It's time to get CRAFTY!!!

I can't wait to have a whole weekend to do projects for my house, Christmas gifts and just have fun. Everyone is welcome to come!

Amazed

That's what I am. Completely amazed. I have been so sick with strep. And once I finally got on medicine my body had a reaction and left me vomiting all night long on Friday. It was so miserable. I can't even express how bad it was.

I can barely talk let alone function but that didn't matter, friends surrounded me with their love and service. Friday a friend picked up the girls and took them to school (after Zeb got them ready for school and left late to work), that same friend picked up Audrey and took her for a few hours so I could go to the doctors office with one child and then nap, that same friend picked the girls up from school and took them to her house to play for a few hours so I could rest again. And then that same friend offered to bring me dinner tonight. Her husband came on Friday night to give me a blessing.

Another friend picked up Audrey for the entire afternoon so I could rest. Another friend brought me dinner. Another friend offered to bring me dinner and then another (one having 7 children at home of her own)...

Not to mention my sweet husband and all he has done to make sure I rest and take it easy.

I can't even express the kindness and love that has been shown to me. I am amazed. Thank you just isn't enough.

Transformation

The first few days of school Claire would talk about her friends' lockers and how they decorated them and how her was just plain (this is new to me...I never decorated mine). She called me at mutual wed and asked if she could go with Dad to pick out some magnets and things to dress hers up. After I got home, Zeb said they didn't go. He explained to Claire that the child care budget was gone for the month (school clothes, shoes, etc) and that they could go next week when September came. He said she was so great and understanding about it. I knew I could put my crafting skills to use and come up with some cute things with what I already had. I got out the glue gun, magnets, bottle caps, paper, rhinestones, and ribbon and went to town.

Zeb came up with the idea to go to school the next day and decorate it for her. I love surprises so I was all over it. So Thursday I went with Audrey (after taking Zeb a set of work clothes since someone at the gym wanted his and stole them...totally weird) and finished in a few minutes. When Claire went to get her lunch box she opened it and saw the new look. And then we surprised her for lunch. She LOVED it! Success!

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!!!