Been a while

I'm trying to get back into my blogging.  Here are pictures to start.  First day of school...last days of summer.  The girls are growing like crazy. 

field day

Cute class t-shirts the girls got on field day.

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SPRING!

This winter has really taken a hold of me this year.  We have had some really warm (like 40s) temperatures this past week.  I can't quite explain the relief I feel when the weather finally warms and the snow begins to melt.  It's like that feeling when your kid has a fever and it finally breaks.  No more hats, mittens, coats.. no more layering! The snow will probably be here until Aprilish, but I'll take a tease day here or there whenever I can.

Craftiness:  Made the cute yarn lanterns for the b-day party. 

We celebrated Halle's 2nd birthday last week.  I have so many posts about how my kids grow too fast and how I hate it.  I'll just reiterate that sentiment:  I really wish she would stop growing!   For v-day, Jason got me a Cameo--a cutting machine.  I was able to create the cutest things for her owl themed b-day party.  I also made her a cute skirt to match the color scheme.  It was a hooot!

Here are few pictures of our happenings:

Building a box-car!

Kayla loves to help daddy move snow!

Kenna spoke about her art at a school board meeting.  Proud of my girl!

thanksgiving performance...my little pilgrim.

Kayla was so cute. Just found this in my phone.

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Day Numero Uno 2011

It is the first day of school. Mckenna is my 1st grader. She was completely dressed, hair brushed with a cute bow in it, shoes and backpack on. She whispered, "Mom, it's 6:30, well, it's actually 6:28, but are you going to get up and make my lunch now?" This is so Mckenna... always prepared.

I wish I could have this all on video. Her eagerness was so cute. After eating her breakfast, brushing her teeth, putting a few curls in her hair, and packing a lunch, she was off to school. She only waited 40 minutes outside for the bus to come. Love my little Kenna!

Kayla was a little less eager. She was excited, but she didn't get to go until the afternoon session of kindergarten so she had time with me and Halle to hang out. She kept asking if it was time, about a hundred annoying times. Kayla gets anxious easily but she didn't seem to exhibit that at all. After eating lunch and packing her snack, she only waited for the bus for about 20 minutes. She waved as she got on the bus, and waved as the bus drove on up the hill.


I was anxious to hear about their day so I waited outside for their bus. They came running off the bus, but before giving me a hug they turned around to wave goodbye to their friends on the bus. Mckenna said that it was "totally awesome," and that "first grade is soooo long." Kayla said, "My teacher was even nice," as if she expected her teacher to be some monster.

While they were at school, Halle and I enjoyed a 5-6 mile bike ride. I've been wanting to explore the bike trails and beyond here, but can't with the other girls because they are too little for the hills and distance. Halle sat in her little bike seat and talked/waved/laughed the whole time. It was awesome!

Graduating

Lots of graduating is taking place in our family this year. Kayla graduated from preschool, Kenna from Kindergarten, and me from WGU with a bachelor's in Elem. Ed. I'm overjoyed by my accomplishment. When I got married, I had an associate degree. I wanted to finish then, but circumstances didn't really allow it and then I had a baby girl, and another, and another. For the past 2 years I felt as though I was being pulled by the arms and legs in different directions. I thought I'd rip right in half sometimes, especially when I had to leave my girls and student teach full time. What a great learning experience it was though. I learned a lot about teaching and schools, and how incredibly unbelievably awesome--on both ends of the spectrum-- some parents are. I experienced being a working mother---not fun! Well, teaching was enjoyable, for sure, but I'm a mom, I can't help it. Good news is that it's now summer and school is over. I have all the time in the world to spend with my girls. That means cartwheels in the yard, picnics, tea parties, slip n' slides, and the list goes on and on and on. Happy Summer, and happy graduation to you if you have graduated this year!

Easter

Here are some fun pictures. Halle is getting so big! Wish time would slow down. I just finished up my student teaching and will graduate soon. I have been enjoying every second with my girls this weekend. I still feel like I'll have to get up and leave them again tomorrow. I sound so sappy, but I have hated leaving them every morning and I have missed seeing Jason. We have had a lot less time together the last 4 months. I look forward to things getting back to a routine. I have so much more time on my hands that I have felt a little aimless. The last two years I have had school hanging over me. Not having that pressure is wonderful and takes a little getting use to. Guess I need to start making lists to keep me productive. I have been working hard in the yard and trying to reorganize my house that I didn't touch for 4 months. I'm so excited for Summer and I can't wait to get out the kayaks, host BBQs, see family (hopefully), do bike rides, and just be with my family--school free!!!

Student Teaching

(December)

I am currently in week 5 (out of 15) of my student teaching. Busy doesn't begin to describe my life, but somehow we are pulling it all together. For the record, I have the most supportive husband. He's been watching Halle during the day. When I get home, he leaves for work. He is playing mom very well, almost better than me! Posts may be few in the coming months. But just know that we are still alive and every bit of me would rather be agonizing over what pictures to post to my blog rather than planning a lesson on adjectives.

Halle is getting around very well these days. The sound of her little hands smacking the wood floor as she crawls away to protect whatever it is that she's not suppose to have--it's just priceless. She has been pulling herself up to stand for quite a while. Here is a shot of her when she was just learning what it was all about. It's tough work to balance that kind of weight on that small of a frame. She is just beginning to let go and stand in place without assistance. Bitter sweet! They change so fast that in a year or two, heck even a month or two, I will have to access my collection of bottled moments (I wish such a thing existed) so I can relive and remember just
how she was. Guess that's what camcorders are for?

Mckenna and Kayla are growing and changing so fast. Mckenna asks me the most thoughtful questions. She is curious about everything and is literally, as they say---a sponge. Kayla is just a little smarty pants. Lately she is the most giggly little thing. The most random of things can start a giggle attack with her. Her laughter, and warmth naturally transmits to everyone. She's infectious that way. That's why I always have and always will call her Sunshine. She has grown immensely in the last 4 or 5 months and has become more social and vocal about everything. The most priceless thing is watching my three girls play together. I never expected that would bring such joy. I understand now why all my mom wanted for Christmas/Mother's day/Birthday was her kids to get along and be nice to each other.

Thanksgiving Program

Mckenna had a little Thanksgiving performance and I really meant to post this sooner but just forgot. I found the pictures tonight and decided that late is better than never. Her class sang some songs and then had a little feast. Each kid got to say what they were thankful for. Mckenna said she was thankful for her family. She's such a good girl. I went to her parent teacher conference and her teacher told me she's just the sweetest, that she is always making sure everyone is included and that no one feels left out or sad in the class. That made me so proud because every morning we say a prayer before the girls leave and I usually mention something about being a good example and being a friend to everyone. She always says, "I KNOW, Mom!" in a rather annoyed tone, but obviously she is listening. Glad there is some evidence that I'm a good mom!

Baby Gifts

I really really really want to post what I've been working on, but they are gifts so I have to wait until they have been given. I made some cute stuff for my sister who is having her first little girl (3rd baby), and my other sister (in-law) is having her first little girl too! They are both due this month! YAY for girls!

I started my last semester of school which means I will be student teaching starting in January. I'm a little nervous about that, not the teaching part, but the leaving my kids to go teach all day part. But that's for another post!

Lately

It's been a while since my last post. I guess with school starting we aren't doing as much "blog worthy" stuff lately. Since school has started life has settled down a bit. The girls go off to school each morning and everything throughout the day has fallen nicely into a good routine. Because the girls are gone in the morning Jase and I have taken on the project of doing a minor bathroom renovation. Our upstairs bathroom has needed some attention since we moved in a year ago. It's taken a little longer than expected but we finally finished it. I have a few small details to add but the work is done. I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Kenna did lose her first tooth finally, and a day or two later, Halle got her first two teeth! Kind of fun when you think of it like that! Pictures to come soon!

Growing Pains

When did Mckenna and Kayla grow up? Today I picked Kenna up from school. As we were walking out she said goodbye to all the kids and teachers we passed in the hall. She knew all of them and some of them she even conversed with about things that had happened that day. I realized that she now has this whole part of her life that I'm not really a part of. It's so hard as a mom to let go. As I've watched her get on the bus each day I just think "oh well, she is only in pre-k." Now that this school year is beginning to wrap up I am realizing that my little baby is going to be a kindergartener in September. She officially begins her school career and all the growing pains that come with that! She'll continue to develop this whole different life that I'm not really a part of. It scares me, but I'm excited to watch her learn, grow, and make decisions on her own. Tomorrow I register Kayla for pre-k. I thought that with each kid it would get a little easier to let them go, but I don't think it will. I will miss having my little sunshine Kayla at home with me. She will go to school and like Kenna she will make her own little world that doesn't really include me. Good thing I have Halle now, but before I know it, she will anxiously be running out to the bus each day.

No Apologies

No apologies for not keeping up on my blogging lately. With all I've had on my plate I'm content with what I've accomplished while neglecting my blogging responsibilities. Yes, it's been a month since I blogged. A lot happens in a month.

We had a great valentines day. Jason took both the girls to dinner and the daddy-daughter v-day dance, and I got to spend a nice quiet evening (doing homework, but not complaining!). The girls had so much fun, they could hardly contain their excitement.

Before the Dance.


After the dance (and some ice cream--daddy's treat)

I have great friends here who threw me a huge surprise baby shower. It's great to have friends that feel like family when you have no real family around. Because it was a surprise, I didn't have my camera darn it!

We made an overnight trip down to Bangor to get some baby stuff and just get out of the house. It was really fun to shop for 10 hours with 2 little kids being 8 1/2 months prego. No, it really was! We don't go down to Bangor--- to all the real stores ---very often so I was determined not to let anything ruin my time there.

As for a baby update: I have progressed at a normal rate and am now down to less than two weeks to my due date (March 3rd). I've been feeling pretty good actually and have been so busy with my kids, school, and church stuff that the time has been flying by. Yesterday my doctor told me that they now offer epidurals so I now have that option. Whether I choose to that route or not is still up in the air. I'm very torn about it and will be thinking about it for the next week. Also on my mind is what to name this baby. Jason has made it clear that he won't budge on the name Zenna so we have been trying to formulate a list together.

So far our list is: Halle, Aida, Alana, Alyssa, and Kylie. I am leaning towards Halle. Which do you like best? or do you have another suggestion for us? Oddly, this is proving to be the most stressful part of having this baby.

It's finally hitting me that I will soon have THREE children and my little family isn't really that little anymore. I have been realizing lately how precious time is. As I watch Mckenna and Kayla growing up I just can't figure out where the time has gone and how they got so old and smart. I know I am having another one, but McKenna, and Kayla will never be their cute little baby selfs again and that's hard for a mom to accept. I'm excited to meet my new baby girl and watch how she develops and grows. I just wish the growing didn't happen so fast.

If I'm lucky I'll find time for a couple more posts before the baby comes, but if I don't--I won't feel bad and I'll report post pregnancy! YAY!

Stress

Well this new year is going to bring major changes to our family very soon. I am due March 3rd with our third little girl (no name picked yet). I have started another semester of school which includes a lot of work within a classroom, which means time out of the home. I have started some of this and have really enjoyed it, but I know that when this baby comes it will be very difficult to get out of the house and fulfill the requirements that I need to. Because of this I am pushing as hard as I can to finish up as many requirements as I can before this baby comes. Lets add that I'm in the young women's presidency, teach piano lessons, and have two girls to care for. Stress seems to be the right word to describe my life now, but ironically I just feel content about the situation. I've been surprised at my ability to juggle these things in my life (no doubt I'm recieving a little extra help from above). We'll see how long this baby will stay put. We'll see how long this content feeling will last. Lets hope a long time.

Kenna's Thanksgiving Performance

Kenna's class along with another class did a little Thanksgiving performance. Kenna's awesome teacher let Kayla sit with all the kids and eat their "thanksgiving dinner." My girls are growing up too fast!

Art

So everyday I look forward to the pictures my girls will draw that day. Daily they present their pictures to me. Now that Kenna goes to school every day she creates some great art there too. Here are some of my favs in the last little while.




This is Mckenna's award winning art. She won a smoke alarm and a t-shirt from the fire department for drawing the best picture in honor of fire prevention week. She chose to draw things that are hot. You can see the frying pan at the bottom and the other boxy shapes are stoves, ovens and microwaves. I asked her what the vertical line was coming out of the stoves. She said, "mom, its fire!' What does this say about my cooking? Ouch! haha

A cowboy riding a horse. You will see that there are people following---those are the cowboys children.






Mckenna was asked to draw a picture of what she wanted to be when she grew up: A Dentist. Check out the detail in this picture. The green person is a mommy standing by.

This is Kayla's creation. She told me it's "THE LAUNDRY." I have no comment on this! haha

First Day of School

Yesterday was Kenna's first day of Preschool. She waited outside for the bus for half an hour. She's been more than ready to go to school for over a year. She totally pulled a Mckenna, walking nonchalantly up to the bus as if she had done it a million times before.

She had a lot of fun, but I had a hard time getting details out of her because she just is soo cool and wants to act like it's no big deal, even though I can tell she's excited.

School Online

If anyone is on the fence about finishing school online, I would like to offer my opinion. By the end of this term I will have finished up 21 credits. This is not so much attributed to my wonderful knowledge and ability as it is to the set up of online classes. If you are thinking about an online program, then my advice is to do it!