Pink Power!

Today I decided to do a craft or two. It has been WAY too long since I've had the chance to sit down and do something crafty. In lue of my Zumba "party in pink" fundraiser for my friend Lauren, I made some pink hair feather clips. It is my alternative to dying my hair pink at the head shaving/hair dying party we are throwing for her this weekend. It was pretty easy to do and I like the fact that I can take them out when I want to. I wish I had some of those long skinny hair feathers you see these days but I used what I had. I just picked out the pink ones from the kids craft stash, used some jewelery wire, a few beads, and a couple snappy hair clips. I just played around with them until I liked how they looked and wha la! Pink Power!

 

I wish I had a better picture but this one from my cell phone will have to do for now.  You get to see my short hair finally too.

Helping Out A Friend

I have been busy busy lately. I have been in the middle of some fundraising efforts for Lauren who is girlfriend of mine who recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt so useless and wanted to do SOMETHING so I got a bunch of friends together and we are in full fledge fundraising mode. So far we've done really well. We've held two yard sales, had a bake sale, and made breast cancer awareness t-shirts to sell. But this is going to be a long haul and we want to help as much as we can. We are also planning a Zumba fundraiser for this next month as well. I can't wait!

Lauren has started her own little blog to keep everyone updated on her battle HERE. It would be so cool if everyone could send her a little love. She is not feeling so hot this week.

One of the things I am doing is hosting a Scentsy Basket party. I've sold to a couple people so far but would love to make this a big one. The Scentsy consultant is donating her entire commission she would be making to the cause and that is 20% of all sales! If any of you bloggers out there know of or are interested in purchasing any Scentsy products, or would like to donate in any way you can. Lauren has a donation button on her blog and online orders for the scentsy show can be made at this URL https://bevtank.scentsy.us/Home just click on the "Fundraiser for Lauren" party.

Thanks so much!

Kids Fall photo shoot

 

 Today I decided to take advantage of the overcast sky and get some Fall shots of the kids. I am so lucky to have well trained, photogenic children! They should be used to their paparazzi mother by now.

I love FALL

Fall is such an awesome time of year! I love the smell of Fall. It smells of fresh applesauce, canned peaches, pumpkin pie and soup for dinner. I will say that Summer is my all time favorite season weatherwise but I love the feeling on Fall.
I recently checked a Fall task off my list. Here it is...

20 Jars of beauty!

I would have had 21 but we had a casualty with one of the jars. But still awesome! I got the peaches from a local farmer for around 18 dollars per a 24 lb box. Not the best price I've seen but still well worth it. The jars sat on my counter top for a couple extra days just so I could enjoy looking at them. I love Fall.

Ethan Starts Preschool

I got so caught up with Kiera starting Kindergarten that I almost forgot about Ethan. My little buddy started PRESCHOOL last week. He couldn't wait to have his very own "boy school" as he calls it. Although we had to explain that there were girls too. It took a little convincing for him to be alright with the idea.

The first week was my week to teach (I am participating in a preschool co-op where us mom's rotate and take turns teaching each week) so to him it probably just seemed like any other play-date. So when the second week came around  I decided to get some shots of my little preschooler on his first official day away. We couldn't find his batman backpack so we made due with his new lunch box.

 

He is a happy little kid. And it looks like it is about time for another haircut. But I am glad we got a shot of the true Ethan doo. His hair has ALWAYS done that. It just sticks straight up no matter what.  Ethan is so excited. I am going to have to find something to keep myself busy for the two and a half hours he is gone. Emma and I will hopefully be able to have some quiet time! Can you say NAP TIME! Ok, probably not every time but maybe this will give me the chance to clean house too.

I love you Ethan!

Kiera's Adventures on The Bus. And a Mother's Worst Fears

This past Friday was Kiera's second day of Kindergarten. She was particularly excited for this day because it was the day she got to ride the bus for the first time! She was sooo excited and kept asking me if it was time to go that morning. We were told to be at the bus stop that is at the end of our cul-de-sac by 8:20 and the bus should arrive 5 mins later. So when 8:15 or so came around we put on our shoes and headed out the door.

Ethan and Emma were still sleeping so we got to go just the two of us. That alone was a huge blessing because as we got to the bottom of our driveway we saw our neighbors from across the street already heading back up our way. This WAS NOT good! My heart dropped. I thought I had let my baby down on her special day. My neighbors helped me and told me where the bus would pop out on the other street so we RAN to chase down the bus driver. Kiera's poor little legs must have been blessed with a burst of energy this morning because she ran ad kept up with me the whole block maybe two without stopping or complaining.

We did catch the bus driver and he was so understanding. He was even patient enough to tell Kiera to turn around and give me a smile for the picture I so desperately wanted to capture. I looked through the lens but all I saw was a blur so I just clicked and hoped for the best. As she proudly climbed those silvery steps I knew I was in for it. The flood was a comin'. I plastered on the best smile I could and watched my baby through the window as she gave me an excited grin and wave through the window glass. Another blind camera shot and the blur of yellow passed by me. I couldn't help it any more. I bawled. What is it about the bus? I did fine when I dropped her off at her classroom on the first day. But something about letting her go on that bus pulled at my heart.

With all my sniffles and waterworks on full blast my two neighbors who helped me and made sure we got Kiera to the bus were so sweet and walked me home. I have the best neighbors ever! Thanks ladies.

That day Ethan, Emma and I tried to stay as busy as possible but whenever I was still enough to think about that morning I couldn't hold back the tears. By the time 4:15 rolled around I was still weepy. Pathetic I know. . . but a little cold water and some freshening up I was ready. Ethan again, was asleep for his nap so it was just Emma and I for our short walk to the mailboxes to meet our big Kindergartener.

I passed Emma off to one of the neighbors so I could be there to snap a couple shots of her getting off the bus. The kids started filing out and kid after kid after kid got off and I thought to myself "where is she" more kids....still no Kiera...then the last few and FINALLY! Nope My baby was missing! My heart dropped. Where was my little girl!?

I went up to the bus and told the bus driver that my little girl never got off. This had to be the worst feeling ever. He called transportation to let them know and I was given their number to call and get a status update once they had gotten a hold of the school to see what bus they had put her on.

My mind raced with so many horrific possibilites and the worry that my baby was lost and I could do nothing about it was the most awful feeling I have ever experienced. This was every parents worst nightmare.

Turns out she was put on the wrong bus (which we have since cleared up with the school) and we were able to locate her and she was brought home on a very empty bus.

I was so happy to see that she was none the wiser and had no idea she had been lost. It was a very eventful day and I am so happy I don't have to do it again for another 2 years! Kiera had a wonderful day at school and can't wait to do it again on Monday. Oh and Ethan starts preschool that day too! Fun times.

Kiera's Started Kindergarten!!!!

Today was my babies first day of Kindergarten! I can't believe this day has come. She was so excited though and mommy did awesome too if I say so myself. The real kicker will be on Friday when the real sha-bang happens with the bus. It was only half-day today. So it was an easy drop off at the classroom and a couple hours later I returned to pick her up. I'll admit though that I started to feel the tears coming if I really thought about what was actually happening. This morning we were a bit more rushed than I would have liked but that's life. I did get some pictures and we'll take more on Friday when the bus comes and she leaves my safe arms for the ENTIRE day. Since she was born I have sheltered, protected, and nurtured her, and she is leaving to experience more of life on her own. I just have to remember that it is part of a mothers job to let her.

I love you Kiera and am so excited for you. Did I mention I am terrified too? But I know you'll do awesome and will learn so much and your light will shine ever brighter.

 Kiera and her teacher Ms. Swan