Back To School

In an effort to bring life back to this ol' blog, let's talk about back to school! Charley started Kindergarten this year and Laney started her first year of preschool.

 

Let's start with Charley.

No, wait. Let's start with me. Just because I like to come back and ridicule myself later when things are falling apart, let's talk about how TOGETHER everything is right now with my school preparations. And let's also keep in mind that this was only Charley's second day of school. (First official day as last week was a phase in day) HA.

First, I have a legit meal plan. Sometimes we get ourselves together enough to have a dinner meal plan, but never plan breakfasts or lunches. It's weird to not be scrambling in the morning and hurrying kids out the door with a cup of cereal in their hands. Today, they had THREE DIFFERENT FOOD ITEMS on their plates and they ate at the table.

 

For lunches, I bought actual plastic compartmentalized containers because we usually only use glassware. (Where's the sassy emoji puffing her hair up when I need it?) Since my children have always eaten lunch at my sister's house, we typically sent leftovers that needed reheating and I'm not a reheat-in-plastic kinda girl so we always used glassware. (This set, to be exact, but they were way cheaper at Costco.) ANYWAY, no reheating meant we could add some plastic-ware back to our lives. Today was the first day I used it and by golly I had three different foods in each compartment AND a pudding cup and snack floating around in her lunch box too. Someone give me a trophy.

(By the way, that trophy would be well deserved because last year in preschool there was a "snow" delay once which made school start an hour late. When that happens all kids are to pack a lunch and eat lunch at school when normally she would go back to my sisters to eat lunch. So, in a panic that morning we were trying to pack a last minute lunch that couldn't be reheated and had NOTHING. Y'all. I'm not even exaggerating. NOTHING for an entree. We had some fruit and maybe something else small, but nothing substantial. And then I found something in that pantry that I'm ashamed of sending to this day...Pop Tarts. We don't even BUY Pop Tarts (because I'd eat them all) but there was nothing else so Pop Tarts it was. I was so scared they were going to sit me down in the baby chair and have a chat with me about proper nutrition during the parent-teacher conference. Anyway, send me a trophy.)

Ok. So, rocking the breakfasts and lunches so far after one whole (official) day. But wanna know what else? We got both kids bathed, in bed, and multiple books read to each by 8:05 tonight. Oh yeah! Typically we are kind of lax with the exact bedtimes (we shoot for 8), and it can drag out to 8:45ish, so I'm trying to be more routine-y and get them down at the goal time instead of starting our routine AT the goal time. So yeah! One day in and rocking that too.

So, back to Charley.

 

She's super adorable in her uniform and while she has been nervous, there have been no tears. Both days she said she loved school and is excited to go back. She had computer lab today and that was pretty thrilling for her. And, the lack of computer lab at the private school we toured was one of our cons for that school, so having her come home and rave about computer lab time did give me a little satisfaction about our decision to send her to public school for now.

Although there was the issue with her name being spelt wrong on EVERY SINGLE THING in her classroom this morning. (Desk, Cubby, Car Rider slip, Attendance record, Class List on the door..ALL OF IT.)

But, she's doing great! As expected!

Laney. Oh Laney.

So last week was her first week. She goes 3 times a week for 3 hours. Last week, Monday was pretty good. John and I took her on her first day and she was fine! Quiet, but as I snuck a peek through the glass on the door before leaving, she was moseying over towards the toys and the other children. Looked promising! I smiled at how well she did despite how I thought it was going to go. That's what I get for saying she did well. Totally jinxed it...

 

Day two was ok. She cried on and off almost the entire 3 hours, but they didn't call us. I think day 2 is pretty bad universally, so maybe that's why. They said she was super sweet and did play some, but was very tired and cried for bunny. That night I was super strict about getting her to bed early.

But day 3 was even worse. She wouldn't stop crying unless she was being held, so the preschool director held her and called my sister to come early and get her. She said we could send her bunny lovey and we hoped that would help.

Today was day 4 and was exactly the same. WITH bunny. She cried for an hour and 15 minutes before they called again. (And btw, they are just calling to let us know. We don't have to go pick her up. But, she's 2. I don't see the point in forcing the issue. She's not going for her PhD or anything.)

Sigh. We'll keep trying for a little longer, but man. Tough to know she's so sad and crying at school where she's only there to have fun! She is about 6 months younger than Charley when she started but it does no good to compare them...they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT CHILDREN. I hope she starts to enjoy it, but if not we'll adjust and move on. This one keeps me on my toes for sure!

So, back to me! Here I am getting my kids to bed on time and John and I just watched an episode of our current Netflix series (Narcos) and then I still had time to blog! Let me revel in my successes because they are going to be out the door faster than it takes Charley to bring home her first school germs.

Too late. We all had the first cold of the year - which Charley brought home - over the weekend. Looks like I'll be shoving cups of cereal in their hands before I know it.

5 Was Big

Last September, my biggest girl Charley turned 5 and just next week she will turn 6. Five was SO BIG for us, guys. I sat down earlier today and just started thinking of how much she's learned and changed this past year. I remember writing a monthly blog post at the end of Charley's baby years and saying there was no need to keep up the monthly updates because they just no longer change as quickly as they do when they are babies. Well. That may be true for most years, but I seriously think age 5 was just as exciting and had just as many changes as the baby years. Here are some highlights.

She gave up the habit of sucking on her Owlie blankies.

She learned to ride a bike with no training wheels.

While I don't encourage it, she has climbed up, gotten a cup out, gotten the milk or OJ out, and poured herself a drink with no messes.

She can order for herself in restaurants.

Charley has mastered the iPad and my phone as well. She knows the codes to unlock them. She knows how to turn the wifi back on if it's off.

Along the same lines, she can turn the TV and surround sound on, she can get to Netflix, choose her account and choose her show.

Or, she can go to the computer and click on the favorites link to PBS Kids and play those games using a mouse.

She can put together an outfit that isn't totally crazy and mismatched.

She often either drives herself (in her power wheels) or walks herself over to my parent's house.

My mom and dad even let her drive their golf cart - although they handle the pedals. She just does the steering.

She's lost 3 teeth! (All involving tears and drama!) (One just tonight!)

She has 2 permanent teeth in.

She graduated Pre-K.

She started Kindergarten. Today.

She loves math and can do a good bit of addition.

She recognizes some sight words.

She can swim....and swim well!

She rode Space Mountain...and liked it!

She enjoys a couple shows that aren't kids shows. We've watched the last two seasons of Survivor together, for example.

She can bathe or shower herself.

She can put a Lego set together herself.

She caught her first fish.

She found her first shark's tooth.

She can just about do a cartwheel.

She can melt me into a puddle with just a few sweet words. Although, that one didn't just start at age 5. ;)

All that to say...it was a big year for my Charley bear. And I imagine Kindergarten will bring so many more things. Reading. Writing words with cute kid misspellings. Buying her own lunch in the cafeteria. Going on field trips. And a million other things.

As sad as it can be to send my baby off to Kindergarten, I'm happy to focus on all the new fun things I can write about next year at this time. I always thought I was more of a baby mom, but these big kid stages are turning out to be so much more fun. For example, I was actually the one who taught Charley to ride a bike. I always thought that would be John's thing, but when it came down to it, it was a matter of patience and I have more of that than John. When she got it I was of course THRILLED for her, but also I was thrilled for myself! It's SUPER EXCITING when a baby learns to walk of course. But, they more or less learn to do that themselves. When your child learns to ride a bike it is directly related to the instruction you just gave them. YOU HAD A HUGE PART IN THAT, you know?? SO much more rewarding.

Anyway. Five was big. Charley is big.



I love her.

Getting Ready for School with KidsShoes.com

*Check out these Back-To-School must have shoes At KidsShoes.com! Boys and girls shoes that are fashionable, cute and just the right price! I received shoes to review, opinions are my own.

August is a big month for our family. Charley will start Kindergarten in just a few short weeks. And if that wasn't scary and sad enough, Laney will also begin Pre-K. I know they will both love it so I try not to be sad about it, but I feel like with Charley we are crossing the bridge from little kid to big kid in one fell swoop. Sigh.

BUT! There's some excitement that comes along with that too. I LOVE school supplies and getting new backpacks and just getting ready for school in general, so we were anxious to shop!

Laney is easy - she doesn't need a backpack or lunch box or school supplies or uniforms. She can wear her regular clothing so I'm not even too concerned with buying new clothes for her until the seasons begin to change. I'll buy her a cute outfit for her first day of school and will get her a new pair of shoes. That's where KidsShoes.com made our lives a little easier! From the options given, Laney chose a denim slide with embroidered tigers. I mean - what doesn't go with embroidered tigers, right?! So I allowed it.

She's pretty happy with her choice and I'm happy that they are versatile enough for running around the playground, digging in the sandbox and still comfortable enough for sitting criss cross applesauce at circle time. I hope to get a lot of use out of them this school year. 

Charley, however, is not quite as easy. Going into Kindergarten requires a lot more. She needs a new backpack and lunchbox, tons of school supplies, school uniforms and of course new shoes.

If you know Charley at all, you know that she has always had a very strong opinion on what she wears. She went one whole winter without ever wearing a coat once, and went a couple years wearing only skirts and dresses. I'm happy to report she's not quite as difficult with her clothing selections each morning any more, which is great because her elementary school is a uniform school. Polos and khakis from here on out. She's not thrilled about it. BUT! While reading the uniform policy we did catch a couple of opportunities for Charley to add a little flair to her every day uniform. First, "Belts, if worn, must be a solid color."  And also, "Athletic shoes, leather shoes, and boots are all acceptable". Which, again, is where KidsShoes.com comes in and helps us out!

Charley loves sparkle, so she chose a floral applique sneaker. Not my first choice, but I allowed her to choose whatever she wanted since she will have so little say-so over her outfits anymore. While the regular price of these shoes is more than I typically spend on kid's shoes, I am going to hope they last longer and prove their price tag.

Combine those fancy, sparkly shoes with this solid colored but fun belt, and her boring ol' school uniforms looks a whole lot more Charley.

Thanks KidsShoes.com for scratching one item off of our back to school checklist!

Day In The Life: Work From Home Day!

Here's a scenario I haven't yet recorded in a Day In The Life post:

A Day In The Life - Work From Home Style

So, I very rarely work from home. I don't keep a work laptop at home all the time. It usually only occurs when I plan in advance because of crazy kid's schedules or if I have a sick kid and am able to run by work and pick up a laptop to save myself from taking a personal day. But! I wanted to take a work-from-home day this past week to give my parents a break from keeping my girls everyday while my sister (and normal babysitter) had other things going on. That morning when I realized this fell into the DITL window, I knew I wanted to document our day and participate this time around.

Now, since it was a work from home day and I was quite busy actually working I took ZERO notes on the day and I'm composing this two days later based on the pictures and my (terrible) memory alone. So, I wouldn't count on this to be all inclusive of our day. But, here goes.

This was Tuesday, July 18, 2017.

John is 35.
I am 35.
Charley is 5.
Laney is 2.

(Also, I used Snapchat to take all of the pictures and swiped until I got the time stamp filter and saved the pictures. I knew I wouldn't have any notes and this method worked well for the last DITL, so I'm using it again. Minimal wordage, lots of picturage.)

I planned on waking before the girls to get a jump start on a good hour of distraction free work time before they woke. OF COURSE they'd wake up early today. I gave them the iPad and crossed my fingers. Also, I noticed that John was gone already. I think he left for work before 7. Not real sure.

SIX MINUTES before one of them was crying for poor sharing of the iPad. 

Forget it. Let's have breakfast. We went to IKEA Sunday and I picked up a pack of cinnamon rolls for this day specifically. I knew I needed easy foods and lots of screens to get me through this day.

After breakfast I got a good hour's work in before realizing my kids were too quiet and having to do a quick welfare check. 

All was well! One stamping, one YouTubing, while mama got back to working.

Ten minutes later they decided they wanted to go play downstairs. I escorted them downstairs to turn the lights on, open blinds, and turn the TV on.

I was able to work unbothered for at least another hour. Then, it was time to take an early lunch to get Charley to her swim lessons. 

When we got back home, I discovered a surprise donut delivery on my kitchen counter from my sweet dad. It pays to have parents next door!

We all enjoy lunch our donut and part ways. Charley went back downstairs, I got back on the laptop to work and Laney parked it in my bed to watch TV.

An hour later, Laney has moved downstairs to play and calls out that she's stuck. When I get downstairs, I see she's stuck in the baby doll highchair. 

Rescue her, and then back to work for me, with a side of Fruity Pebbles.

 

At some point Charley came up and got Fruity Pebbles for both her and Laney as well. Which led to this.

Spilled Fruity Pebbles on the rug and on the table. I scooped those bad boys back into the bowl, removed any obvious hairs, and kept on going.

Before long, I had company.

 

I was able to work though, despite the sweet girl in my lap. I was working on something that was more tedious than anything so didn't require a ton of thinking. Just more copying/pasting and creating than anything. Given the number of times I was interrupted, this was actually the perfect task to work on at home.

She didn't stay in my lap long, but she stayed right around me for the next hour or so. We also shared some pita chips and hummus.

And then - diaper change and nap time! My productivity just got kicked up a notch!

Charley quit watching TV downstairs and moved to the upstairs couch with the iPad. A+ parenting this day, guys.

Oh! You haven't had lunch yet?! Whoops!

Laney's up!

And although I quit taking pictures of the dang laptop every hour, you can safely assume that is where my day was spent in between each of these picture updates.

Laney is DYING for some milk. We ran out this morning. I knew we were going out to eat for dinner tonight, so figured she could wait until then so we could swing by the store on the way back home.

She figured otherwise and forced me to call my parents for an emergency milk delivery.

We waited (im)patiently for my dad and the milk's arrival.

Dinner!

Since we met at the place in which we had dinner, John took Laney home after dinner and Charley and I were tasked with picking up the milk on the way home. We also needed sunscreen for our upcoming trip. Target is nearby so I figured that would knock out both items on our list.

MILK AND SUNSCREEN. MILK AND SUNSCREEN. MILK AND SUNSCREEN.

Whoops.

But, we made it out in record time! And milk and sunscreen only cost us $97! (HOW do they always do that??)

Home again, home again.

Kids are still up, so distractions are still a'plenty.

Back to work, again. (I normally get off at 5, yes, but I normally also don't have SO MANY FREAKING distractions. So I was trying to get to a point where I feel like I did as much at home as I would've done in a less distracting environment in the office.)

Finally I realize I should put the children to bed. I didn't capture much of John this day, but he was doing his normal John thing and was running around cleaning up the mess I'd allowed the kids to make this day - vacuuming Fruity Pebbles and such. And he also splits all of the bedtime duties with me too.

This is actually the last picture I took of the day. While putting Charley to bed, I noticed the cutest little collar she had made for her puppy today. That backwards "D". Awwwwwww.

Both kids were out within minutes. I spent another grumpy hour on the laptop as I wasn't able to figure out a formula I wanted to use in Excel (the INDEX formula, in case you love Excel like me). I ended up frustrated and throwing in the towel a little before 10.

John and I watched an episode of Orange is the New Black, and we were out around 11:00.

So. Working from home is not as glamorous as one may think when you have littles at home all day. Lots of screen time. Lots of junky meals. Lots of interruptions. But! I'm thankful to have the option when I need it. It works tons better when the kids aren't home or if one is sick and really sleepy.

But, that was our crazy day! A break from the norm. Usually it is fifteen minutes of screen time TOPS (per week!) and every meal is balanced and completely healthy.

4 Year Housiversary

Here we go! Let's see what we accomplished this year!

[Year 1, Year 2, Year 3]

Four years in our home! I made GIFs this year to show the transition from year to year to year, but if they go too fast just click on the headers of each section that will link to permanent pages for each room.

This year was really about the basement. Hoping to do some kitchen updates over the next year.


OUTSIDE 

Completed this year:

• Paved the driveway from the street to just past the garage. Which hadn't even been on our to-do list, but we are SO HAPPY to have had this done.
• Added a couple more plants in the flower beds around the house. 
• John cut a path through the trees that separate our house from the street for Charley to drive her little pink car on. 

To do:

• Finish the girls' playground. We have a second slide and platform we want to add.
• Build a lower deck & update the upper deck.
• Build an arbor around the garage doors.
• Build a surround for the garbage and recycling cans so they aren't such eyesores.
• Add some more flower/shrubbery beds around the entire house. (We did add one little section this year, but need to finish it all the way around the house.)
• Furnish the rest of the deck.
• Stain the deck.
• Replace the rocking chairs on the front porch.
• Finally decide on a paint color for the front door.
• And maybe one day, replace the whole front door/sidelights with something more attractive. 

OFFICE

Completed this year: 

• We now have nothing on the wall above the computer. I just can't decide what to do on that wall.
• Many of the crafty things that were stored in here got moved down to the new craft area in the basement, so I reorganized the shelving in here. 

To do:

• Find nicer office chairs.
• Crown molding. 

DINING ROOM

Completed this year: 

• Nada.

To do:

• Crown molding.
• Find a rug for the room.
• Maybe recover the chair cushions.

KITCHEN

Completed this year: 

• Painted all the walls blue.
• Added recessed lighting and removed the spaceship looking light fixture.
• Redecorated somewhat.
• No more high chair!
• Had to toss that $5 rug finally. (not pictured - this has happened since the photo was taken)
• Changed the curtains.

To Do:

• New counter tops.
• Back splash of some sort.
• Possible cabinet refinishing.
• Get some bar stools already.
• Replace the builder's basic sink/faucet.
• Maybe build an enclosure for the fridge - it sticks out a bit since it's not a counter depth fridge.
• New rug for under the table - it looks so naked now!
• Wallpaper or paint the pantry walls.
• Crown molding

LIVING ROOM

Completed this year:

• Painted the walls.
• New furniture and moved the old stuff to the basement. 
• New MUCH bigger rug.
• Bought matching baskets for all the toys on the bottom shelf of the wall unit.

To Do:

• We have new curtains for this room, but haven't hemmed and hung them yet.
• Crown molding.

CHARLEY'S ROOM

Completed this year: 

• Rearranged a bit to give her more floor space for playing.
• Moved her play kitchen to the basement.
• Replaced the curtains.
• New bedding.
• Updated the fabric in the embroidery hoops to match the new bedding. We got rid of all of the red accents in her room.
• Added and painted a couple more IKEA spice rack shelves for Charley to keep her favorite books and knick knacks.
• Added a TV (only works for Wii) and some wooden crates for cord hidage/entertainment center-ish/storage purposes.
• Added a million command hooks to the side of her wardrobe for necklace storage.
• Got rid of the floor lamp and got a cute table lamp.

To Do: 

• Crown molding.

LANEY'S ROOM

Completed this year: 

• Moved the rocking horse to the basement.
• Removed the diaper storage baskets from the dresser. 

To Do: 

• I suppose a big girl bed is in order for this room before the next housiversary post. :(
• Crown molding.

GUEST BATHROOM

Completed this year:

• Nothing.

To Do:

• On the wall above the light switch, I've swapped out art several times already and I just can't find something I love in this spot. I'll keep looking.

MASTER BEDROOM

Completed this year:

• Replaced the ceiling fan with a new one and moved the old one to the basement.
• Added a large mirror to the wall by the entry door.

To Do:

• Crown molding.
• The large mirror leaning against the wall by the entry door that needs framed out and secured to the wall. 
• Maybe replace carpet with the hardwood floors we have elsewhere in the house. And then we'd need a rug, of course. 

MASTER BATHROOM

Completed this year:

• Still nothing.

To Do:

• Replace the linoleum with tile.
• Take out the shower stall and make a larger tiled shower instead.
• Paint.
• Decorate.
• Update the giant builder's basic mirror by framing it in or replacing it. 
• Replace faucets and light fixtures.
• Replace towel bars.
• Add some chunky shelving over the toilet and decorate the tiny room.

LAUNDRY ROOM

Completed this year:

• Nothing at all.

To Do:

• Get one of those fancy fold-up ironing boards or figure out some other solution for where to put our ironing board.
• Build or buy a counter top over washer and dryer.
• Paint. Something fun in here. Stripes or something. Maybe wainscoting or wallpaper.
• Replace linoleum floor with tile.

BASEMENT


So, I think we will now have to break out the different sections of the basement since there are legit separate rooms in the basement now.

REC ROOM

Completed this year:

• Finished flooring, shoe molding, etc.
• Purchased pool table, shuffle board table, dart board.
• Purchased bar height table.
• The whole drink fridge/bar area.
• Moved the couch and rug from upstairs down here.
• Bought, assembled and decorated the shelving.
• Hung curtains and added blinds to the windows.
• Bought TV.
• Decorated.
• Moved the girls' play kitchen and grocery store here.

To Do:

• There are a couple of places that still need decorated. 
• We will continue to add to the beer sign wall until it is full.

GUEST ROOM/CRAFT ROOM

Completed this year:

• Paint.
• Carpet and the flooring under craft area.
• Cabinetry and pegboard at craft area.
• Moved our master bedroom ceiling fan down here.
• Reassembled the bed that has been in the storage room so we finally have a place for guests to sleep.

To Do:

• Decorate!
• Paint the peg board and ADD ALL THE THINGS TO THE PEG BOARD! Pretty excited about that part.
• Need some more furniture for in here too. 
• Curtains.

STORAGE ROOM

Completed this year:

• Moved the bed out.

To Do:

• Use some of these decorations to finish the guest room.
• Straighten up. Several of those bins are now empty, so need to use them and donate some stuff too.

GYM

Completed this year:

• Bought a new smart TV for the room.

To Do:

• I actually do want to decorate the room a little. But it's probably last on my list so I wouldn't expect to see anything done in here anytime soon.

BASEMENT BATH

Completed this year:

• Nada.

To Do:

• Everything.