The things they say..

I just returned from a 2 day trip to check on our house. It's exhausting going back and forth, but thankfully, I am married to the most capable husband in the world. He holds down the fort and I return to a clean house and happy family. I am so thankful and lucky. We also have our wonderful babysitter Adela during the day, and thankfully, she knows them both very well and knows how to keep everyone happy. I picked out every light fixture for our house yesterday during a 10 hour period....whew!

When I got home, Colby was so excited to see me and told me how much he missed me. (so nice when then can express that)

As I was putting him to bed tonight, he said "Momma, I weawwy wanted to be at the "shotel" with you. I wanted to go to the shotel and sleep at the shotel. How did you see in the dark there?" Apparently, he had been asking Lee the same thing last night about how I was seeing in the dark- I think he thought I was wandering around outside. I explained to him (as Lee did) that the hotel had a bed and lights and that I was not sleeping outside.

After a back rub and some talking, I tucked him in and told him I needed to go downstairs and do mom things. He said "But I want you to stay up here and do Colby things". And of course, I had to stay a little bit longer.

Clothing pic of the week

I just love Fall, and I love Fall and Winter clothes. Maybe I'll do a "pic of the week" post with my favorite outfits of the week. Or maybe it will only be for today, but regardless, I'm having fun with the change of season.

There's only so much you can do with boy clothes, but jeans and flannel shirt is my favorite look.


Are these not the cutest boots you have ever seen? She has worn them twice and I have never received so many comments on anything I've ever worn! This look was completed with a knee length camel trench coat, which I didn't get a picture of.


The real hilarity in this post is that Colby and Miller will look back when they are older and just die laughing at how ridiculous and out of style they look. Don't we all do that when we look at old pictures? But for now, I could just eat them up.

Ready for Fall

Just a quick update while I pause my online browsing of bathroom tiles....

Things are moving right along and we are all happy that Fall is finally here.

That means, for one thing, matching Halloween PJ's.


Colby and Miller are having more nice moments and fewer struggles, although I still wouldn't say we are in the clear.


One of Colby's projects for school called for a family photo. Much to my shock and horror, we had not taken one of the four of us since last November!!!! It's always of one of us with the kids, but never all of us. I will do better!!!

One afternoon during one of our Friday playdates, I asked one of my friends to snap a quick picture. It actually turned out pretty cute, although it's not great of me because I'm laughing. (probably at myself for telling Colby to say "poo-poo pee-pee" instead of "cheese"...I know my son and what will make him smile) I think it's especially good of Colby and Lee.


And of course, with Fall comes Halloween costumes. Colby has been practicing for the real thing by dressing up as Batman almost daily.


Miller will be a garden gnome, but I have yet to get her to wear the hat. (she doesn't even like it why I try to get her to wear a new outfit or new pair of shoes) I bet once she understands that dressing up gets her candy, she will be all for it.

I'm heading out of town for 2 days for house meetings, but hopefully more Fall pictures we be coming soon.

Airplanes and Witches

Miller has a mind like a steel trap, and certain things make VERY big impressions on her. Lately, she has been talking daily about two things. The first is her trip to see Nana and Granddaddy....literally, the transportation. She talks about riding on the airplane and the school bus (which is the bus that take you from the parking lot to the airport) several times a day.

The other thing that she talks about daily (since last weekend) is the witches we saw in the Halloween store at the mall. They were life sized automated witches and Miller was TERRIFIED. She grabbed on to me and burst into tears, and we had to leave the store immediately. She has been talking daily about those witches and how they are "pretend" and "not real".

This is not a very exciting video....just a little glimpse of everyday conversation with Miss Miller.



(Oh, and be sure to read the post below this one about leaving your e-mail address before I change my privacy settings!)

Blog changing to invitation only...

Howdy folks,

Due to some security concerns, I'm soon going to change this blog to be invitation only (by e-mail address) That will be nice because I can post more info about the family, our new house and neighborhood, etc. Right now, I just feel very limited as to what I can say and what pictures I can post, and since this is the only way I'm documenting our lives, I don't want to be restricted.

I know most of the readers of this blog (mainly family), but I know there are also other readers that check in regularly. I am fine with sharing this with you, I just need to know who you are and your e-mail address.

If you are interested in getting an invitation by e-mail, please leave a comment below. I will write down your e-mail and delete the comment ASAP.

Thanks!

First day of school

Colby and Miller both had a great first day of preschool! It helps that they have FANTASTIC teachers this year. (the two best, in my opinion) However, this was the first year that there were no tears...and I'm including myself in that!

In Miller's classroom, there are 12 kids ranging in age from 2 to almost 3. (Miller is one of the youngest, but there are 2 kids a few weeks younger) The teacher said that in all her years of teaching, she has never had a class this well behaved on the first day- there was not one tear from anyone the entire day (well, all 2 hours). She said every single one of them followed directions and did what they were told- wow! I peeked in before pick up time, and Miller was doing hand motions to a song while sitting in a circle. I couldn't help but laugh because if Colby had been in that class at age 2, there is no way he would have been sitting in a circle or following directions. (My memory of Colby's class at age 2 was of his teacher holding him down to a chair.....it didn't take long for her to get fired)

Colby had a great day as well. I haven't gotten much information out of him and didn't have a chance to talk to the teacher, but he was very happy at both drop off and pick up. He was placed specifically with this teacher because she supposedly loves boys, and loves very active boys. Well, I've got just the student for her!

I did get called into the director's office right after I dropped them off....she said it in a very hushed tone like we needed to discuss something behind closed doors. This was the first morning of school- I could not imagine what could be so important! It turns out she read the form I filled out for Colby's teacher, and she wanted to understand more about Colby's potty training (or lack thereof) habits. I told her about his withholding from last year and how he refuses to go #2 on the potty, and we don't really know what to do about it. She said that hopefully peer pressure will help....I'm not so sure, but we'll see.

All in all, a very successful day and I can't wait to see what they learn this year.

Before I post pictures, here are a few pictures from previous years.

2007- Colby at 1 year old (this was a few days before school...I don't think I took a first day picture that year)


2008- 2 year old class


2009- 3 year old class (Couldn't get him to pose for a picture)


2009- 3 year old class and seeing his friend Wyatt in the hallway


And now this year....my, how things have changed!

Colby was such a big boy posing for his pictures.


Big girl ready for school!


It's tough to get a good sibling photo...


We are SO big!


One last attempt.


Gosh, I have such perfect and well behaved kids!


Pssst....Here's what the photo shoot was REALLY like...

Preschool open house

Colby and Miller had their preschool open houses, and judging by their experience, they are both going to LOVE school this year!

Miller enjoyed emptying a bucket of puppets...


but she spent the majority of her time doing puzzles (naturally).


She shocked me by picking up a baby doll. Wow! Maybe she's got some girly in there after all.


Colby loved his new classroom and teacher. Here he is with his friend Lori.


The Dynamic Duo is back...Jack is in Colby's class again this year. Colby was doing great listening and sitting still even though Jack tried his hardest to distract him. It's still very apparent that Jack has issues. (Note to self: do not give blog link to Jack's mom)


And just for fun, I'm enjoying the fact that someone in this house is taking my picture....it's nice to see that I really exist! Here are a couple cute ones that Colby shot this morning of me and Miller.