First day of school, round 2

Today was Em's first day at her new school. She woke up pretty excited about it, but did inform me at breakfast that she "was too scared to go to her new school." On the way over she was excited and talked a lot about it, but THEN when we went inside her classroom, stuff went bad!
She cried and told me she "wanted to back to her new house, please don't leave me." You know, the kind of stuff that really tears at your heart and makes you feel like a bad mom for leaving you child then heading off for a morning of coffee and shopping.

I gave her about 30 minutes then I called the director to see how she was doing. She said she was coloring and there was no sign of tears. She had a great day and only cried for a couple of minutes. She even took a nap. When she got in the car I asked, how was you day punkin? "It was good Mommy, kinda long and also Ava wasn't there." Ava was her friend from school in San Antonio. Emmy, Ava is in San Antonio......she didn't move here. "I know that. She wasn't in my class."

I decided to let it go, that conversation could have gone on all night.

All in all, it was a great first day and I think we are going to be very happy with her school.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care"

These stocking are very special to me. Not only are they festive and pretty, they are each handmade by Mom.

This year's Christmas decorations are different. I decided on a "sweets" themes, sort of a "sugar plum dreams" theme and I chose to highlight pinks and blues. So, with the help of Mom and some friends, I began my search for new ornaments. Can I tell you how happy Paul was to lug all the unused tree ornaments up to the attic.

Here she is........my baby. My tree!!!!
Now all I need is some wrapped present under this tree. I'm a little behind in my shopping, I've been busy moving into my new house.

some new favorite pics......

The kids as well as Paul and I really enjoyed my parents visit this week. Not only is every box unpacked, the house in order, I can almost get my car in the garage. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Emerson cried after they left and told me she was "gonna wait outside for them." When I explained they wouldn't be back till close to Christmas she then told me, "well.....I will sleep with lovee bunnee outside till they get here." Poor girl, she clearly doesn't get that it get's really COLD here.

They're counting down the days till the next visit.

A Chilly Turkey Day

This Thanksgiving was different in so many ways. We spent it in our new house, in a new city in a new state. AND this was the first time I wasn't sweating in the kitchen while cooking. Mom and I usually prepare dinner while wearing shorts, this year we cooked while the fireplace kept the house warm. What a difference 40 degrees make!!!!

I'm thankful for so many blessing this year. But I'm most thankful for my family.......ALL of them! I loved having my parents here for a week. Because of them I was able to get all of the boxes unpacked and get my house in order. Dad even got to have lunch with Tyson at his new school. A great week!!! YAY for not living out of boxes!

"Kids, THIS is what fall looks like!"

The first thing I noticed about Oklahoma was the beautiful leaves. Every tree is changing or has changed colors. They are absolutley breath taking!!! I actually took these at the entrance to our neighborhood. We are supposed to have extremely cold temperatures this week and I figured if I didn't take some pictures of the leaves now these trees may be bare after Thanksgiving.

Happy fall y'all!!!

New Beginnings.......

Tyson started school Wednesday. Not sure who was more nervous, him or Paul and I? He did great and really enjoyed his new school. The best part......he wanted to go back the next day.

We made it!

We got in a little before 6 Sunday night. It was COLD and dark. We walked in and the fireplace was already lit. Our realtor and had come by and set up sleeping bags for the kids and an air mattress for Paul and I. She couldn't stand the thought of us spending another night in a hotel room. We ordered pizza for dinner and the kids dined on the kitchen floor, since our furniture wasn't being delivered till Monday.

to be continued....

On our way......

We got everything loaded up Sunday morning and said "see ya" to the Candlewood Suites.
2 kids, 1 dog, 2 crabs, and oh yeah 3 motorcycles......

We were on our way to Oklahoma.

We made out first and only stop in Ft. Worth at a rest stop/picnic area. We had packed lunches, we are all pretty tired of fast food. The kids LOVED running all over the park.

next stop: Edmond, Oklahoma

a LONG week of good-byes

This was an emotional week for this family. It started with Emmy's teachers (whom I might add are the sweetest preschool teachers ever) threw her a "going away" party complete with cupcakes and a memory book.

Em just loved Ms. Jody and Ms. Jody LOVED my Emmy.

Ava, Alexa and Emmy have been friends since the 2 year old class

Luke and Emmy

Clearly she enjoyed her farewell cupcakes

I took Tyson lunch on his last day. First grade lunch might be even more interesting than kinder lunch. These are his buddies from his class.

Maddy (Emerson in 3 years), Tyson and Isabella

Tyson's teacher let me come in on his last day and take pictures of him and his friends. It was bittersweet, they had all made him cards.....mostly saying "don't go Tyson! You are my BFF!"

and yes, I'm aware of the girl with the crossed eyes, there's always gotta be a wise one

More buddies......

COLTON! Colton is in a different class this year, but Jeri (his Mommy) was taking him home early and had to stop by Tyson's class so Colton could say "bye." I'm gonna miss those dimples and I know Tyson is gonna miss his buddy.

Sweet, sweet Mrs. Callis. It was love at first sight for Tyson. She wants Tyson to email her with pictures of his new house and she will read it to the class, they want to follow his new adventures in Oklahoma.

"Walkers"

Last year I began parking and "walking" up to the school to pick up Tyson after school. I just didn't want to sit in the LONG line of cars. Plus I thought this would be more social. This dismissal group was known as the "walkers." These moms and I formed a bond. A bond that deepened every day after school, we would talk and visit before the kids came out and after they were dismissed, the kids would play and us "walker" moms would chit chat some more.

It was tough to say good bye to this group of ladies.

Trick-or-Treat around the Lake

This Halloween we actually trick-or-treated in our neighborhood park which is ironic because we hadn't participated in the neighborhood festivities in the last 5 years but now that we were not actually property owners that is where we choose to spend our Halloween fun.

We had a blast!!! We went with friends and met up with more friends from school.
Em went as Cinderella and Mom and I enjoyed making her transformation. However, my Emmy did not get the "thick hair" gene so it took A LOT of product to make those curls and crown stay put.


What? Doesn't every Cinderella wear Twinkle Toes light up tennis shoes under her ball gown?


Tyson was a Knight but did inform us that his costume was not scary enough so next year he wants to go as something scary.

Mom joined us this year and enjoyed seeing the kids in their costumes.

We went with Colton and Baiely's family and had so much fun with them.

I had to get a group shot of everybody.
(Bailey, Emerson, Camden, Jackson, Tyson and Colton)