Fall Makes Everything Better!

Today is just THE BEST day! When I woke up this morning it was 72 degrees in my house, all by itself. I put on a long sleeved shirt. I love long sleeves.

Little Riley boy slept in tight little footed jammies last night. I just love those. It makes the baby look cozier and I just want to squeeze them.

I spent the morning playing and loving and teaching my babies. Mckenzee was so great during preschool time and we covered everything I wanted to.

We played outside. It was so nice. My backyard is mostly shaded in the morning so it made it extra cool.

My pantry and fridge are full because we went to the grocery store just last night. Fresh fruit galore.

I already have dinner going in the crockpot.

I stuck a scarecrow in my front lawn.

I am motivated to get my house organized and decorated.

And there’s a baby in my belly that I think I’m starting to feel move.

I thought about how God made the seasons this morning. He knew we would need changes to rejuvenate us. I am so thankful for all His blessing in my life!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3

First Day of Preschool!

 
She was very excited. I woke her up that morning and she smiled a big smile. She wanted to wear her new pink dress and had me fix her a cheerleader ponytail. I had made her a new bow and she was so excited about that too. The night before the room was empty and the walls were bare. We did everything after she went to bed so she was very surprised. The first week our theme was I’m Special and we practiced the verse, ‘I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…’Psalm 139:14.

I am having a lot of fun with her, but it’s also harder than I thought. It’s sometimes a challenge to keep her on task and not give in when she says, “I just want to be lazy today.” She’s very teachable though, which is great for me. I pretty much only have to tell her something once and she’s got it. She came into preschool with a pretty good knowledge of the basics. She’s very excited to learn to read. We work on sight words and sounds and I am trying to throw in some blends for her here and there. I don’t think it will be too long. We do fun songs and games and read lots of books, and she loves calendar time. Mondays and Wednesdays are our regular school days from 8-11. Tuesday is our field trip/playdate/park/Maimee’s house day. Thursday is chick-fil-a and tap and ballet class and Friday is Bible school from 8-10. We do an art project in the afternoon. So far this is working and gives us some variety and also gets us out of the house.

So obviously this preschool classroom is in our home. Chris and I have decided that I will teach the kids at home for preschool-1st grade. That’s the plan as of now. We will have to take it year by year, but that’s what we feel is best for our family. I won’t go into all the reasons we chose to homeschool for a little while. I’m trying not to feel the need to defend our decision, although there has been some naysayers so I do need just a short minute to vent a little. Let me assure you my children will not be behind academically, because of my teaching. I do have a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught Kindergarten and first grade not that long ago. I’m not worried about my abilities and I do get my feelings hurt when other people act as if they are concerned that my kids will get behind.

I love the privilege of being home with my babies. Homeschooling will give me the chance to keep them here just a little longer. Mckenzee will do two years of preschool and then start Kindergarten because of her birthday. Riley will begin preschool as she starts Kindergarten and will be in Kindergarten when she goes off to 2nd grade at school. This will allow me to not have more than one grade school child that I am responsible for teaching at the same time.

           

Mission Completion!!

well, just about, almost.

Chris and my dad enclosed our formal dining room to make our new schoolroom/playroom.

I. LOVE. IT.

I think it really improved the house. The french doors are so pretty. and I love the art niche that Chris insisted on making with an arched top on the outside of the wall. So thankful that my Dad knows everything and he and Chris have such mad skills in the building, making, home improvement department. I say I want something done and they can do it.

We still have some paint touch ups to do and we have to put the baseboards back on and the door trim. I say we, I mean Chris. It is gorgeous though and I love the floors, which were a HUGE pain in the hiney for Chris to install. We've had preschool in there for two weeks now. Next post to come.

Here are some before and after pics!

BEFORE- OPEN FORMAL DINING VIEW FROM LIVING ROOM

AFTER-TWO NEW WALLS, ART NICHE, FRENCH DOORS VIEW FROM LIVING ROOM

Mckenzee Turns 4!

I can't believe she is four. I remember holding her tiny newborn self all day long when we brought her home. Mckenzee is a lot of fun these days. She is smart and witty and so pretty and grown up. She has gone from being constantly naked to changing clothes several times a day. She loves dresses and wants her hair fixed and she loves bows. She tells me to make her a cheerleader ponytail or a middle braid. She tells us she loves us and gives hugs and kisses. She is also bossy and sassy and very opinionated, which I am sure I had coming. I love her so much. I like to take her shopping with me and plan things together. She tells me we are best friends. I love my girl!

This year she had a cupcake party the day before her birthday with a few friends. It went so smoothly and the kids were so great. They decorated cupcakes and made a craft. We had pizza and opened presents and came home. Short and sweet and couldn't have been more perfect. They day before her party I took her shopping to find a party dress. She chose a "Fancy Nancy" dress and we made a bow to match. I loved trying dresses on her. She loved it too. She put that dress on as soon as we got home and wore it the rest of the day and for the next four days after that. Not kidding.

On her birthday she took cinnamon rolls to her Sunday School class and requested Daddy's "cancakes" for lunch and we had a great time at dinner at The Rainforest Cafe. She really had a good time there and even flapped her wings when they sang to her standing on her chair.

So, Mckenzee's fourth birthday weekend was so much fun. I am so grateful that God chose us to be her parents. She is perfect and precious and we are so thankful for her.