Daddy's Girls

We had Josh and Hailey's hunting themed gender reveal party at the deer camp yesterday and it was so fun! Hailey came up with the great idea to have Josh shoot a target and it explode with either pink or blue.  Our family was there and most of Hailey's drove up for the afternoon too. We all gathered around outside to find out if baby # 2 was going to be a "buck" or "doe" It's a boy!! We are so excited and happy for them and can't wait to meet him. Yaya and Rachel had the table set so cute (I had training that morning and didn't get there until right before the party) And everyone got to pick a button of their guess.  I've been convinced all along it was going to be a girl but I guess me and Katie Jane were wrong. :)  The party lasted a few hours but all of the McCormicks stayed the night for some more time to hang out and get some cousin play time  Can't believe in 5 months there will be 6 kids running around up there! 

What a difference 10 years makes! 10 years ago Matt and I were standing on a beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico saying our vows in front of friends and family.  Since then we have been through some of the best times of our lives and also some of the hardest.  But through it all he's been my best friend right there by my side. And 10 years has definitely changed the way we celebrate too. Matt came home from work a little early so that we could take the girls to their first gymnastics class together before going to dinner all 4 of us.  The tumble bears class that Katie was in was kind of advanced for her.  She was the youngest by at least a year so I'm not sure it's something we'll continue for her. We'll give it a few weeks but I really thought there would be more younger kids. Lilli's was more age appropriate but she was the only one in her class new to gymnastics.  I know it'll just take her a few weeks to catch up but she'll have to get over her fear of...

Lilli survived her first day of kindergarten (and I did too.) To say she was nervous would be an understatement. She woke me up at 2:00 in the morning on Monday saying she couldn't sleep because she was nervous/excited and was worried she was going to be too tired and fall asleep at her desk on the first day.  So I crawled in bed with her and she was out quickly for a few more hours. At 5:30 she was up again and putting on her uniform and ready to pack her backpack. I asked if I could please have coffee first. :)  I wanted to take her for the first day despite her constant arguments that she wanted to ride the bus. When we got there she said that she was glad I came because she would have been the only one without her Mama.  (Katie Jane is thinking can we please hurry this up so I can go play with my friends) I stayed about 20 minutes and then said my goodbyes. She was nervous but handled it well. Before we got there she asked me to please not "embarrass her" by crying in...

We made a quick trip down to Baton Rouge to pick up some furniture from my Dad's house before it sells next week. We got in about 8:30 Friday night and as I write this at noon on Saturday, we've already been on the road an hour. The whole family met us for breakfast this morning for a little visit and hug before we got back on the road. I definitely had mixed emotions as we pulled out of the driveway. I'm very happy for him and glad everything is coming together for the wedding and new house but it was also sad to know I'll never again walk in the house I called home for most of my childhood. We got one last picture before we left.  (Ryan was flying and Jen and Daniel had already left for his soccer game)  Goodbye Aurora Place but congrats and good luck to Pops' and Honey on the first step in your new lives together. 

I decided to attempt my first outing with 4 kids this morning and piled all the littles in the wagon and Lilli on her bike to spend the morning at the park.  Hailey and Case met us there so it was nice to have a second set of eyes for the first time. It went well. We stayed in one area and played in the sand and slides for about an hour and a half. It's still kind of hot so Katie was asking to go by then.   Maybe next time I'll be REALLY brave and take them to the library.  But next time it will only be 3 kids because we only have 4 more days until Lilli starts kindergarten. She went for her testing yesterday and I think she's feeling a little better about it. She's been VERY nervous but her teacher said she's more than ready. She knew almost everything on the test, was sounding out words, and is finally convinced that she's going to love her teacher. Now I just hope I'm as ready as she is. :) 

Bossier school started yesterday and their parents had to go back too so Sadie and Hallie had their first day at our house.    Lilli is here because kindergarten doesn't start for another week so she is being my little helper this week. All of the girls are playing well together and seem to be adjusting.  I'm attempting to teach a little so we don't fall in to a rut or get bored being here all day. It's very basic of course for 1 and 2 year olds; just shapes, colors and the start of numbers, but I found a free curriculum online called ABC, Jesus Loves Me. I tried yesterday but then I realized I need to wait until the 24th so that the lessons are on schedule with the holidays. That's good because they really just wanted to play anyway. I figure if I give it a couple of weeks the newness and excitement of different books and toys will start to wear off.  For now we are enjoying getting to know each other and I'm so thankful for this opportunity. We're going to...

This week is our final week before school starts.  Lilli actually has until the 17th but starting Monday, Sadie and Hallie Stinson start coming.  I'm not sure that I have posted about our new adventure yet but this year will be full of changes for everyone. Lilli starts kindergarten, Katie will have to learn how to be without "her Lilli" all day and I will be working from home keeping Sadie (1 1/2) and Hallie (who is a month younger than Katie).  We are all very excited for the year to start but have been enjoying the last week just the 3 of us. My goal was to do something fun with them each day and I think we accomplished it.  Monday was Chuck E. Cheese with Tiffany, Aubrey and Olivia.  Tuesday they met us for lunch and playing at Chick-fil-a.  Wednesday we didn't go anywhere during the day but we did get to go to meet the teacher night at Apollo. Lilli got to see her classroom and meet her new teacher, Mrs. Chism, who immediately hugged her and made her f...