Gracie's 1st Day of Preschool

This week we hit a big milestone, Gracie started preschool.  I have resisted sending her to preschool because I think that academically she really doesn't need it.  Socially, though, she needs to realize that everyone doesn't have to do what she wants them to do.  Ha!  (Who does THAT sound like?  LOL)

My friend, JoAnna, heard of a program at one of the local high schools where they pair high school students thinking of going in to education with preschoolers.  They follow a curriculum, interact with the children, and they get graded.  The best part is that it is only $50 for a 10 week class that goes 3 half days a week.  JoAnna's little girl, Taylor, is attending so I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity for Gracie to transition from being home all of the time with Mommy.

Gracie was really excited to start school.

We were the first ones in our classroom and Gracie just walked right in and headed over to the play area.  I was a little worried that she would be shy and maybe even cry (she hated me leaving her at Bible School last year but ended up having fun each day) but she didn't cry at all.

One of the high school students came right over and started interacting with her.

We were both really happy when our little friend, Taylor, showed up.

When it was time for the Mommarazzi to leave, Grace didn't bat an eye.  I thought she might get shy but nope, she just smile and waved and told me good-bye.  I felt sorry for the other mothers who weren't having it so easy.

Pick up was an issue . . .because of me!  For some reason I was thinking that the school went from 8:30 until 11:30 but nope, it was until 11:00!  Her teacher called me to ask me if I was going to pick her up or if someone else was?!  I was so embarrassed.  The worst part of it was that JoAnna actually called me and said that pick-up was at 11:00 and I talked her into believing it was at 11:30.  She was sitting in the parking lot to pick up Taylor but didn't go in because of me!!  I quickly called JoAnna and asked her to go in and pick up both girls and then I met her up there.  Mom of the Year, I tell you!

When we finally got home, Gracie was so excited to show me her crafts.  She made a fox mask . . . can't you tell that this is a fox?  LOL  

A puppet

Pictures

My favorite part is that each day we will receive this paper that tells us what they studied in class and how our child reacted.  They have it broken in to different sections such as crafts, music, reading, science, free time, and other.  Then at the bottom they tell you if your child was active, shy, happy or sad for each hour they are at school.  On Gracie's first day they had a craft and they worked on literacy and she was happy and active the entire time.

Unfortunately, the sick bug hit our house this week and Caleb was diagnosed with strep.  Wouldn't you know it?  Gracie got a fever last night and missed school today.  She was so disappointed but we are hoping she will be fever free today and tonight so that she can go tomorrow.



What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today is the day that I get to tell you what I'm loving this week.

Link up with Jamie to tell everyone your loves.

{1} I'm loving . . . the weather that we've been having although it is kind of freaking me out.  It was 66 degrees yesterday so I was able to meet up with a friend, JoAnna at Money Saving Momma, and take the kids to the park.

{2} I'm loving . . . that I am going out to a movie and dinner this weekend with my two friends.  (I'm hating that Scott will be out of town for my bday)

{3} I'm loving . . . this fantastic recipe that I came up with last night.  Potato-Cauliflower Mash.

{4} I'm loving . . . that we found a baseball team for Kanin to play on this Spring.  This will be the first time for him to play organized baseball and lucky for us, his hockey coach is an assistant coach on a baseball team.  I think it will be a perfect transition.  Plus, some of our school friends are on that team, too, so he will know some boys.

{5} I'm loving . . . that my JustFab order came in and it only took 3-4 days.  I love the shoes and bag even more than what they looked like online. 

Each of them came with a dust bag and the best part is that I only payed $39.95 for BOTH including the taxes/shipping.  Woohoo!

{6} I'm loving . . . Zumba.  I am seriously considering making it a goal to get a Zumba certification.  I don't really know the requirements or what it takes but I love going and can definitely tell the difference it is making.  I also just love that it is a total stress reliever.

I can't wait to read about all of your loves this week!



Randomness

Sunday was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.  To actually stay together for 40 years is quite an accomplishment and such a rarity these days.  Saturday night we took them out to eat.  Kanin was so "in" to the fact that it was their anniversary and was super sweet to them. 

I didn't take a camera so this was just a quick shot on my phone.

Sunday was also an exciting day in our house.  Kanin finally scored a goal.  Not only did he score one but he scored two goals in 2 consecutive shifts.  He almost had the 3rd goal but it went off the goal post.  He also had 2 assists that game.  He was SO EXCITED and Mom was pretty excited, too.  Our coach was so sweet and got the puck for Kanin.  Scott had him sign it and we dated it and it will go in with the other signed pucks that we have.

Monday was haircut day.  Since Gracie's 1st Haircut, I have let her hair grow out but here lately she has screamed everytime I brushed it.  I finally had enough and took her to get it cut.

Caleb was also in desperate need of a haircut.  While I loved him having a longer bowl cut, it drove me crazy that it was constantly in his eyes so I decided to really get it cut.  I can't believe how much he looks like Kanin did at that age with this new cut.

A Strong Woman

My Life Touched. Thanks, Karen

Have you ever known someone that has made a lasting impression on your life?  I don't mean your husband but someone that helped shape you when you were growing up. 

Years and years ago I had a very special lady as a speech teacher.  I was in about 4th grade or 5th grade and I had a new speech teacher, Mrs. Karen Stephens.  She helped me get rid of that lisp and stutter that I had and she made it fun.  I didn't even know that anything was "wrong".  I just felt lucky that I got to go down a couple times a week and spend time with her, play games, and just talk.

Mrs. Stephens had this long, flowing, black hair that was truly her signature.  When I was growing up, I wanted my hair to be just like hers.  I truly believed that she had to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. 

And nice.  And sweet.  And caring.

As I got older and "graduated" out of her class, I was a little sad that I wouldn't be spending so much time with her but lucky for me, she became our cheerleading sponsor.  Once again, she was firm but nice.  And beautiful.

As time goes, I grew up and went to college.  Moved away and got married.  I didn't keep in contact with now "Karen" but found out while I was in college in the '90's that she had developed breast cancer.  I saw Karen a few times during her chemo and radiation and I can tell you that she handled the whole ordeal with such grace that our little town was in awe of her.

When she first got the disease, she had two really small little girls and I remember being so sad for her and for them.  A back story to Karen is that she actually went to the same high school that I attended.  I remember riding the bus when I was really little (probably kindergarten) and when we would pull up to the high school, I would see Karen and her boyfriend Clint being teenagers in love and kind of swoon over them.  All of those years later, Clint was now her husband and they had these two beautiful little girls.  And, she had breast cancer.

For years, and I mean years, Karen has fought this fight.  She has been cancer free many times and has tried every treatment she possibly could to hang on.  My mom says that she remembers Karen telling her that her only goal was to fight it long enough so that her little girls would be grown. 

I got the sad news last night that Karen contracted the flu last week and was in the hospital.  The cancer has taken over her body and she agreed yesterday to go home and to have hospice come in.

My heart is broken.  I haven't been close to her in so many years but, in my mind, I am that little elementary school girl looking up to my beautiful and nice teacher.  I know she has suffered so much and I am comforted by the fact that she will no longer be in pain but I am so saddened for her high school sweetheart who has spent his whole life loving her and her two beautiful grown girls.

Please say a prayer tonight asking for comfort and peace for Karen, her family, and for the people whose life she touched.



What A Deal!

Remember a while back when I told you about the fabulous pair of shoes that I got in the mail?  If not, take a look HERE.

Well, right now JustFab.com is having a birthday special where you get 2 items for $39.95/shipped with no extra taxes or fees! 

JustFab.com not only has shoes but they also carry purses, jewelry and even jeans.

The prices are always $39.95 shipped including taxes and fees.  This is a buying club so if there is ever a month that money is tight or you don't find anything that you like, just "Opt out"  for that month.  No hassle at all.  Plus, with every referral that you send (you get your own link) you earn points for free stuff!

My last order only took 4 days to arrive so I'm hoping that I have them by next weekend (birthday weekend).  Here's what I'm looking forward to:

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and these beauties.

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What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today I am loving a lot of things:

{1} I'm loving . . . that Hottie Scottie and I were able to hang out all weekend together.  The Blues game Saturday night (winner!) and then football all day Sunday. 

{2} I'm loving . . . that the St. Louis Blues are playing so great this season.  I smell playoffs!

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{3} I'm loving . . . that so far the winter weather has been fairly calm.  I'm sure there are some storms coming but this time last year, THIS is what was going on around here.

{4} I'm loving . . . listening to Caleb say his ABC's and count to 26.  Why 26?  I have no idea.  I had no idea that he could say all of his ABC's until listening to him play the other day.

Watch Caleb saying his ABC's HERE.

Watch Caleb counting to 26 HERE.

{5} I'm loving . . .Gordman's.  I am a new Gordman's convert.  Look at these super cute jeans that I found over the weekend for only $26 each. 

{6} I'm loving . . . all of the sweet comments I got about my back last week.  I have no idea what was going on.  I was sitting on the couch and when I stood up I heard and felt a pop and I had instant release.  2 days of pain relievers and muscle relaxers and all I needed was one little pop and felt great.

{7} I'm loving . . . that I got Shaun T's Rockin' Body in the mail yesterday. 

What are you loving today?  Go to Jamie's blog to share.