It's almost over!

Good grief I feel like the school is killing me. First meet the teacher Tuesday then yesterday back to school for 30min so Emily could go in alone answer some questions and I could fill out some forms and today FINALLY she starts. I realize some children coming may have never been in school before and they have to gauge but their killing me. I make it through each time without bursting into tears only because I prepare mentally for so long ahead of time. So more mental preperation for me in a little over an hour she'll be walking into her classroom for her first real day of school! I packed her little backpack and wrote her name on everything I was supposed to.

Once I finish with all this mental preperation I'll be able to think more about other things like I haven't even prepared snacks for the Manicure/Pedicure party tonight and I have to box up all the drinks! And I have to call Amy and get her cooler for ice and glasses and plates and napkins! YIKES! I'm falling behind! To much emotional mommy stuff!

Can you imagine what I'll be like when Abbi goes? Everyone stear clear of me for a good 2 weeks leading up to it!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've returned successful!

So we went to the open house/meet the teacher. Got the paper work turned in that was late Emily can actuallyl go to school Thursday, now that the nurse has her medical stuff. Saw lots of people we know from preschool, the neighborhood and scrapping. The girls got popcicles and stamps on their hands. Then we headed down to the classroom. Mrs. Neuman is very nice she reminds me a lot of Mrs. McClain my first grade teacher that I absolutely adored. This of course is from talking to her for just about 5 min total so I'm not really sure. Emily seemed to like her a lot and she knows most everyone in her class that we know of so far. Colleen, Trent, Gabby, Ami a little girl that always said HI to Em in the halls at preschool I have to assume they played on the playground or something? It was nice to see Natasha and the other parents again. And I'm happy she'll know a lot of the kids that should make it easier for her! She seemed a bit suprised how many kids where there and how big they were. The gym was full standing room only as were the halls. Of course there were tons of parents and siblings both older and younger. The room is cute and we found Emily's locker, Star, and birthday on the board. Then the girls played in the kitchen in the corner while I talked. I swear the toys they have in that room are the same as the ones they had in my school when I was her age. It is too cute!

I'm so pitiful Renata(scrapping friend) asked me if I was ready and I almost broke down in tears! She quickly reminded me I still have Abbi at home I will be a blubbering idiot when she heads off to kindergarten.

Oh I saw a lady taking pics with a lanyar(sp?) around her neck that said yearbook! I asked if she needed help I so would love doing the yearbook I think. I can't do kindergym since babysitting would be hard for me. We'll see I'll check out the PTA volunteer form!

Ok so tomorrow at 2 we go back to fill out paperwork and then Thur. she starts for real.

She's exhausted though I think the whole thing was overwhelming for her. She's laying down on the couch half asleep. Abbi passed out immediately upon returning home. The excitement is evident in how tired my children are!

Reporting back later I'm sure!

Never Let Them Know How Scared You Really Are

This week is getting harder and harder. It's Dave's last week of work until he finds another job. Which is bad but he will at least be paid for awhile so it's not the end of the world. He has 2 interviews a this week. And I know I'm getting a call about going back to work(I DO NOT WANT TO GO!)

But the worst part of this week is Emily starts school! I'm so excited and terrifiedall at the same time! I know first of all that I'm going to cry every single day. My first baby is growing up it doesn't seem possible. I remember the very moment in the hospital the Dr. showing me her and that surge of love I felt even after 32 hours in labor I was energized by it. I remember so vividly when we brought her home and just staring at her forever amazed! I remember her first dance class and her first day of preschool her first play date and her first bike ride. She's going to school! To real school! I'm in shock how is this possible? I'm freaking out inside!

Anyway today we go to meet the teacher and she officially starts Thursday. I'm glad we get a little intro instead of here you go. I know she's gone to preschool for 2 years and some of those kids will surely be in her class. She's thrilled she has been asking me since the first week of summer when she gets to go back. Being seperated from her friends was not a fun experience for her even though she had play dates once in awhile.

So it's off to kindergarten, she's ready she knows her ABC's and how to count to 30, she knows how to tie her shoe and she knows her phone number, how to write her name, how to stand in line and raise her hand. What more could I want except maybe for her to stay a baby just one more year! WAAAAAAAAA

Ok Ok Ok No more Blubber fest! Never let them see you sweat right? It's only 2 1/2 hours I can do this! Gonna go get another cup of coffee and a little St. Johns wort! LOL Have a great day!

Ahhh the end of the Week!

Monday after mailing off my MMM the girls and I headed downtown to the American Girl Place to meet Jennifer and Samantha! Oh what fun it was.

Mommy enjoyed it more than the girls I think! The drive was awesome I cut accross on Addison and showed Emily where Grandpa went to school(Laine Tech) and where I used to live when I was a city dweller then we drove past Wrigley which amazed her and they loved watching the El screaming TRAIN everytime one went by. And they were right on schedule every 10 min! LOL We were quite a sight I'm sure. Me pushing Abbi in her stroller with her Bitty and Emily running behind me pushing her Bitty in her dolly stroller. Trying to get across Michigan Ave. before the busses or a rogue cabby ran us down! Luckily when we arrived a cop was directing traffic he was very nice! After much wrestling of doors we got into the store and their jaws just dropped! First we went downstairs we saw the theatre where the productions are and the AG new bath line was on display and all the girlies around were sampling everything what a smell sensation! We loved taking our strollers in the elevators it was very exciting. After we got ahold of Jennifer we headed upstairs for our Tea reservation at 4pm.

The dining room made Mommy's jaw drop! All pink and black with the most amazing chandeliers. It was girlie heaven. They sat us and our Bitties! How cute everyone got black and white striped plates even Bitty in her black and white booster. There were dolly tea cups and we got to keep the black and white polk a dot scrunchies that were our napkin rings. There was a pretty present in the middle of the table with cards to be used as conversation starters. Emily loved this I would ask her questions. Abbi was just enthralled with the whole thing! The girls ordered pink lemonade to drink and then they brough out a heart shaped plate with the most wonderful warm cinnimon buns with melted frosting. There is a touching story printed on the menu and everywhere about why the cinimmon rolls are special to the founder of American Girl. Then came the tea tray, 3 tiers of yummies. Banana Schones, Cucumber sandwiches, Turkey tea sandwhiches and these cute heart shaped cheese sandwhiches. Abbi helped her Bitty to some tea and they each began tasting the things on the tray. Jennifer and Samantha arrived an got settled then we had some nice conversation. We got Samantha a loner doll that she could share tea with. After we completed our tea and I took a sufficient amount of pictures. They took away the tray and brought us dessert. A pink Butterfly sugar cookie, chocolate moose in a flower pot with a flower(silk) in it and strawberry moose in an edible chocolate tea cup. The girls were in heaven!

We then headed to shop on the upper floor. Found the Bitty area and walked around about 12 times befor deciding on what new outfits our babies should have to mark this occasion. Emily chose the princess outfit and mommy helped Abbi pick the Sweater set for Abbigayl. To Mommy's joy we found a pair of white Bitty shoes for sale. (Bitty lost one of her white shoes at our house) Samantha chose a book that came with a kitty toy. Abbi took this chance to walk around pushing the doll stroller with Bitty in it. Unfortunately she would ram whoever was in her way. YIKES! We headed to the hospital admittance desk to ask about the scuffs on our babies heads and got some nice care instructions from the nurses there then went on to peruse the other clothes. We saw the American Girl dolls getting their hair done and checked out all the stuff for coconut! Then headed downstairs. OOOOOPs Abbi (Uh OH Baby??? Abbi's words) lost her baby somewhere between here and there! Mommy runs upstairs and finds an adorable little girl holding on to her tight near a dress I was holding up to Emily. The mom was trying very hard to explain that it probably belonged to some other little girl. All I could say was "OH you found my baby!!!!!!" The little girl was so stunned she handed the doll over and I thanked her profusely for finding her for me! Phew close call! Abbi may leave Bitty at home nextime and get a loaner doll! LOL

So back out onto the street strollers and babies all in tact. We said our goodbyes with hugs and kisses! Then back across Michicgan Ave. (this time no nice police officer) so we ran very fast across the street found our car in the parking garage and left for home. The girls were exhausted they slept all the way home. When we got home we had to show Daddy all the stuff we got and tell him all about it! Then he had to see the pictures and the leftovers then the girls had to go to bed! Even though they didn't want to!

It really was a great time. Dave makes fun of me as I keep raving about it. He says he's glad "I" had fun but I do think the girls did through all their shock and awe. Next time (yes there'll be a next time!) they'll know more what to expect and they have even more fun! Maybe we'll try to see a show or get portraits in the potrait studio with our Bitties!

Done Done GONE! Arriving TODAY.

Ok I was doing so well on my MMM entry. I was loving it then I ran into a snag with a favorite layout that ended up ruined(I will redo it). So I went to plan B. I had 2 extra layouts to do and submit. My Joy and Comfort layout was less than stellar however I loved my journaling. It just did not turn out as planned. It's not what I see in my head! I'll try again just for me. Got them copied finally a good copy and Monday they went to the post office Priority mail. They should be arriving in the MM office as I type this. Do I have a shot at even runner up? NOPE!!!! But I set out to complete them and submit them and I had a great time doing it! And I think it forced me to work on my journaling more(needs much more work) and work on my style more. I still don't know what it is but I'm exploring to figure it out. And now well since I know I'm not a candidate I'm relieved and enjoying scrapping so much more than before I decided to try this contest. Really it was an all aroung growth expierence for me. I highly recommend it. I feel so free now to just create whatever I want with whatever I want however I want!

Now we wait to hear if Dianne wins. Her layouts were phenominal. She really does amazing work and I'm sure she'll be in the top 10. It was nice to support each other and run around with our supply searching and copy making! We had a great time!

I'll post my success and failures here after the 23rd of Sept I think the date is.

Wednesday Habits

Well with the crop here every Wed. I've gotten quite used to this being my scrub it day. So since we're all going to Paula's tonight I thought I would take a break however it seems I can't break the habit. So whatever the kitchen is clean except for my bowls of seasoned pretzels I'm taking some with me tonight, love them but there is no way we can eat them all. Gotta learn how to halve that recipe. Laundry is nearing completion however I have a feeling with the new Doodlebear there will be laundry just about everyday!

So last night I took a break from MMM I'm almost done just finishing touches on stuff mostly. Well ok the title for one I'm having a hard time getting to work. And I just have to complete comfort and joy however I was so bummed about my title fiasco on this one I was getting depressed and annoyed by it so I worked on other stuff. I finished 3 layouts last night just did them they are cute and fun and complete. I need to scan!

I'm so pleased with myself that I can still sit down and come up with some quick ideas without agaonizing over them. I feel better now and I can go back to my MMM stuff.

Anyway I'm trying very hard to enjoy my coffee however there is yelling from downstairs and something about paper towels so I gotta run!

Have a great day!

Block Party/Play Room

I'm so excited I finished the playroom yesterday! It's all set up except boxing and labeling the little toys! Woo hoo! The girls love it! And all the toys in my house are contained to one room how awesome is that. Plus I found Mr. Potato Head and that is most exciting.

We had the Block Party last night. The girls and I stayed outside until a little after 10. Had great food and great conversation. The girls were perfectly behaved. They had a blast with the water balloons, decorating their bikes for the bike parade, face painting, smores around the fire and running around with the big girls in their PJ's. They each got big tubs of cotton candy and a very cool goodie bag with a cool notebook mommy wants to steal! (shhhhhh) I'm obsessed with the cute notebooks lately!

Sad News

Unfortunately yesterday(Sunday) Dianne's Dad passed away. It's so sad he was fighting cancer and alzheimers. I haven't talked to her but my heart goes out to her and her entire family. Jim just called a bit ago and let me know. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier. Dianne is doing everything to help her Mom who is I'm sure having a rough time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in their time of need.



I thought I should post this by itself not in my weekly rambling.

So So So

Well where have I been lately? Not really sure here and there and everywhere! I read the new HP book the first weekend was so sad for a couple days about that I know it's a book and all but still. Entered a couple more contests. I'm starting to think I suck. And I got a haircut I'm really not sure about. It's the shortest my hair has been since I was 8 and I think way to short for me. But I'm still trying to figure out how much shampoo to use after having hair down the middle of my back I use WAYYYY too much!

Anyway on the upside last week was beautiful here after the rain left we had 70's to play in and the kids were running relays in the back yard. We sat outside and ate we puttered in the yard, which looks great, I might add. And we all around enjoyed it. Still trying to get the playroom cleaned out and organzied enough so I can clean the carpet then move the kids in! Woo Hoo. The sleeping in one bed thing is a constant source of irritation for Dave, Emily and I as Abbi doesn't really want to sleep ever!!!! The bed will be here soon I hope.

I'm still working on my MMM entry and it's slow going. I am still agonizing over journaling so much I'm sure all my layouts are crap. But I'm trying so hard to get a handle on the journaling thing! Upside is this is great practice writing!

Oooh and for a little happy news I'm the Feature Designer of the Week at Croppers Cottage which is the second time this year. How cool is that. I'm so happy I rescanned and reloaded that layout! It was a little wonky!

Dianne and I had a wonderful day Sat. at Archivers then lunch at Red Robin then on to Michaels(I haven't been in a Mikes since May, YIKES). It was so nice then when I came home everyone was so happy we had a great evening!

Today was 90 again and the girls played in the pool most of the day. Emily is cleaning and organizing her toys for the new room so we have baskets lined up in the hall which she is putting her little toys in so I can transfer them to labeled clear plastic shoe boxes!

I have one more post to do then I'm off to do some more work on MMM.