First Days of School

Kalie started 5th grade today! She was beaming when she got out- she loved it!
Karlee started pre-K and is now at the same school with Kalie. She was nervous at first but had a huge smile on her face when I picked her up.
Kate is in her final year of preschool. She was not happy about going to a different school than her sisters but she had a great day.

First day of school! We pray for a blessed, good year! (and for three teachers- ha ha!)

Lazy Days of Summertime

I ended up just making one blog post for the little moments throughout the summer. So, here are lots of pictures. Our summer was low-key and quite enjoyable.Kate making a tower with marshmallows and toothpicks.Karlee working on hers. Of course the best part was eating them!

Karlee wanted to have her nails painted and eat ice- cream for our back to school date. We had so much fun too!
Karlee picked out her own outfit for our back to school date. Smile....
Kalie read the book Little Women this summer and we watched the movie together. She is in wedding mode and wanted to try on my dress and veil. Drew about died!I guess we never get over playing dress-up. Kalie got me to try it on and can you believe it- I could still fit in my dress! ha ha!

Kalie and I go on an annual back to school trip. Here we are eating Japanese. We have the best time together on this trip and literally look forward to it all year long. We laugh more than imaginable!
I taught two classes this summer. This was one of them. I had the best students of all times this summer.
We swam in the pool some. Jacy came over one time and joined in.
And we did the waterslide some. Here is Karlee
And then we actually had one day that wasn't firey hot! We went and had lunch downtown and walked around. We got a little silly with this horse figure. As you can see, Karlee and Kate did gymnastics this summer.
Now here are a few pictures of daily moments with Kate. Kate decided to fix herself breakfast. She has a bowl big enough to feed a family of 6 a salad or something filled with rice krispies and chocolate milk!! Notice the milk on the table and she poured some in a glass to drink. Karlee also fixed herself breakfast- notice the regular size bowl and cereal- ha!

And Kate once again with her dirty clothes bag on her head.
And this is wear I found my nail polishes.
We enjoyed a date to the park and had an ice cream.
She is ready- hair in pigtails, sunglasses, purse and outfit.
Karlee and I enjoyed a date too! We are all about ice cream!

Khloe at the pool
Lilly, Karlee and Kate having fun too
Emma going off the diving board for the first time.
Karlee and Mary Helen at Mary Helen's birthday party. They are good buddies and will be in the same class this year.
Okay, my personal favorite of the summer. After reading DeEtte's blog, I HAD to get the book about Ain't Gonna Paint No More! We took a big shower curtain and washable paints. I read the story and Andre and I told the girls they could paint themselves just like the child in the book. After looking at us like we had lost our minds, they got busy. They had so much fun. DeEtte- you have the best ideas! I needed a boost- thanks so much!


This is the after picture. I got really tickled watching them do this. The way they painted described their personalities so well. Kalie, painted a picture- little flowers and a sunshine, nice, orderly, etc..... Karlee was hesitant at first and watched and then joined in and had a great time. Kate dove in with no reservation and painted her ENTIRE body.

Kalie worked one morning a week at dad's office. They got to work together one day. Here she is with her first paycheck!

And yes, I have enjoyed being an aunt all over again. Maela is a doll. I love getting to live right across the driveway because I get to grab her more often! I got to have her for a little while the other day while Andrea spent some time with the "big girls." I have also gotten to have my Khloe, Emma and Lils over to play which we have all loved.

Kate and I had a back to school date. She also wanted to eat ice cream and get her nails done. I love this time one on one I get with the girls. Karlee and Kate do not like to shop so I told them we could do whatever they wanted. They could literally eat their weight in ice cream I think- ha!

Its been a good summer. We read lots of books, played and just took it easy. Drew had the roughest semester ever. He has completed his final coursework for his doctorate, passed his doctoral comps and passed his liscensure exam for the state. He officially is finished except for the dissertation.

One bit of news- I am going back to school! Actually, I already started. I have wanted to get my doctorate since I got my masters so many years ago. I have found a great program and my goal is to finish by the time I am 40! ha! School starts back tomorrow. Be looking for more pictures!