Daddy's Girls

Is it really only Wednesday?! This week is dragging by.  I think it's partly because schoolwork started on Sunday.  I knew Matt and I would be late at a cardiologist appointment on Monday so Lilli and I did a full night of homework a day early. This 45 minutes to an hour a night is exhausting. It's paying off though! She got straight A's on her tests last week.  (The one up top that's graded a C? The teacher graded it wrong. I caught it and it turns out her key was wrong ;)  Plus Matt left to go dove hunting with Wesley near San Antonio today so that made it feel like Friday too.  He surprised us all when he showed up at Apollo to eat lunch with us and to say bye.  I know he's going to have fun! And I'm hoping the next 2 days pass more quickly than the first 3 did. We're ready for the 3 day weekend and our trip to Baton Rouge! 

We went to the cutest birthday party this afternoon. Aubrey is turning 6 this week and she had her party at the Theatre School of Dance. It's the same studio where Lilli used to go. She wasn't really in to ballet so I was surprised at how in to this "girly" party she got. They made spin art and wands.  And they also had a ballet class and photo booth.  It was so fun! But I think both of them think the best part of the day was Daddy playing in the pool!  What a good Daddy! He had to get in some quality time before dove season starts next weekend. He's like a kid during Christmas time this week!  

My aunt Peggy (Papa's sister) turned 86 on Thursday so I met Nana and Lizard in Alexandria today for her "party." We started with the zoo.  There were: Lions Tigers (You'll have to trust me because there's no picture of those but they had both a "Mike" (Bengal) and two beautiful white tigers.) And bears Oh my we searched for those lions! That's what Katie walked in talking about and of course they were ALL the way on the opposite side of the park. But that smile made it worth it. We also had a train ride around the zoo I sure hope I end up with their genes. At 86 and 87 Nana and Peggy walked for an hour and a half. The kids were complaining more than they were! :)  We ended with a delicious lunch, and cheesecake of course, at Copeland's.  Peggy said it was the best birthday she remembers. Happy Birthday Peggy! We're glad we could celebrate with you. 

Katie had her chance to meet her teacher today. I can't believe my baby is starting preschool! We had the choice of a MWF or TTh class and decided on the 3 day a week (and it's only 9-12 with the option to stay till 2).  She's got plenty of years where she'll have to go full time so I want her with me for a little longer. :)  Oh they're so different! Lilli is so quiet and shy meeting new people and Katie has no problem showing her silly side! I guess Mrs. Michi isn't "new". She moved up to preschool from Mother's Day Out this year so Katie knew her from the playground. She'll start the Wednesday after Labor Day so we only have a week and a half until we finally get on our normal schedule. I'm ready!!  While Katie was meeting her teacher, Lilli was taking her first ever written test. Her teacher was so sweet to send me a picture.  She's got this! She told me she's pretty sure she got them all right. I love her confidence! 

Lilli's school got serious this week! First grade is a different world than kindergarten and we have the homework to prove it.  This was our spread for one night. She has to read for a minimum of 20 minutes and then I ask questions to work on comprehension skills, practice her spelling and "amazing" words, work on her homework packet (a set of 5 worksheets due weekly), and a nightly math worksheet.  Zoom in... Do you see what #7 and #8 say? Algebra!! That's right, our 6 year old is learning basic algebra. (4=2+__) Now I don't have a problem with this, but her homework is going to pass my skills by 5th grade at this rate. ;)  The whole process takes about 45 minutes every weeknight. (None on weekends or holidays) And on Thursdays we'll study for her 4! Friday tests. Spelling, high frequency word, amazing word (definition), and reading comprehension. I knew it was going to be more work but they threw us in this week. It's already paying off though. She's...

We met Yaya again this morning to get the girls in time to take them to the circus.  I wanted to go and Hailey gave us tickets so it seemed like it would be the perfect afternoon. We got there an hour early for the pony and elephant rides and the petting zoo. The pony and elephant rides were fun! But the petting zoo didn't turn out so well. The llama spit or sneezed or something... All over Katie's head and face and my shirt.  It was disgusting! And we decided that was enough circus for us and never even went in the tent.  We went straight home for showers and clothes washing! I think I'll attempt her first circus again next month when the bigger circus comes to the Centurylink center.  And we'll see the animals from afar at our seats. ;) 

Matt and I have Yaya and Cap'n to thank AGAIN for our anniversary night. (Katie was happy- she just didn't want the picture)  I met Yaya at 11:00 today so the girls could spend the night night with them and we could celebrate 11 years together.  We had a lazy afternoon and then went to buy Matt's anniversary (+birthday and probably Christmas) present at the La-Z-Boy store.  Before having an early dinner at Superior.  We were home by 6:00 and at first I laughed at how old we are, but now I'm thinking we're just getting wiser with age.  I always have mixed emotions on this day because Mom passed 6 years ago today.  She would be happy to know that I didn't think about this also being this anniversary until a couple of days ago. I know she'd want me to focus on the happy. And it has been a happy day! Love you Matt and Mom! 

This has been a crazy year for health for our family! Matt's had several spinal injections because he and his doctor are trying to narrow down which discs are causing the most pain before they decide on surgery.  I had one last week too. I've always had bulged discs in my neck that flare up once or twice a year but this time steroids didn't help and I guess that is typical treatment now. I had better results than he typically gets and am feeling much better. Plus I had a hysterectomy and Matt had his wisdom teeth out over the summer. AND Matt was diagnosed with a heart condition called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.  He's started beta blockers and we will go to Houston to see a specialist in October. And if that weren't enough, Matt tore his meniscus back in March or April and he finally had the surgery to fix that on Wednesday,  He's recovering well. He is still sore but doing his physical therapy and should be feeling back to normal soon. I pray that...

Matt and Josh had the Oilman Shootout yesterday so the girls and I went to spend the day with Hailey, Case and Lane. We planned to only go for a few hours but next thing we know it's dinner time. The day can fly by when you're having fun with family.   Lilli and Katie ended up being invited to spend the night and of course I jumped on that! I was nervous about Katie staying because she still gets up during the night half the time. But she ended up being the first asleep and last one up.  I guess there's nothing to be afraid of when you're in the room with your sister and cousins. :)  Uncle Josh had it set up with an air mattress and tent that they all slept on together. How fun!  And then there were lots more cuddles with Hay Hay and Lane when they got up this morning.  I had to pick them up early to make it to church but they had the best time with them and are already asking when they can go back. Thanks so much Josh and Hailey!!! We'll return the favor anytim...

Now before y'all think I'm too crazy, I'm not really already counting down the weeks. But Lilli's teacher is! By her behavior chart at least. All greens for the first week (no surprise here) but the weeks are numbered and go to 37 so it's easy to countdown.  She had great first week! So much better than her first week of kindergarten and she says that school "isn't that bad." She really likes her teacher and I'm taking her and picking her up which makes her happy because she hated the bus.  It takes time out of my day but I don't mind it at all.  She gets an extra 20 minutes in the morning and I love that it gives me a few minutes to hear about her day before we're home.  She also lost her 7th! tooth this week.  She always likes having a missing tooth because she feels like a big kid. I know I'm gonna look back as she graduates from high school and think about how little she was today, but it is crazy how her first day of school picture...

And just like that, another summer has come to an end. I'm looking forward to being back in the routine of school but Lilli was NOT. When I woke her up this morning she said, "Ugh, I know what day it is." But she went happily. Matt, Katie and I all walked her in to her classroom. She gave me a long hug but then went and sat next to one of her friends and waved bye. I held it together in front of her but the tears were falling before we made it back to the car. I'm going to miss her so much but I feel like she's going to love school this year. She already said its better than kindergarten so that makes this Mama's heart happy.  We started the school year off right yesterday evening by meeting some people from our church and a lot of the school faculty at Apollo for a back to school prayer.  (Someone was taking pics for the paper and sent me a few. Not sure if we made it in. ;) It was a good way to be prepared for today and I think it will be our new family trad...

We had Meet the Teacher at Apollo last night and I can't believe we have a 1st grader! Mrs. Row seems nice and Lilli has a few friends in her class so she's feeling a lot better about the new year. Even though I thought kindergarten was real school, I'm learning that first grade is the real deal. She will have nightly homework and weekly tests. I know she'll do great but it's definitely going to be more work. Now that I'm not teaching at First Friends, I will have more free time and decided to volunteer as room mom. I'm very excited to become more involved with the school and Lilli is excited I'll be around some too. I know it will be a lot of work but room moms get to go to things that parents are not normally invited to. Plus, I'll get to know a lot of the teachers and staff.  I will also be serving on the First Friends board. The fact that Shannon asked had me relieved that I was still welcomed there after quitting. ;) I'm glad to be able to b...

For Lilli's last week of summer I wanted to do something kind of fun and special each day. It's honestly as much for me as for her. I love having both my girls with me all day long. Not that they don't drive me crazy sometimes, but even when they do,I still love every minute. I'm going to miss her when she's gone 7 hours a day. Monday was: Tuesday doesn't have any pictures because one thing she asked to do before summer was over was to have a "room day." She is definitely a homebody and likes her alone time too. She happily goes in there while Katie is napping and watches her kindle and does crafts for hours at a time. She could do it all day and on Tuesday she literally did. I even brought her breakfast and lunch to her but did make her come out to have dinner with the family. :)  Wednesday was: And: Thursday we had a back to school lunch with Yaya at Ruby Tuesday. (Lilli got to pick the place and she wanted a salad bar.) And then Michaelyn and Rick c...