Texas fall y'all!

It's not fall yet, but today was gorgeous!! Oh my word! We started the day with the labor day parade in Garland. Price and I enjoyed it more than the girls. Then went to lunch at a vegan pho place that had this right outside.



We thought it was ironic.

Then we decided to head back towards home with lawn care in our future. Until!! And thank goodness! We saw some people fishing in the dried up lakes on the way home. So we moseyed over to walmart grabbed some kiddie poles and went to the park. It was like a scene from a movie. People were out flying kites, playing soccer, riding bikes. They were smiling and having fun! It just felt good!





I wasn't much help with the fishing. First, because the stink bait was STAAAANK-KAY! And secondly because I was too busy regretting we brought this fella.



He was a handful as usual. We finally made our way to the dog park and playground. Hit up some snow cones on the way home and called it a day. I had even forgotten it was a school night until it was about 6 o'clock.

Back to the grindstone tomorrow. Presley said, "I think I'm not going to feel good tomorrow." Nothing a little pep talk about her friends and the playground can't cure, I'm sure!

Thank you, Lord for a beautiful day!

One week down!

It's official!




We officially sent Presley to big girl school for an entire week! Nary a tardy. Nary a tear. Well... maybe a couple of tears, or "misty eyes" as Price calls it, from me and Price, but she marched herself into that classroom like she owned the place and never looked back. We were waiting. Well she finally did...we were still waiting.

So after we all went to pick her up, we came back to have a piece of cake we made the night before and talk all about her first day. I got this idea from my friend, Laura. She actually writes their name on it and grade. Our's was lucky to have icing! Just like with pre-K, she was pretty tight-lipped about her day. But we got a few details. Specifically about her boy friend who had spiky hair. I heard it 'boy friend', Price heard it 'boyfriend'. But the next day she came home talking about a break up, so maybe Price heard right... I try to ignore things like that. Anyway, she said her favorite part of the day is recess. Whose isn't? We've learned a few friends names throughout the week. One day she came home adamant about going to her new friends house for a playdate, but couldn't remember her name. She actually got mad because I wouldn't take her. I tried to explain that we didn't know where she lived or even her name, even though Presley said her address was "978". Still not helpful!!

And every cake needs it's sidekick! Ice cream! Teagan can fish that gallon out of the freezer and get the ice cream scooper out of the drawer she can barely see over lickedy split!

Speaking of which, she's my new solo daytime sidekick. She's been enjoying puzzles and errands (she likes to always ride in Presley's car seat when Presley's not there). We have had a little adjustment as she misses her playmate, but we've spent time with her cousins too!

This makes me smile.

Jumpstart

Here's to jumpstarting my blog.






It's been a while.

That was at babe's chicken a while back. It was delicious! What does that have to do with anything going on around here lately? Not a darn thing.

But this pic does!




Specifically this one!



My biggest baby is going to big school next week! I'm still in somewhat of denial! I finally got proactive and got us prepared. But no amount of preparation can prepare us for having to be there by 8 am! Wish us luck!

Thank you!

This year I decided to let (make) Presley write her own thank you notes after her birthday. When we started, I did not realize what a daunting task it would be. We still have five more to write, so if you haven't gotten yours, it's coming! It's been a good lesson for all of us (patience) and a great mid-summer review of her letters. Not to mention really slowing down to see and appreciate what her friends got her!






Here are just some of the things Presley said before, during, and after our card writing sessions.

"I wrote that with my eyes closed.
I need a break.



Who's name is the shortest?
I need to stretch.
I'm tired!!!


How many more?



I just want to write 'Pres'.
It's cold.
What's Victoria's favorite color?(to write that one in that color)
Can Teagan have a turn?
How do you write an R again? (when I know she knows that one!)"

She was surprisingly A.D.D. and really sought out to cut corners. That apple fell straight off Price's tree!

Price was no better, I tried to get him to take a turn helping her and he basically guided her hand for each letter. Uh no!

Some looked pretty rough! Some were pretty good. I wrote a little note on the back myself too!

We'll see how next year's go!

My big girl

My eldest is now five! FIVE years old!! I STILL am having a hard time believing it! She's quick to remind me though, and whomever we meet, that it is true! She really feels like a big girl, and rightfully so!


We had a waterballoon party, per her request, at the spray park. Of course I feel like I didn't take enough pictures or talk enough with each of the guests. But overall, I think it was a successful celebration!


Here are the invites! They turned out super cute!

I was a little hesitant to put this on the back (per Price's request), but I went against my better judgement and humored him. :)

This is Presley's friend from school. They have the same name. Aren't they just cute!

FINALLY it was time for the waterballoons! There were moments of frenzy. As Price and I were filling them all up, we were thinking about how long it would take the kids to tear through them. I'm glad to report it was more than 30 seconds! The bruise on my finger and the blister on Price's finger was totally worth it!




Before they began, I had to give the motherly rules, "don't throw it at any one's face, aim for the feet, we're all friends, play nicely, GO!!"

But uh, clearly someone wasn't listening. Not sure whom she was aiming for... but she was serious!!

We are still working on our thank you cards. I'm letting Presley help me this year (to work on her thankfulness and her writing). The rest of the day, Presley kept saying it was the "best birthday party ever!"

Rockwall Dog Park

There's now a dog park in the 'hood! We check it out finally and it was great. Mav ran until his little heart was content, met a few pups he could chase, and utilized all his energy.

There was ample shade which was wonderful! The only complaint I had was there was a muddy trench that drained water going through a part of the park and he loves mud. Surprisingly though he steered clear and remained clean and dry for the most part.




We're back home and he's looking really tired! Hopefully we can make it part of our routine and that'll keep shoes out of his mouth and his defiance at bay. This dog is such a handful and crazy as hell. If I were the giving up type (and the girls wouldn't be devastated) he would have been re-homed a long time ago. He's got it in him to be a good dog, we just have to find it within us to bring it out. Meanwhile, I'm praying for patience and getting a shock collar! :)