Kyle's Star Wars Birthday Party

If you know Kyle, you know he loves Star Wars and he is quite the expert. I took him along on one of Annabelle's play dates once and before I knew it, he had given another poor mom an earful of useless Star Wars information that she never wanted to know. I sometimes wonder if he thinks he really can grow up to be a Jedi. So, I didn't really have a choice, he had to have a Star Wars birthday party, despite my reluctance and ignorance about Star Wars.

My mom made awesome Jedi tunics for the kids (thanks, mom!) and each kid also got a foam lightsaber which I made by cutting pool noodles in half. We had a game where each kid used The Force to move an object. Then they used The Force to whack a Darth Vader Pinata with a lightsaber blindfolded. (I'm not sure, but I think that's kind of how somebody taught Luke Skywalker or something...Cody or Kyle will correct me if I'm wrong) I made the Death Star cake and I should probably admit that up until Kyle started asking for the $400 Lego Death Star for Christmas last year (yeah, right...needless to say he didn't get it), I had no clue what it was. Even in making this cake, I learned that there are 2 different Death Stars (Don't ask me which one the cake is...I don't know). And then when Kyle saw the cake he said he wanted it to be shooting and laser out of it. I had to google that, but that's why there's a green candle sticking out of the concave part.

Making this cake was almost the death of me!  The first attempt met it's fate in the trashcan when I tried to dye the icing grey and it turned out purple. You would think adding black food coloring to white icing would yield grey, but no. For my second attempt, I tried to use a gluten-free cake mix which didn't rise at all...bye bye cake again. For my third attempt, I used 2 GF cake mixes which did the trick. I decorated the ball to look like the Death Star or some simplified version of it. Then I placed it on the bottom round cake and went to pick up the boys from school. When I returned the bottom cake had collapsed and the Death Star had rolled off. Luckily, the Death Star was salvageable, but I needed a new bottom layer to set it on so I got an already made cake at the store. With structural support inside the bottom cake, I added the Death Star to the top just before the party started. It was starting to sink by the time the candles were being blown out but it made it. whew!

Annabelle's first day of school ever

Today was a big day...Annabelle's first day of school. I woke up early this morning with panic running through my veins. I felt like I was not prepared or ready for her first day of preschool. Since I coudn't sleep, I got up and checked to see if I had signed all the forms and paperwork for her admission. I had. Her blankie and sippie cup were in her backpack. Her lunch was made, her clothes clean and ironed (Yes, I own an iron), teachers' gifts were made,  and my camera was ready to go. I had done everything I needed to do to prepare her for today. Then I realized that it was me who was not ready.  I had a list a mile long of things I could do on my one kid-free day a week, but I hadn't actually thought about what it would feel like not having my little sidekick with me. 

We arrived at the preschool with armloads of stuff. I set her down and she immediately went to the baby dolls.  Then she saw a Minnie Mouse stuffed toy just like hers at home and went for it.  Unfortunately, it was another little girl's lovie.  There was discussion that went something like this:
Annabelle: My Minnie
Other girl: My Minnie
Annabelle: My Minnie
Other girl: No, Mine!
Good two year old stuff!  They used their words which is the best you can hope for with 2 year olds.  I was able to distract her from the Minnie tug of war by leading her to the kitchen where I took a quick picture and said goodbye.  She cried.  for about two minutes.  I know because when I passed her room after I dropped off her paperwork in the office, she had stopped.

Big ideas about my "Day Off" and all I did today was take a shower and go to lunch with my mom.  Still, all day long, I felt like part of me was missing, kind of like the way it feels when I forget my phone or purse at home.

I picked her up and she had had a great day! I knew she would.  Her sweet teacher wrote a note about her first day. Even though I missed hugging and kissing on her while she was at school today, I feel like she was loved by her teachers. 

Here's what her teacher wrote, "What a fabulous first day of preschool Annabelle had!  She was so busy during center time exploring the room! She didn't want to stop for storytime but she did move closer as I read while holding her toys.  She took very good care of our dolls, feeding them and patting their backs.  She sat back and observed during most of music. That is, until the props came out! She LOVED singing and dancing to Tu Ti Ta while waving scarves! What fun! I am so happy to have Annabelle this year!
Love, Ms. Miller"

First day of school 2012 & Kyle's first day of Kindergarten

I just dropped off Kyle at school for his first day of kindergarten. He was cool as a cucumber, but I’m sweatin’ bullets. Oh man, there were a lot of boys in that class and I’m worried about his poor teacher. She is in my prayers. This year is different, maybe because I did it last year with Barrett, but I don’t feel sad…just a little unsettled. Kyle has a friend from Pre-K in his class too, and somehow that makes me feel better, like he’s not alone entering this new environment.



I believe everyone’s life should have a soundtrack like in the movies. The perfect song for every moment…that would be so awesome! If my life had a soundtrack, this is the song that would have been playing as I peeked into the tiny window of the classroom door just before I left my little guy on his first day of elementary school.

My Wish:
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' ‘til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things tooYeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take

Barrett's teacher is new to the school and this is her first year with her own class. She seems excited about teaching and I think it will be a good year for Barrett.

First day of school clothes: Kyle is wearing none of the new clothes I bought, and Barrett is only wearing a new shirt. Both boys opted for the old ratty shoes over the new awesome shoes. ugh.

Back to School

It's that time of the year...backpacks stuffed with school supplies are waiting by the back door, new shoes and outfits are set out to be worn, and alarms are set for the first time since early June...Back to school!
Kyle will be starting Kindergarten this year.  It's a big year.  So to commemorate the occasion, I took him out for a quick back to school session.

Celebrating 12 years

We just celebrated 12 years of marriage by taking a quick trip down to Austin. We stayed at a very nice, nature-y (that's totally a word) spa. We did none of the "activities" like yoga or early morning mountain hike. We did however get massages, swim at the pool, and swing lazily in a hammock. What does that say about us? hmm. We also had lunch and caught up with my friend Elizabeth from high school and I got to meet her precious baby. We had a sunset dinner at The Oasis (which has really changed since the last time I was there!) and had coffee at Mozarts. It was a fantastic quick getaway. I always forget how cool Austin is.

These Boots Are Made For...

Gardening...Naked? No, that's not how that song goes. 


These Boots Are Made For Wearing with Pajamas?


These Boots Are Made For Playing Basketball...while wearing pajamas?


These Boots Are Made For Wearing with a Dress?


I have a feeling These Boots Are Made For Preschool in the very near future!
I cannot get Annabelle to wear a cute little sandal to save my life, but she willingly puts these boots on by herself.  She will be starting Preschool for the first time in just a few weeks and I think they kinda frown upon bare feet. 

Photos taken over the course of a couple weeks, hence the different clothes (or lack thereof).

More Beach Pictures

I am slowly working my way through our beach trip pictures.  There is a pile of laundry on the dining room table along with 3 half-unpacked suitcases, and nothing to eat in the fridge, but I am proofing/posting pictures.  C'mon! Priorities!