A New School Year

Here they are, my senior and my 3rd grader ready to tackle another school year.  Well, almost ready.

Bella had a slight wardrobe change after this picture.  Actually, it was more of an accessories change.  She lost the bow and added earrings...

I warned Chris he HAD to take a picture that morning because it was his last first day of school picture.  Sniff, sniff.  Whew, was he grumpy.  He has been grumpy all week, but then again he is my child.  Mommy isn't a morning person either, but I do try to perk it up for my babies.  

Bella came in my room last night and asked me to pause the tv because "we needed to talk".  Nothing like those four words to make a mommy stop in her tracks, especially when your 8 year old is being very serious and follows up with "its about something I did in school today. Good grief child, its the second day of school and you're already in trouble?  My second thought was that I was just at the school for a parent meeting to hear about the school year and her teacher didn't say anything.  

She proceeded to remind me of how hard it is when you have all this work you have to do in the morning at school.  You work, you go to PE, you work some more, you go to lunch and then work some more in the afternoon.  "And mommy", she says, "you know how sometimes when you do all that work and you are just so tired you fall asleep?  Well I did that today."  

That's what happened....you fell asleep?  She said, "yep, I fell asleep!"  She said she wasn't asleep long because her teacher woke her up.  She just couldn't understand why she was so tired and she's tired of being tired. I told her the first week of school will be hard because she had been off all summer and its difficult to get back into a routine.  Its also why mommy makes her go to bed earlier and why we started practicing that a week before school started.  I told her it would be a good idea to lay down a little earlier to get some extra rest.  She agreed.  Poor kiddo.  I also told her mommy has a hard time going back to work after vacation because I get to sleep in and stay up late when I'm on vacation so I understood her having a hard time.  

My sweet nuggets.  God bless them this first few weeks of school.  Bless them all year but these first few are going to be rough.  

Halfway There

We are halfway through August and that means I'm getting the come on and hurry up September/Fall itch on my brain.  I have refrained from decorating but I did pick up this candle Saturday when Bella and I popped into the new Bath and Body Works store at the mall to take a look.

I cannot wait to burn this sweet smelling candle.  Bella did give me permission to start burning it now but I told her I was going to make myself wait until September 1st.  Be strong Missy, be strong.  

Truth is, up until Saturday I had firecrackers still in my yard.  I just haven't had the "want" to take down Fourth of July decor and have a blank slate before all things pumpkin spice is upon us.  Maybe this weekend will be it. I have to get the house picked up and cleaned before the 26th because I am having a jewelry party.  My cleaning lady had to quit cleaning homes for health reasons.  I just haven't found a new lady yet.  The kids are chomping at the bit because until that happens, we all get extra chores.  I have to say, it has been nice not having to worry about cleaning bathrooms, dusting and mopping floors for a good while now.  #spoiled

This heat has just been unbearable.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  Unless you are poolside, sitting in a river or enjoying another water source, its just too dang hot to be outside.  My take anyway.  I really should think about moving. 

The kids have one more week of summer before school starts August 21.  I can say with confidence that Chris could care less about school.  He would be content to keep working.  He loves having his own money, and mommy has enjoyed not handing over the debit card for gas money weekly.  Bella is 50/50 on school starting.  She enjoys her time off but misses her friends.  I finished up school shopping last week.  Supplies were bought once we were back from the river--kinda started that "tradition" a few years ago.  Christopher only asked for a couple pairs of jeans and shirts.  Bella is pretty much set.  She still needs jeans but I hesitate to buy them now because its still so hot and she won't wear them much.  I know the stores will still carry them for a while so I'm not worried.  As for me, I'm about 50/50 as well.  I'm ready for the routine but not ready for the homework and tears and whining.  But hey, that's just me.  I'm sure the kids will be fine!  

We will meet Bella's teacher and get her class assignment tomorrow. Christopher picks up his schedule Thursday, and then we are off to the races come Monday morning.  Pray for us.  

Have a good one!

August!

I can't help but get a tiny bit excited when August rolls around.  This means Fall is just around the corner and I can start decorating with everything pumpkin. It also means we are closer to another school year and this year is extra special because my son will be a SENIOR.  Whoa!  I can't explain how strange this feels.  I was just a new mommy yesterday trying to figure everything out and crying when my mom left me with a brand new baby to take care of.  I had been around babies all my life, babysat them, but to have my own, holy crap that was scary.  As it turns out, he grew and thrived and has turned into a really good kid. There have been some hiccups along the way but I like to tell myself that every parent has hiccups with their children.  Its a right of passage as a parent for your children to test you, force you to be strong, sometimes mean and get all parenty (yep, I'm making that a word) on them. God help me, I still have many years to go with that 8 year old in the house.  LOL!
Seriously, my kids are pretty good kids but I swear to you there was a "poof" and here we are, staring at Christopher Michael's senior year of high school.  Let's have fun with it and kick ass.  No stress.  These are the words I have said to him many times this summer and will say again before his first day of classes.  THIS is going to be a good year.  Positive thinking.

Happy August 1st y'all!

A New School Year

And so it begins....another school year.  Summer vacation has come to an end and early mornings are here to stay for the next 9 months. 

Christopher was up and out the door by 6:00 a.m. so he could make cross country practice before school.  I feel very confident that he would have given me the finger if I had asked for a picture at that time of the morning.  ha!  Seriously, my son has NEVER reacted that way to his momma.  He would have just walked away and not looked back.  Just like his momma, he is not a morning person.  

Timehop provided a picture of my boy for me though.  Look at that sweet face....

Bella however, woke up excited about the first day of school.  She was up, dressed and ready to walk out the door long before momma was ready.  

I was so proud of my little nugget.  I walked her into the school and quickly noticed all of the parents were dropping off and leaving (sniff, sniff). I tell Bella that mommy has to go and she says "ok". There was no crying, no clinging, no "I want you to stay with me", nothing.  "Ok" she says, and gives me a hug, kiss and a big ole smile.  I turn to leave and find myself welling up with tears.  She was the brave one yesterday.  Not mommy.

Happy First Week of School!

Back To School

Yesterday was the first day of school for us.  Christopher left at dark thirty for cross country practice so I didn't get a picture of him.  Had every intention of taking a picture of both the kids when we got home but it was late when we made it home and I had lots of paperwork to fill out.

Still loves holding my hand :)

Right after I took this last picture, it was time to head to her classroom and that smile disappeared.  Out came the tears and clinging to mommy for dear life.  I walked with her until I got to the front door exit and then had to let her go.  Ugh, I HATE leaving my children in tears.  I know she was fine 5 minutes after leaving me but still.  Turns out, she did have a great first day but the best part of the day was seeing her after work and the big hug I got.   Actually, she does this every day but yesterday was extra special.   I think she will be awesome in 1st grade!  

Hope y'all had a great Monday :).

When Did This Happen?

I have a Freshman and a Kindergartener in the same house....

 

 

Aren't they sweet?  I sure think so, but then I am their momma. 

 

And when did this sweet thing grow up and start school? 

 

 

 

All was well and good and exciting...until mommy had to leave her.  Then came the tears.  I told her how much I loved her, how awesome kindergarten would be, how much fun she would have and that she would see mommy later.  Another teacher took her hand because they had to go and I watched her walk away in tears....and then I fell apart. Yep, I'm the mommy who was crying in front of all the other "strong" mommies.  I can't help it.  When it comes to my children, I'm a bit emotional.  Okay. I'm a lot emotional.  Are you happy? 

 

I went back to have lunch with my girl to check on her and she was having a much better time.  We both were so excited to see each other.  She even ate a little bit of her lunch.

 

 

 

My departure was much easier the second time around.  She gave me a hug and a kiss and said "see you later mommy".  No tears were shed by either of us.  When I picked her up that afternoon, she climbed in the car saying "I had a good day mommy".  I loved it. 

 

And then this morning I was dropping her off at school and watched her walk in all by herself.  My little girl....being brave and grown up....and I died....and fell apart.  Not as bad as yesterday but there were tears. 

 

Miss Priss this morning....

 

 

I'm having the hardest time adjusting.  I've always been away from her during the day. I've always been a working momma, but today I miss her so very much.  I have an ache in my heart and a lump in my throat.  I don't remember being this bad with Christopher.  I cried the first day of school but I wasn't a weepy pitiful mess after that.  Is this because she's my baby?  I don't know.  What I do know is that I can't wait for 5:00 to get here so I can rush home to see her and hear all about her day. 

 

 

Christopher is adjusting to high school just fine, even made the comment yesterday..."I think I'm going to like high school a lot better than I thought".  whew!  maybe we're on the right track...this is a good way to start to the year.  He's been running cross country for 3 weeks now, and has had to be up at the school at 6:15 for the last week so we've all adjusted to that early wake up call.  Actually, it really helped get us ready for this week when school started.  He's made great improvement since last year and his coaches are very impressed with him and his hard work.  Let's just hope this flows over into his schoolwork. Please Lord let it flow over!! 

 

Y'all have a good one!

First Friday!!

I'm the mom who didn't get pictures of the kids this year on the first day of school. Or the second. Or the third or fourth. But by golly I got it done on Friday!! Seriously, after I missed the second day I decided I would wait until Friday. Pretty sure I've done that before and what's better than a pic of my babies in their Wildcat Purple!!

 

 

I hope everyone had a great first week of school.  I know many of us are plum exhausted.  Hoping week 2 isn't as rough. 

 

Y'all have a good one!

 

So Not Ready For School To Start

My son and I agree that neither of us is ready for school to start come Monday morning.

My work days have been so busy that when I get home in the evening I am plum tuckered out.   I certainly haven't been cooking a lot.  I have had peaks where I would cook a lot, especially while my nephew was here but that pretty much came to a stop when he left.  I'm horrible.  I know this.  I have been flipping through crock pot recipes trying to find some things that my children might eat.  Christopher has gotten better with age (don't we all?) about what he will eat and try but the resident four year old, Lord help us all.  As of late, this child has become picky about her chicken nuggets!  I am trying but my patience is running thin in the "what can I feed my children" department.  I really want to introduce some new menu items but most of what I suggest receives a turned up nose.  Often times, if I am able to throw a dish together without the children around and it smells yummy while its cooking and/or baking, they are ready to try when it comes out.  Not always the case.  Would be awesome if I were a SAHM and could have it going by the time they got home. No go for that.  I'll figure something out.  In the meantime, I am going to keep perusing recipes for new ideas and try to get into the swing of things for the new school year.  I'm moving forward thinking positive that this will be a great school year!  I hope it is for y'all as well. 

Have a good one!