831!

Last night I went with some friends to hear a speaker. It was at a beautiful winery and we had a lovely time.

We were joking that the sun flare was the Holy Spirit joining us. It was a nice talk with a positive message. Kind of a wonderful sentiment for this weekend and today because... I am getting old! It's my birthday. I love my birthday and have no problem with the getting older part, but it's still nice to hear sometimes.

The kids got me cards and we have some cake for later tonight which will be fun.

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

How We're Doing

We are settling into finding our new normal. Everyone has big changes and that's okay, it's just an adjustment.

So, this year our school started "Kindergarten Camp." For the first three days of school, the kids rotated through all the teachers, were individually assessed and gave the counselors and teachers a chance to look at the group dynamics. Then they would form the actual classes.

On Monday afternoon, we got C's actual class assignment and I have no complaints. I am super duper curious how they came to the conclusions they came to because the lists didn't really change that much. As I suspected, the two girls with the rhyming names (that start with M and N respectively, though they don't look like they'd rhyme) were in different classes. But otherwise, it felt like they moved a few kids just to move some. (Only 5 kids were switched from each original group.) C got switched but again, I am not complaining. I honestly didn't know which teacher would be the best fit for him. And now he is in a room with his good friend, which makes me very happy.

So today is actually only the second real day of kindergarten, and yesterday we had a two-hour early out because of the heat. But it seems to be going well enough. C hadn't been sleeping well because it's been SO INCREDIBLY hot and humid. And our AC continues to be dead. (Soon it will be fixed.) But the heat broke last night and he is well rested, thank the Lord because he could not have another successful day on so little sleep.

M is starting to get used to hanging with me all day. She is deeply looking forward to school tomorrow. Her teacher, C's teacher from last year, was diagnosed with breast cancer so their room also has a long-term sub who is assigned to the room, who is very sweet and wonderful. She will be there tomorrow for day 2.

Getting into the new morning routine and even the afternoon has been a big change for me. But I know in about two weeks it's going to be second nature. Luckily our public district (with whom we share bussing so we are intrinsically linked) shifted the bell times for everyone this year so literally, everyone at our school is also trying to find the new normal. I feel like they start so early (7:45) and go for so long! (2:55) But it's all new to me so what do I know?

And since all posts need a picture, here is one that M took. She likes to walk around with my phone. 

Happy Wednesday!!

Her Day

Guys, my mama heart can't even take it.  

M's first day of school ever. Oh. She was ready. And excited. She had no cares. 

She hung her school bag right up and just ran off to play. Which is okay. Truly. I actually don't think I could've held it together if she was sad. I shocked myself by holding together in the first place. 

She did great! (It was a super short day just to practice being at school.) Back again on Thursday! 

First Day!

And he's off.

 My big guy started school and I am sure he is having a good time. M has already asked when we can go pick him back up so it's going to be an adjustment for all of us.

We're not even going to talk about the crying mess I was last night. (Or even a little this morning.) I wore sunglasses to help the situation but I cry like Charlotte York so there's really no hiding it.

The Finale

The backpacks are unpacked. The clothes are all ready.

Today is starting out crisp, which is my absolute favorite. It almost feels like Fall. But especially to me, it feels like Northern Minnesota summers, where you need sweatshirts in the morning, by mid-day you find yourself wanting to go for a swim and as dusk sets in a campfire is perfection. The best kind of day actually.

We are going to soak in today, our last day of summer together all three of us.

We did the #shiggychallenge to round out our summer.

Because of course we did. (It should be noted here that Husband 100% refuses to do this dance with me. A shame.)

We are having a special lunch of Pizza Hut to celebrate.

Tomorrow this kid goes to school for a full day.

We are both, he and I, bittersweet about it. But it's going to be good. And it's going to be fine. (Talk to me next Tuesday when I drop M off and I have no idea what to do with myself without either of my sidekicks. Because I am anticipating that one to be rough.)

Obviously, I am going to miss my boy. But I am happy with our school and I know he is going to do great things. And I am not even a little bit worried about the academic side of things which is something.

But I am still going to savor today. My last day with him all to myself.

Our Weekend

We had a family fun day on Saturday, for our last weekend before school starts. We went to the museum. Everyone played for hours.

It was a special day I did not know about before we went. (Or we wouldn't have gone because I am allergic to crowds.) But there were special things, like make your own rock candy class. 

Hovercraft rides. 

C took a watercolor class. He painted fish and when he was all done, he showed the fish that live in the classroom. 

Balloon animals they were really excited to show me. (Sarcasm. They just wanted to go play.) 

And we spent extra time in the Eric Carle exhibit before it leaves. 

Yesterday afternoon we went to a new-to-us ice cream shop. It was fine. For my money, I think the other local joint has way better normal ice cream and DQ is always good too. I just don't understand why ice cream needs to have lavender or balsamic in it. There was also a goat cheese one and while I would never ever in a million years claim to be a foodie, I just don't get it. Fancy foodie ice cream isn't as good as regular flavors. (Don't even get me started on Sweet Corn ice cream. I know we live in Iowa but for goodness sakes, cut it out.) 

Today is a complete Carpenter's song. It's Monday and rainy. Which is actually so comforting and cozy to me today. 

Getting Ready!

You know what I think is funny? Back to school clothes. Don't get me wrong, most of them have some cute stuff. But... with so many schools starting in August, or there are some July starts!! and even just after Labor Day, you guys it's HOT.

So why is everything long sleeved and flannel and whatever? I mean, in uniform world it doesn't matter so much. Shorts and short sleeved polo. Done. But for M, I can't even find a cute short sleeved shirt for back to school. All the stuff I would actually buy is on summer clearance and picked over. It's dreadfully annoying.

Not that M doesn't look adorable in some of her new clothes.

It's just that it's way too hot to wear any of them. 

But the school shoes arrive today and M's school bag personalization was done yesterday, so we really are ready. (Apart from buying two bags of cotton balls for M's teacher wishlist.) And that's great! I feel 98% unstressed about the school year beginning. And that 2% is navigating the new car line situation. Because we don't have a fancy Honda Odessy where I can open the door and C can't really open the door by himself so... I don't know how this is going to go down exactly. I have already resolved myself to parking and walking for the first few days just to observe. 

Sure, I am emotional about both kids being gone for a period of time, but it's going to be okay. We will figure out our new normal soon enough. 

We are heading into this weekend with nothing major to do, just a family weekend to celebrate the end of summer. And I am excited. 

Our Anniversary

Yesterday was our 8th wedding anniversary! We didn't do too much to celebrate. Husband went early and bought doughnuts for breakfast and some flowers.

I took the kids for back-to-school haircuts. Oh what a difference.

C on Monday (International Lefthanders Day, he and I are both lefties.)

C, post haircut. 

M got her hair trimmed too. It was her second cut, after her cut at Disney World which was on our anniversary last year. I don't know if we'll make it all the way to August 14, 2019, without a cut or trim again but we'll see. 

Here is a before from Friday. 

And, here is her after picture. (Seriously, you can't even tell, but she's so proud she got a haircut. LOL) 

She got her Peppa Pig magazine in the mail, so she was pretty busy obviously. 

Anyway, Husband came home early and we went to dinner at 4:00. The Red Robin manager even asked us how our lunch was. But we had to get to Mass. Honestly, getting married on a Marian feast day vigil was so unintentionally smart. 

Since our wedding was at the Basilica of St. Mary they went all out with their decorations PLUS Marian vestments are blue, which was our wedding color so that was cool too. BUT also, we have the chance to go to Mass together every year for our anniversary. Even with our wiggly wiggly children, it was kind of nice. 

Anyway. Yay for 8 years of marriage and many more to come. 

Fun Friday!

Oh my gosh you guys!! It's Friday!! But not just any normal (typically awesome just because it's Friday obviously) Friday. It's Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society Friday! Or at least the day the movie has been released on Netflix.

Now I haven't watched it yet. But I do have big plans for tonight. I loved this book and most people who have read it do too. As with anything, some people do not, but if you are in need of a good book, I highly recommend it!

Today has been productive, we went and picked up forms from the doctor's office for school registration. Then we returned our library books and got some lunch. We don't have big plans for this weekend. I saw my show to review last night so we will have a quiet weekend I am guessing, which is super swell.

Happy weekend!!

Joyful!

Everyone likes to feel needed. Right? Well, you know how you always find yourself saying "If there's anything I can do to help let me know." or is that just a Midwest thing? But no one ever asks for help?

Well, yesterday I got to help my college roommate and I am really giddy over it, to be honest. My friend was in labor and her daughter came to my house. Now she and M are within months of each other so they play together so well, so it was basically just hosting an extended playdate but still.

It was such an honor to know my friend was in labor before most of the people in her life. And I have spidy-sense I guess because I sent a "your oldest is doing great--do not worry" text to my friend's husband. (Because you know, labor is stressful and while I wouldn't want to bother her phone with a text, if worry over how her daughter was doing was a part of that stress, an update may have been nice.) And I heard back right away that the baby had just been born! So exciting!!

And while it may be silly to be so excited about helping, it's nice to be needed and helpful. So there's that. :)

Whirlwind

Hello everyone and happy August! I can't believe it's Monday and I also am shocked that it's August 6 already!!

Let's do a quick recap of life here yes?

Swimming lessons are over. They were fun, but I am kind of glad we have nowhere to be today!

After swimming lessons were over, we dried off and changed the kids and got in the car and drove to Minnesota. 

My brother was in town from Washington D.C. so we went to see my family. While in Minnesota we did a lot of fun things. Like M went with me and my mom for her first real pedicure! 

She sat with me and loved every second of it. We let her pick our color so all of us girls have matching toesies. This is a terrible picture but it's still proof we all match. M got sparkles and flowers too because she's three. :) 

We played games and flew the drone. 

We even got to go have lunch at Chick-Fil-A! But it was a super fast trip because I had a show to review on Saturday night so we spent Saturday driving home. 

And I saw a show. It was good. 

Then yesterday we went to church. And then to lunch. (At Hardee's. It was very fancy.) 

And then we took the kids to see another show! Shrek the Musical. It was just okay. But Husband and I saw it on Broadway so... I didn't realize my favorite part was cut from the show that you can buy the rights to. Whomp whomp. 

It was M's first attempt at a full-length show and it did not go spectacularly. But it was a beyond sold out (they added chairs) performance so it started late, and then the intermission was extra-long. And she's watched the Netflix version of the Broadway show many times so once her favorite part was over, she was done. 

And today is Monday again. We already covered that. We are taking it easy after a whirlwind of adventure the last few days.