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Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Eliza's First Day of Preschool!

Okay, so the other day I shared with you guys Henry's first day of first grade and now I'm back to share with you Eliza's first day of 4 year old preschool.

Eliza didn't start school until about two weeks after Henry.  So we had a lots of one-on-one time together.  During that time I realized just how much Henry and Eliza had been playing together throughout the summer.

During those two weeks I became her primary playmate.

Whew, I tell ya', this girl knows how to play!

Let me tell you, Eliza was more than ready to start school!



Look at that squishy little face!  Ahhhh!  I just love her so much!



I was definitely going to miss her, but I was also looking forward to getting a little time to myself throughout the week.  I officially have 7.5 hours every week alone, but by the time I finish drop off and leave for pick up, it's more like 4.5 hours a week.  Some peeps have been asking me what I do with ALL my time...  well, I'll try to workout, run errands, do laundry or come home and sit and finish my breakfast!  Yup, I guess what I'd normally do anyway...


Anyhoo, as much I love that alone time, I crave having my babies back with me in the comfort of our own home...




...But Eliza CRAVES people and learning and fun!

So off to school she went.



I swear looking at these pictures makes me realize just how little Eliza still is...

I feel like I forget all the time that she's only four!!!


I mean, her backpack is half the size of her body...


...and she can fit inside her cubby.

*sigh*

Slow down, sweet girl.


Eliza gave Mama and Dad a hug goodbye and she was off...


...next stop - Kindergarten...

Here's hoping for a nice and slooooooow school year.  ;)

*and ugly crying begins in 3...2...1...*


Marie :)

Monday, September 25, 2017

Henry's First Day of First Grade

Welp, we made it to Henry's First Day of First Grade Recap!

I still can't believe we have a first grader!

Hold me.

This kid was excited to go to school and he couldn't wait to get started!




Henry was, and still is, all about Pokemon, so I was sure to order this Pokemon Picachu backpack and this lunchbox.


We arrived at Henry's school, and although it was easier to let him go this year than last, it was still difficult for me to hold back the tears.  It wasn't until I saw another first grader crying that I started to tear up.


Look at that sweet, little man.  I swear I can still see a little bit of baby fat!

Gosh, I just love his little face so, so, so much.






Aaaaaaand he was off...

But not without this Mama following him up to his classroom.


Desks!!!

I still can't get over how Henry is sitting at a desk now.  I feel like I'm going to cry again, what is wrong with me?!???


After giving Henry one last kiss and looking at him one last time on his first day of first grade, I finally left the building.  Mostly so I wouldn't be physically removed by the officials.  LOL! ;) ;) ;)

It was time for some one-on-one time with little Miss. Eliza for a bit before leaving to pick up my friend's little girl from her preschool.





Eliza and my friend's little girl, Molly, played so well together.  It was only their third time seeing each other and Molly's first time to our house.  Having Miss. Molly over also served as a good distraction for me on Henry's first day of school.

The girls and I enjoyed an afternoon beverage.  They had milk and I had some much needed coffee.  Oh, and as you can see, Barbie was there, too.  Haha!


Later in the afternoon we dropped Molly off at her Mom's school,where she now teaches, and then Eliza and I were off to pick up Henry!  I couldn't wait to see him and hear all about his first day!!!!


Henry gives THE best hugs!


He was all smiles and had a fantastic day!

Oh my happy heart!


Per Henry's request, and as his first day of school tradition, we headed over to Bob Evans for breakfast for dinner!  We discussed all-things-school over eggs, bacon and piggy pancakes.


There you have it - Henry's first day of first grade!

Thanks for stopping by!

Marie :)

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Life Lately

Let's start here.

I had walked away from Miss. Eliza for about 37 seconds to go down the hallway and grab my phone. 

Girlfriend decided to help me make coffee........................

Uh-huh.

Coffee grounds.  Coffee grounds everywhere.

That sweet little babe of mine then attempted to help clean up all the grounds with water and paper towel which only made the mess worse.  Oh and don't ask me what happened to the stool within those 37 seconds?  She didn't fall.  Honestly, I have no idea what happened here.

How dare I walk forty feet in the opposite direction?!

Never a dull moment over here, people, never a dull moment.

Look at that "innocent" face...


...Aaaaaaaaaand look at my face.  I don't even know what to call this face.  But the fact that I decided to take a selfie in the midst of The Great Coffee Grounds Spill of 2017 probably makes me somewhat of a millennial.

Oh great.

Anyhoo, thank goodness for the shop-vac AND a sense of humor.


Henry is loving school (knock on wood) and has been "clipping up" quite frequently.  Once he clips up to rainbow he's allowed to pick out a prize.  He's been loving these little animals and he's been sleeping with them every night.  We're so proud of this little guy.


Jon and I made the most out of both kids being in school a couple of Fridays ago and headed out to breakfast.  If you follow me enough or know us in real life then you know that we don't go on many dates AND we don't live by any family.  I think we're going to be making this a weekly thing.  Who needs a date night when you can have a date morning...with coffee and hash browns?! ;)


We took the kiddos out for some frozen yogurt!  I'm soooo happy we FINALLY have a frozen yogurt shop in town.


Eliza decided to do my hair while we watched some college football a couple of Saturdays ago.  There were also snacks, hence all the wrappers and bowls.  Oh and that baby seat over there is still out from a few weeks ago when I hosted a playdate.  One of my friends has a little baby so I brought it out of the crawlspace for her baby to use.  It's one of the "baby things" I couldn't sell as the music is crazy nostalgic and it brings me to tears remembering how my little Henry used to sit in it!  I like to press the button just to listen to the music or Eliza will go over and press it.  I love it so, soooo much.

Do I have problems?

*nervous laughter*


Miss. Eliza and I went out for coffee (for me) and a sandwich (for her)...


We visited a Hobby Lobby and I'm not going to lie, I was pumped to be seeing all their Christmas stuff out on display.

Bring it!!!

I love all this gold with pops of red and blue...


This cute chalkboard picture - love it...


...and these decorative pom-poms - so sweet!


Eliza and I had a picnic...


We visited the coffee shop again.

Because, well, caffeine...


...and then this past weekend, Jon and I took the kids to their first University of Michigan football game!

Go Blue!

Ummm...selfie??  I don't know??  I tried??

*face palm*


The weather has been gorgeous here in Michigan.  We've had a few chilly days, but for the most part, it's been pretty pleasant.  In fact, it was so warm for it being mid-September that it was kind of odd to see this tree (and other trees here and there) in full-fall-mode!  


The kids were ready to tailgate!

I'd say that 50% of the time that Jon and I attend a Michigan game we tailgate on the golf course across the street from The Big House.  Although this time around our tailgating consisted of hanging out with our favorite little people, drinking juice boxes and eating cupcakes and doughnuts!




The night before the game the kids made their very own Michigan signs...


Some of our friends managed to find us and brought us those cupcakes I was just talking about a second ago...


We packed up and went and found the same friends who had just found us minutes before.  Once over at their tailgating area, Henry and Eliza were offered doughnuts.

The kids didn't decline their offer.


The kids were all sugared up and it was time to head to the stadium.

Right before we started to leave we saw these guys parachuting down into the stadium and onto the field.  Unfortunately we weren't inside to see them land.  Jon and I have watched them land on the field before, so I was a little bummed the kids didn't get to watch them come in!  Darn it.

We totally left too late.  With two sets of little legs we were a bit slower getting over to the stadium than usual.  I knew it, I just didn't plan for it.  Oh man.  Lesson learned.


We also knew there was going to be an Air Force fly over.  Sure enough as we were standing in line to get into the stadium four jets went right over heads.  We definitely got to see it, but sitting in our seats and watching them come toward us and right over the stadium would've been way cooler and far more entertaining.

Now we know for next time.  ;)

Jon and I just figured that sitting amongst 111,000 people would be entertainment enough and we also knew it was going to to be different taking the kids for the first time than any other time we've ever gone alone.

We brushed the things we missed off our shoulders and just rolled with it and I'm so happy we did.  :)


It was suggested to many parents as we were walking in to stop and get wristbands with our phone numbers on them for the kids in case they were to get lost.  Believe me, I was not just holding the kids' hands I was squeezing their hands.  They weren't going to leave my sight!  I didn't find it likely that they'd get lost, but - hey, never say never.  Safety first!



As we were sweating and rushing over to our seats, I decided to chill for a second and take a picture with this little lady!


We smiled through the sweat and were ready to go inside!





We took a break and headed out of the stadium for the kiddos to stretch their legs and to purchase some much needed beverages.  These kids had been party animals all morning with all that sugar.  I think this was them crashing...




You've seen me talk about how I never really drink pop here on the blog.  I'm not going to lie, this was the best tasting pop I've had in years.  I was so hot and thirsty - it really hit the spot!!!!


The kids' signs...


Eliza told me to take a picture of her doing whatever this is and to send to her Aunt Kimmy...

Aunt Kimmy, here ya' go...  LOL!







There was a misting tent.

Thank goodness for the misting tent.

I told Jon that we did the whole tailgating and football game thing and the memory the kids will probably end up talking about most will end up being the misting tent.  

Ha!

Probably...


We were hydrated and misted.  Time for the third quarter!


Wouldn't ya' know it, a touchdown was scored right in our end zone.  It was the first touchdown of the game and Henry and Eliza's first time witnessing a touchdown in The Big House!

Henry was thrilled!!!!

Oh the excitement on his face when I looked at him to see how he was reacting was priceless.  Absolutely priceless.  I didn't get that first picture, but it did prompt me to grab my phone to capture more of what I could as we were still celebrating...





We came.  We saw.  We misted...again.



We left the game a bit early to head over to a family reunion that was a little under an hour up the road.

It was great to see and meet lots of family!

That's my dad right there running with Henry and Henry's cousins!


We celebrated my Great, Great Aunt's 95th birthday (and my kids' Great, Great, Great Aunt - crazy!).  I had never met her, but I sang Happy Birthday along with everyone else anyway.  Oh and I almost said the wrong name while singing...oops!  LOL!  


We stayed for a couple of hours and then took a golf cart back to our car.  Henry and I rode in the back.  I wish my hair wouldn't have gotten in his face, but you know, those golf carts can really move so I wasn't going to attempt to take another photo only to either drop my phone or me just completely fall off.  The latter may or may not have ever happened to me when I was younger...  ;)


On Sunday we slept in a bit and slowly woke up.  It was another gorgeous day.  Jon was down the lake for a few hours removing the ski course and I stayed back with the kids.  The kids played outside here and there, I watched the boat traffic go by, I called my mom and we talked for a nice, long time and later, as the kids were outside playing again, I continued to read Anne of Green Gables.



Bedtime came around rather quickly.

Is it me, or do all kids at bedtime suddenly want to party/ask about where babies come from/want tell you about their entire lives since birth/ask you about your entire life since birth/question the origins of the universe/talk about Adam and Eve/want to finally read that book you've been trying to get them to read all day/tell 24 knock-knock jokes and/or have you tell them a silly story about a cantaloupe as a superhero?

What's up with that?


...aaaaaaaaaaand then it was Monday...

Thanks for stopping by!

Blog ya' again sometime this week. ;)