Thursday, August 28, 2014

Mud


Walking in Sunshine

For some reason everybody stops and stares at us when we go on walks.

Ooh La La Beauty Spa

I offered to do a beauty spa day for the girls on Monday and Mikayla suggested we be just like Fancy Nancy and do an ooh la la beauty spa in the playset outside.  On the agenda was hair, nails, make-up, and foot lotion massages.  The girls thought it was pretty spectacular.

Sunday Fancies

Maylee is pretty smitten with her brother.  Most of the time he enjoys endures the tackles and neck holds.  He pretty much adores her, too.
Random picture, but these two are really loving the breathing time while Sissy at preschool.  Maylee loves being the big sister and it's amazing how good they are without the Boss around.


Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Preschool

Missy Mae finally started preschool!  It was a tough decision where to put her into preschool, but we settled on one a lady in our ward is doing in our neighborhood.  There are only two other kids in the class, but I think the extra one-on-one time will be a good thing for her.  Plus, it takes 5 minutes to drive there, drop her off and drive home.

We all know Mikayla wishes I could wake up right away (like Grandad does when she spends the night at their house), but it seems to be an impossible task for me.  After she wished me a "happy first day of preschool" and tossed and turned next to me in our bed for a while at 5:30 this morning I sent she and Maylee out to play for a bit while I tried to wake up.  When I headed out to the family room Mikayla had her outfit laid out and had her backpack packed.  She was EXCITED!!!  I felt a tiny bit guilty for not being rearing to go like she was, but tried to tell myself that I am still an acceptable Mom considering I stayed up until almost midnight washing the shirt she needed for the dress she wanted to wear on the first day, hence the reason I was slow getting started.  She outsmarted me on that one, though, and declared she was wearing a sweater over her dress instead.  Good intentions, I guess.
She got to choose the first day of school breakfast and decided on pancakes with peanut butter, syrup, chocolate (Nutella), raspberries, and sprinkles.  After breakfast she fancied right up and we waited and waited for the clock to hit any where close to 9 before we could leave. 

I dropped her off and she walked in, never looked back and never said goodbye.  She reports she had a great time and that she didn't talk much to the other kids, but "chatted away" with her teacher.  No doubt that teacher is going to know way more than she cares to about our family in no time!
She picked out her own ensemble, of course.
They were given this little white sack to decorate and fill with four things that told about them to share on the first day.  Mikayla chose Bear Bear, lip gloss (because she likes being a princess), a book, and a play ice cream (because she likes to bake and eat desserts).
Preschool open house pictures from yesterday:
She is loving her new totally rad tennis shoes!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Simplicity

Lately I have felt like I'm drowning in "stuff".  I feel claustrophobic in my own house.  It's time for a change.

We are simplifying.  I'm not sure what all that is going to mean for us, but I can guarantee one thing-it's going to mean getting rid of some stuff.  And a lot of the stuff that has to go is from the kids.

Mikayla complains that all we do is pick things up and that it's no fun.  Welcome to reality.  It's not my favorite activity, either.  At the same time I've been wondering if we really need to be picking up the things that get scattered about.  Do we really need them?  Could we save a whole lot of time and disagreements about cleaning by just doing without some things?  My kids will learn to clean and do their chores.  Part of life is learning responsibility, of course.  At the same time, I'm not sure we are doing them any favors by adding to the stockpiles of stuff they have the option of getting out each day.  Stuff that only clutters our home and makes us crazy.  Exactly where to draw the line is tough.

I don't ever want to seem ungrateful and we are trying so hard to teach my kids gratitude.  We truly love and appreciate everything that has been given to us or that we have worked hard for and purchased.  I'm just starting to wonder more and more how much we really "need".

I found an article (http://nourishingminimalism.com/2014/07/18-non-toy-gifts-for-children.html) last night and it really got me thinking about all the stuff my kids have.  My kids are spoiled.  I get that and honestly, at times I love to contribute to the spoiling.  A little date with a treat or a treasure makes for a marvelous memory!  My thoughts have kind of shifted a bit though.  Instead of focusing on "things" I want to create memories and experiences for my kids.  Instead of focusing on toys I hope to shift the focus to memories of zoo dates, vacations, picnics, making crafts, playing games as a family, dance classes, trips to the library, going to the museum, reading books together...gifts of time and love.

That being said, my kids are most definitely still kids.  They love their toys!  I am not planning on taking away everything as I know that playing is how kids learn and that it truly is important.  My only purpose is to fill our home with meaningful things, things that we love, and get rid of the rest.



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

It's raining! It's pouring!

The monsoons finally decided to come back for a couple of days and we have been loving it!  This afternoon the lightning and thunder were pretty crazy and it scared the girls a bit.  A very scared Mikayla told Maylee not to be scared and that she would protect her inside their fort.  Luckily Papa gave Mikayla the best lantern ever and all was well inside the fort.

When Dustin got home from work he took us on a drive around the neighborhood to see all the water.  The girls spotted the "creek" (drainage basin at the park) and we decided we need to go back and play in the water.  It was the best swimming pool ever!  Mikayla kept shouting over and over "BEST DAY EVER!!!!" I have to agree, it was pretty awesome.