It's Finally Here!

Hallie has waited to be in Kindergarten for so long. Missing the deadline by 8 days didn't help either. For the first day I surprised them by blinging up their lunch boxes. They were so excited. Don't pay attention to where Hallie's "H" has jewels, I was NOT trying to give Cinderella enhancements.

I let them sit next to each other in the same seat...the school is just down the street, right? :)

Claire and Hallie picked out matching outfits the night before. They were so adorable. Claire helped Hallie all morning and walked her to her classroom. It made things 10 times easier for Hallie to have her sister there.

I love my girls!

They had a great first day!

When a friend asked Audrey if she missed her sisters she looked up and said, "No." And I guess Audrey has it figured out by now that when her sisters are gone she is the number 1. She gets the toys, she picks what she wants to do, she is the boss (after me of course, although I don't know she even gets that! ha!)

P.S. Boy is it nice to have Michelle here! I got the girls all ready for their first day AND took them to school, all while the other girls slept. Sooo nice. ;)

Blue Suited Women

I took the girls to a pool/spray park in Plano today. Some friends invited us for a fun get together before school starts next week.

We got to the pool with lunches, towels and life jackets (after I went back for them) in tow and after applying sunscreen to all the girls they were off to play.

After playing, having lunch, then playing some more I told the girls they had 5 more minutes and then we were leaving. I got Julia out of her wet clothes and useless swim diaper and buckled her in the stroller while I was getting the rest of our things together. I handed her the sunscreen stick to hold because she loves that thing.

After I finished, I gathered the girls up and went around to our friends to say goodbye. I glanced down at Julia and the little smarty got the lid of the sunscreen stick off and was happily applying it to her lips and hands. I cleaned it up and took it away and as we left the spray park side of the pool Claire looks up and me and says, "Mom, those moms in the blue swimming suits were talking about you." I was very interested in what they said so I quickly said, "Oh really? What did they say?"

And this is what they said, "See that lady with the pink stroller? I can't believe she handed that baby sunscreen. That is so irresponsible."

I honestly laughed out loud.

These women have one child. I have 4. Humorous to see the difference in what we think is irresponsible.

Thank you ladies in the blue swimming suits. I needed a good laugh today.

P.S. Julia was due for another coat anyway! ;)

Waitress

Claire wanted to play waitress for Michelle and me. We came into the kitchen and sat down where she proceeded to get out orders. Upon receiving our lemonade and protein bars Claire announces, "I want to be a waitress or a Doctor when I grow up."

To which Michelle responds, "Let's hope for a Doctor."

Audrey pipes in, "a horse."

"You want to be a horse," I ask?

"Yep," she says, "And they'll pat my bum!"

I suppose she could play football or baseball and she'd get the same outcome.

It's Great to be Eight!

Claire was so excited for her birthday. Auntie Angie made this amazing banner. I LOVE it!!! (thanks sis)

Her party was American Girl themed. It started out with these invitations for her friends and their dolls. They each got a ticket to come aboard the American Doll Express.

Passports were provided and handed out at the door:

The party began with Kit's Cooking in the United States where each girl got to bake thier own cookie. M&M to be exact.

Introductions were made and they started baking.

They were sure to get a stamp in each country they visited.

Of course the dolls were set aside...we would hate to get them choclatey!

Then they were off to Mexico where Josefina created new looks for each passenger and their doll. New flowers for their hair...

and matching scarves (thanks to an awesome friend that surged every single one of these for me!!!)

Then they went to Sweeden and got snacks from Kirsten for the upcoming movie.

The final destination was the movie theatre in the U.S. starring Chrissa in Chrissa Stands Strong.

The gang:

Scarves and flowers:

The party was a huge success. Claire and her friends had so much fun.

The night ended with the family telling her one thing they loved about her.

Audrey loves that Claire loves her.

Hallie loves that Claire helps her.

Dad loves that Claire loves to learn new things.

Aunt Michelle loves that Claire in kind to everyone.

And Mom loves that Claire is such a wonderful helper and was so considerate in helping with the party.

We love you, Claire. Happy Birthday!!!

Cow Day!!!

Free food? We're in!

For the second year we dressed up in our cow attire and headed to chick-fil-a. Audrey kept yelling, "Eat more Chicken!" We had SUCH a fun time. Two of the young women came with us as well as Michelle.

GREAT times!

Change of Plans

The girls were all ready to go swimming, we were just waiting for the call from a friend to meet her. Well, turns out the weather had other plans. Oh how it started to pour. As I started organizing the closet instead, I walked past the girls with their swimming suits still on. I looked outside, looked at them and said, "Go for it! You have your suits on, go get wet!!!"

Little change in plans but wet all the same.

Hallie does not like to be wet as much as her sisters. ;)

Really?

FIRST day of the summer the kids are fighting like cats and dogs. REALLY? I put the kibosh on that really quick.

Had my hard drive crash AND there was an error in the time machine so it didn't have my files backed up. Now we have to pay to get our files and pictures back. At least we CAN, right?

Realized I signed up the girls for swimming lessons the week I went to camp. Nice.

Spent a week at girls camp and found out my blood is too tempting for those bugs. Off and all they couldn't stay away. Buggers.

Went to a "FREE carnival" and wished I hadn't told my kids we were going. They served cold hot dogs. Enough said.

Decided that when you pay thousands of dollars in monthly premiums, then you finally go to the Dr. your health insurance still won't cover all of it. Oh don't get me started.

Realized that after 4 children my brain will never function as it once did. I organized a musical duet and was supposed to practice this morning before church. I set up the practice for crying out load. Well friends, I stood up the Alto and the pianist and although we were on the program...WE DIDN'T sing.

Now for some positive summer moments:

Realized that it doesn't matter how many kids I have, when I am away from them I miss them more than I thought possible. Coming home from girls camp was the best day ever.

The girls love going places and don't care if it's 120 degrees outside. They love to have fun.

I love having my sister in law live with us. Michelle is so fun and I love having her here!!!

I dreaded my 30th birthday but my family and friends made it the most special birthday I have had thus far. It was one awesome day!!!

Counting down the days I get to see my family in Utah. I haven't been there in a year. AND I get to see my brother that I haven't seen it 2 and a half years.

What are you up to this summer?