Time with Em!

Luke has been in school for two and a half weeks now. The first few days I think Emma really missed him. Although I am sure she would never admit that. :) Emma and I have gotten to spend a lot of quality time together. She loves it and so do I. We have been working on learning shapes. We've used play dough to make shapes, we've read books about shapes and we've practiced drawing squares, circles and triangles. She is really good at those circles. :) At lunch one day we were eating macaroni and cheese and Emma said, "Look mom! I am eating crescents. " Then the next day she said, "Look! It's a circle moon! I like the macaroni moon better." :) cute girl. She is really getting it.

We have also been working on counting. Pointing at one object and counting it. She is getting much better at this and she is counting to 50. We've also been doing a few crafts as well. We are having lots of fun together.

In the afternoons we've been going up to the pool. Emma has become quite the little swimmer. She is swimming about 10-12 meters without her swimmies. She is even jumping off the diving board without them as well. I love this time we get to spend together at the pool. I think she loves the water as much as I do.

Here are a couple videos of her swimming and of her jumping in. I still need to get her jumping off the board. I am usually in the deep end with her when she jumps off the board, so I will have to have Andy there to help video that. :)

We really enjoy our days together, but we love heading over to RDES to pick up Luke in the afternoons too. We do miss him!

Random Goings On

All the sudden life is SUPER busy. Seems like we have something on the calendar for every day. Soccer practices, games, dance classes, PTO meetings, birthdays, anniveraries, The Fall Festival. The start of the school year is going to be super busy for us. I was very hesitant to let go of our lazy summer days at the pool, but now that we are in somewhat of a "routine" it's not so bad. I actually love it! :) I love how excited Emma is to start back to dance and I love watching Luke and Andy leave for soccer together... such a bonding experience for them! :)

Yesterday was the closing on the Breenie Circle house. Sunday afternoon we went and walked through the house one last time. It really was a great first home. It wasn't as sad as I thought it was going to be. I think it really helped that we are so settled and happy where we are now. I do still miss my neighbors dearly, but I am keeping in touch with them and plan to continue to do so. When we met the new people moving in to our house, it was so strange to think they where going to be living in our house. I am not sure how they will fit in with the neighbors, but I hope they do. I think it will really hit me when I go to Breenie and someone else in my house.

Anyways... just some ramblings of the business going on around here. :)


Here's a new song that I love and thought I would share!

Fall Shopping Savings!

So Luke basically needs a whole new Fall wardrobe. It is still summer and warm outside, but I am always thinking ahead about shopping for the kiddos. Gymboree is having a really great back to school sale right now. If you have kids you should check it out. So I did some online shopping and put everything into my shopping cart. Then I decided to hunt for a online coupon code... seems like you can ALWAYS find a Gymbo coupon. I tried facebook and a couple of friends lead me to a great deal on groupon for Gymboree Play and Music.... here it is if you want that.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gymboree-national-lexington-ky?c=dnb&p=1

Then a twitter friend lead me to a one time only 20% off coupon that saved me $54!! Thanks!!

So, after all the sales and the 20% off I got Mr. Luke:
- A pair of jeans
- a fall jacket
- 2 hooded sweatshirts
- 6 long sleeve tees
- 3 button ups
- 1 puffer vest
- 1 pair of khakis
- Khaki cargoes
- a Rugby shirt

ALL for $224. I thought this was pretty great! AND I got $100 back in Gymbucks to use for next time. Before sales and coupons, my total would've been $438! I'm proud and my little boy has LOTS of super cute new outfits for Fall! :)

Two of Luke's new outfits:


Have I mentioned I love online shopping... especially for kids clothes!! :)

Thanks!

Dear God-

Thanks again for giving us this beautiful home. You truly have blessed us. The past two weekends we have shared our home with family, friends, and the youth group. I am just sure this is all part of your plan. I hope we continue to do your will with our new home. Thanks also for sharing this Bible verse with me multiple times in the past few days:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Things are making sense. It is all part of your plan.

Thanks again,
Your faithful servant,

I love my sweet boy.

On the first day of school, I used the car lane to pick Luke up. I wanted him to get used to this because I will have Emma in the car and some days I will have Madison as well, so it was going to be much more convenient. Having to get out of the car with both girls to walk in and get him would be less convenient. So the first day we did it, but he didn't like it. As I was walking him in on day 2, he asked me if I would come in and get him instead of the car lane. I reluctantly said I would.

So yesterday afternoon, I got to school, parked, walked into the gym and waited for the kids to be dismissed. Then Luke came into the gym looking all around for me. When his eyes caught mine he got the biggest smile. He was so happy I'd come in to get him. He walked over to me, grabbed my hand and we left.

As we walked out of school, holding hands, I treasured that little moment, knowing there will come a day (very soon) when he won't want me to walk in and get him and he certainly won't want to hold my hand. So, as inconvenient as it may be, I will continue to walk in and get him each day because it means so much to him and really it does to me as well. I love that sweet, sweet boy. :)

1st Day of 1st grade!

Yesterday was Luke's first day of first grade at Rosenewald-Dunbar. I am so excited he gets to go to school where Yaya used to teach and where I went to fifth grade. Some of the staff is still there that was there when I was in school. I have so many memories in that school. Some of my very best friends (that I am still friends with now) where made in that building. I hope Luke makes lasting friendships there as well.

Luke was really nervous and excited for first grade. He was nervous because he didn't know anyone in his class, but also very excited because he loved kindergarten. He also wanted me to take him this year. So we got to school much earlier than we needed to. We waited in the car a while and then we walked in. I could tell he was still nervous. We walked him in to the gym where all the students must remain until school starts. He sat down with the other first graders and then told us we could leave.

When I went to pick him up he looked like he'd had a wonderful day. He told me that he loved school and that his teacher was really nice. He also named a few friends that he'd met... Charlie from Garden Gate and Hampton who lives in our neighborhood. He loved first grade. :)

Sending Luke to RDES for first grade was much easier that sending him to kindergarten. I just teared up a little as opposed to the "ugly cry" I had on the first day of kindergarten. I do miss him LOTS during the day, but I know he is having a wonderful time in first grade. :)