Successful First Day

The kids had a great first day of school.  I knew Kinley would be fine, but although Griffin was really excited about school, I thought he might cry after he realized we had actually left him there.  He cries every time we leave him in his class at church.  Nope.  No tears.  So proud of my little man.

Getting ready that morning was crazy, of course.  Both kids have been sleeping in all summer (awesome!) so I knew they would be moving slower that usual, wondering why the heck we had to be out the door before 9.  And pictures were frustrating......when will this ever get easy?!  Oh my gosh all I want is a few good pictures.  All I'm asking is they look at the camera and smile.  Ugh.  Stresses me out.  I know it shouldn't but it does.

 

Both were happy to see me when I picked them up after their half day (full days start next week. YAY!) and according to their teachers they both did great.

 

I'm so proud of Kinley and Griffin.  I have no idea why I've been so blessed but I'll take it!

Wacky Wednesday!

Contrary to this picture.......

 

they had a great first day!

Tuesday Tidbits

Griffin is officially a big boy.  I ordered him a full size bed on August 3rd and we were supposed to receive it by August 16.  Haven't heard from anyone concerning delivery and I'm pretty ticked about it but what can you do?  Anyway, since we really wanted him to transition out of his crib before he started school we decided to just put the box springs and mattress on the floor and let him sleep there until his bed arrives.  We did that Saturday night and he did amazing!  And he was so excited.  After bath he didn't want to read book but just wanted to go to bed.  Precious.  Sunday morning, instead of staying in bed until we came and got him (Kinley has always waited for us to come get her.  Always.) he came to the top of the stairs and yelled, "Hi, guys!"

Tomorrow is the first day of school this year for Kinley and Griffin's first day ever.  I've been really ready and excited, until yesterday.  We had parent orientation and there are a few things that I'm worried about with Kinley's class.  The classroom is small.  Not a big deal but I hate small spaces.  The kids have to leave the room and go down the hall by themselves to use the restroom.  Kinley isn't a confident pottier and likes to have me there to help if she needs it (yes, I realize this is my fault because I've always babied her.  She's my first born.), and I really don't like them wandering down the hall by themselves.  And I'm just worried that she's expecting her old teachers and classmates.  We took the kids to meet their teachers this morning but we stopped and saw both of her old teachers and we barely spoke to the new teacher as we walked in door.  That wasn't her or our fault, just too many people and chaos in one room.  All that to say, Kinley is a creature of habit and I'm worried about her.  I know she'll adjust but the adjustment period won't be fun.  Griffin did really well in his classroom and I think he's ready.  I might be wrong.

As I said, I've been really excited about the thought of dropping the kids off at school and peeling out of the parking lot screaming, "FREEDOM!!!"  I'm only sorta kidding.  And to prove that, here is a list of things I'm excited about doing without kids. :)

1. Zumba.  I found a super cheap place and I'm ready to dance my little big booty off.  Literally.

2. Whole Foods, Sunflower Market, Uptown Grocery.  I've never been to any of these new grocery stores in town and it's because there is no way I would be able to look around, enjoy myself, and actually shop with two kids in tow.

3. Running at my favorite park.  I need to get off the treadmill and run outside.

4. Errands and cleaning without kids.  Something that used to take 2 hours will no doubt take 15 minutes sans kids.

5. Marshall's.  I love Marshall's and they have great prices.  If you visit often enough you can find some super cute decorative stuff.  I have an entire house that needs decorating.  I'll be visiting twice a week. :)

Me and my dark purple nails are ready for fall.  Bring. It.

Today, on the way to meet the kids' teachers we pulled over for an ambulance and Kinley and I stopped to pray for whoever needed to ride in said ambulance.  After we prayed Kinley said, "I want to color with God."  Me too, sister.

Tuesday Tidbits

Me:  Kinley, what's your name?

Kinley:  Kinley Grace Hyeon-wu Chambers

You should hear her try to say Hyeon-wu.

I asked Kinley to come put on her shoes.  She stopped in front of me, bowed, and said, "Nice to meet you, your majesty."

Griffin got stung by a bee on Saturday, August 11 while climbing around in the crow's nest of the swing set.  We heard "ouch" and then he slapped his leg and then started screaming.  So we didn't actually see what got him but it sure looked like a bee sting.  I posted a picture on Facebook and my best friend texted me and told me to tape a penny to the sting.  She said it had worked for her daughter.

It worked!  We took it off after about 15 minutes and the swelling was down and the redness had mostly gone away.  And the next day there was a tiny little red dot.  That's it!  Pretty amazing.

Kinley is calling Blake and me dad and mom.  I don't approve.  I am mommy or momma for a few more years, right?!  And she's not giving in easily.  She's persistent even when I tell her I'm not going to answer to mom.  That girl is giving me a run for my money right now...

We're thinking Griffin might be a leftie.  He eats left handed, swings a golf club and baseball bat left handed, and when he goes across the monkey bars he always leads with his left hand.  And Kinley always leads with her right.  We shall see.

New Tradition

I love a good tradition.  I feel that traditions are things we always, always remember.  I don't have a great memory (really!  I get it from my mom!) but I can remember our traditions because it was typically something we did every year.  So, I suggested to my mom that she start a tradition of taking the kids school clothes shopping every year right before school starts.  Make a day of it....shopping, lunch, maybe some ice cream.  She was on board and I think she was missing the kids so we scheduled her visit for the following weekend, which just so happened to be this last weekend.

Before I go any farther, I'd like to say that I didn't come up with this tradition on my own.  My friend's grandmother took her shopping and now my friend's mom takes her grandkids shopping.  You get the idea. :)

So my mom drove in on Friday.  We ate dinner and then headed right outside to enjoy the much cooler temperatures.  I decided to let the kids get the shaving cream out and things got crazy.

My mom is such a great sport.  Kinley chased mom all over the yard and then mom would chase Kinley.  It was pretty fun to watch.  Lots of giggling and silliness.

Sidenote:  Griffin has been sick since Thursday.  Fever and congestion the first three days.  Now he's just got some MAJOR congestion.  Poor guy is not himself and hardly eating.  Breaks my heart.

So, the next day we got ready for our big shopping day and I made everyone stop and take a picture.

This is how pictures go for us......

Kinley not looking at the camera.

Mom not looking at the camera.

 Kinley showcasing her 'tude.

Mom with her eyes closed and more attitude from the little one.

Good times.

We had a great day.  We hit a few big girl stores (Loft and Victoria's Secret) and then some fun stuff like Baby Gap, Disney Store, Marshall's, Kohl's, and maybe a quick stop for a chocolate chip cookie for Kinley.  We had fun and Kinley was pretty good all day.  Let's be honest, shopping with a three year old can be less than enjoyable.  Of course, my mom handled Kinley's antics much better than I did.

Mom and I caught Kinley in the corner of Loft trying on hats and belts.  Diva.

Kinley, did the cookie explode on your face?

My favorite spot, Marshall's, was good to me.  As always.  Here's what I picked up for Kinley's room.

I love it and it fits her room perfectly. 

I also might have bought a coffee table.  But it's not really a coffee table.  And it's for our formal living room....that's empty.

Good day.  Great tradition.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbits

I just love love love love love LOVE the Olympics.  Especially the summer games.  So I'm watching as much as I can right now and really trying to get the kids into it.  They enjoy the swimming and gymnastics (ME TOO!).  Whenever we say we're going to watch the Olympics they run towards the TV and scream, "Let's watch exercise!!!"

May I suggest a book.  A trilogy, actually.  The first book is called Divergent and the second is Insurgent.  The third is not finished, not named, and won't be out until Fall 2013.  What?!!!  I can't wait that long!  Anyway, if you like The Hunger Games you'll like Divergent.

I took the kids to the zoo a couple weeks ago and as I was pushing the double stroller up to the cafe two Chinese girls were oooing and awwing over my kids, particularly Griffin.  When I stepped up to order one girl says in very broken English, "They twins?"

Um, no.

I just smiled and said, "No.  Just brother and sister."

Pretty sure something was lost in translation.

Griffin's new adorable thing to say is whoopie daisy.

Not whoopsie daisy.

That kid is hysterical.

I love stomping up the stairs just for fun and listening to the kids run for their lives.

Kinley says something I can't understand and seems frustrated when I tell her so.
Me:  Do you want to repeat it?
Kinley:  Yeah!
Me:  Say it again.
Kinley:  Repeat it!!!
Big sigh.

"What planet are you from that you think I'm Go Go Gadget Mom that can do 14 things for you all at once??!!!"
Said to Griffin in one of my finer parenting moments.

I go into Griff's room to get him after his nap and immediately smell the funk....
Me: Did you poop, Griffin?
Griffin: Yeah!
Me: You did?!
Griff: I touched the poop.
Pause........
Me: You touched the poop?
Griff: Yeah.
Fantastic.

As we're cruising through the dollar section at Target...
Griffin:  Check it out, guys!!!
That's my boy!