Hello First Grade

If it seems like a mistake that I just posted Sam's last day of Kindergarten and am just 3 weeks later posting about his first day of first grade, it is no mistake.  Here in "Kidville", we are on year round schedules (Sam is in 1 of 9 first grade classes this year) and that's just how the ball bounces.

Sam was very excited, and nervous.  Yesterday he went and met his teacher and learned how things work.  We had a classroom and school tour and learned how to have lunch at school.  This helped take a lot of the butterflies in his stomach away. 

 This morning we had a Back to School party ready for him to be excited for his big day.

 He got his favorite breakfast, pancakes, and even had a special little something waiting for him.

 We gave him one prize with breakfast and then another to open when he got home if he was able to make it through his first day.

 James and Chloe were so excited for Sam and wished him the best.

 First day pictures.

 One of the best and most exciting things about going to first grade is that Sam now gets to play on the big playground.  Good times will be had for sure.

My favorite thing about today was when I picked Sam up from school and he said, "I guess first grade isn't so bad after all."  That a boy!

Everybody Buckled?

James is so sweet.  He asked if he could take his toys in the car with him and I okayed it.  As I was backing out of the garage he panicked and yelled, "Wait, my toys aren't buckled yet!"  I waited until everyone was secure and we could proceed.  What a little cutie!

Book Worms

We haven't been to the Library in ages so we decided it was high time we went.  (Especially since I'm feeling the urge to get lost in a great book.)  The kids had a blast.  They were so good and it seemed as if I was invisible as they found books and comfy spots and started reading.  I just loved watching them get lost in what ever world their book was taking them to.

 Chloe isn't quite there yet.  She loved her books but quickly found that climbing and jumping off the fun furniture was much more exciting. ;)

Mom Has a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

I had a great birthday this year.  It all started Saturday with my brother Mark taking me out to breakfast.  What a treat.  It was way fun and I'm glad we got some time to spend together.  Next it was off to the movies with the family.  We went and saw Turbo.  Great show. 

 

Today we started started the day with a delicious french toast breakfast.  Yum!  My favorite.

 The kids then informed me that I needed to decorate for my party.  During our efforts we had a silly yellow balloon that wouldn't come down from the ceiling.  We had to keep throwing balls at it until we finally got it down.  It was a highlight of the day for sure.

 We then had a fun dinner at Red Robin with some friends of mine, Danica and Arlee.  Chloe commandeered my dessert and I think we all disappeared from her vision as she enjoyed every last bite of it.

 After dinner it was home for cake and ice cream for the rest of us.  At this point James informed me that my party wasn't very fun, so we had to work on that with big servings.

 Chloe enjoyed the rest of the evening making up songs for me.  They were hilarious.  Everything from Happy Birthday to singing about brownies and puppies.  That was my highlight of the day.

 

The birthday celebration will continue this weekend with the M Parents.  Dinner and a movie, Wolverine.  I'm so spoiled! :)

 

We Didn't Even Leave the House!

We sometimes do fun movie nights at our house where the kids get to choose a new movie, pop popcorn, and stay up late.  We like this because they are usually so happy and into the new show that we get to go downstairs and enjoy a show of our own. 

Well, when we came up tonight when their show was over we came up to this.  A totally trashed family room. 

 I couldn't believe it.  I had flashes of future of parties my kids will throw when they're older.  It was so funny to me.
We also found this drawing.  It cracked me up when Sam explained what it was.  He said he was hungry so he drew 987 nachos.

80's Party

I had fun this week coming up with decorations for my friend, Jenny's surprise birthday party.  Her husband contacted me about 2 weeks ago with the challenge.  I think it turned out so great.  I went with zebra and neon and it just fell into place.  With bright dice and records and neon sprayed cassette tapes it looked fabulous.  I topped it all off with some record bowls I made and it was perfect.  Fun stuff.  Fun night.

Fresh Air

The kids enjoyed an evening at the park with Dad today.  They had a blast and couldn't stop talking about it all night.  I bet it was refreshing for them, since they usually have to put up with me taking them.

Say Cheese

Ever since we got our iPad the kids have loved taking pictures and videos.  It is now a weekly task for me to go through the literally hundreds of pictures and keep the half decent ones and delete all the pictures of the carpet, walls, foreheads, etc.

Here are some of our favorites that have been taking lately.  We also have loved our videos.  We video everything and the kids will just sit and watch them over and over and giggle their little hearts out.

Lone Ranger Party

We had a blast getting together with some friends for a Lone Ranger party and BBQ.  My friend Melinda and I co-hosted it as she provided the house and I the decor and then everyone pitched in with the food.  It was so fun to get together with some of our friends as I have been a hermit lately and laying low with my back that has been acting up...and I always love a party! :)

I was so excited about seeing the movie even though we had heard that it wasn't that great, so we decided to make a night of it anyways and have some fun.

I went and borrowed a bunch of great western things from my friends who have a "farm" and made some banners and table runners to go with it.  It turned out so cute and we really did have a blast.  The coyote skins I brought was the biggest hit even though it freaked me out.

Even though the movie wasn't great we still had fun.  This night totally makes me want to have a movie club where we have fun dinners and then go and see a movie.  That would be right up my alley...hum...that's got me thinking... :)

Wounded

We're still not sure how it happened or what he did, but Seth's hand has been hurting him for a while now.  He finally went to the doctor and had to be put in a soft cast for a week to rest it.  Here's to hoping it will get better soon, cause I'll tell you what, he's not getting out or chores for too much longer! ;) 

Shopping with Kids

My kids are great, don't get me wrong, but sometimes when we go shopping it is like they think of everything they can do to make it stressful.  This time I turned around in the store and they were gone.  I was flipping out.  I hadn't heard them run away.  Where had they gotten off to?!  Just then they all popped out of the boas and "roared" at me.  It was so funny.  Little stinkers.  These are the types of things they do that turn the stress of it all into uncontrollable little giggles.  I am thankful for these little crazies!

Girls Will be Girls

Chloe has become best friends with Paige, the girl who lives just behind us.  They are great buds and love to play together.  From riding bikes in the alley, to sharing suckers, to playing princess dolls, to dressing up as princesses themselves, they are inseparable.  I am so glad she has a good friend so close, and I'm ever more grateful that I like her mom, Laura, and have made a new good friend in her.