Life Lately....

I had fully anticipated on getting our back to school pictures posted today, but it might be Thursday before I get that post up! Life Lately has been hectic as you might have guessed with our first week back at school. 

Last Sunday night, my mom drove up and stayed with the big girls Monday through Wednesday. I had teacher inservices and work days, so I was so thankful that she was able to arrange her schedule to come watch the girls. My mom is a saint.

DJ and I woke up at 5:30 on Monday morning so we could get a run in. And then I got ready for work, woke up Adalyn, and she and I were off. 

I felt so bad waking Addy up, but once we were in the car, she was super happy. Maybe it's because she didn't realize where we were going and she just thought she was heading for a day of mommy/daughter time! 

I decided last minute to buy her a back pack, and girl is in love! And, I did a really bad job of getting pictures of her first day outfit. Even on my good camera, I don't think the pictures turned out great! We had to trick her into taking her pictures. Anyway, she was really happy to walk in to daycare.

And then I felt nostalgic and did this side by side of her first day of daycare, and then two years later. 

I went through my teacher inservices on Monday, and then picked up Adalyn before heading home. 

As I was doing my Bible study later that night, I found this verse, and thought "Wow. Life goals." To be honest, these are all skills that I need to work on! I want to tape this verse to my mirror and pray on it every day.

Tuesday morning, we headed out the door again while my mom stayed behind with the big girls.  I didn't have to be at work until 10:30, but I wanted to be in the routine of getting up, so I took Adalyn to daycare and then I ran a few errands before heading in to work. 

Gretchen had her first night of ballet, and I was thankful that my mom could take her! Afterwards, she met me with all of the girls at my school, so Gretchen could meet her teacher. 

I died when they walked in, because I made sure that Gretchen would change her clothes and not come to school in her ballet outfit. Being the pushover that my mom is, she let Megan wear her leotard, ballet tights, and ballet shoes. Apparently, Megan was insistent that she had gymnastics and was determined to wear this, and my mom totally had a #yesmom moment and let her. So, there they were, walking through my school like this. Thankfully, my fellow teachers have a great sense of humor! 

After meet the teacher, we headed to Olive Garden for dinner. I needed carbs after such a long day! 

The next few days were a blur. Wednesday was more room prep time, another inservice, and then my mom dropped the girls off to me around 3, so we could leave at 4 and meet Megan's pre-k teacher. Afterwards, we picked up Addy, headed home for dinner, and then I got into the back to school routine of fixing lunches, giving everyone a bath, and things were just CRAZY! 

The girls had a great first day of school, and DJ went in to football late so he could take all of the girls to school. I decided to snap all of my pictures with my good camera, and I just haven't had time to pull the pictures off, so again- I'll share more about our first few days later on this week. 

Thursday night, we had ballet, gymnastics, and a near scare of me running out of gas, and then my hubby came to my rescue!

Friday morning, I had an 8:30 meeting, and I scrambled to get the girls dropped off so I could make it to my meeting on the other side of town. I seriously zig zagged across town all morning. 

But, I did snap this cute picture of Megan on her 2nd day of preschool.

Friday afternoon, I managed to get everyone picked up and then we went straight home. I was exhausted. I sent the girls upstairs to play and I tried to fall asleep on the couch. I think I was in the state of being asleep, right around the time the girls came down to tell me something, and then I fell back asleep and that cycle continued until I finally gave up. 

My Young Living order came in on Friday, and I was super excited for my new oils! Tomorrow, I'm sharing a few ways that you can use your oils for the school year- you won't want to miss out!

We ended up making pizza, and as soon as DJ walked in the door, I handed parenting duties over and was done. 

Sleeping in on Saturday had never felt so good. The girls and I got up, and I reheated waffles, and then we had the laziest of Saturdays. It was raining and cool, and perfect. 

We played Barbies in our pj's.

And taught our babies how to do cartwheels. 

We had lunch, I did laundry, cleaned house, and then we ALL took naps!

It was the best!

Sunday morning, DJ had to be at work around 11, so we skipped church and I headed to Target and the grocery store kid free. I came home, and he left, and I spent the rest of the day doing some food prep, sewing, laundry, and getting ready for our week.

Before I go, I have to wish my big brother a Happy Birthday!!!!! He is the best! 

And, this week on the blog, I'm celebrating back to school! I have super fun posts planned for the next few days, so while your kiddos are at school, you'll want to be sure to check out the blog!

Y'all have a great one!!!

Weekend WrapUp

This weekend has been crazy!!! Today is my first day back at work, and I'm wondering where on Earth summer went?! We spent the entire weekend, trying to have a little family fun, hanging out at football, and getting things ready for back to school. 

Thursday night we had Addy's meet the teacher at her preschool. Even though she's been there since she was an infant, and her big sisters went to school there, we decided that we needed to go and let her see her new classroom. I'm sure that after being home all summer, today is going to be a rough transition for her, and hopefully since we saw her classroom and met her teachers last week, it won't be so bad! 

Once we got back from Addy's meet the teacher, the girls played outside. I forgot to share this picture Friday, but they were all in the car and saying they were ready to party! I told DJ that this is what we have to look forward to in their teenage years! #lordhelpus

Friday morning, the girls and I got up to run some errands and then we met DJ at the football offices and headed to lunch. He kept Gretchen while I took the little girls to their well child check ups.

Here they are ready to go in! 

Megan is within the 50th percentile for height, and Addy is in the 75th percentile!

The girls did great at their appointment! Megan was such a big girl and was so brave. 

However, she wanted nothing to do with getting shots! She insisted that Adalyn go first, and while we were waiting, she said she was hiding under the bench so the doctor couldn't find her! 

Thankfully, a sticker and sucker cheered her up!

Addy had fun coloring while waiting on the doctor, but she hated every minute of seeing the doctor. I'm pretty sure that when she broke her leg this spring, we ruined her with doctors. She hates them.

After their appointment, we picked up Gretchen and headed home for naps. 

Then, I took the girls for fro-yo. Because, who wouldn't want fro-yo after having shots! Big sister Gretchen was treated to fro-yo as well!

We ran to Target and then went home for baths and bedtime.

Saturday morning, DJ left for football and the girls and I got up and ready to head to the scrimmage game. We were having a baby shower for one of our staff wives, and I snapped a picture of our baby gift before we left. 

I'm offering baby bundles in my shop, and Eli's gift is a perfect example of how you can bundle to create the perfect baby gift! Eli's included a baby gown, burp cloth, and blanket. 

Megan insisted on having her picture made with the cheerleaders. I asked her which ones (the cheerleaders or the dance team) and she said, "the sparkly ones", which meant the dance team. 

While the scrimmage was going on, we helped decorate for the shower and then we went outside so the girls could play in the bounce house.

And then I attempted a few pictures of them in their football outfits.

This one cracked me up! Addy's learning to stick her tongue out in photos, and Megan's being goofy with her poses!

Once the scrimmage was over, we headed upstairs to enjoy the baby shower, complete with yummy tex-mex!

We made it home around 2 and I put the girls down for a nap and then I napped myself! DJ made it home around 4 and he cut the grass while I cooked dinner.

Megan decorated our fire place. 

Sunday morning we were up bright and early to get ready for church. I made from scratch pancakes, and then we all got ready.

I attempted to get a few pictures of the girls.

I think I failed miserably!

After church, it was home for lunch, a nap for Addy (and Gretchen!) and I worked on laundry while Megan pulled out jenga. 

DJ and I stopped what we were doing to play a few quick games of Jenga with our middle. 

Megan has started to hate being in the middle. She'll say, "I'm NOT the middlest!" And if I'm working on laundry, and her stack is in the middle, she insist that it gets moved. We need to have a middle child day and just celebrate her!

The rest of the afternoon was spent doing more laundry, cleaning, doing the dishes, cooking dinner, and playing outside before baths and bedtime! It was a crazy afternoon!

So, here's to today- my first day back at work, and the official end to our summer.

Y'all have a great one! 

Life Lately!

We are down to one more week of summer and the girls and I have been crazy busy! DJ started back to Fall Football practice- even though it's 100 degrees +. I made a to-do list last week and we've been busy trying to get everything crossed off to get ready for heading back to school.

Here's a bit of life lately.

The girls heading to church last Sunday. I found Megan's dress in her closet still with tags and I kicked myself that she hadn't worn it! My girls always end up with a ton of dresses, and some of them only get worn once because our summer's are full of vacations and being out of town. Thankfully, I'll be able to hang on to it so Adalyn can wear it. 

Gretchen picked out her own dress, and Addy is wearing a dress that once belonged to Gretchen! All of the girls have worn it, and I'm thankful for Strasburg Children's Clothing and their ability to make such timeless dresses. 

Sunday afternoon, Megan played dress up.

Sunday night, we decided to brave the heat and play outside. These poor girls have either been locked in the house or only playing at the pool because it is so HOT here! Megan had a blast riding in her convertible!

And Addy rode in her little princess car. 

DJ was determined to get Gretchen riding her bike without training wheels. Unfortunately, she's never been highly motivated and her bicycle was a little big for her. He decided that last week would be the week, since football practice was starting up again and he won't be home much. They took off her training wheels and the girl rocked it! I took lots and lots of video of her riding her bike.

Monday, the girls and I got up and went back to school shopping. We went to Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Crazy 8 before heading home.

We stopped for lunch at Chick Fil A and I was thankful that I had this little bottle of Thieves spray in my purse. Our table wasn't the cleanest, but it was right by the play area, so it was a prime location for me to watch the girls play. I sprayed my Thieves on it, and then wiped the table clean with a napkin. 

After we were finished eating, I was sitting with the girls in the play area and saw Adalyn pick up a piece of chicken nugget that she found. And, wait for it....... she put it in her mouth! I jumped up, threw it out of her hands, and then took her to my purse and grabbed the Thieves spray! I sprayed a bit in her mouth and felt as okay as I could that she had tried to eat someone else's chicken nugget that had probably been stomped on one too many times.

I love a product that I can use to sanitize and keep our immune systems boosted and us healthy!

It may have totally been a "crazy mom moment" but it's totally safe!

This little girl is a hot mess!

Tuesday, we had to run even more errands! We stopped by a friends house, went to Hobby Lobby, signed Gretchen up for dance, Megan up for tumbling, and ran by daycare to pay for Adalyn to start back next week. We grabbed a quick lunch and made it home for naps. 

DJ mowed the grass and the girls were begging to play outside again. Adalyn loved riding in (and pushing) her car.

She's quite hilarious- she knows how to push the gas but she has no idea how to steer! So, she sits back, pushes the pedal, and we have to run after her fixing the wheel so she doesn't crash into the curb. 

She's riding totally chill here.

We spent the next few days at the pool and cleaning the house.

We had big plans to head to Branson for the weekend for some back to school shopping and Silver Dollar City fun, but God had other plans since we could not find ONE hotel room! Last week, my grandmother decided that she no longer felt comfortable living by herself, so on Thursday, the girls and I headed down to my mom's house. We spent the next few days packing up my grandma's house and we were able to (with the help of our amazing family!) get her moved in to my mom's house. She has two bedrooms at my mom's house and made one of them in to her own living room, and I think she'll be quite comfortable and happy to have some company again.

The girls and I stayed down the road at my brother's house. The big girls were riding down to my brother's house so I put Addy in Megan's carseat, loosely buckled her in, and we drove down the driveway to his house. I snapped the picture of Addy to send to her daddy, because she looked so tiny in Megan's seat! Plus, her sear is still rear facing, so this was a totally spoiling moment for her!

(Disclaimer: my brother lives on the same driveway as my mom, they are the only two houses on 40 acres of land, so we can drive from one house to the other and be safe!)

Friday night, we surprised my mom with a birthday cake! Her actual birthday isn't until this Friday, but since we were all together we wanted to celebrate her!

This lady is my rock. She's my best friend and I'm so thankful for her. 

All of the girls helped her blow out the candles. 

Megan found a pair of Build-A-Bear glasses and wore them most of the weekend. Her cousin has glasses, so she wanted to be just like her!

Saturday morning, Addy and I ran to Wal-Mart to pick up a few groceries while everyone else worked on moving my grandma in. Where on earth did her blonde hair come from?!

After we got my grandma settled, we swam until bedtime. Megan finally went to the top oft he water slide and slid in and she was dying to swim without her floaties! She's starting to get the hang of swimming and is doing great!

The girls and I headed home Sunday afternoon. We stopped as soon as we crossed the state line, and for gas, potty breaks, and I got the girls candy and juice. I told the girls not to eat their entire bag, and before I knew it, Megan had. The next two hours were filled with her talking non-stop since she was on a sugar high.

We got home, made a pizza, unpacked and called it a night! This week is going to be just as busy as last, but I'm hoping we can squeeze in a few more pool days!

Cheers to Monday y'all!

Summer Campout

Last Friday night, we had a little campout for the girls. We did this a few summers ago, and the girls loved it! And since this was DJ's last weekend home, we thought we needed to do something fun and special for the girls! 

We spent our Friday morning at the pool, came home for naps, and then told the girls to get dressed fro their campout. Their choose of attire was leotards with shorts. Since Addy is potty training she chose a t-shirt and her undies. 

All ready to go outside for the campout!

And a quick selfie with my baby!

We took the girls outside while DJ grilled brats and hot dogs. The girls played and played. Thankfully, a rain storm had come through the day before so it was a bit cooler than it had been! It was still in the 90s, but you know, cooler.

They ran, and went down the slide, and played in their house. 

Next year, we have plans on revamping our back yard. These poor girls have always had rinky-dink yard toys since we've moved so often!

Gretchen loves to campout! I think she's crazy, but she asks to go camping every year!

Mommy and Meggie. When we were at the pool earlier, I forgot to put sunscreen on my face- hence my really red nose and sunglasses tan line!

She told me that you could only see one of my eyes in our first picture and we had to take another one! 

And then she wanted a picture by herself!

After we ate dinner, DJ started a campfire.

We broke out the marshmallows and made smores!

Gretchen loves to set her marshmallows on fire and eat smores. 

Adalyn just wanted the marshmallows.

And so did Megan. She does NOT like her marshmallows to be roasted.

After our smores, we sat around for a bit longer while the girls played. We finally cleaned Adalyn up and put her to bed and then the rest of us played chase and racing games. The girls had a blast playing outside!

After our races, we cleaned up the big girls and DJ and the girls made a tent in the upstairs hallway. Gretchen slept there all night, but Megan woke up around 11, came to our bed, and then DJ took her back to her bed. She asked the next day why she woke up in her bed and not in the tent!

Our campout was so much fun! I think we'll have to have a bonfire this fall and make smores again.