Gumbo

This little puppy is the reason for Raelee's breakdown at school Friday during nap time. She LOVES her Gumbo and treats it like a real dog....bless her heart. She has had it since she was a baby, and right before I had Colton (literally), we ran to Target and she lost it. Daddy went to Toy Fair the next day and found another one(thank you Jesus)! Now, she is VERY protective over him. So, we took these pics for her to carry with her to school and keep in her nap mat. I promised to take good care of him while she is gone, and feed him at 10am : )

First Day At The "Big K".....

...Kindergarten that is! My baby girl headed off to her first day of Kindergarten yesterday. She was excited to see her friends, meet her teacher, and see her new room. All was well, and she seemed to be alright with the big changes.

She was a bit nervous when we got there, but was fine once in her room. I saw several moms I know, and met some new ones as well. She has a great teacher, so I was really excited about that.

New friendsRaelee and Mrs.BurtonOne more hug for mommy!

I couldn't wait to pick my big girl up and find out how her day went. Before, I left for carpool, I got a call from her teacher, just wanting to let me know of a little melt down. Raelee had a great day, and enjoyed "Kindergarten", BUT was not happy about nap time. She got herself so worked up she made herself sick. After a sweet talk from Mrs.Burton she settled down and fell asleep. When I picked her up, she told me she liked her teacher, but not nap time. She was upset that she didn't have Gumbo (her stuffed dog), and was worried about him. She NEVER worried about this at pre-school, but they never took naps. I told her that mommy would make sure to take good care of Gumbo while she was at school, and he would be in the car to meet her everyday. This is going to be an adjustment, but I think it will be fine. She is already talking about Monday, and her new friends. This is a child that LOVES school and has asked me everyday of summer, when she is going back. I think she just didn't realize how different "going back" was going to be.

Raelee, I LOVE you so much, and hope you have the best Kindergarten year EVER! You are my baby girl that has blossomed into a beautiful young lady. I am so proud of you and the little person you are becoming. You are the best big sister a little brother could ask for. Sending you off for your first day was as hard for mommy as it was for you, BUT together, we will make it the best year yet! I can't wait to make many school memories. I love you my angel : )

Kindergarten Cut

Thursday afternoon I took Raelee to get a cut before her 1st big day of Kindergarten. Her hair was sooo long, and it was really looking scraggly. We ended up cutting about 3 1/2 inches off, and it looks so much better.

BeforeAfter

Foxy Roxy

Wow...a lot has gone on in the last few weeks, and my mind is mush by night time. We are getting Raelee ready to start Kindergarten this week (that will be another whole post!), we put our house on the market, and I've been trying to keep the kiddos entertained for this last stretch of summer. Raelee is sooo ready to go back to school. She misses her friends terribly. She starts back Friday, and we are all getting back in a groove. One thing the kids have loved, is that Grandmother and PawPaw have a new Boston Terrier named Roxy. There is a LONG story behind her, but we found her in my neighborhood, some neighbors took care of her for a while, then she ended up with mom and dad. Raelee couldn't love her more if she tried. She is the best and sweetest dog, and wonderful with the kids. Raelee can't wait for Grandmother and PawPaw to go on vacation somewhere so we can "babysit"!

A Birthday At The Farm

A couple of weekends ago, we went to our friend, Sarah's, 3rd birthday at Hidden Oaks Farm. Brad was at the station, so it was just, me, the kiddos and a load of fun.

Waiting to see if this turtle statue will move.My animal lover.Colton LOVED all the little babies. Raelee would not go in because she is terrified of the turkeys.

BUT, for some reason she LOVES the camel. Go figure?Colton likes anything that Baa, Neighs, Barks or Moos...etc.

And, the moment they both waited for....the MOO MOO CHOO CHOO!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sarah, we had a blast!

Ellerbe Extreme

I know, I know, I know....I have been a BAD blogging mommy lately. Things have been crazy around here, and real estate has had me so busy, that my brain is too fried at night to sit down and write. So I'll go back a few weeks, and catch up on my post : )

The last few weeks, the kids have been going to summer camp 2 days a week at Ellerbe Extreme. They loved it and it was a good break for mommy to get caught up on some things. (not blogging, obviously!) Colton will go back there for Mother's Day Out, and Raelee will start Kindergarten at University Elementary. Most of her friends from Ellerbe will be there, so she is excited.

The Little Mermaid Can FINALLY Swim

Yay...Raelee has finally broke away from the floating devices, and started swimming. Mom was determined that she was not going to go another summer without learning how to swim....so, off to swimming lessons she went. (it's amazing what another adult can get them to do!) After, 2 weeks of lessons, the little mermaid is swimming free! Once she realized her eyeballs would not fall out of her head if she got them wet, then she was ok. He even got her to start wearing goggles, which I have been trying to do forever, but they would pull her hair, and was not worth the fight. So, everyone is happy in the Hagedorn pool now. Goggles and all!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My beautiful mommy's birthday was Wednesday, and the whole gang got together for dinner at Logan's (minus Dylan). With 7 adults, one 5 yr old and two 2 yr olds, dinner is always going to be interesting. I have to say, they were all very good....especially since you can throw peanuts on the floor. That's 30mins of entertainment in itself!

Grandmother and the 3 little monkeys: Raelee, Alyssa and ColtonMy sweet family : Kevin, Dad, Mom and MeMom with Me and my "little" brother KevinMom with daughter-n-law Alisha, and son-n-law BradThe Whole Family including Mimi : )

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful Mom, that is my best friend as well. She is the most giving and caring person that you could possibly ever meet. She is an amazing Grandmother and I couldn't have made it this far without her. To have 4 generations of girls is so much fun, and I love passing on traditions to Raelee. I could write books on how wonderful she is and how much I love her.....but, I think she already knows! I love you so much Mom. You are my mommy, friend, never ending listener, great advice giver, and a fabulous Grandmother. We all love you soooo much.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday To The Cutest Curly Headed Niece

My niece, Alyssa, turned "2" last week, and she had her birthday party Saturday. It was a Luau theme, so she sported a cute little capri set with pink flamingos. She has got to be the cutest little blonde, curly headed thing you have ever seen. Am I not right?Grandmother and Pawpaw all decked out in hawaiian

They also had a "jumpy thing" (as my kids call it)

They also had a blow up batters box, in which Colton LOVEDExcited after opening her dress-up set from Raelee and Colton

Daddy and the Birthday GirlHappy 2nd Birthday sweet Alyssa ~ We love you so much!