Pre-K Orientation and crazy pills

Tuesday night Emily, Hank, and I went to her Pre-K orientation, it was great for Emily and Hank yet a little overwhelming for me. I think it has a little to do with the fact that I have been in denial over the whole situation. The book bag, the school bus, being gone everyday, me not being there with her to protect her from bullies and such. Up to this point I haven't even gotten her immunizations, birth certificate, or physical done. Well, it all came to head on Tuesday when I was filling out the paperwork. There I was, sitting in a tiny chairs filling out paper work. Answering question like, who can pick her up and who to contact in case of an emergency, I started feeling a little panicky. Its a combination of my baby girl starting school and the job change and starting my NP program, why can't I do anything in moderation.
So, today I took the plunge and went to see Nicole Wochner, who is wonderful in my mind. I explained all of this and how I feel and god bless her, she wrote me a script for Zoloft. Now, it may be taboo to some that I am admitting this, but not me. I am not above saying I need help in the form of a tiny pill. I started it immediately.


Emily and her Build a Bear "Pretty" getting ready to leave for orientation. Pretty has a book bag a well. Emily has no separation issues at all. In fact, I think she would have went into the high school by herself if I would have let her.

A least I still have Hayden, perhaps he will show a little hesitation when it comes to leaving for school.
Scratch that, he would have followed her out the door given the chance.

Welcome Baby Dominick

Travis and Janice welcomed Dominick Joseph at 12:22 today, he weighed 8 lbs 11 oz and was 22 inches long. He is beautiful. Like a proud new aunt, I forgot my camera at home.

Good Old Jasper County Fun

Saturday afternoon we joined the Farley's for a fun evening on the river. This was not Hank or my first trip, but it was for the kiddo's. We weren't for sure what Hayden would think, mostly afraid he would consume a belly full of sand. After a few rocky moments, he was off. And, he did consume a belly full of sand, we couldn't keep it out of his mouth. Emily had fun with the "Farley boys", she has talked about them all day today. Here are a few pictures.




The toys;)



Emily chasing Ross, he sure is a cutie.
Cole, Ross, and Emily digging in the sand.
Ross and Cole exploring.

Up on the blanket with the girls and baby boys. Hayden liked Holly a lot, she had treats.
Luke watching his older brothers.
The Farley's, what a good looking family.Hayden all pooped out. Too much sand and river water.

We had a really good time. If we lived anywhere else, my kids wouldn't learn to enjoy places like the river and driving around looking for deer every night. Ah the traditions.

Its official, I am starting back to school 09/04. My class is scheduled, I received an e-mail welcoming me to the distance program today, and my books are on the way. I am scared stupid, but so ready to get back into the swing of higher education. I know it sounds crazy, but the busier I am, the more organized I am. Honestly, I haven't gotten a dang thing done this summer. I am welcoming my 8 hour trips to Solid Grounds, staying up late reading, and getting my fresh new planner. I ordered it with my books, can't wait to open it up and write my name in it. Good luck to all my colleagues who are taking this journey with me.

Ouchy

I came home today from work, Emily was asleep on the couch with her leg up on a pillow. Her knee was red and bloody, oh no. Emily had apparently suffered her first real fall on concrete. She woke up when I came in the door and informed me she had fallen out side. Mommy to the rescue, I cleaned it and put a bandage on it. I told her it was called a strawberry, this made her feel better, even a little proud of the "strawberry". Hank told her she had to be tough if she was going to play sports, because she couldn't cry in softball when she got a strawberry, OK Tom Hanks.

Emily's strawberry


Pretty proud:)

Emily decided to take a picture of my knee. Huh, don't know why but here it is.

The King

For my mom, who is a huge Elvis fan, especially his 1968 Comeback show. I am sure she was in mourning yesterday, it was the anniversary of his death. Hope you enjoy the music mom.

Tips for making parenting easier

I love Parents magazine, when I have a chance to read it that is. I really like the "It worked for me" section. Here are a few of this issues suggestions.

1. Fill a large plastic storage container with sand and toys so that kids have a sandbox to play with when they travel to their grandparents, park, etc. When you are done just snap the lid on and throw it in the truck.

2. When your kids outgrow bibs but are still messy eaters, have eating shirts. Take an adult-size t-shirt received from a free giveaway and let them put it on when they eat. You don't have to worry about spills and removing stains. (smart)

3. When you pack your school age child's lunch, make one for the child at home and put it in the fridge. That way you are only make lunch once.

4. To prevent your child from burning their tongue on hot cereal, make "milk ice cubes" and drop them into the cereal. It cools down the cereal and makes it more nutritious.

5. Instead of wasting money of paper gift bags that get thrown away, package presents in reusable grocery totes. They only cost $1 and can be used for so many other things. (THIS ONES FOR GREEN ASHLEY)

6. To keep kids occupied in the Dr. office, pack a couple crayons in your purse and let them color on the paper table cover. (how smart is that)

Hobby Please

I need a hobby. Hank has fishing and I have....work. Today I rushed home so Hank could jump in his truck and head to the lake. Tomorrow I am working and Hank is jumping in his truck to go to the lake. I am not complaining about him, he hasn't actually fished much since he has been laid off, he has been building me a deck and helping other people with projects. I am just jealous he has something that can take him away from home once or twice a week. I need that, what mom doesn't need that. I have thought about bowling, but I am not athletic in the least. I have thought about working out, but the second I get home I get into mom mode and Hank isn't going to let me work out at the gym since I had to have my own treadmill. Anyone, what do you guys do?

To school we go, in style

Emily starts Pre-K this year (tear in my eye). She is going to the big high school, scary. As many of you know she has never been to daycare, oh I take that back, she went for 2 weeks and she (I) hated it. Adding to my anxiety is the fact that none of her little friends are going to the high school, only St. Thomas. But, no matter where she goes or who is there, she is going in style.

During our zoo/shopping trip I picked up Emily's back pack. I wanted to buy one shaped like an apple, but it wasn't standard sized. This one is a Jr. but she looked ridiculous with the full size, I mean she is only 3.

What else do I have to say

Miss Current River 2008.

Jesus turning fish into cigarettes. Oh Jesus, sweet baby Jesus.

River Apparel

We went to Wal-Mart tonight to get supplies for our canoe trip this weekend. I can't explain how much we look forward to this weekend all year, it's usually magical. Anyway, Hank came up to me and said he had found the ultimate river hat, the bottle opener hat. See, it has a bottle opener on the bill. This is double funny because a few weeks ago we went out with the crew, Chad and Holly needed a bottle opener and Amanda and Jeff's van door had to do. If only we had the bottle opener hat, we do now.

Big News, HUGE!

For some time Hank and I have had news to share. We haven't shared it or hardly talked about it for fear it wouldn't happen or we would jinx ourselves. So here it is, Hank got a new job. Hank will now be working at Coffeen Power Plant as the Maintenance Supervisor over the boiler. Also, he will be the 2nd youngest Maintenance Supervisor Ameren has ever hired. I am busting with excitement. No more unemployment or working out of state. He will actually have vacation time and sick time and somewhat normal hours. I know it will be a change and change is always hard at first, but he is up for the challenge. I am so proud of him, he has worked hard to get here and its finally paid off. YEAH:)

Crack Kills

Can anyone guess what Hayden may want to be when he grows up?

Sad Day

Lisa French lost her battle with cancer today. Please pray for her family.

OUAC = Waste of Time

Today I decided to take Emily's clothes to Once Upon A Child (OUAC). In a recent post I had decided to try Ebay. Ebay was okay, not much hassle, but I ended giving a $145 dress up for $5.35. Mind you, I do realize it is partly my fault, I didn't think to put a reserve on the dress.
So anyway, today the kids and I took off for Terre Haute with 6 totes of Emily's clothes. I dropped off the totes and was told to return in 3-4 hours. Not a big deal, we went to the mall and ate.
I returned at 7:30 and my totes were sitting in an area with 2 small hampers on top of them. The 2 small hampers is all OUAC wanted to purchase from me. The amount of clothes added up to about half a tote. The girl at the desk issued me a check for $113, barely enough to pay for my flippin gas and dinner, and I was left to re-load all my totes. I wasn't angry they didn't take more of Emily's clothes, I was put out at the time wasted for $113. Also, the "buyer" was a 18 year old girl who had probably just graduated from high school, what does she know about kid clothes. They bought all my Old Navy, Gap, and Tommy clothes and rejected all the high price outfits. I am sure they didn't know the brands and Old Navy, Gap, and Tommy sell better in our area.
Since I have 5.5 totes of clothes left, I am going to have a garage sale to try to get rid of what I can. Whats left is either going to Catholic Charities or Ebay.
If anyone knows of a little girl who is in need of super cute clothes, send them my way.