First day of school - the youngest flew the nest.

Today was the first day of school for my two elementary kids.  We are on a year round calendar so summer break is only 5 weeks long. 

It was a bittersweet day.  On one hand, the youngest - Sophie finally went off to school.  On the other hand, the youngest- Sophie went off to school.   It was hard to let her go as she is my shadow- my constant companion, my little buddy. 

But the little bird needed to fly from the nest.   I still think if the backpack is bigger than the kid they are too small to go to school.  I'm just saying.

Here is Sophie on her very first day of kindergarten:

Don't you agree she is too small to be in school?  But she sure does look the part right?

Then here is Jack.  He started 2nd grade today and actually was quite excited.  Fooled me - hope this year goes better than last and that he starts to like school again. 

Handsome fellow isn't he?

You'd think with them at school that I could get a lot done..well I could if I wasn't driving my high school kid to drivers ed and then taking the college kids phone in to get it repaired.  Maybe tomorrow will be more of an accomplished day.

I did hit the salvation Army store and picked up a load of frames to paint and distress.

Well off to pick up the high school kid..

off to the beach...

We are off to the beach for our vacation. 

We will be doing a bit of playing in the water.

A bit of building in the sand...

A bit of  feeding birds...

a bit of running from the waves...

a bit of playing in the water

and of course some relaxing..

might check in while there if the wireless works..

if not see you in a week and

Happy  4th of July

Red White and Blue Princess

Every year my family goes to the beach for 4th of July.  Of course with boys they just bear with me and wear their yearly tshirts with flags on them.  But once we got our princess I knew I could make cute patriotic outfits for her to wear on our nation's birthday. 

(You can click on the picture to see it larger if you need to)

I made the top with different patriotic fabric- well I will be honest - it was supposed to be a dress but somehow I always manage to make them too short.  Then so as not to have her be equivalent to a BRATZ doll I needed to make some bottoms.  And whipped up some pants with ruffles on the bottom.  I like the end result much better than just a dress. Sometimes mistakes are fortunate they say.  I also made a bunch of coordinating hair accessories- she is a diva I tell you.

Daddy's girl

It all started with making a sign for daddy.  We had to welcome him home she said. So, we did. 

Then daddy had his stuff laying around.  So, of course she had to try it on..here she is standing like a soldier. 

Of course, then she needed to "girlie" up the pose a bit.

Now tell me, can you tell she is a daddy's girl? 

Love you soldier Sophie- now stay safe.  :)

I finally finished her 4th of July outfit.  We go to the beach each year over the 4th and I always try to have a special outfit for her.  This is the second year I have sewn it..I'll take pics of her in it tomorrow to share .

3 days - only 3 days

Well only 3 days till hubby gets home...wooo hooo my sanity will make it I think.

Only 3 days till....

4 kids get hugs and kisses galore

I get a long overdue hug that I need

kids get bike rides to their hearts content

kids get rollerblading till knees are too bloody to skate anymore

kids get the pool non-stop

I get a break

I get to breathe

I get to get away and shop without kids:)

I get to sleep in for once

Yard gets finally edged the way I don't' know how to do it

My sprinkler head will be fixed so the yard doesn't die

we get to go to the beach

we get to go to ikea and get those heavy closet systems so our clothes have a home

I get to smell yucky coffee every morning brewing in the kitchen

I get to smell beer in the evening sitting on the porch

WE GET TO BE A WHOLE FAMILY AGAIN.

Hurry up three days... we are ready.

Here comes the bride.

Can you tell  she has been watching too many bridal shows.  She is in love with the show where the ladies pick out their dresses.  Here  she is daddy- get ready to cry. 

What a cute kid.  Guess I better start saving up money for her wedding now.  I mean if she is already getting into the thrill of it I can only imagine how much her dress will cost in about 20 years. 

Just dance Sophie.

And she danced. She danced her little heart out.

And we watched. We watched proudly as this tiny little girl amazed us.

And she made me cry. She has grown up so much and is so beautiful.

I thank God for this blessing every day.

I love you Sophie. So much.

click and you can see her much bigger and way more beautiful.