first day of first grade!

Britton started first grade today, at an elementary school!  Last year Britton attended kindergarten at the daycare, so it was really just an extension of what she was used to.  This year, it got real!  And Britton was so excited, especially about riding the bus.  Ahhh, the bus.  Originally, we were set on taking Britton to school on her first day.  But when I talked to the principal at "Meet the Teacher" night, she said that parents weren't coming into the building, because it made the whole thing too hectic.  Plus, we had to drop her off front, and her classroom is in the back (where the buses do drop-off).  So, we asked Britton what she wanted to do, and she chose the bus.  

Britton wore her new back pack with pride!  Winnie was tucked into an inside pocket - close enough for comfort, even though Winnie never came out during school.  I didn't want to load up Britton's back pack with her classroom supplies, so I dropped them off at the school this afternoon.  And who should be in the hallway but Britton!  Her class was headed to art, and she was tickled pink that I was in her school.  I said a quick hello, gave her a hug, said hi to her class and teacher, and went on my way.

Watching her bus pull away, I realized it - this was the first time my child had to make her way through this world without me orchestrating, hovering, perfecting, controlling.  She would get to school and have to make her way to her classroom, and remember to give her teacher my filled-out forms, and not forget her lunch box, and I wasn't there to make sure it happened.  Worse, I wouldn't be there to shut down kids who don't have anything nice to say, to make sure she didn't eat lunch alone, to back her up when things weren't going her way.  It's true - Britton wasn't the only one growing up today.  Of course, I'm emotional and not overly optimistic by nature, so take my ramblings with a grain of salt. Suffice it to say, my imagination came up with worst-case scenarios that never happened, and Britton had a fantastic day at school!

a fish tale

Memaw and PawPaw took the kids camping this weekend, near Pymatuning Reservoir in Pennsylvania.  The reservoir, which I'll call a lake because that's really what it is, was right on the campsite.  Britton and Barrett went swimming, played on the beach, rode bikes, and in general got spoiled fun time with Memaw and PawPaw!  After two nights in a row of sleeping for over nine uninterrupted hours (seriously, I don't want jewelry, I don't want cash, I don't want fancy clothes - just give me a morning to sleep in and I'm ecstatic), the hubs and I drove up to the campsite on Saturday and joined everyone for a day of fishing!

It was high time these kids got onto a boat.  I didn't realize it until we left that this was their first time ever on a boat (unless you count a cruise ship, but I don't, since that's basically a floating hotel).  And their first time fishing!  PawPaw brought along minnows - Barrett was in love, but couldn't bring himself to actually touch one, and fishing poles and lures.  Britton stuck with the glittery pink lures, and Memaw had no qualms about sticking a minnow on her hook!  

Since we weren't taking the fishing too seriously and just having fun, we trolled around for a good spot.  But other "serious" fishermen would get near us, so we moved around a little so as not to ruin their fishing day!  The kids loved the pontoon boat, and it was my first time on one too.  

Britton wanted so badly to steer the boat.  She got a kick out of steering, even though she really didn't want to be told how to do it.  But not running over other boats is kind of a requirement, so we helped out!

Barrett wanted to play with the minnows and move the tackle boxes and cooler everywhere.  He even chucked his sunglasses into the lake!

It was a beautiful summer day, and just perfect for fishing and boating.  We all had a great time, and it was the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer, even if we didn't catch one fish!

first (grade) things first: school visit for Britton

We decided that maybe Britton wouldn't want to show up on her first day of school without knowing where anything was, so we toured her elementary school today!  The administration held a presentation for new students, and while some of it was helpful (apparently "non-natural hair color" is a no-no), the cafetorium was hot.  Barrett started losing it first, then Britton got bored, but we made it through.

We ran off to find Britton's classroom first.  The rooms weren't open, but we peeked inside.

The we took a tour of the school, and the vice principal showed us the office, library, and other "hot spots."  Barrett decided he was DONE, so we left.  Britton was very excited to see her school, which was the icing on the cake!

Then we made it home for lunch, Britton happily planning how school would be this year.  And Barrett decided he was going with her, dressing the part with his "smart glasses."  Too bad he won't be going - it will be a big adjustment for him to not be with Britton all day.  But she's ready to start this journey, and I know she'll do great.  First day is in one week!

barrett: 27 months old

Bad mommy here.  Yes, the sign says "August 7th," but truthfully I didn't remember about Barrett's monthly picture until last night.  I guess I was so distracted by work and Britton's party that it completely slipped my mind.  But, I guarantee you that Barrett went through no major changes since August 7th, so the picture and today's info still ring true.

Barrett has been going through one heck of a growing spell lately!  He is hungry all the time now, and drinking tons of milk before bed.  And he got up a couple of times this week at midnight, which is his M.O. when he's hit a growth spurt.  Barrett has also given up his naps now, which is irritating because I know the value of a good nap!

Barrett's vocabulary is growing every day, and he tries so hard to learn new words, repeating them after us.  I still don't understand 30% of what he says, but I'll just ask him to show me and then I get it.  He and Britton have found a common ground - "Shaun the Sheep."  If you haven't seen this show (it's on Amazon, and also a movie), it is hilarious!  Barrett's first and true love still remains Peppa the Pig, and he insists on reading his Peppa the Pig book 2 or 3 times at night before bed.

First tomato out of the garden!

Likes:  broccoli (after a brief hatred, Barrett and broccoli are friends again), Sadie, any truck or tractor, running outside without shoes on, riding his horsey

Dislikes:  shoes on for more than 1 minute, whenever I sing

flipping for britton's birthday party

Yep, we're six days after Britton's birthday, but we had to have her party the weekend after because the gymnastics place wasn't open last weekend.  When we were narrowing down where to have Britton's party, her gymnastics place was top of the list.  She loves taking gymnastics classes, the cost was the least ridiculous we could find for a party, and it ensured kids went home exhausted.  Yes!

The kids started out in the main gym, going through the trampoline, the vault, balance beams, and the climbing wall....

Then they moved over to the other side, where they crossed parallel bars, crawled under forms, swung on a rope, and landed in a ball pit!  You can see why they made the adults sign agreements that we wouldn't get on the equipment - it was downright enticing to try out these tricks!

Then we moved into the alternate gym space, where the kids were introduced to "Steve" and "Bob," also known as an amazing tube inflatable and the bounce house.

To give the kids a chance to cool down from all that activity, Britton opened presents next.  She received some very thoughtful gifts, and I was proud of how she remembered to thank people.  I know the trend is to take the presents home and open them after the party, but I believe that kids need to learn how to accept gifts graciously.  And that won't happen if they are opening them in the privacy of their own home.

The venue didn't offer a chance to drown the party in a theme, so we went with the cake, invitations, and paper products to show the "Dora and Friends" theme.  After presents it was cake and ice cream time!  

Britton and her friends had a great time, and everyone went home happy!  It was a fun celebration for Britton's birthday, and I loved seeing her enjoying the activities with her friends.  As Dora would say, "Feliz Cumpleanos, Britton!"

britton's 6th birthday!

Ha!  I have a SIX YEAR OLD!  I'm still in disbelief.  Britton told me today that she's not ready to be six because she still wants to be five, and I get it.  I'm never ready to get one year older!  Britton is growing up fast, and it was hard to realize today that she's 1/3 of the way to going away to college.  

At the ripe old age of six, Britton is reading and writing.  She loves art, crafts, jumping on the trampoline, reading books together, any Barbie movie, and playing with Barrett.  She knows words to songs she hears once, and can remember the minute details of days before.  Britton is currently taking gymnastics, and this fall will continue with soccer, then wants to do ice skating lessons this winter.  Britton is not nearly as shy as she used to be when it comes to kids, but not when it comes to adults.  She always wants to play with the older kids on our street, and my awkward explanations of why ten year olds don't want to play with little kids falls on deaf ears.  She's headstrong and stubborn, two traits I know all too well.  But those aren't bad things, and I love that she speaks her mind and refuses to give up when she's going after something she wants.

About our day....Memaw and PawPaw came over today to celebrate with us! Britton's birthday party isn't until next Saturday, so we planned on just hanging out, opening presents, then hitting up PF Changs for dinner (Britton's choice!).  "Dora and Friends" called Britton this morning to wish her happy birthday, and she was in heaven.  Let the present opening commence!

Jessica gave Britton a Nerf gun, extra "bullets," and those old-school smelly markers (Mr. Sketch), of which there's a good chance the cherry one will go dry due to me constantly smelling it.  Britton caught on to the Nerf gun quickly, and it shoots so far in distance that we'll take it outside and have fun scaring the bunnies in the yard!

Memaw and PawPaw got Britton a backpack and two lunch boxes for school!  She loved them, and they will be perfect for the new school year.

They also got her an electric scooter!  Britton has been eyeing the neighbor's electric scooter, and making not-so-subtle comments about her scooter being too small, so this gift was a hit!

We got Britton a sewing machine!  It's the same brand as mine, Janome, and it's Hello Kitty themed.  She quickly got the hang of using the machine, and found her favorite stitch - the zig zag.  Now she wants to make a quilt, but I think we'll start small and learn the basics first!

We also got Britton a fossil digging kit!  It's a block of dirt/clay that hold a skeleton of a wooly mammoth, which you dig out and put together.  The hubs got into the action too, and helped Britton get all the skeleton pieces out.

After an early dinner we came home for cake.   This cake was ridiculously sweet and we could all only handle some small pieces.  

Happy birthday to my Britton!  You are such a light in our lives, the first thing that made my life harder and better at the same time.  We've loved watching you grow and learn and even when you turn 60 instead of 6 you'll still be our little girl.

the baby max quilt

The hubs' cousin Kristin is having her first baby soon, and I've kept up with the updates via Facebook. She and her husband live in Edmond, OK, our old stomping ground, and as much as I would have liked to attend her baby shower, it's too far.  So instead, I made her a quilt!

I saw a quilt that had a fish with bubbles, and I liked the idea, but didn't want to go with a fish.  I've always loved elephants, and I thought that it could work to replace the fish with an elephant.  An elephant blowing bubbles?  Turned out to be absolutely adorable!

I made the bubbles all different shades of blue from my stash.  Of course, polka dots and gingham figured prominently!  I found a picture of an elephant on the internet, then printed it out and used it as a template.  I then appliqued the elephant and bubbles onto the quilt and used a tight zig zag stitch around the edges.  The rest of the quilt was free motion quilted with loops.

The backing is a grey with light aqua polka dot, and the binding is a solid turquoise (Kona Breakers, I think).  I loved this quilt so much that I ended up making another just like it!  And hopefully baby Max will love it too!