 2) and sweet new baby Ellen! There is nothing like holding a tiny, snugly, fresh from Heaven baby! We thought about just running off with her when Anne wasn't looking but since they know where we live we figured they'd find us eventually! :) Three days after Ellen graced this world with her presence, my sweet friend Tara welcomed her fourth (Yes, on purpose) child into this world. Meet baby Sophia Elise! So I did what any self-respecting friend would do. I cooked them dinner as a rouse to go over and snuggle their new baby for a bit! And in true 4th child form Sophia attended her first playdate at an amazing 8 days old and handled it like a champ. Although I have to admit, I've never seen grown women fight like that over anything before. We were stalking each other like ninjas just waiting to swoop in and steal her for a few minutes. There was never a prize so worthy.
And as I started thinking of all the new babies in my world, I got sort of sentimental over the not so babies in my world. Of course the most obvious was my own baby who reminds me daily that she is not a baby, she is a big girl. :( As she says, "I gonna be a big girl so I can go to chool!" And watching her with her cousin Rowan this weekend who is a mere 1 year younger than her, I realized just how much they grow up in 1 short year.

And big girls just keep getting bigger. Upon her arrival Jacie quickly reminded us that she started High School last week. Eeeek! I know this was more startling for Dave who remembers her as a baby, but I just have her locked in my head the way I met her, as Dave's baby cousin. It seems like just yesterday she was the flower girl in our wedding six short years ago.

Now she is a green-eyed knock out with 4 brand new pair of Miss-Me jeans and cowboy boots, courtesy of her Make-A-Wish shopping spree. You might remember that Jacie has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and had a pretty hard fight just a few years ago. But like any southern girl, she kicked it's butt! At 14 she has been through more than any kid should have to go through, but boy! Have she ever come out better and more beautiful on the other side of all that!

I couldn't help but think how fast her next four years are going to go as she finishes High School and heads off to college. And I couldn't help but think that because this week my baby sister moved into her dorm at San Francisco State University. (Ok, break out the tissues) I honestly cannot believe she is already grown and living on her own. I give my mom a hard time about the monsoon she created when she dropped Alyssa off, but truth be known, I've shed a few tears myself. I'm so excited for all she has ahead of her, and so proud of her for trying out for their cheer leading team next week. She's jumping in with both feet and I know she will succeed. But it brings back so many emotions of leaving behind good friends to start a new adventure myself 11 long years ago. Literally that was a lifetime ago! Here she is getting her first "Big Girl Bed"

And now her "Big Girl Bed" is hundreds of miles from home, surrounded by suitcases and strangers. OMG.

Love you little sis!

And now I'm going to go sneak into Emily's room and give her 10 more kisses goodnight while her big girl bed is still in my house!

It's 5 O' Clock Somewhere

This weekend we had the privilege of visiting our good friends Jeremy & Lindsey at their boat house on Center Hill Lake. What a great time! Big shout out to Grandma Jamie & Grand-Dude for keeping little bit for us so we could have some grown-up time. Dave was excited. Really, REALLY, excited!

And we're on the boat! The view was amazing, perfect day.
Me & the Hubs

Dave barely waited for the boat to stop before he was in the water.

Our gracious hosts.

Happy boy

Wait... What? Smile? Huh?

Take two

Fuzzy.

Group shot

One of my favorite gals!

Taking it easy. Nice hat Lindsey!

Dave had to take a quick trip on the kayak before we headed home. I let him tow me around on the float for a bit. You know, to make him feel special. Just for his sake, really. ;)

We had an awesome time. Thanks so much to Jeremy & Lindsey for being such great hosts and even better friends. We love you guys. Hope to be back soon!

Family & Fun in California

Wow, if you're still reading these, thanks! We had two awesome weeks in California this June. But between Alyssa's graduation, the marathon, and Sea World, we did have some time just to hang out & play! The weather was GORGEOUS! I mean really gorgeous. It never got above 78 degrees and most days it didn't hit 70! Crazy even for California that time of year. But it made for some great trips to the park!

My crazy little monkey!
I have no idea where she gets it from!

We met Uncle Chris for lunch one day. Emily took special attention to get ready. :)

Thanks to my awesome mom for giving me the opportunity to sneak away a few times to visit with friends over coffee or a hike. Where did they go? Oh, the park of course!

Sidebar: Is this my baby? Why does she look so grown up?!?!? Ugh!

Her and Grandma were working on their communication skills.

On the day before we left it got up to 78 degrees. Still not quite hot enough to go to the beach but we did sneak in a little time at the pool. It was super cold though.

My big kid jumped in over, and over, and over again! No fear!Ok Grandpa, no directing from those who are not willing to actually get in the pool!

Thanks to Grandma for getting these great action shots! She was a constant moving target.

My Favorite picture of the entire trip I think!

Mommy's sweet girl!

Teeth chattering, she was still smiling.

She was showing Grandma Dee her Baby Dinosaur impersonation. ROAR!

Like I said, it was pretty cold so before too long we ended up in the hot tub.

After Uncle Chris got home from work we met us at the park. I think he might be her favorite person ever.

Monkey!

I really have no idea where she gets it from!?!?

My beautiful sister-in-love, Holly, and Uncle Chris. Sweet goodbyes.

One more picture with Grandma and Grandpa.

And after 2 weeks in California this pretty much sums up how we felt! Time to come home to Daddy!