Today is school picture day for my pre-K girl. We laid out her outfit last night and talked about smiling pretty (not fake). This morning she was slooooooow-moving! Finally she got dressed. I sent her upstairs to brush her teeth (why didn't I do this BEFORE she put her clothes on?!). She came downstairs not only with a big glop of toothpaste on her shirt, but she smelled to high-heaven of my perfume (and not the better smelling one). After scolding her for not asking permission to touch my things, she told me she wanted to be "fancy" for school pictures. God bless teachers!

So I'm hoping she ends up with her hair fairly in-place, that the water I used to scrub off the toothpaste dries before her picture and doesn't show the toothpaste, and that we don't end up school pictures fit for Ellen's bad school photo segment.

My 2-yr-old started his "school" today too, so the morning was a bit chaotic. It's a twice-a-week playschool and we love it. The challenge is going to be getting Lauren home from her school and racing over to G's school which lets out 15 minutes later. We WILL be late...no doubts.

So, here I am this morning....no kids for 2 1/2 hours! You'd think I'd be doing something amazing with that time, but I'll be delivering Bailey's cookie dough orders because a) she's too busy; and b) she can't drive. Joy, joy.

Since I hate a post without a picture...here's one for you. It's my new window covering in the kitchen over the sink. For over 2 years I've had just a valance over this window and every afternoon when the sun is in the West, it BLAZES through this window, blinding me and heating up that end of the house. FINALLY I took action and we bought a simple bamboo shade last weekend. It's plain..it's simple...but I love it. And finally no blinding sun when I'm trying to cook dinner!

1st Day of School - Sophomore Year

August 23, 2010

BACK TO SCHOOL!

August 17th sounds EARLY, doesn't it? I mean...WHERE did summer go?! But ready or not...today was the day for Lauren. She started "Optional Kindergarten." This is a program designed for kids who might be OLD enough to start Kindergarten but maybe they have late summer birthdays (Lauren's case), or maybe they need a little more social/emotional development time (Lauren's case on the emotional front). We struggled with this decision for MONTHS! It's a hard decision when you have a 4-yr-old who reads, yet has a meltdown over something ridiculous. Ultimately we decided it would be best for her to wait, understanding that if we feel we've made the wrong choice, we can always move her to Kindergarten at semester.

Last year Lauren attended preschool three days a week. This is a step-up from that stamina-wise. This program is every day, half-days. So although this wasn't her FIRST first day of "school," it was still a first.....a first day at a new school, a first day with a new teacher, a first day of a new class.

Leading up to today, I'd say Lauren was pretty excited and unapprehensive about school. (She's not afraid of much..and LOVES school and social opportunities). HOWEVER, Grant decided last night would be a wonderful time to sneek into Lauren's room and sleep with her. BAD IDEA! The result was one tired and MOODY girl this morning. She was still excited though...so after the required pictures, we set out.




Grant wanted to go to school in the WORST way! "Don't leave me, Lauren!"

Lauren READING on the way to school...sharpening up her skills before school. ha.

Daddy's girl


Apprehension sets in

But with a kiss from Daddy, it's going to be alright.