Visitors!

This past weekend we had Grammy and Papa in town, and it was the first time Papa got to meet our Rowan.  When Grammy was in town right after Rowan was born, Lyla requested to have Papa come out for his birthday so she could plan him a surprise birthday party.  He came, but the surprise party wasn't much of a surprise.  Or a party.  More like just dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  ;)

It was a fun and very busy weekend.  Rowan showed off all his cuteness and the girls showed off their screaming lungs and every range of emotions.  Sometimes I'm just a little surprised that people continue to visit us and our crazy.  Gotta love family.  :)

Here are some pictures from the few days.  Thanks for coming, and for all the help!!

- K

Meeting the boy!

Look at that smile.  So cute I could die.

Cheesecake Factory!

Sever's Fall Festival.  The chicks LOVE this corn pit!

Pig races at the Fall Festival

And camel rides!

Check out those legs and kicks.  So many heart eyes.

Taking Lyla to Kindergarten.  She repped the Broncos that day.  ;)

After school we headed to Lake Calhoun for the greatest adventure of all time.

Adventure #1: Duck chasing

Adventure #2: Baby turtle spotting

Baby turtle!

These little guys were crawling out of a hole in the ground and running for the lake water.  They were so cute!

Sis and her "turtle team"

Adventure #3: Peddle Boating

I could eat that boy.

Adventure #4: Kayaking!

Adventures not pictured: Trying to find a parking spot, lunch (always a fun adventure trying to get kids to eat), swimming at the beach, playing at the park, collecting valuable treasures such as sticks, rocks, and bird feathers.

Making pancakes before preschool with Grammy!  :)

I think Sis saw geese...I'm not sure what Lyla is doing.

Last morning with Papa before they had to go.

The Fairest Weekend (and Unfairest Blog Post) of Them All

OK, this is the deal.  A week or more ago I spent a precious 2 hours of time writing this blog.  I say a precious 2 hours because I mean a precious 2 hours.  Every minute counts these days in getting anything done, but instead of doing something I needed to do I did something I wanted to do...because sometimes you get to make that choice.  Then after those 2 hours were done the blog refreshed and...blank screen.  There was nothing.  No words.  No pictures.  Wasted Time. 

There was rage and fury on my part but I think I managed to hold back the tears.  I have not, however, been able to let go of my grudge towards this blog or the internet or modern technology in general.  The problem is, I can't just never post these pictures because I do want the memories recorded.  So I guess they're just not going to be as pretty as they originally were because (I don't think I've ever said this overused saying before but) I. Just. Can't.  #bitterpartyofone ;)

Anyways, here's the long and short of it:

A) Ryan's friend, Jeff, came into town.  We went to the State Fair and ate too many chocolate chip cookies.  It was very fun.

B) The next day Jeff left and Goan came to watch the handsomest tiny man in the history of the world so we could take his big sisters to Valley Fair (nearby amusement park) for one last hoorah before school started.  It was a blast and much deserved for those little cuties.  They've been the best little helpers, and have handled waiting around while mama tends to the baby and being quiet while baby sleeps and being careful because baby is a baby so much better than I thought they would.  It was so nice to get a little break from all that and just be silly and loud and crazy for an afternoon.

Here are some pics!  :)

- K

State Fair!

Valley Fair!

Preschool!

Our little blondie started preschool today!  This little thing is our sensitive soul.  Evie gets her feelings hurt more easily, is more afraid to try new things, and gets embarrassed quickly.  She's also the first to compliment you, tell you she loves you, and is the best little hugger and snuggler.  

Our Evie Joy is still a little bit of a diamond in the rough, but she has matured so much in the last several months.  She has gained so much more confidence, been willing to get up and try again when something went wrong, and became the sweetest big sister.  She's even an official member of the neighborhood "friend team", according to Lyla.  :)

Last year, when Lyla was in preschool, we had so much fun in our couple of hours alone.  She would talk about getting to go to preschool herself, and when Lyla's new school also offered a 2 day, 2 hour preschool program for 3 year olds I knew it would be the perfect first step for her.  And she was pretty excited to get to go to school with her big sister!

I felt the tears coming on last night as I pulled her little dress out of the dryer in preparation for today.  We had gone to Target on Lyla's first day of school for her own little clothes shopping trip and when she saw this dress she said, "Oooh, my favorite color! Teal!!"  I don't even know when she learned teal was a color, but needless to say, she got the dress.  Pulling that little thing out of the dryer made me want to call the school and tell them I'd made a mistake.  She was too small for preschool and I was keeping her home for another year!  But I resisted the urge, and this morning when the fits started bright and early I was relieved to get a small break from the precious girl.  ;)

She was so excited to get dressed and put on her backpack and be a big kid with her sister.  When we got to the school she said "This is the first day of my LIFE!" and hurried to her class.  We hung up her backpack and took her jacket off, and when her teacher came to greet her she hesitated just for a minute, then realized there was play doh to be played with and ran right in.  No nerves, no tears, just a brave little 3 year old, spreading her wings.  Lyla went to her room next door, and I took off for a little alone time with my tiny guy.

Two hours later we were back and a small herd of 3 year olds came running to us parents yelling "Mommy! Daddy!!"  It was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.  I scooped up my 3 year old and we headed for the car.  We sat and ate snacks and played I Spy as we waited for Lyla to get out.  She told me all about her day and how much fun she had and how much she liked her teacher.  It was the perfect first day for my girl.  Can't wait to see her shine!

Proud of you, Sissy Sue!

- K

Kindergarten!

Well, we did it!  We survived one of my most feared days since the day she was born - the first day of Kindergarten!  And I even escaped without any tears (or at least without many) tears!  Mostly because we happened to find a school that still offers half days and the two littles were graciously chaotic enough to keep me from dwelling on anything besides my survival instinct.

It's been so fun getting ready for school with her!  Lyla and I went on a Target date to pick out school supplies and a couple new dresses and shoes.  We attended our orientations and open houses, read our Kindergarten books and planned out the first outfit.  She couldn't have been more ready.

This morning we had the cutest few minutes where it was just us (baby bro was sleeping and Evie was doing some self-reflection in her room).  She asked if I could curl her hair, so we were in the bathroom and she was excitedly chattering about school and about being excited but a little bit nervous.  I told her that not so long ago she was a tiny baby like Rowan, and all I'd do all day was hold her in my arms, and how back then I never imagined this day would actually come.  But here it is, already!  And I told her how proud I was of her and what a great time she was going to have at school.  It was only a couple minutes alone with my biggest kid, but they were the kind of minutes you'll never forget.

And, would you just look at that precious little beaming face?  The excitement radiates off of her.  Back in those days when she was my baby I really dreaded this day.  I cried a lot of tears over the idea of this day even happening, but now that it's here I wouldn't wish it away for anything.  I love every minute of watching her grow.  But seriously, she can stop now.  ;)

Love you, Lyla Loo!

- K

The obligatory first day pic!

We had a little visitor while we took pictures.  Lyla was SURE it was one we had grown earlier this summer.  ;)

I'm not really sure about the earmuffs...except that they were forced on my own head several times and I was told to listen for a lion roar.  Sort of like seashells and the ocean...?

Silly girls.  They drive me crazy, but I love them so.