First Day of Preschool

My boys, originally uploaded by Smith Family Pix.

Cooper talked about school for the enire 2 days between Open House and the official first day. He was so excited he could not stand it. So nothing major to report for him other than he is so glad to be back at school.
Cameron was the biggest news. I knew it had the possibility of being really ugly so I made sure we had the passy and blankie even though we don't normally take those out of the bed. I think it made a huge difference in his comfort level. He went right on in and started playing. He whined just a bit when I said BYE, but went right back to his toys. Some of the moms hung out in the hall for a few minutes. There were several kids really screaming. I was worried that it would spook Cameron a bit so I took my turn peeking in the window but he was a champ, just doing his thing and checking out all the new stuff to play with.
It was a short day, only 2 hours. Cameron really turned on the pity party when I walked in the room. He immediately started the "fake cry" and threw himself at my feet as if to say "It was so awful here. I can't believe you left me here with these rotten people". See you Monday morning :)

I'm ready for Fall

Got tired of the pink stuff. I'm so ready for Fall so I decided to re-decorate my blog to go with the season. I also got some new Fall/Winter clothes. Don't get too excited. If it weren't for Wal-Mart and Costco I'd spend a lot of time nek-ked (EEK, I haven't gone to the gym nearly enough for that). I used to like Sam's clothes better but now I'm leaning towards Costco. And yes, I had to get 7 pairs of pants-they are different colors-because they are absolutely the best jeans/pants (2% lycra) on earth and this year they had them in petite length!!! I was ecstatic! They fit me perfectly-that NEVER happens. So I can finally get rid of a few pairs of my old pants.

Mommy's toy store

Today we drove to Charlotte to go to this mall we've never been to before. Last night I checked out the website to find out what stores they had and-cue the choir- "Hallelujah", there is a Sephora. That is my candy store. I'm a Health and Beauty junkie. I decided to do some shopping online last night to get my wish list together or else I get in the store and all the pretty colors and shiny lights short cicuit my brain and I just wander around going "Ooh" and "Aah" and before too long I can hear Cameron screaming from his stroller somewhere out in the mall and I know I have about 5 minutes until Tim comes to drag me out of the store. Then I'm out in the car and I remember something I had wanted to look at. Bummer. Not this time. I walked in and pulled out my list and the sales people just backed out of my way! Make no mistake, I still got distracted but this time I had my list to get me back on track and I made it out with only what was on my list-actually less- and of course me free deluxe sample!

Abbie wanted to come in with me this time. She wanted some lip gloss. She had her allowance money and it was burning a hole. I talked her into waiting to get some American Girl lip gloss at Bath & Body, and it was on sale! Gotta love that!

It was a fun day-at least for me :) I was really in a mood to buy something and I think I got it out of my system. For now.

First day of 2nd Grade

new 025, originally uploaded by Smith Family Pix.

Abbie wanted Daddy to take her to school on the first day. Today is day 3 and it seems to be going well for her. Now, if I could just get my act together! Only 9 more days until the boys go back :)

Abbie's first day of 2nd grade

I missed my favorite Staples commercial this year...It's the most wonderful time of the year!! Abbie was nervous about school today. She has 2 boys in her class from last year and that's it. None of the girls. She knows a couple of girls through friends and one girl joined Abbie's brownie troop at the end of school last year so they really didn't get to know each other then.
We had a teacher change 2 days before open house. I'm actually quite excited about Abbie's teacher this year. She's from here and Tim and I went to school with her and her husband. She just finished her master's degree and seems well organized and communicative. My main complaint from the last 2 years is that I felt like I didn't know what was going on. I'm not a "No news is good news" kind of mom. I don't want to find out about possible issues by reading Abbie's report card.
Today they brought home kid version day planners-SO COOL! I love it! On the company Website it says this version is for Kgarten. But I think 7 is a better age. I don't think Abbie would have been ready to learn the concept of a day planner 2 years ago.

Fourteenth Anniversary

On the 24th Tim and I celebrated our 14th anniversary. Wow. I'm sort of speechless. Tim wrote me a very sweet card. He's a good card-picker, not so much with jewelry, but good with cards. And he gave me a day at the spa! I can't wait to use it, but I want to wait until I really feel like I need a break. Right now I'm pretty good so I don't want to waste it! I got him some shirts and I gave them to him last week.
I commemorated the day by taking the kids to Portrait_Innovations and had portraits made of them together. It's the first time I've had them done with all 3 of them. 18 months and this is the first time, whew, time has really flown by.
Then we went out to our favorite restaurant, Bonefish_Grill.

Cooper Turned Four :)

My sweet boy is Four years old! He is very polite and kind of shy. He still loves his trains and trucks and can play with them for hours without a peep. He started soccer this week. I think we'll all enjoy it more when it is cooler outside.

Last weekend we kicked off Cooper's 4th birthday weekend with a family dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Lots of fun! Cameron was once again the entertainment for the evening. He ate a whole bowl of cheese dip with his hands. He was covered in cheese from his forehead to his elbows. This photo was in the early part of the meal.

Sunday we celebrated with the rest of the family and then on Monday we finally had the "real" party, the one with the pinata. It was so hot that day that it took the kids all of about 5 minutes to crack it open, grab some loot, and high-tail it back inside.