A Bittersweet Weekend

Bittersweet because my dear mother-in-law is going home after staying with us for almost five months. So while it was a tough weekend it was also very fulfilling.


Our Saturday started with an almost surprise party for MIL at our favorite restaurant (she figured out we were up to something). It was so nice even though she was a little mad because she didn't want a going away party but I think we've been forgiven. Then we went from there to our boat and it was too rough to go out (dangerous waters - not worth taking any chances) so we hung out at the marina for the day then went and walked around on some docks, then out for a really great dinner. It was all in all a perfect day for our last full day together.


Here is the picture of Mikayla and me meeting her at the airport back in October.


Here we are walking on the docks on Saturday.



This has never ever happened before, little miss fell asleep VERY asleep in the restaurant, she was soooo tired and just couldn't keep her eyes open one second longer - she slept all through our wonderful dinner. She was tucked in w/mommy's jacket as a blanket and Nana's leg for a pillow.... I was so shocked, she's just never done that before, I guess we wore her out.



Then she woke up long enough to walk outside and we watched the rollercoaster zoom by a couple of times and then this happened on the ride home.....





They both passed out all the way home. What a perfect way to end the day!!!!

Latest scrap stuff

There hasn't been as much time lately for scrapping but here are the last four layouts I've done.

We had some weekend fun doing what we all love to do the most!!

Make a wish!!

What is a day without hunting for treasure?

We have some crafts planned for the treasures ..... stay tuned

Some pics from the livestock show/rodeo

Dad and I took Mikayla to the livestock show, she had a blast, well we all did. She loves seeing the chickens, chicken eggs that are waiting to be hatched, cows, pigs, pony's, rabbits... well all of it.



The animals in the petting zoo were pretty aggressive - not in a mean way but in a hungry way, the problem was totally solved when the llama came and stole the whole cup of food..... Mikayla wasn't overly fond of him....

We really did have a good time.

Well..... our first note from the teacher

I can't believe we got a note from the teacher already.... here is what it said:

"Mikayla had a great first week. She interacts with her new friends very well. She has really enjoyed learning with our puppets. She also did a nice job learning single patterns in math."

I'm sooooo proud of her! This weekend she was very excited to work on her letters and is now writing "T" and "O". I am really excited for her!

I was so nervous about making the transition and she's proving that she was ready. She is also always talking about not going to her old school any more, it's all over and only wants her new school. Yay!!!!

First day of school

*sniff sniff* my baby girl is in preschool today. It's very bittersweet, she's growing up for sure but I can't help but wish she'd stay little forever!!!

Drop off went very well, she was wearing her new outfit she is excited to see what it's all about, next week might be a different story but I hope that every day goes as well as today did. We walked in and went right into her class room. The teacher showed us where her "pack pack" will go, we gave loves, then she decided she didn't need the sweater she didn't need to begin with so we went and put it in her "pack pack" gave hugs and kisses again and the teacher took her hand and fortunately another little girl had just come in right then and wasn't ready to eat breakfast yet so she and Mikayla went to another table to play with some blocks. So I walked out and that was that..... she's in real school now.... wow!!!

On the way to school today she asked if they were going to teach her and I said yes.... and that she was also going to teach them too... she thought that was allright!!! awwwww she makes me so happy!!!! Of course I was the paparazzi today and have a ton of pics.......

The theme of the week this week is birds and insects... I'm sure they'll all hear how her Nana hates birds and that she's afraid of bugs (thanks to her squeemish mommy). I pray she has a really great day! I can't wait to go get her tonight and hear all about it!!!

What a great weekend!!!

We had so much fun this weekend, even though we did a lot of running around, it was great.... We even met with Chuck E Cheese, Bob the Builder and rode a horse ;)

We went to our boat and ate some cheese.... posed for the camera and took walks on the docks.

(not sure who is walking who here...)

Nana looking for treasure...

Michael worked really hard and loved every second of cleaning the boat. She's shining now!!!

I'm so proud of Mikayla!!!

We went to "circle time" at her new school this morning and she was a little hesitant and clingy while I was in there but then I told her I needed to go to the front office when I was actually watching her through the one way window (I can see in but she can't see out). She was cute, studying her new friends and the teacher was really good about including her - she wouldn't answer but was paying attention (well most of the time). Then after circle time the kids got up and went over to their activity tables and Mikayla just went right along with them, when she was unsure she just waited for the teacher to guide her.

The really good part is that she was really sad to be leaving, she cried all the way to school about how she didn't want the "old" school anymore LOL - so that does my heart good and that she'll transition in just fine (fingers crossed).

Now the big thing.... I saw it with my own eyes.... these young 3 year olds were writing.... they had those papers that have the solid line going all the way across then the dotted line...then another solid line, so they can learn to write big letters and little letters... the children at that table were writing Pp and Qq.... I couldn't believe it, one little girl was having some computer time, then there was the coloring table and then the gluing/activity table. It was absolutely incredible!!!! I'm soooo happy we're taking her there...it's time to move on I guess, I wonder if I'm the only one sad about leaving her current school ..... but I'm really proud of her.

Here are some pictures to capture our experiece there.

Here is the school

Here she and Nana are looking through the fence to see the raised flower beds where the children plant gardens and they also have a pumpkin patch in the fall there.


She's the one right next to the teacher and studying the other kids. The little girl in the white shirt had the same shoes as Mikayla (maybe they'll be best friends now?)




One of the activity tables

New school!!!

Well the time has come for Mikayla to move on from her current school. Starting Monday she'll officially be a preschooler (how on earth is that possible). Tomorrow morning we are going for "circle" time at the new school so that she can kind of know what to expect starting Monday. I had to take some pictures (which is very hard for me you know - LOL) for them to hang of her in the school. Here it is however I totally reserve the right to change my mind.

Shopping spree, so someone please stop my scrapping addiction!!! Holy cow, so this is from one day, one lunch hour during work..... it sure lead to total retail therapy satisfaction LOL. I did use a coupon :D

The good thing about me is that I do in fact use the products I buy.... which is good... ssshhhh don't tell Michael.

We have been working hard

Always making time for play too!! Here are the many faces of Mikayla

Definitely a future Elvis impersonator.....

Fish kiss anyone?

Who me?????

It's a lovely day for a hat!


Mikayla's "scrapping table"


And what is a blog post without some creations on it.....

The overlay on this one is an actual 12x12 transparency, it was definately a challenge to "work it".

Here are some pull out mini-album/cards that I made for two of my girlfriends. These were a lot of fun!!!