The First Day of School

The first day of school! Yeah!!! The girls were so excited this morning. They both surprised me by making some last minute wardrobe changes. I will admit that I was disappointed that Sienna decided not to wear the dress as planned. The dress is soooo cute (and casual). Oh well, when she does wear it I'm still posting a pic because it's just that cute. Levi insisted on being in the pictures this morning. This is unusual since normally he always turns away from the camera. But not this morning~ he came running in and jumped right in the picture and said cheese (a new word!).

Sienna walked into the preschool like an old pro. She found her new cubby and then found her name tag right away. She said hello and good morning to everyone she saw. We walked over and she found her book, gave me a hug and kiss and said goodbye. Almost all of the other kids around were SCREAMING and crying. They had ahold of their mothers around the neck with a death grip. One girl was screaming "Me don't like school!". The first boy we saw in the parking lot (as soon as we got there) was literally throwing himself down in the gravel and then thrashing while screaming. I couldn't believe it. It was like a mad house. I was afraid that Sienna would be a little scared of all this (since I was a little scared of it all) but she wasn't. It didn't phase her one bit. I just don't remember it being that extremely intense last year on the first day. When I left Sienna was sitting nicely on the carpet looking at her book with a returning friend from last year, one of the teachers (there's only 3) already had one screaming boy on her lap, another teacher was in the process of prying a screaming girl from her mother's neck, about 6 more parents were lined up with screaming girls and one parent was having a complete emotional meltdown in the parking lot. It was crazy!

Sierra had the nervous tummy this morning. She has a male teacher this year and is a little scared of that. We met him last night and he seemed to be a very nice man. Everyone we talked to at open house told us how nice and what a good teacher he is. She's still uncertain though. The first day is always a little scary. I reminded her that she felt this way last year too right up until she got into school. She said that she knew the feeling would go away after school started but that didn't help her much for right now. I reminded her how beautiful she looked and that was a slight comfort. :)

It'll be a great day for both of them. I can't wait to hear all about it. Here's a little video of Sienna doing something (I'm not sure what) this morning before school when we made a quick stop at Aunt Shell's.

Ready to Go!

Tomorrow is the first day of school! Yeah!! My house is so excited! I am so excited! Tonight is open house at the elementary so the kids can bring in their supplies and find out where their room, desk, and locker is at. This helps the kids feel more prepared for the first day. It helps the jitters be more about excitement rather than nervousness. Sierra is so excited about the open house that it almost feels like some sort of premiere or gala rather than going up to the school. Outfits have been picked out, hairstlyes have already been tried out and approved, breakfast has already been decided - we are ready, to say the least.

A Fun Day in the Sun

Summer is quickly coming to an end with only 3 days left until school starts! So today we went to the rec and we took Christen (Dave's niece) with us. The kids have so much fun with her. They all fight over her. I was so surprised to find that the rec pool was nearly empty. There was really only a handful of people there. It felt like we had the pool to ourselves. Well, right up until a little boy showed up who wanted to ball with Levi. Levi did not want this boy to touch his ball. Levi yelled at him and shooed him away. I finally just told the boy that Levi was not very friendly and didn't want to play. That boy looked at Levi like he was nuts! It was just a really fun day.

Levi's Birthday Party

Press play.

Happy Birthday Levi!!

Happy birthday to my handsome little man! I can't believe he's two already. The time goes by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was waddling around knocking things down with my HUGE belly. Levi teaches me so much everyday. He's such an amazing little guy. Everyday I watch him grow into his own little person. He is so unique and different from any child I've ever encountered. I love him so much and I am sooo thankful for him. Happy Birthday Levi!!

First Time Banger

'First time banger' is what the stylist called Sierra yesterday. We did some school shopping and the first stop was the salon. Here's her before and after shots. I love the bangs (much to my surprise)!

Please Don't Go....

Can summer already be approaching it's end? How can this be?! I'm no where near ready for summer to end. It's just not fair (that's my kids' favorite phrase, thought I'd try it out). Sierra's birthday has already gone by and Levi's is coming this week. School starts back up in 14 days. That's the only good part of summer ending - school starting!! It just doesn't feel like summer's been here nearly long to be leaving already. There's so much I still want to do ~ like swim everyday, take the kids to the zoo (although, I've been waiting for cooler weather) and the same for Cedar Point. I suppose that I can still those things (except for swimming) in the fall weather, it would be more comfortable. But that's not the point! I still don't want summer to end!

The Hannah Montana Concert

The Hannah Montana concert was on tv Saturday night. If you have a tween daughter or know any tween girls or ever shop at Wal Mart then I'm sure you've heard of Hannah Montana. If not, then I'll tell you that she's a 15 year old girl (daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, 'My Achy Breaky Heart' guy) that the money making machine known as Disney has morphed her into a tweeny bopper TV/Rockstar. She's all the 'rage' on the tween scene right now. Disney aired the concert on tv and it also featured The Jonas Brothers, which are a Disney tweeny boy group of three brothers (one of which has caused Sierra to fall in love). Wal Mart has been giving out free 3-D glasses for weeks in preparation for the big premiere. The concert was being shown in 3-D (probably should have mentioned that).

The girls were soooo excited for the concert. They talked about it all day. Sierra had a countdown running. We had bought Hannah Montana microphone headsets as part of the treat bags for Sierra's party and the girls were planning on using them during the concert. The concert started at 8:00 so at 7:45 the girls ran upstairs to change into their Hannah clothes. I had no idea that they had 'hannah' clothes so I was anxious to see what they were going to wear. As they changed I started the popcorn and ice cream floats that I had previously promised. The girls arrived in the living room in their Hannah attire.

The concert started and so did their screaming. For a second I thought Hannah Montana was standing in my living room. I had so much fun watching them. They were aggravated with the 3-D glasses. They wouldn't stay on. So, I got out my hole punch and some leftover curling ribbon from the party and tied them to my children's heads. FYI: FREE GLASSES WILL REQUIRE MOMMY'S CRAFT BOX. With glasses back on so was the concert. They screamed, they danced, they screamed, they sang, they screamed, they ate, they screamed. It was like they were actually at the concert. I can only imagine what it would be like to take them to a live concert. It was alot of fun just watching them have so much fun.

The BIrthday Sleepover

Sierra's 9th birthday isn't actually until Tuesday but she had her sleepover party on Friday. The girls had alot of fun. Everything of course had to be Hannah Montana themed. I made so many water balloons that I thought the skin was going to fall off my finger. Sierra and one of her friends totally drenched me with water while I was wearing all of my regular clothes. Sierra thought it was absolutely hysterical. Why is it always so totally cool when you get a grown up soaked? The girls put on a fashion show for me. Well, actually they insisted that I be the photographer for the show. They had fun and were actually pretty well behaved.

The Big Day

Today is the big day - Sierra's Sleepover!!! Yeah! She is soooo excited. She is having a Hannah Montana/Jonas Brothers theme. We're just decorating her bedroom rather than half the house. (Hey- it's a sleepover) I'm excited for the party too. The parties get harder as the kids older. I always thought they would get easier, but they don't. The party itself isn't hard it's all the pressure I put on myself to make it absolutely spectacular and better than the last. Won't I eventually max out on ideas? But I haven't maxed out yet and this party is going to be great!

A Dog-Gone Normal Weekend

What can I say about this picture? This was pretty much how my entire weekend was. We didn't really do much but it was fun just the same. Max enjoyed his stroller ride and the girls loved the fact that Max would stay in the stroller (Lola would not). Levi thought it was pretty cool too. We had just a normal, relaxed weekend without any wild animal encounters (unless you count the small mouse Dave killed in the basement). Now we're getting ready for Sierra's Birthday Sleepover this weekend.

The Bravery Badge

Levi gets the bravery badge today! Daddy made a fire for the kids last night with smores and hot dogs. Is it still considered 'a fire' without the smores? Levi held his first sparkler last night!! What a big boy! On the 4th he wouldn't even consider taking a sparkler. Of course, he wouldn't take the sparker from me. I had to give the sparkler to Dave and then Dave gave it to Levi. Almost as if he didn't trust me.

Why?!?!?!

So, I know I've been a TOTAL slacker lately with the blog. I just haven't felt like it. There's been much I've wanted to say but just didn't feel like putting out the effort it would require. Isn't that just terrible?! LAZY! Normally, today would not be the kind of day I would pick to blog as I am feeling a little 'down' today. Last night, about an hour after bedtime, the girls came downstairs to let me know that there was a bird in Sienna's room. Everyone knows I don't like birds and they don't like me but at least they don't carry rabies, unlike bats. However, to no surprise, it wasn't a bird but actually a bat. My investigation led me to discover the bat hanging on Sienna's window blinds. Now, it was after dark and the girls had already seen it fly from the hallway into Sienna's room. Obviously, I was absolutely petrified. I closed the door, tightly and put a towel over the space between the door and the floor. The bat was now trapped inside the bedroom and I felt safer. I checked on Levi (who was already sleeping) and thoroughly inspected his room and all the other rooms for bats. After deciding that each room was bat free and pulled all the doors tightly closed and went downstairs to call for mental support. My brother-in-law, Brian the Bat Slayer, had to work so we were on our own for the evening. Needless to say, I decided the girls would sleep with me in my bed but I couldn't get them to go without me (also needless to say). At one point I did get brave and decided that I was going to go get the bat. I made it as far as the bedroom door and I could hear the bat on the other side flying around and squealing. Needless to say (again), my bravery left me and I quickly checked on Levi, resealed his door, and RAN back downstairs.

By 1:00 am, the girls were fast asleep next to me in bed. Sleep didn't come as easily to me. I kept worrying about Levi being in his room by himself. He made a couple of noises so I went in to check on him. He was fine, I covered him back up and turned to walk out of the room when I see a bat flying up and down the hallway. I quickly slammed the door closed and scooped Levi up. There was no question about it now, he had to sleep in my bed with the rest of us. Good thing I have a king size bed, but it still wasn't a comfortable sleep. Anyway, I grabbed Levi's blanket and threw it over top of him (as to shield him from the bat confrontation that I feared was inevitable). I peeked around the door and saw no movements so I was gonna make a run for it (you know that long run across the hallway - 2 steps max) but then I heard it flapping around on the steps just around the corner. So I closed the door back. Levi laughed at me. I peeked again and the bat was flying around the hallway again. I closed the door. Levi laughed. I peeked again but the bat was still flying. I closed the door. Levi laughed. This went on for about 20 minutes before Levi quit laughing and just seemed very annoyed. I was annoyed too and hot. Between having already turned off Levi's fan and the blanket I had covering Levi and the one I had thrown over my head, I was starting to sweat and had had enough of being trapped in this room. So, I called out to Sierra through the baby monitor hoping she could open the bedroom door and Levi and I could just bolt through. However, she could sleep through a tornado and never heard me. Again I realized, I am on my own. I peeked around the door and didn't see or hear it so we ran for it. Obviously, we all survived but it was a terrible night. I didn't get much sleep for obvious reasons. And the small bit of sleep I did get wasn't very restful.

So, today I am left with the realization that I have a bat problem. Here is my reality: bats have now entered the living quarters of my children, David works on the road so I am mostly home alone with my kids, I am terribly afraid and unable to deal with the bats, - which all brings me to the harshest reality of all - I have to find a way to either keep the bats from coming inside or find a way to overcome my fear. Which would be easier to do? At this point, I have no idea. Brian the Bat Slayer came over this morning and did a thorough inspection of the house from top to bottom and NO bats were found. Can you believe that?! Not ONE?! For real? They obviously know how to come and go as they please but this is ridiculous. I don't know what I'm going to do.

The Basement of Doom

As much as I love our house I HATE the basement. And I have since day one. It reminds me of a scene straight out of Saw (if you've never seen the movie, I don't suggest it). It's yucky, creepy, gross~ I just hate it. The basement also happens to be home to my washer and dryer. So this totally sucks. I get totally creeped out every time I go down there ~ it never gets easier. Not only is my basement home to my washer/dryer, it is also home to the 'Animal Kingdom Gateway'. My family laughs at me and teases me because I enter the basement in a very cautious manner. I do a full eye sweep of every wall, floor surface, door, rafter, everything before I step into it. I have already encountered a bat, 2 birds (at the same time), a spider the size of my big toe, another bat (today), and another spider the size of my big toe (also today). This is a picture of today's bat. After the first bat encounter I now REFUSE to go the basement after dark. I really don't think this is normal. Dave (says) he did a thorough inspection of every spec of the basement and cannot find where they're coming in at. BIG BIG thanks to my brother-in-law, Brian. He came over today and removed my bat!! Words cannot describe my gratitude!




And here's a cute picture of Sierra with her hermit crab from Myrtle Beach, Angel. Just because I cannot make a post with only a nasty bat pictured.

Some Slip-n-Slide Fun

What exactly is it about the slip-n-slide that is always so much fun? As a child I loved some slip-n-slide action. As an adult, I have no desire to throw myself down on a piece of plastic that is going to send me sliding while spraying water in my face. Knowing my luck these days I'd probably throw my hip out and loose a contact. But the kids LOVE it! Brandon and Sierra played on this thing ALL day.

Sienna was a little more hesitant with it. She wouldn't just throw herself down on it. She would get down on her knees and then kind of scoot to the end. Levi didn't even get to try or see the slip-n-slide. I don't feel bad about this one bit. I did not feel like going to the emergency room that afternoon. No matter what my 'ER Frequent Visitor Card' says, I don't enjoy visits to the ER.
Slip-n-Slide + Levi = Emergency Room

Finally!

Summer is finally here!! Yeah! I swear, I thought it would never come this year. I'm not going to mention all the rain we've been getting because I'm trying not to complain and just be thankful for the warmer weather.

Today, we packed our cooler, picked up Maddie and Bub, and went to the rec for some swimming. Let me say, that water was FREEZING but that didn't stop the kids. I couldn't get in past my knees. They swam around that pool like little fish.

Sierra was very excited to discover that she is tall enough for the slide this year. Since she wasn't tall enough last year she had to pass a swimming test to go on the slide. She was very grateful to not have to repeat the test.



We had fun and I'm sure the fun will continue. I'm dying to get some good pictures of the kids in the water but it's a little hard when I'm the only adult. Levi can't be trusted for 2 seconds. I think I walked about 5 miles today just following Levi from one side of the pool to the other. Levi is my 'exercise plan'.

Myrtle Beach 2008

It is sooo nice to have Sierra home!! She had so much fun on vacation in Myrtle Beach, even though she was the only girl. Luckily, Brandon was able to go on vacation too, so at least she had her homie with her. Notice how tan she is in this picture. Let me add that the two boys on the far right live in North Carolina. All the kids decided to buy boogie boards with some of their 'vacation money' and they had a blast riding the waves on these things.





This is a picture of the pool where they spent any time they weren't on the beach. Here they got to do lots of cannon balls and dives. And probably run off anyone else trying to use the pool! They even got to swim here a couple of times after dark. There's always something cool about swimming after dark.







Here's a few shots of everyone at the pier just outside of their condo.









Sierra and Brandon both had a wonderful time. They chatterboxed my ear off the entire way home from WV. I'm so thankful that they were able to make the trip with Dad and Hilde. I only wish Maddie and Sienna would have been able to go (Maddie had sport commitments and Sienna just wouldn't go without Mommy). I just wanna say thank you to Dad and Hilde for giving them such a great time and memories that will last them a lifetime!!