Say Cheese!!!

Fall Picture Day
{Preview}

Caught S-daddy before he left for work for a quick photo op
*Pay no attention to the laundry I was folding on the couch or the massive Polly Pocket/My Little Pony land the lil ladies have been building the last week (or two)...
Once we get the actual "pro" pics I'll post. We had fun curling her hair, she wanted it "like you do to yours mama!" I was a bit worried I may burn her but we escaped without any scars so that's a success in my book :) Can't wait to see the finished product!

Mrs. Wishy Washy

I spoke about Ava's "character voices" in another post with this Mrs. Wishy Washy" book so as much as I want to write about the hilarious, continuing laughs I'm having with it. I will refrain. *I may choose this book for her every.night. just so I can get a giggle...but that's ok. Her teacher recommends repetition in reading :)

When we were reading last night before she began she ran, got paper and started drawing, not saying a word. It was close to 8PM, I really wanted to get the {THREE} books I had promised her we could read started so lights could be out soon. However, I also don't want to hault her imagination which was obviously in full swing at that moment. The results were priceless (to a mommy at least) as her little mind is always moovin' & groovin' and I LOVE the handwriting and drawings of a child.

Below on the left you see her interpretation of the above photo of Mrs. Wishy Washy pointing
Her drawing on the top right is her interpretation of Mrs. Wishy Washy below with her hands on her hips:

Her "duck, cow {caw} and pig" hee hee...

***SUPERSTAR***

From Ava's Teacher:

So very proud.
Enough said :)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's....

...Off to work I go!

I've had an amazing 7 months "off" while moving from Austin to Houston, settling into our new home, getting married, Ava starting school and meeting tons of new friends but now it's time for mama to bring home the bacon & get back out there! I'm thrilled, nervous, excited, and anxious all wrapped into one. This has been a big decision and one I don't take lightly. C completely left it up to me and whole-heartily supported whatever I decided (love him). I wasn't sure if I wanted to take a few years off and stay home (as that's a full time job in itself!) but after A LOT of prayers, talks, and true soul-searching I really did realize how much I miss that part of my life. Like all of us mama's I wanted to find the perfect balance and do it all. I want to be at everything I can for Ava, volunteer at her school, be there if she's sick, make home-cooked, healthy meals every night, be the best wife, mom, step-mom! DO.IT.ALL. (sounds at all familiar?!)

I was overwhelmed with what I should do and finally stopped trying to find the PERFECT answer. C tells me all the time to not put so much pressure on myself and he's right! As long as I'm happy it will reflect on my child, marriage, relationships, overall health, everything. I am extremely happy but have started to feel that desire to get back out there, especially with Ava now in school 7 hours a day.

I reached out to some of my contacts and one in Austin gave me a reference. After a few emails and phone calls I had an interview this past Monday, an offer was made within 10 minutes of me leaving! The hours are PERFECT allow me to drop off my lil angel every day and get her within an hour or so of finishing school. All holidays off (even ones like Pres Day & Columbus Day...yay!) so since school's are always closed on those days that makes this so much sweeter! The entire package is more than my family could hope for and we feel so blessed. I'm of course having a zillion thoughts race through my head but I know that like everything in life, this will be a great adventure! We'll keep you posted as we navigate through this chapter of Our Lovely Little Life.

Getting the hang of this

So now that school has been in full swing for almost a month we've all settled into {somewhat} of a routine and we're really getting the hang of this! Drop off is going great. Sometimes we bike, sometimes I drop her off by car but always I'm left with a huge hug and a smile. Ava's reading like crazy, literally sounds out anything I give her and she LOVES to read so every night 2-3 books at least are read to mama & S daddy. Ava's learning to use "character voices" and oh.my.gravy. it's HILARIOUS. Soooo precious to hear her make voices for an old lady, a cow or a pig. Seriously Chase and I were crying trying to keep a straight face and not insult her by thinking we're laughing AT her but y'all it's pure awesomeness. I need to somehow sneak a video. I sat Bammy & Lili down a few nights ago and they could barely hold it together. She does this scrunched up face on some of the characters and talks out of one side of her mouth :) Ha! Here are a few pics from the last week:

Her little worksheets are adorable and really only something a mom would care to look at but I love to see how they learn each day.

I was ROLLING when I saw this drawing. These fish and the teeth, the tails, their bodies...all of it cracks me up! I LOVE the drawings from these little ones. It doesn't get any cuter or more innocent.

After school snackin'

Bammy rolled through on her way on ANOTHER vaca so we got to get some hugs in before she flew out on again for an adventure!

SPOTLIGHT on Cole. For those that have known me for a long time you know my first nephew was Cole. He was the first grandchild on both sides and well...he's pretty darn special. I canNOT believe he's about to be 9 next month! I remember so vividly when Lisa was preggers and when he was being born. I came in town EVERY weekend and would do all night feedings just to be with him more. This is the sweetest child and seriously is turning into one handsome big guy. His lashes create a small breeze when he blinks and he has a true heart of gold. *And this boy is so sweet to his only girl cousin Miss A :) Love you Coley Cole!

The 3 amigos. BFF's. The bond these three have is sure to never be broken. They fiercely love each other and to watch them together is magic. To not leave out a certain "smiley" boy, take a look at Carter Man! This child is forever smiling. Chase always says "I swear every time I see that kid he's smiling. Or hurt. Then smiling again!" It's true. Carter is one happy boy, ear-to-ear grins always. He is moving constantly so without fail he gets hurt every time I'm around him but the kid is running again within minutes. Ava and Carter see each other several times throughout the school day and I love knowing she'll have these two to keep an eye on her as the years pass. *I know I'll need all the extra eyes on that one

College colors day. An ode to our S-daddy, fav college team/town/restaurant in Texas!

School Spirit Day!
Red, white & blue so pulled out the ole SoCo shirt to get a little Austin-vibe around campus ;)

Ava lucked out in the first name department as it's sooo easy. The poor kids that have names their parent's made long with a bunch of letters have it tough! The "homework" assignment this day was to write your name using Uppercase and lowercase letters the best you can to earn a sticker. Toot started off playing but quickly got serious and knocked it outta the ballpark. Way to go Ava!

Week 3 wrap-up

This masterpiece by my favorite 5 year old artist explains how much the tides have turned in our little school world. Ava's always loved school but this little angel also LOVES her mama and every second we spend together (other than when she's in trouble...then she's lookin' for anyone else!) so saying goodbye after being with me 24/7 the last 6 months has been tough (on all of us!) But she is now realizing how fun school is, how fast it goes by and that mommy is right there at the end of each day to get her.
*Sweet baby, I only wish/hope she always wants to be with me so much... say in her teens maybe?! ;o)

LOTS and lots and A LOT of smiles!!!!!!
She's been getting great marks in her Daily Folder. Smiley faces are all we want and so far each day has been filled with nothing but smiles!

Ava earned 5 stickers on her chart so Friday was lunch with mommy! She was beyond pumped and practically skipped to her classroom at drop-off. It was the first day parents could eat lunch with kindergartners so needless to say...it was PACKED. Lili came to eat with Carter so we had a great time. It was also "Spirit Shop" day so after we ate the kids get to go and spend a few dollars on little items that help support the school. Ava picked out the most random things, I was cracking up!
In honor of September 11th the kids were all asked to wear red, white & blue. My little sassy frass had fun hammin' it up before school.
Love.this.child.

We're beginning to turn a corner

Tuesday & Wednesday we have had no tears at drop off. Tuesday she was doing all she could to fight back the waterworks and she did! At pick-up she said she cried about a minute in the classroom then not at all the rest of the day. Hey, for me that's still a sticker on the Smile Chart if I didn't see tears when I left that morning.

Today, no tears at drop off OR in the classroom.

Yes! We may have turned a corner my friends.

***UPDATE***
As of tonight (Thursday) no tears at.all. Yay! So proud of you baby girl!

SMILE!!!!!!!!!!

For the love of all that's good...PUH-LEEZE SMILE my sweet child!

As mentioned in a previous post my little girl had a great two days then we started having tears at drop off. We made it through week 1 but I went into week 2 expecting the worst. After being off for the weekend I know Monday's are tough on well...all of us. Sunday night the "belly aches, throat hurting, flippity-floppity tummy etc... began. I decided I have to be tougher (though it breaks my heart) on my pint-size drama queen. I do realize she's having some anxiety with school, that's completely natural. However, I told her I'll never know when she really is sick if she has all these ailments every.day. As we said our prayers we asked that God would rest her mind and calm her heart to enjoy school. She broke in and said "So mama, I just need to go with the flow, right?" Ha! Yes baby, that's what ya need to do.

Monday Morning (D day). During breakfast (though in a good mood) she complained a bit about her belly, I told her we need to only focus on the positive and having a great day. We sang and ran around as we got ready then I jogged beside her riding to school. As we walked to the doors she got quieter and the grip on my hand tighter. This week we have to leave the kiddos at the main doors so as we approached I saw the tears starting. Bless her tiny heart, I could tell she was really trying to hold them back and be brave. I felt a lump forming in my own throat and KNEW I had to be strong for her. We got to the doors and people...she lost it. Bawling, begging, pleading, arms and legs wrapped around me "please don't go mama! Take me with you!" Ughhh horrible. I made eye contact with a teacher and she quickly came over. Ava was white-knuckles at this point. I was about to cry myself so I gave her a tight hug & kiss, told her I loved her and the (now TWO) teachers peeled her off me. I bolted in the other direction wiping a few tears myself. I planned to go running so I headed to the trails, I didn't seem to notice the first mile or so as my mind was on Ava. I prayed for her to relax, enjoy school & all it offers.

At pick-up she was GREAT! Said she had so much fun and the teacher said it only lasted 10-15 minutes. She's getting a lot of rewards for participating and listening to the teacher which makes me so proud.

I know this too shall pass but in the meantime, I plan to do some bribing for SMILES! It is a quick little chart I made up on the fly but hopefully will work. *Her S-daddy has his own rewards each night for her when he gets home if there were no tears.
*I am proud to report that today, she worked so hard and didn't have any tears (at least that I saw) and she had a special note waiting for her at her desk. Last night was "Curriculum Night" and I sat in her seat. Afterwards, the parents all wrote a note for their kids to see in the morning. She either loved it or saw it and it made her cry... I saw no tears so Miss A will be putting a sticker on her chart this afternoon :)

One week down. 17 years to go....

So we've made it through the first week of Kindergarten.
The first two days rocked! She claimed "The day is too short, I want it to be longer!" That my friends was the first.TWO.DAYS. By Wednesday she was over it. In a BIG way. My outgoing 'lil sunshine I think prefers hanging with her mama & playing and assumed if she complains enough about her "belly ache" she can come home. Not so fast little miss. This is your new "job" and it's something everyone has to do every day. Thursday morning I went in her class and talked with her sweet teacher who smiled & said how normal it is after the first few days for the tears to roll. First, these kiddos are EXHAUSTED, second, they have so many new things they're going through and learning so she was thrilled we were on the same page. Lots of hugs & kisses then being firm and letting her know she has to go to school, has to participate and mainly...have fun! Mama will always be there at the end of the day so while you're there, enjoy the time! Yes folks, this is easy to tell her but my heart breaks seeing or hearing about her anxiousness. This happened in pre-k for the first two months, they had to peel my crying child off me each morning but said within minutes she was playing and having a ball. I know it's the same now I just hate when she's hurting.

My sister told me starting Monday parent's can't walk the kids to their rooms anymore, they have to drop off at the main door and let them walk in on their own. I know this helps them get the morning started without all of us parent's hanging around. We decided to have her walk in with her big cousin Cole (3rd grade) & Carter (kinder) today to get into the groove of not having me walk her to her room. Cole walked her in with a few of her buddy's and (like a DUMMY) once they were gone I went around the corner & looked in the window of her classroom...ROOKIE MISTAKE PEOPLE! She was sitting at her desk, eyes crunched shut, lip out and B.A.W.L.I.N.G. Needless to say, I now have that image stuck in my head for the next 7 hours. I know she's probably running around, laughing and having a great time but ohhhh I'm ready for this phase to pass and her love school. She is super happy at pick-up each day but I know the mornings (and some afternoons) she has spells of missing me. This too shall pass... In the meantime, here are a few of the things she's done this week. So stinkin' cute!

Her artwork for mama :)

Friday Spirit Day!!!
*Wear your school shirt and colors