ToDaY

TODAY: Ben has pink fluffy earmuffs on his head. We are sharing leftover chicken salad for lunch. He loves it, except for the grapes…so I make sure that each of his spoonfuls are grapefree. It is a beautiful weather day today. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to play outside for a bit after we pick Isabelle up from school. I hope that she is having a great day. I can’t wait to find out what and how she did today. I should probably take a shower before I venture out into the world again. Today: I am wearing a tshirt that says: I was raised on the street. The Sesame Street Gang is featured. I know I am a dork, but I can’t help it. Tonight I think I may try a new recipe: Chicken Spaghetti (I know chicken for lunch, chicken for dinner…but I don’t mind…I’m a fan of chicken). I am really enjoying the Mama Mia soundtrack lately. It makes housecleaning and dinner cooking and car driving more fun. If you get a chance, I highly recommend it. Well, there is a cute little boy who wants to play with me…I think I just might take him up on that…who would have ever thought, that I would actually enjoy playing trains?

1st day Kindergarten

Student: Isabelle

Grade: K

Outfit: Birthday outfit from Uncle Jeff & Erin

Gear: Ariel Back Pack from Grandma Barb & Grandpa Al

Ben grabs his backpack and inserts himself into the photo shoot.

I did not cry. I thought that I would, but I did not. (her 2 preschool first days, I was an quite emotional basket case). I prepared myself all summer and I prepared Isabelle for this day. This day that I oh so dreaded, yet at the same time could not wait for it's arrival....It was so great, went so smooth. Happy Isabelle (to be with friends and learning!). Happy Mom (because there were no tears, fits or anxiety). Happy Ben (to get alone time with mommy). Win Win Win

Isabelle's favorite part of the day was "naptime and snacktime too and when the teacher read a letter". (parent's had to write a special short note to their kids that would be open and read on their first day, It was a suprise).

Isabelle's least favorite part of the day was "there was a very mean girl in class who was doing bad stuff to everybody and she didn't get a time out."

ZOO

ABOVE - These are some of my favorite pics from our ZOO trip last week! Good thing the animals were in cages...being kept safe from my wild children. hehe BELOW is a little video I took of the kids and my dad getting a MOLD-A-RAMA camel. This video is funny because at the end Isabelle asks..Is it hot? and my dad says No. and then she picks it up and says: ouch. (hehe - oh bringing back childhood memories -that mold-a-rama machine!)

My bAbY bOy is TwO!

Ben had an amazingly fun birthday! He started his day opening presents which included a Super Hero Cape (Isabelle got one too) , A Thomas the Train Bedding Set and some Thomas the Train pieces/set. Both the kids had a dr. appt in the morning (Isabelle got 4 shots for her school exam! poor girl ) and then we came home to find Aunt Mary with Happy Meals (or as ben calls them - happy me's). The rest of the day was filled with fun and celebration. Happy 2nd Birthday Benjamin!

These last two weeks actually have been one nonstop celebration. We have done so much and I have so many photos and stories to share. After Isabelle's birthday, we spent a few days at Grandma and Grandpa's in Oak Lawn, while there we got to visit the Zoo, fun stores, Uncle Al's and his fish pond... This weekend, we got to go to the county fair and visit with more family.

I plan to be getting thank you notes out, but I did want to thank everyone for celebrating the kids birthdays with us, for being there..for the wonderful cards and gifts that were sent and given. We are truly blessed and loved.

This week will be a lot of catching up....and then on friday: I will be bringing Isabelle to Kindergarten to meet her new teacher and see her classroom! Happy Monday Everyone!

Off We Go...

Geez, Ben - I really don't think that you have enough

ranch dressing to go with your ONE chicken nugget there.

Well, we are packing up to go to Grandma & Granpa's for a few days....hopefully we will get to visit some grand places like: the ZOO, Target...and Archiver's! WIshing Everyone a Wonderful WeEk!

Isabelle Turns 5!

We arrive at the arts center for Isabelle's friend party and 3 cats come out to greet us!
Isabelle and her friends made princess hats along with other fairytale projects!
We sing happy birthday to the Princess. (she wanted Pupcakes, no cake).
After the party we came home for lunch. Here she is eating her favorite meal of all time: The Happy Meal. We ended the day with a meal at Applebee's and and Pupcakes and Presents at home. It was truly a Fairytale day!
My little princess. Five years old. Happy Birthday my sweet love. If I start to think about it too much I truly get emotional. Time slips away in a blink of an eye. Every once in a while I torture Isabelle with an interview so here is the most recent:

INTERVIEW WITH ISABELLE ON HER 5TH BIRTHDAY
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
To save my life.
What chore do you not like the most?
Cleaning up toys!
What is the last movie that you saw in the theatre?
WallE with aunt Mary!
What is your favorite song?
Tomorrow and all the Annie songs!
What is your favorite lunch?
Happy Meal. (specifically she always chooses:
hamburger, no onions or pickles, apple dippers and chocolate milk)
What is the last nice thing you did for someone?
Shared my Skittles with Ben.
What makes you mad?
When Ben takes things away.
Where do you want to go to vacation?
Disneyworld so I can meet Tinkerbell!
Whose your favorite princess?
Ariel!
What is your favorite TV Show?
Dragon Tales and Arthur.
What is your favorite game?
Pretty Pretty Princess
What is your favorite restaurant?
Chinese! And then I can use the porkchops! (chopsticks)
What is different now that you are five years old?
I get to do homework and I am taller with my butterfly flipflops on!