Randoms...

 School pictures came back yesterday... I was pretty please with how they turned out and I was really please at how cheap they were since Dustin worked at the school all day on picture day. It was a nice treat. I was excited Dustin was up to the task of volunteering, even though it is usually something I like to do... Here is Kenni, our 2 year old. She looks so much older in this picture. 

 Here is Mia... our 4 year old. My little sassy pants. She is in Pre-K this year and LOVES her class, which makes me happy. I am sad to think she will be in all day school next year. That is just not cool.

To blog or not to blog... I love doing it. I love being open, honest, and out there about what our "real" life is about. I love posting daycare pictures for my parents and keeping them informed. However it takes time. When I started blogging, I didn't have 2 jobs. My nap time was a little more free. So my goal is to continue to blog, update, and post daycare pictures. It won't be everyday but I will continue to do what I can. I love having a place to lay it all out there...

Kendal refuses to wear pants. I don't know why but this is a battle I have been fighting for a while now. I am worried about fall/winter when it gets cooler. She continues to go potty on her own on the big girl potty at least 1x a day. No routine or structure to why or when she decides to go but she does. And I let her. I am not forcing the issue because I know it will come some time. I guess with your 4th child I really just don't care when she gets potty trained...

 Kadyn is my 7 year old. I love her picture but was bummed she didn't smile her big toothless grin. Last year we always pulled her hair up with fun bows and this year she likes to leave it down. My little girl.

I tried to "maintain" the last 6 months as far as my weight has been. Again, this has proven this to be a challenge for me and I failed. I actually gained weight as my guard seemed to be down. I can feel it. I feel more stress when I am not working out 5-6 days a week. So... I guess you know what that means... back to what I know. We'll see what happens next! It's always a roller-coaster!

 And here is my soon to be 11 year old Gaby. Dustin doesn't like this picture... it makes me laugh because this is just Gaby. She will not smile, she will not let me fix her hair, and she will NOT do re-takes like Dustin suggested. I just sat back and let Dustin battle this one out. My little soccer star...no frills for her!!! She is just beautiful in her own way, which makes her all the more special.

 Our Awana programs are in full swing now... last night Kendal was so excited to get her "Puggles" shirt. She wouldn't stand long enough for me to get her picture. She is the cutest lil Puggle I know!

 Last night in Cubbies we talked about God's big announcement (Gabriel coming down and telling Mary she would have a son, Jesus)  and good news to cheer about. Last night I was the Cubbie cheerleader. It was a fun time. I'd do just about anything for fun, crazy, out there, for my Cubbie group! I really have an outstanding group of leaders and kids to work along side.

 We are the house with the blue door... Do I dare say we are finally done painting the house??? And when I say "we", I totally mean Dustin. The house looks much updated and the trim looks great. We were trying to use up paint we had from other projects so we went with blue. It's bright, cheerful, and out there... kinda like me! So, it is a keeper! I am so proud of my husband for all the hard work and time that was put into our home. I am just excited to tell people when giving directions, "we're the house with the blue door". I mean really, how many people can say that??!!

 We are seeing if it is worth fixing our van we have now or trading it in. After taking my mom to the store this week, I may or may not have backed into one of those bright yellow poles in the Walmart parking lot. Monday was a busy night. after the store I had to come home and switch cars. I forgot to mention to Dustin about my backing up experience when he saw it on his own. To which he replies, "well that isn't going to help our trade in value". Gotta love that man!

Our new family pet... Lola. She was given to us from our neighbor. They had babies and needed to find homes. They sweetened the deal by giving us a cage too- so the girls have a new friend....

I have more daycare pictures from this week. I have been doing most of my daily emails and blogging from my lap top and have yet to figure out how to download from the camera. I am sure it'll be an easy task after I ask Dustin or try to figure it out.

Until Then... that is what is on my mind. Have a great Thursday!!!

Monday

 We read our nature story about seasons called, "Listen, Listen". After we finished reading our story, the kids talked about their favorite season then drew a picture of it.

 Playing doctor at center time...

Our learning board this week... Letter D, number 3, color red, and shape circle.

Happy Monday!

Friday

 We started our Friday with puzzles, batman tower, and blocks...

 While we were outside the kids kept asking for me to take their "silly" picture. I might take a lot of pictures...

 On of out friends forgot his shoes in his back pack, all I had was Kendal's Dora shoes. He was super excited because they had Dora on them. Such a trooper.

 Outside fun after circle time. We have the best climbing tree ever...

No mess lunch. I guess by Friday I am ready for a pizza day. We add extra meat and cheese for the food program... :) which makes for a yummy pizza. It was a beautiful morning so we ate outside. The little peanuts are in their chairs with trays since this table is a little too big.

Happy Friday!

Thursday (on Friday)

C is for cookies for snacks, cutting, and cereal...

My Hubby's gift...

Let me start by saying I hate surprises. I am not a good, "gift getter". However, my hubby knocked me off my socks today. After nap, I went to the mail box and brought in a package that was addressed to him. I didn't think anything of it since he gets coffee stuff all the time. He went to Lowe's to get hooks and came back with Happy Birthday balloons and my favorite cupcake from Billy Vanilly. I was so excited when he came through the door... the daycare kids were too, they loved the balloons.

After he realized what the package was, he opened it and gave it to me. My all time favorite band, The Killers, released their new CD today. He pre-ordered the CD and concert tee- I have a collection of their concert tee and all their CD's. Best Hubby award goes to Dustin... I can't wait to rock out to my new CD while wearing my shirt!!!

Tuesday

 The hallway of kids... for some reason they love to gather here. We are doing some library time.

 My silly peanuts... we made frosted brownies for my birthday today. I had lots of helpers this morning.

 Taking turns adding water, oil, eggs, and mixing...

 Our new theme is beautiful earth. Today we made trees and added fall leafs and owls to them. 

 We also introduced "Letter C" today. We practiced tracing the letter, writing it by our self, and then colored "C" words.

 Music and dancing time... each year we get a CD of songs that go along with our themes and lessons. I loved last years CD. I thought the songs were catching and cute. I can not say the same about this year! We listened to half of it this morning and was unimpressed with the hippy/folk crazy music that it had on it.... Hmmm! I'll give it one more chance...

Our group picture... 1 day a week we have everyone here. Today was our full house day. It was great to celebrate my birthday with this group of peanuts!!!

Kadyn's field trip

Kadyn went to the Kansas Museum on Tuesday with her 2nd grade class. Dustin was free to go with her. She LOVED walking the nature tracks and then getting a tour at the museum. This is one of my favorite pictures Dustin took.

Tuesday

 Yesterday's friendly game of soccer before the big kids leave for school... everyone was over here to play. It was a beautiful morning to start out outside.

 Boys were being silly... both said they had babies in their tummies.

 Today we started our September journals. We worked on writing our names, Letter A, and Letter B.

 This week we are working on, "homes we live in".  Today we made "Happy Homes" that had each child's picture in the window. They all turned out super cute.

 Our learning board for the week... we introduced our letter B and B words for our letter bags. We also discussed who lives in our houses and how houses are all different in shapes and sizes. To finish up our learning time, we went on a circle hunt.

 Peanuts getting ready to go outside to play.

 The little ones doing their art.

Outside time before lunch... we had a fun Tuesday morning.

Mom's new place

 Saturday my dad, brother, and sister packed up my mom and moved her into her own apartment. Here is her bare room at our house after everything was packed and moved. Her furniture had not been moved in 7 years. We have a little cleaning to do.

 This is her living room. We are still waiting for shelf's to be hung but we went by yesterday to finish up the rest of her unpacking.  The kids were pretty excited to see mom's new space.

 Her kitchen area... small but meets her needs. Now she can have her pink kitchen she has wanted....

 Her bedroom. Her place is a one bedroom apartment. Everything looks really nice and has a spot. Her place has some great storage and closet room.

 Her bathroom is really nice and has lots of room. It is a handicapped place so it has pull strings and bars to help her out. 

Another view of her room.

It's certainly a big change to have my mom move out. I think this will be an excellent community for my mom. We are very happy for her and hope for a great new chapter for her.

Awana

 Wednesday Night was our first night of Awana Clubs at Topeka Bible Church. Dustin and I are pumped and ready to go. D works with TnT and does 3rd grade boys group. This is D's 2nd year... I tried to bribe him to come over to the blue side and rejected me. He enjoys his older kids.

 This is my 2nd year as Cubbie director. I am excited to meet all of our new Cubbies and see all my returning ones this year. We are sitting at 95 Cubbies this year... very cool!

 Mia is my little Cubbie, this is her 2nd year!

 Gaby is in TnT again. She was totally happy to get to wear a tee shirt this year and not a polo.

Kadyn is in Sparks. This is her 3rd year. Next year she'll move on up...

Kendal is in Puggles this year too... this is a program for 2 year olds that have parents doing Awana. I'll get her picture once we have her shirt. So, every Wednesday until May, you'll know where to find us.

Friday

 This morning before the bus... the kids had a fun time playing with Mia's dollar general doll. It plays this really bad music and Mia loves it. Gaby on the other hand hates it. It's sorta funny to tease Gaby with it.

 Kenni and her dress up shoes... She loves them but never has a match on.

 My littles that love the blocks.

 Kendal enjoying a laid back Friday... she has her milk and her Yo Gabba Gabba. Life is good.

 "I" got a movie for his birthday. After circle time we were excited to watch his movie, "The Lorax".

This is Kendal's room... She went a little crazy last night and I have yet to pick it up. So, I shut the door. What I can't see, can't bother me! :)

Happy Friday!