No Looking Back....

Well, all of the anxiety and stress leading up to Kailer's 1st day of Kindergarten was over in a flash!  Kailer and I had a little Mommy 'n Kailer back to school night date and on the way home, Kailer was upset with me because I told him that Dan and I would be taking him to school Thursday morning.  He wanted to ride the bus!  While I was insisting that we would take him to school, I did agree to let him ride the bus home that afternoon.

So Thursday morning he had breakfast (French toast, his choice) and dressed for the day.  I pretty much demanded pictures (no way he was getting out of those) and we loaded up to head to school.  We got to the playground, took a few more pictures, walked him to the brick wall, (where his class is to line up when the bell rings), he put down his backpack and he ran off!  I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped open in awe - I had just given that little boy 5 years of my life and he was gone just like that?!?! ;)  Dan beckoned him back and we got him to give us each a hug, followed by Dad's advice of, "Don't kiss a girl on the 1st day of school."   Just as quickly he said, "Bye" and took off like a rocket - never even looking back!  My eyes were stinging with tears and my chest was tight as I watched my baby head to the playground without missing a beat!  My heart was aching, but I was beaming with pride in knowing that somewhere along the way we must have done something right to prepare him for this monumental day!!  Dan, Aylah and I slowly walked back to the car and I continued to watch for Kailer until he was no longer in sight.  Dan said to me, "Sure, you wore your big sunglasses so I couldn't see the tears."  I let out a shaky laugh and managed to say, "Maybe."  

Poor Aylah, we no more than got to the car before she asked, "Where's Kailer?"  This questions has been asked, oh, probably 50 times/day since he started school.  I knew she was going to miss him, but his absence from the house has really had an impact - on all of us, in different ways.  She was very excited when it was time to go out and wait for him to get home. When the bus pulled up she started squealing and clapping, "There's Kailer," she yelled!  Her little bare feet couldn't carry her fast enough down the sidewalk as she embraced him in a loving hug!  It was the sweetest reunion; I wish I would have had it on video.

It's safe to say that Kailer is enjoying school, the bus rides, lunch and recess!! :)  Finding out that he can choose CHOCOLATE milk at lunch was simply icing on the cake!!  Friday morning he was up at 5:30 a.m. I told him he needed to try and get some sleep or he was going to be tired.  He didn't fall back asleep; pretty sure the morning bus ride had him very excited!  He left Aylah and I at the bus stop just as quickly as the morning before on the playground!

 We've already gotten positive reports from his teacher and we're looking forward to watching Kailer grow socially and academically this school year!

Kailer 'n Mommy Date

1st Day of Kindergarten

Anxious to get going, but I snagged him up for another hug - he's not too big for that yet!!

Big Smiles!!

Doing my best to keep Aylah occupied while Kailer is at school.

The Housekeeper

Okay, so I'm kind of a "do it yourself" kind of girl!  Dan actually teases me and will say that there are certain things that he WONT teach me how to do, because if he did, I wouldn't need to keep him around! :)  While I'm not that bad, it would be safe to say that I'm very particular about the way things are done and I'm not one to ask for help very often.

 

But after this past year and lots of tedious cleaning, I decided maybe it was time to hire a housekeeper.  Not something I would normally do, but you know, I figured it wouldn't hurt to hire a helper to do some of the basic cleaning, until I can get around to deep cleaning. 

 

I was concerned the first couple of days, as she didn't really show up, in fact, at one point I wasn't even sure she was still around.  But much to my delight, by the 3rd day, she made her presence known and has been pretty good ever since.

 

I'm pleased to introduce you to our housekeeper:  Ms. S. Cargo!

 

 

Dino Dash!

Last Saturday (8/23/14), Kailer participated in his first organized "race," - around here, it's known as the Dino Dash!  He has been so excited about it since I ran my race in March.  He was super excited to get his number bib and it's taking some convincing to get him to take it off now. 

The weather was pure crumminess (no, that's not a word, but it's a good adjective for that day) - it was cold, very wet and MUDDY!  We knew before the race started that there was going to be a mud pit at the end, but we never anticipated it would be THIS muddy!

My little guy was sooo excited and despite the weather, he was rearing to go!  So we went and much to my surprise, so did about 900 other little Dino Dashers....okay, a bit of an exaggeration there.  But, there were a lot of kids and they had a great time! 

Waiting for the race to start.

And, They're off!



Lost his darn shoe in the mud pit.  Bless his little heart, he stopped to put it on, lost it again and then was convinced to just run with it in his hand. 






Go Kailer, go!

There's the finish line!



Muddy Mess!

While they didn't chip the kids to give them a place, Kailer definitely finished ahead of many kids, which of course made him proud.  I was thrilled for him and his first race.  He gave 110% determination!  When we got in the car, he said to me, "Mom, you know what I was thinking in my head?"  Me: "No, what were you thinking?"  Kailer, "I was thinking, I just want to make Mom happy." 

Oh boy, he's got my heart!!

Does a kitty like to snuggle?!

 

Last week we were watching our friends' dog and cat while they were out of town.  Aylah was always so happy to go down with me - and she especially like to see the kitty.  However, she might have learned the hard way that "the kitty doesn't like hugs."  Pretty sure that the kitty was just as startled as Aylah after the event!  Aylah just says, "I scared the kitty," .... Yes, yes you did!

 

 

It was amazing how many people quickly recognized the marks of the kitty on her cheek!

Random

Kailer Practicing his lunch-making skills

Aylah practicing being a pirate

The usual "crew" enjoying the trampoline! 

Dog Days of Summer

Okay, I know, some of you were beginning to think that I had fallen off the Blogging planet again! Well, I haven't and I have plenty to share....which also is why I haven't been blogging much.  We've been busy!!  A few weeks ago I took Kailer, Aylah and Edward (Kailer's very best friend) to the Splash Park.  They were having so much fun, that I finally had to bribe them to leave by promising an ice cream cone.  We definitely are not ready for summer to come to an end, but it's done - the Dog Days of summer are quickly fading away, as we're already seeing Fall colors popping through the leaves.

 

Mutt & Jeff

It was a pleasant surprise to also see our little friend (and neighbor) at the Splash Park as well!

Miss A - enjoying the water.

Waiting.....

Waiting....oblivious to what is above him! :)

Here it comes!!

Aylah also loved the Splash Park (as seen in the video).  She would go out, dance around, sing to herself, whatever - she wasn't even worried about the bigger kids that were around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBh5zqQ_N9s&feature=youtu.be

Boys and their toys!

Kailer could probably be categorized as having a slight obsession with motorcycles!  A family friend got one last year, when he turned 6, and now Kailer is convinced that 6 is the magic age at which one is old enough. Mama is not quite so sure - not to mention, that if Kailer gets one, well, that would probably translate into Daddy getting one as well!?

So at this point in time, he waits and waits, in hopes that someday his dream of riding a motorcycle will come true.  But last Sunday Dan surprised Kailer by taking him out to the local MX races!  Apparently he was super excited by the surprise when they got there.  I asked Kailer if he knew where they were going and he said he "had an idea, because he saw the racing flags {indicating which direction to turn} as they were driving."  When he came home he was moping around and I asked him what was wrong?  He stated that he "Didn't want to leave, he was having too much fun!"

In the height of his glory!

Pigtail Princess Turns 2!

Two years ago, the Pigtail Princess entered our world.  We should have known that her entrance into the world (When SHE was ready, but no time to spare when that time arrived) was a sure sign of the type of child she would be.  In fact, I should have known even before she was born (based solely on her excessive activity) that she wasn't going to be a lot different than Kailer.  She's one of a funniest people in my life - she can be sweet and loving, but just as quickly turn into a short fuse ready to ignite.  She's smart, beautiful and a challenge all rolled into one.  Somehow, two years slipped by in a blink of an eye.  Here she is growing up, talking up a storm and idolizing her brother and his friends.  Aylah loves anything purple, enjoys Minnie Mouse, music and kitty cats.  She hardly ever turns her nose up at food and happily announces when she's ready for bed. She's too stubborn to potty train, yet dislikes a dirty diaper.  She's the Princess that balances out the monster trucks and superheros that litter the toy room - she was also the golden ticket that softened her Daddy's heart!  Thank you, Lord, for bringing her to us and completing our family! 

 

Aylah and her new pool.

She got 3 new chapsticks for her b-day, put them all on and then {apparently} thought she should taste them.

'Lil Miss Hollywood

Checking out her new purple bike, while sporting her new shades and high heels!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm....the cake!!
Happy Birthday Miss A.

(Click on the below link to watch her singing Happy Birthday to herself and see her blow out her candles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh7Xo5GQMys&feature=youtu.be

Funny Aylah Quotes/Sayings

*She calls her blanket "Blanko"

*The stuffed buffalo is called a "Cantaloupe"

*Aylah: "Oh, what was that?"
Me: "I don't know, what was it?"
Aylah: "It was me, I had a little toot-toot in my belly!"

*She caller her sequence shoes "Sprinkle shoes"

It's a Big Deal!

I need to take a step back in time and touch on Kailer's birthday.  Because, after all, turning 5 IS a B.I.G. Deal!  Planning for Kailer's birthday (more specifically the theme and the cake) begins, oh, somewhere between May 31 and June 1!!  This kids lives for HIS day and rightfully so - we should all learn to embrace our day.  Somehow that's one of those things that goes away after the big 2-1!

 

I enjoy making my kids happy with little things that hopefully will leave a lasting imprint in their memory bank.  So for Kailer's 5th birthday.....  

 

 

 

I decorated the outside of his door....

Made him a special PB&J for his lunch box.....

Made "Hamburgers" for his school treat with his friends.......

....And made him birthday cake oatmeal!

These two little kids can sure melt our hearts!

For his party he had Lego juice boxes.....

A Lego piñata (courtesy of yours truly).....

Pin the head on the Lego man (I spent hours putting this together/making the heads).....

Go Kailer!!

A not-so impressive cake (I actually think I could have done better, and that's saying a lot) for "Kiler"....

And OF COURSE singing with his friends and best little sister!

The Simple Things

Sometimes I'm distracted by the bigger things in life and I forget about the simple things.  One day last week I was busily working away on sewing some curtains as the kids were running rampant around me.  The sewing machine started to act up and while I quickly became impatient with the mishap, I also realized that I was about to take my frustration out on Kailer and Aylah.  So, instead, I took a few deep breaths and told them to go and gather their shoes and hats, "We're going to find something fun to do."  I loaded them up, tucked a surprise treat into my bag, slathered us up with sunscreen  and away we went.

Less than 5 minutes from our house is the best little fishing access that provides entertainment for water enthusiasts of all skill levels.  While neither one of my children swim, getting to play in the water was a welcome activity during the hot afternoon sun!

Oh and the popsicles were just an added bonus!

 

 

Mesa might have had a heart attack had I not taken her and she found out we went to the river. 

 

Kailer and I proceeded to catch some fish that were, well, "this" big....  Okay, so that might be a tad-bit of a fish story .... there was actually one in that baggie Kailer is holding - pretty tiny!!

'Lil Miss Sass!

Healthy Habits

I'm going to get on my soapbox, just for a moment, and then I'll feel better and get on with life!

If there's one thing we try to do, as a family, is remain healthy - snacks, meals, drinks and lead an active lifestyle.  Now, we are by NO means perfect, but we try.  But if there's one thing that really irritates me, it's when one of my children asks (or try to take without asking) for something they shouldn't have (i.e. soda, random pieces of candy, etc) and the other party involved responds by saying, "No, your mommy says you can't have that."  While that is the truth, why does Mom have to be the 'bad' person?  I don't know why that rubs me the wrong way, but it does. I suppose that's the easy answer to a 2 and 5 year old, but after seeing this video (below), I'm convinced that it's never too early to be upfront and honest with children about the importance of what they are taking into their bodies!!  I'm not opposed to allowing my children treats, but education about our food (and it's effects - both positive and negative) is so vital.  Statistics indicate that today's children are likely to die before their parents.  I sure as heck don't want that to happen!!

Ok, End Rant!

http://fox5sandiego.com/2014/08/10/powerful-video-may-change-the-way-you-feed-your-child-2/#axzz3A2wRDW5o

Sticky Buns!

There's something about a child's fingerprints!  No matter how 'clean' I think I've gotten them, there is never a day when I don't see them on the table, sliding glass door, counters, mirrors..... Pretty much everywhere they can reach (and amazingly enough, even places that they can't reach?!).  Sticky little digits!!

With the intention of making these bunny cinnamon rolls at Easter, we made them in August!  I mean, why not, bunnies are around in August as well.  In fact, judging by the numbers we've seen in our own backyard, I'm guessing that they reproduced quite nicely this year.

So here are Kailer and Aylah's creations!!

Enjoying a few extra almonds and craisins

G.U.I.L.T!!  It reared its ugly head early this week - other parents with a child entering kindergarten may be able to relate.  I realized that I had less than a month left with Kailer. Suddenly 5 years worth of night time stories, play dates, picnics, outings, nursery rhymes, craft projects, walks, bike rides, board games, movies, parades.... - you name it - ..... just didn't seem like enough!  How could 5 years have passed and I feel like I've missed it; all 1825 days, 43,800 hours. 
For as much as I'm open to the idea of Kailer going to kindergarten, I'm NOT ready to pass him on to the realities of life, school and growing up.  He looks at me with his big blue eyes and says, "Mom,  I'm not ready to be a grown-up."  Those words, that innocence - oh, it takes my breath away to think that this little guy is so wise beyond his words.  The year ahead for him is going to bring about so many changes .... laughter, fun, learning, frustration, "ah-ha" moments, sadness and hurt.  There's nothing easy about life and growing up is hard to do.
I've tried to create so many wonderful memories with Kailer and Aylah and I can only hope that one day they will look back and be proud of the parents we were to them.  Despite the challenges of parenthood (and there are plenty), we have two incredible children and I truly can't thank God enough for their presence in my life.  They have taught me more about myself in the past 5 years than I could have ever learned in a lifetime without them.  My goal is to, once again, do a better job of blogging.  While I'd like to think that my life might be a little "less busy" with only have 1 child at home, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to find the complete opposite!!
In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures and keep us in your thoughts as we gear up for our future graduate of 2027!!

Daddy and his girl!

Aylah with her friend Sandy.

Still loves his Superheros!

Riding the 1880 Train -- Happy 4th of July!

So much fun at the lake

Because when there's a fire emergency, there's no time to change clothes!