Back To School Celebrations

(long, very long post...beware) We have been living it up this last week celebrating our last few days of freedom before school starts.  Friday we had a fun Back to School Party hosted by the wonderful and talented Shauni Frost.  Kids played, threw water balloons, and ate fun FUN food.  (a snow cone machine is now on my list of things I WANT.)

Sunday we had a celebratory dinner (grilled Hamburgers & Hot Dogs).  Natali's pink "Celebrate" banner was hung, she ate off the red  You Are Special Plate, and the theme for the year was introduced....I Can Be A Friend.  Post dinner we had a Back to School Fashion Show, which was very success.  (At one point during the evening I turned and said something to Ben, Natali with a slight edge in her voice says, "excuse me MOM, I though tonight was all about ME!")  I guess I will take that as a compliment.  Obviously the girl felt special.  We ended the evening with a back to school blessing, bath and curlers in the hair, hugs and kisses, and lots of trips to her room telling her to "GO TO SLEEP!"

Today was the actual FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.  She was beyond excited.  She had no reservation as we walked in to the school, went to her room, hung her back pack, and found her desk.  She instantly started coloring the pages laid out.  I had to interrupt her for a goodbye hug and kiss.  I held it together to that point.  As I turned and walked out her room the tears started to silently run.  I thought  I was going to SOB, so silent tears was a big victory for me.  I turned in her lunch money (very considerate of me huh).  Then I walked back to her room and she was busy coloring and being a big kid.  She didn't even notice me.  I was happy and sad all in the same moment.

Isaac asked for her off and on all day.  He insisted on having a back pack of his own.  We picked Natali up from school and she was already asking if she got to go back tomorrow.  She survived, I survived.  We returned home and ate chocolate cupcakes and talked all about the first day of school.  Years and years of public school here we come!

I Like You

Spencer I really like you.  Please be my little buddy forever.

(and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't grow up to boss me around and talk naughty to me)

A mom can dream right!

Another One Bites the Dust

Teeth are falling out left and right around here.  Not really, but Natali lost her 2nd tooth yesterday.  I pulled it out.  I was tired of hearing about it, and it was barely hanging on.  I could see the other tooth coming in behind.  Minimal tears were shed.  There was some blood.  Overall not TOO traumatic.

Good thing this mama finished here "custom made" tooth fairy pillow just nights before. Yes, I'm pretty amazing.  Just kidding, but Natali did give me a GREAT reaction.  Thank Heavens for little girls with LOTS of enthusiasm.

Back to School (help)

So I have seen many other of you do this, and since this is the first time I will have a child entering school I decided to "copy".  I LOVE the idea (I think orginally I saw it way back in the day on nie nie) of having a celebratory back to school dinner and presenting a theme/motto for the year...Be Kind, Be a Friend, Patience etc. 

I am trying to prep as this HUGE milestone in our family is rapidly approaching.  Any thoughts, gems of wisdom you might have for me to help both mother & child prepare for this eventful step?  Any thoughts on a theme/motto?  Do you have one you're using.  I am leaning towards..."No DRAMA."  As that phrase is constantly flowing from my mouth.  Just thought I'd throw this out to the blogging world!  Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, ideas, etc! 

3 Years ago...

...things were a little crazy as we were ready and waiting to welcome our little Isaac into the world.  I was READY (to pop it looks like)!

Isaac was born, 10.9 lbs and with his lungs under developed.  Which meant we had a SUPER chubby baby in the NICU.

I remember when the nurse came in and said, "I tried to give him his eye drops, but I couldn't find his eyes....his just so chubby...so I dropped them in his little slits and hopefully they'll find their way!"


Holding him for the first time!  It was the BEST feeling!

Finally our little chuck with out any tubes.  I still don't understand where his dark hair and olive-ish skin came from.  But I can totally came his dark brown eyes.

Aunt Hollie was talking care of little Natali and here she is coming up to visit for the first time.  She could only see him through the glass, it was pretty special.  (I forgot how much curl she had in her hair)

I can't believe it has been three years.  These memories are still so fresh in my mind.  Isaac is such a special little guy.  I can't imagine his craziness and dimpled smile not being in our family.

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet little Isaac!  We love you!