storybook lane

Today was Storybook Lane at The Mayor's school.  I was a little worried if he would participate and what would happen if he saw me in the crowd.  He did amazing.  He walked in line with his class and when he saw me, he smiled for the camera and kept following his class around the gym.  When he came back around, he acted shy by covering his eyes but started smiling again.  I was so proud!  Such a change in my boy just by being in a new school.  Such a blessing!

After the parade, Love Bug and I went to his class for the party.  The kids ate cookies and other little treats and then they read the book "Llama, Llama, Red Pajama".  All the kids looked so cute in their red pajamas.  The teachers introduced The Mayor and myself and all the parents were so warm and welcoming to us.  It felt really good.

We headed home after school so Love Bug could nap and The Mayor and I spent the afternoon outside.  It was in the mid-60s and just too nice to be inside.  He and our neighbor rode bikes, kicked soccer balls and threw balls to each other.  The Mayor just thought it was the coolest thing ever that he was playing with a big kid (our neighbor is in 1st grade).  We played right up until dinner and then went back outside. The Mayor asked if we could build a fire in the firepit, so D did just that.  We bounced back and forth from the firepit to the playset until bedtime.  Now the kiddos are nestled in and sleeping.  We are not far behind.

she wasn't very happy about being stuck in her stroller for the parade

parading around the gym

he noticed me for the first time from across the gym

being silly and trying to hide his face

enjoying his llama cookie at the party

giving his sister a hug

posing next to the class sign

chef in training

The Mayor wanted to help me cook dinner tonight.  He was so excited to be standing on the chair and looking at all the ingredients.  Tonight's meal: Baked Ziti.

He watched while I browned the meat for the sauce and once that was done, he helped put the seasonings and tomato sauce and tomato paste in.  He helped put the pasta in the water and put the mozzarella cheese on top before we put it in the oven.  He was so proud.

Today was a great day.  The weather has been really nice.  This is one of the mildest winters I have ever lived through and we are loving every minute of it.  The Mayor's therapy session was canceled because his therapist was sick, so we ran some errands before we met our Monday lunch bunch.  I had to pick up some pajamas for The Mayor to wear to school tomorrow for his Storybook Lane parade and then I had to get to the grocery store to get the ingredients to make sugar cookies for his class party.

And now I have to get back to baking the cookies.

he couldn't figure out how to use the can opener so he tried opening the metal can with his hand!

And his hair is all crazy because he had just woken up from a nap

gotta love a freebie

How cute is this table?  Not only is it a snack table, but it converts to a craft table (the table top can be adjusted to tilt so it is an art easel).  The kids love it and the best part is it was free.

About a month and a half ago, I had ordered a table and chairs set for the kids from JCPenney.com.  I had found a merchandise credit in my wallet from about 2 years ago and wanted to use it, so I found a table and chairs set that was $13.  Even though I didn't love the table and chairs, I loved the price.  Well apparently so did about 1000 other customers because the manufacturer ran out of the product and couldn't fulfill my order.  No big deal especially since I didn't love the table and was just buying it because of the price.

About a week ago, I got a letter from JCPenney apologizing for the mishap and they gave me a credit for $50 off of $50.  I was so excited...nothing better than having a free $50 credit.  So I found this table (it was $55) but with the $50 credit and my merchandise credit, it was free.  Love.

Our day was fantastic.  D ran a 5K this morning in Marietta with some friends and while he was running 3.1 miles, I was purchasing 3 doughnuts at our favorite local doughnut shop.  I would say The Mayor, Love Bug and I got the better end of that stick.

By the time we were done with our doughnuts, D was back home so we picked him up and headed to Atlanta.  We spent the morning running the errands we needed to and then walked around the mall for a bit.  We went to lunch and then headed back home so Love Bug could go down for a late nap.

The evening was spent eating dinner at the new table and then playing until bedtime.

Sad tomorrow is the last day of our weekend.  But it will be another sunny day so we will be sure to make the most of it.

I love how Love Bug is holding onto the side of the table.  She was so happy to have a table just her size she kept rubbing it and holding it as if it might disappear from under her

a great no picture day

This morning we woke up to cold, windy and rainy weather so I was thrilled that we had a jam-packed day so we didn't get the rainy day blues.  After breakfast, we headed to a local private Christian school who was hosting a "Toddler Time".  It is something they put on once a month from 9:30 - 11:00 and it is totally free.  Me and two other moms from my Sunday School class signed up and we took the kids.  I had high hopes but sadly it disappointed.  I thought it was going to be a lot of playing and crafts with a snack thrown in, but it was a little dull.  I think the problem was some things went over the younger kids heads so they weren't paying attention and then other things were too babyish so the older kids weren't interested.  Overall the kids seemed to enjoy themselves even though us moms were watching the clock.

Afterwards, we headed out to lunch and the kids had a blast eating pizza and "talking" to each other.  The Mayor and one of the girls Addy actually had a little conversation at the table.  They talked about candy, playing and haircuts.  Random, but adorable.

After lunch, The Mayor, Love Bug and I went to Chick-fil-a to meet up with Nicholas and his mom so The Mayor and Nicholas could play.  Nicholas is The Mayor's best friend from his old preschool class.  They were in the same 2 year old and 3 year old class so they are going through a bit of withdrawal from not seeing each other 3 days a week in class.  We let the kids play in the indoor playground for about an hour and a half until it was time to wrap up the fun and get Love Bug home for a nap.

After nap, we went outside to ride some bikes because lo and behold the sun had come out!  Although it was sunny and beautiful, it was a little chilly so we only lasted about 30 minutes.  Then we went out to dinner (Mexican - the cookout we were supposed to attend was canceled due to illness) and ice cream for dessert.

Today was just an amazing day, but I didn't get one picture because I left without my camera.  I need to get better about bringing my camera with me because there were lots of cute moments with the kids and their friends.  Oh well...next time.

Tomorrow we are spending the day in Atlanta...D and I both have errands we need to get done down there so why not make a day of it?

check out this cuteness

Day 2 of The Mayor's school was a success!  His teacher even emailed to tell me he did great in circle time (which he never did in his old school) and he did great sharing with his friends.  Swoon.  So happy to have another great day.

But my most favorite thing from today were these two precious creations by my boy.  At his old school, The Mayor never brought home any creative projects, unless it was a holiday or special event.  Today they made owls out of pinecones and decorated sugar cookies to look like owls.  Precious!  And Tuesday is their Storybook Lane Parade.  Each class is assigned a book (The Mayor's class was assigned Llama, Llama Red Pajama), the kids dress up like a character in the book (so his class will be wearing red pajamas) and they parade around the gym for the parents.  Then we go back to their class for a little party.  I volunteered to make cookies and because I have a camel cookie cutter, I will be making camel cookies (with the hump cut down) and then put red icing on them.

Tomorrow we are having a playdate with some friends and then a cookout tomorrow night.  A great way to kick off the weekend.

the mayor's second first day of school

Not many people get to have two first days of school in the same school year...but it is just another reason why my favorite boy is so special.  And I am more than happy to report his first day at his brand new big boy school was amazing!  His teachers reported only good things...and I probed them like 5 times just waiting to hear otherwise (forgive me, but since August I think I can count on one hand the good reports he got at that other school...so I was a little paranoid) but they kept assuring me he had a really great day.

And The Mayor is happy.

And that is the most important thing.

Looking forward to another great day on Thursday but in the meantime I will enjoy having both babies home with me tomorrow.  Meega and Bennett are coming over, and if tomorrow's weather is anywhere close to today's beautiful weather, we will be outside enjoying this unseasonably warm and gorgeous winter weather.

And that about sums up this wonderfully, amazing and great second first day of school.

he loves his brand new backpack and lunch bag.  And he loves the fact his name is embroidered on both.

checking out his reflection in the basement door to see what he looks like wearing his backpack

just another awesome day

Pretty sure I am still riding on the high of finding The Mayor an awesome preschool with even awesomer teachers (and yes, I know it isn't word but they are more than just 'awesome') because not even this nasty rainy weather could bring us down.  After another great therapy session for The Mayor, we headed out to Chick-fil-a to meet up with some of the moms from my Sunday School class and their little munchkins.  The Mayor and Love Bug had a blast playing with their new friends and I really enjoyed getting to know these ladies better.  Because this class is for families with young kids, we are all in the same stage of life.  And this is such an amazing thing.  I find the more support one can get, the better.

And to top it off, by the time I had gotten home, one of the ladies had emailed me and 3 other ladies about getting together Friday night at her house for a family cookout.  I am so looking forward to more bonding time with these girls, for the husbands to get to know each other and for the kids to play together.

God is just doing some really amazing things in our lives right now.  And I am truly so grateful.

The kids are now asleep, and apparently so is D because he still hasn't come out of Love Bug's room from rocking with her, and I am about to get The Mayor's new backpack and lunch bag packed for his first day of school tomorrow!  Good things are happening at the Shirleys...thank you Lord!

playing peek-a-boo

monkey see, monkey do