Random August

The girls have been visiting their cousins all summer.  Scarlett went to the goat barn with Tori. 

The girls probably don't know what to think, all they know is that they are usually surrounded by their cousins when they are up with grandparents.

Or the grandparents come to Cincy, and take them to the park!

The girls were having a race.  It ended with Willow wiping out in the grass throwing a tantrum because Daddy was beating her.  However, Daddy thought he was only racing Scarlett at the time.  Mommy didn't go because she had just got home from the hospital, but heard all about "the race."

We are so thankful for our family and friends....their love and support during the month of August!! 

Verses and Teaching

During the summer, we really didn't work on our bible verses.  Maybe its because I was pregnant, we moved and we were lazy.  I try to never be so lazy that I don't read my bible daily.  I really don't even want to teach my kids to take a break from scripture.  However, summer got a hold of us and now I am determined to get back on track. 

 

 To make things easier for me, I simply just made the next 4 weeks of bible verses and labeled them for each week of the month.  I am not going to be an over achiever with a new baby, so I am going to do the basics.  I usually get most of my materials from this BLOG.  I use this cd, Songs of Saplings.  They have a bible verse and song.  What better way to put God's word deep into your heart but with songs to scripture.  I am going to have a few things for the girls to do each morning with breakfast.  That's about the most I can pull off at this point.

 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." - Psalms 119:11

Each morning we review the verse and do a little activity....ok well we did most mornings this week.

Now on to some teaching things for parents of children attending school:

Then, we are off to school for the day.  Scarlett goes every morning ( just in the am...whew) and Willow will start going to the 3 year old program at our church on Tuesdays and Thursdays mornings.

For the first day of school, I made this "supply cake."  I plan to make one for Willow's teachers too.  Ryan was so embarrassed but I was hoping that their teachers would like it.  When I was teaching, I loved little gifts that parents would bring in.  It made it extra special, it showed me that the parents were involved and for that, it made me want to work that much harder.

If you would like to see a tutorial for this, you can go HERE.  However, I sorta did my own thing.  I used the super cute bucket from Target for the top and put some energy drinks and pencils in it.  I barely spent 10$ on this project.

On the 2nd day of school we made the teacher a little "Chocolate Express." 

Seriously, this was about 3$.....

The third day, we wanted to tell our teacher that she was a STAR.  I know I continue to embarrass my hubby.  We gave her a gift certificate from STARbucks and some STARburst.  Obviously this was 15$ plus the star burst packet.

On the 4th day, we gave her some homemade goodies.  Chocolate butterflies and some cupcakes.  Scarlett's first week was only for 4 days so we gave her these four little gifts.  I hope that if you have a child in school that somehow through this blog post you have found a way to show your teacher you care. 

"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner

Grandparents

Grandma and Grandpa Hartzler came to Cincy for the day.  It was such a wonderful visit.  It was so relaxing and the kids were able to spend some time with them.

Grandma made a yummy lunch menu.... lasagna, salad and a yummy pie!  We were so thankful for the visit and so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 

- Psalm 103:17

This is my life

Right now I find myself consumed with these little pumpkins.

Every morning we take Scarlett to school in the am

and then we come home and do all sorts of things

but this day was a sweet and special day

because this special little girl wanted to stay home and PLAY.

They really want to put Lane in the little stroller, but I told them that might not be the safest choice.

They really want him to play with their "playhouse and little people."

Usually Willow is entertaining him with her latest toy.

We have been sooo spoiled and receive different gifts and packages in the mail.  Thank you to the Peterson Family for your thoughtful gift!

We love running out for a few minutes in the evening to grab some ice cream.

These two little ones just LOVE white ice cream with M&M's on top.

We are ready for the fall, football and cooler weather. 

Happy 1st Day of Kindergarten

Last Friday, Daddy took Scarlett to her "open house/meet the teacher."  I didn't go because it was the only day I could get Lane into the doctor and because I figured daddy could handle it.  He said everything went well and that we were going to love the teacher for the year!  I was so excited to hear this as I was SOOO nervous about who she was going to get as a teacher.  (i guess its the nerdy teacher in me)

I took this picture the day before school, she was strolling through the kitchen, she was on her way to catch a flight to Florida.  I love spending time with this girl, I love to see her imagination, her naiveness, her creativeness, her personally.  I am so glad I only have to send her half day so I can watch her grow the rest of the time.

She is an amazing big sister, daddy and mommy are so proud of her!

The morning of Kindergarten!  Yes, I made a cake for the teacher but figured she would like a little treat!

My cuteness goofball!

The typical picture, but will come in handy in years to come.

Of course, Willow had to get in on the action.

I promise I didn't give her sugar this morning!

Finally, a nice pose of Daddy and his big girl!

Mommy and her girls

Her teacher, Mrs. Kuhn.  She is sooo sweet and Scarlett just loves her!

At this point, I am pretty sure Scarlett is rolling her eyes at me.

But I had to get one more, even though I probably should have kept my sleep deprived eyes covered with sunglasses...ha

Willow will start going to school for 2 days in a few weeks.  She will go 2 days a week, just in the morning, the same time Scarlett is in school.  When we got home from dropping off Scarlett, Willow said she was ready to do some school work....ha....so we did some work on our cutting skills.

I packed a lunch for the girls, and right after school we zipped over to the park.  The girls loved it, I loved it, I promise I am not a hot mess but time is flying by in their little young years. She did great on her first day, no tears and she wants to go back!  I was able to keep it together as I have been a mess this past week, I blamed it on having a baby!

Sometimes my days are frustrating, sometimes my days are long, sometimes I wonder why I don't go back to work, sometimes I think how inadequate I am as a mom, sometimes I wonder if I am a good Christian role model....but I just can't get over how lucky I am to watch the grow everyday at home with me.  Thank you Daddy for all of your love and support!

Weekend Wrap Up

Scarlett only has a few more days before she starts Kindergarten so I have been trying to pack in the last few things I wanted to do with the girls.  Nana and Papaw were here for the weekend so we decorated some yummy sugar cookies.

Nana was showing the girls how to apply the frosting on the cookie!

The girls were so busy all weekend, even Scarlett chilled out on the couch and took a nap.  One of the reasons I am posting this picture is because I found it funny that Scarlett had Nana's phone by her when she went to sleep....apparently Nana lets them use her phone = not mommy....

Love this picture of big sister Scarlett holding Lane.  The girls adore him.  I have to tell them to back away or give him space.

Three generations!!!

I have a frame in Lane's room that says "Generations."  So I wanted to get some pictures of when he was a wee-bitty baby!

Of course, the girls didn't know what to think of the photo op going on!!

So we threw the girls into the picture, as you can see it was early Sunday morning so the girls were still in the jammies.

Ryan and little Lane.  You are such a good daddy and spoil all of us rotten!  Thank you Daddy!!

Willow getting her turn with Lane.  This is a picture of Willow on her actual 3rd birthday!!

Lane is captivated by the ball in his bouncer!!

My little old man......he was just exhausted after the weekend of eating and sleeping!