Kindergarten Round-Up

Last Thursday, I registered Reese and Collin for Kindergarten. I had the biggest lump in my throat and felt so emotional the entire week. I can't believe my babies are about to start full-time school. I have loved the time I have had home with them and want to cherish every moment this summer. They go 3 days a week now, from 9:00-2:15 and this is just perfect--can't we just keep it this way?
I think I am also highly emotional because I will most likely be going back to work next fall, hopefully teaching. This wasn't exactly what I dreamt about, because I always saw myself as "room mom", having lunch with my kids, attending all class parties, etc. and now I feel like I won't necessarily be able to do that. Life doesn't always go as planned, and right now, our family needs me to step up to the plate and help contribute financially. As we all know, the economy is not doing the greatest, and the real estate market is especially struggling. My financial contributions will hopefully help provide a safety net while the economy and market improves. Fingers crossed, I will work for a few years, and then I will be able to once again stay home and take care of the household.
In the meantime, I am going to enjoy Reese and Collin and make the very most of our summer. In the fall, I will send my babies off to Kindergarten and take advantage of all the events, parties, etc. that my new job will allow. I will trust God and have faith that whatever I end up doing next Fall is exactly where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing. Please say a prayer for our family, that doors will open, and that we will all be able to transition smoothly into this new phase of life.

Mia's Birthday Party!

Mia had a roller skating birthday party and I think it was the most fun you have ever had at a birthday party! Both of you cried when we had to leave, you were so disappointed. I think I know exactly what we will be doing for our birthday party this year--can't wait! Oh and Collin helped himself to the cheetos (see above)--think he got enough?? Julianne, hope you don't mind us borrowing your birthday idea--it was a good one.

Collin got the GAME BALL!

Two weeks ago, Collin got the game ball! I can't believe how far he has come. He made an out and he hit the ball into the outfield. I am so happy he is improving technically, but more importantly how much his confidence has grown. He is having a blast and on a regular basis he asks Jeff and me to play baseball in the backyard with him. I love watching all the boys play so well--even playing teams a year older! Go STAMPEDE!!!

Easter Sunday at Nana & Apa's

Beautiful day at Nana & Apa's! We had a yummy lunch, the kids had an Easter egg hunt, we flew a kite and rode 4 wheelers. We all love getting out of town, enjoying the warm weather and open land to play on. Great day to spend with family--we are so blessed!

Easter Bunny

Easter Bunny brought lots and lots of treats this year! Sunday morning, Reese woke up first and we wouldn't let her go in until Collin woke up. Collin got up about 30 minutes later and ran in yelling, "The Easter Bunny came, The Easter Bunny came" and he was trying to tear out of there to go check out his goods. We told him to come back, we had to get the cameras ready. He told us he "peeked" in and he was bubbling over with excitement--and was getting Reese really excited too. Finally, we let the kids go check it out and sure enough--the bunny stopped at our house!

Easter with the Miller's

I was not very good about taking pictures, but we did celebrate Easter with the Miller's. I am in a little bit of a slump with my picture taking, finding it hard to actually get out the camera and snap away, but I am trying to get back on my game. I think the real issue is a need a new "nice" camera, but that may be a while, so I might as well do the best I can.
Anyways, to the subject at hand, we went to Yaya's (Mary's) on Saturday evening and had good drinks, yummy food and great company. The kids had a blast with Carter and Charlie and it was so great to see baby Brooks. I didn't even snap a picture of that precious angel on his first Easter--what kind of aunt am I?? Coco and Papa hid some Easter treats and the kids got to hunt for them. We had a wonderful time--thank you Yaya!

Dyeing Easter Eggs

Friday, Amy and I decided to get the kids together to color Easter Eggs. We bought more than enough stuff--egg dye, stickers, glitter pens, egg "spinner" and all types of goodies. We had close to 6 dozen eggs between the two of us--the kids had alot of fun, but only Reese held out until they were ALL done. Collin held in there until the end, but Amy and I ended up doing about the last dozen. The kids did a really good job, they only cracked a few in the process, but it was well worth the fun. I personally think it is an Easter tradition to dye Easter eggs and hope our kids will enjoy it and have fun with it as we always have!

Good-Bye and Good Luck Ms. Chandee

One of Reese and Collin's teachers this year is Ms. Chandee. We received word a couple of weeks ago that her husband had been laid off and and found a new job in San Antonio. Ms. Chandee decided to go ahead and move with him, so last Thursday we said "Good-bye" to Ms. Chandee. She is one of the sweetest and most patient persons I have ever met. It is so interesting having both of my kids in her class because they handled this situation so differently. Collin must have said 1 million times "I don't want Ms. Chandee to move/leave." He asked tons of questions, asked if we can go visit her, where San Antonio is, etc. He teared up on many occasions and was really sad about it. Ms. Chandee said on her last day that he hardly left her side and was really attached to her all day. Reese on the other samed seemed pretty unphased by it all. She said she would miss her, but did not seem emotional about it. Well, Friday morning, Reese asked me, "do you know it was so hard for me to fall asleep? Every time I closed my eyes, I would think about Ms. Chandee". This just made me realize, she was probably just as sad, they just process things differently. So, we are sad to see her go, but wish her all the best!! My kids have had a great year with her and have learned alot. These last 7 weeks of school, we will have Ms. Shannon and Ms. Ashlyn who are both very involved with Kidzworld. Ms. Shannon is a sub for Kidzworld and prior to subing she taught at Kidzworld. Ms. Ashlyn is the assistant director and prior to that she taught TK, so they both know all of the kids and are very familiar with the school. I know the kids will be in wonderful hands.