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.

Spring Break!

Today was Lyla's first day back to school after her first ever spring break!  There was plenty of sun (and some rain), drinking (orange juice) and nudity (Evie), breakfast in bed, outdoor adventures, and ice cream.  Pretty much everything you'd expect from any spring break.  ;)

It was an awesome week.  There's nothing I love more than having less plans, less timelines, less stress.  Getting to slow down and focus a little more on fun is my cup of tea.  And that's just what we did.  Nothing big, just fun little outings and a lot of putzing around at home.  It was absolutely perfect!

Here are some pics!

- K

Finally getting some time outdoors!!!

Back to rain and cold, but we made the most out of it!

Lyla's latest obsession is breakfast in bed.  Which she offers to sleep in for, so I gladly oblige.  ;)

Soakin' up those rays!

She's a professional with no training wheels already! 

The weather was so good we picked up ice cream and headed to the park!

Evie thoroughly enjoyed hers.

Thoroughly.

Sweet sister cuddles!

Spent another cooler day seeing Boss Babies.

Gotta love those 3D glasses.  ;)

Kevvy cuddles!

And a birthday celebration!!

Grandma and Pop made it out for Ryan's birthday weekend.  More on that later!!  :)

Grandparents, Road Trips and Pumpkins!

A couple weeks ago (I swear someday I'll get back to writing in a more timely manner...) Ryan's parents came out to visit and to watch the girls while Ryan and I took a mini road trip to Iowa to catch the Florida Georgia Line concert.  They came with us to drop Lyla off at her second day of school, and then to Target to let Evie cruise around with a kid cart and check out the Halloween décor.  Her latest obsession is shopping with those kid carts and the "keepy tuff" (creepy Halloween decorations :) at every store.

That afternoon Ryan and I took off for Des Moines and spent two nights and two glorious, lazy mornings away from our little early risers.  The concert was awesome, and we had a blast putzing around Des Moines for a couple days.  It's so nice to escape every once in a while and get back to just being us - even if it's just for a couple days.

When we got back to town we all headed to the local pumpkin patch and fall festival, where we did some punkin chuckin and made new friends at the petting zoo.  We always have fun at that place, and it certainly didn't disappoint this year!

Thanks, Grandma and Pop for letting us get aways and for loving on our girls while we were gone! :)

- K

 

On our way into school.

 

Grandma and Pop brought this pink cowgirl hat to complete Evie's Sheriff Callie costume.  She barely took it off.

 

Already a professional little shopper.

 

We even found a costume for Kev!

 

That afternoon we took off for Iowa.  The sky was gorgeous!

 

Pre-partying at the hotel before the concert :)

 

The next day Ryan got a little patriotic booty ink.  When in Des Moines, you know?

 

 

And then we went to dinner.  Two date nights in a row?!

 

Everybody orders the oysters in Des Moines, right?  So fresh.

 

We started out our visit to the pumpkin patch with a little punkin chuckin'.

 

Evie's a little jumping queen these days.

 

Always Queen of the Hill.  :)

 

The corn pits are always the hit of the entire day.  There's just something about wading around in dry corn kernels my kids can't get enough of.  Although neither of them really figured out this whole rope swing thing.

 

My faves.

 

I can't remember what this guy was, but I loved the way he casually chewed on his cage.  Somebody obviously needs to get him some floss.

 

If I could've loaded this guy up and brought him home, I totally would have.  Officially on the wish list.

 

Lyla kept telling Ryan that this kangaroo was a mama because "she looked sad".  I'm trying not to take offense.  But sure enough, tiny baby head sticking out of her pouch!  Either that or a Chihuahua...

 

First he went in for my beer...

 

Then he went in for a kiss.  I obviously wasn't into it.  #photogenic

Lyla said she wanted to take a picture with "her sweet mom".  Love her so much.