Blahs

WARNING: This post will travel in several directions...

I have the blahs! Horrible blahs! I can't quite get motivated to do much of anything. We have had a significant chance of rain for what feels like FOREVER but it really has only been a week or so. It is hard at the beginning of a school year to not be able to play outside or have to stay on the concrete. Luckily, it hasn't been that bad for my class and they are amazing kiddos that have adjusted well to doing some inside movement!


Kylie was on Breakfast with Tom on Channel 11 a few Friday's ago. It was a reward to the current 4th graders who made Advanced on BOTH Math and Reading on the Arkansas Benchmark tests in 3rd grade (which is the highest level). That happened to also be "Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character" day at school. She went as Charlotte from Charlotte's Web. Now, she decided this at around 9:30 on Thursday night. I ran to Wal-Mart after getting everyone in bed and gathered up thick black tights, poly-fil, a black long sleeved shirt and large safety pins. She was happy with the end result...JD wasn't too sure and I was just glad it semi-looked like a spider!! She had to be at school by 5:30 a.m. the next morning so it was a long night and morning came quick! JD took her and the two pics are from his phone and are a little blurry and the first one is from home.







On another note, because she is in a company class for dance she is able to audition for a part in a full ballet performance at Christmas of the Little Match Girl (a Hans Christian Andersen story). She is really excited! Practices are on Saturdays for 10 weeks. I'm sure there will be a few future posts about that!

Other than that, we have been up to NOTHING! Hopefully, it doesn't rain next week too!!

Last Day of Summer...

Finally had a few minutes to make a post...

JD happened to be off on the boys last "official" day of summer (well, technically they had orientation that day but they skipped to have one last day together).

They did lots of things...got ice cream, went to McDonalds for breakfast, and went out to the park at Beaverfork lake.









We really haven't been up to much since school started back. Kylie is at Sonshine four nights a week and the boys are just along for the ride...

Back to School

WOW...it's official...I am no longer the parent to little ones...My sweet girl started FOURTH GRADE. WHAT?!?! She loves her teacher (an answered prayer) and she has been excited every day so far.

The boys started full time preschool at UCA. They go every day from 8-3. It has been a bit of an adjustment for them. They see me a lot more around school than they did last year and Landon has to stop what he is doing and give me a hug. It has been a challenge for me not to be the parent and make them listen when they are not. All has been pretty good so far...

Kylie getting ready to leave on the first day (August 19)



Gavin and Landon trying to get to the car without a picture on their first day (August 25)


The boys did sneak into some dress up clothes while I was working last weekend. Silly boys!


Landon was loving the bird feet and wanted his picture taken.

Well Child Checks

All three kiddos went to the doctor for their well child check-ups. All got good reports:

Current Stats:

Kylie- 85% for height; 60% for weight
She had to get a booster of the chickenpox vaccine. She wasn't thrilled but didn't scream and I DIDN'T have to hold her down (major accomplishment)

Gavin- 37 lbs (50th percentile) and 41 inches (50th percentile)
Landon- 37 lbs (50th percentile) and 41 inches (50th percentile)
They both got half of their kindergarten shots--they split them so they didn't have to get so many next year.

It is amazing to me (and the doctor) how they boys are always so close or exactly the same height/weight.

Oh, and all three got FluMist...cross another one off the list. The Dr. said it is recommended to get it early this year...so we did.

Sad Landon story: Gavin got his shots first and Landon saw how I had to basically hold him down in my lap (not because he was crying just because the nurses wanted his hands held). When it came time for Landon's turn he was hiding under the table and then started screaming "It's hurts!!" He hadn't had anything done yet. So, it took a few extra minutes to get him ready and then he got his shots (and screamed--and then Gavin thought he needed to scream too). Anyways, we were walking out and Landon looked up at me and grabbed my hand and said....."Mommy, why did you let them hurt me?" It broke my heart!

Graduation

I am so relieved that graduate school is over. I will miss my new friends...and since I work with my professors I still get to stay in contact with them. I will be happy not to have to figure out who will pick up Kylie from dance/cheer and who will watch the boys and when I will have time to do papers, etc...

Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way. Even words of encouragement have meant so much!

Almost ready!


Getting hooded


Blank diploma


I was stressed about the cap...glad it wasn't too crooked or didn't fall off!


JD's sister, Jenna, also graduated that night with her bachelors.


Jenna getting diploma


Jenna and her fiance (at the time, they got married the next day!) Dustin


Jenna and her parents

Kylie was DYING to wear my cap

Me and my brother (and he crouched down so I could be taller, for once)

Me and Jenna

Me and the boys

Me and Kylie

Me and Brooke


I didn't get a picture of me and JD...oh well...we were hungry and ready to get out of there!!

Branson Get-A-Way

Since I have Fridays off from school we decided to take a quick trip up to Branson for a few days. JD was on vacation that week. We left on Thursday after I finished class. It was a wonderful trip, the kids behaved, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL! We stayed at the Welk Resort...they have a newly opened indoor/outdoor pool with slide and several water sprayers, etc. We spend most of the time there...no shopping, no shows, no stress! We did drive up to Springfield to the "big" Bass Pro Shops. However, they were renovating and so most of the cool "habitats" were either covered up or taken down. It was still nice and the kids thought they were so important to be able to get on the different boats.

Playing mini golf (the boys first time)



Room Service at the hotel


My good-looking boys swimming


Kylie and JD waiting to get soaked


ALL WET(on a side note...the boys loved this bucket thing but it was so strong it pulled their bathing suits off everytime :)


Landon


Gavin


Kylie




Kylie going down the waterslide

I am ALMOST done talking about it...

I am the first to admit I have not made many posts lately. Below is the reason why...I know everyone is tired of hearing about grad school...and I am tired of talking about it. I "defended" my final portfolio on Friday. I passed (such a relief) without having to make any changes and re-submit. It is weird though...this binder filled with 159 page protectors (yes I counted and yes I wanted to add one more page to make it even)represents the last two years of my life. Sure, my family comes first but this was a lot of hard work. I am going to brag...I have a 3.9 GPA (that darn research methods class was my only B) and I hope to feel relief on Friday, August 7 at 7:00 when I walk across that stage and know that I am DONE!