Our New Refrigerator--Sept 21

We finally got a new refrigerator! We have never had a new one, they were always hand-me-downs. But we broke down and got one! We have always wanted a side-by-side, but were pretty limited due to the cabinets above the fridge being quite low. We did find one though, and it looks amazing! It is so nice to actually SEE what is in the fridge (there are lights on the top and bottom shelves AND in the freezer!) And the lock on the ice maker/water dispenser are a MUST with Bella around. Ha!

Cooper's 2nd birthday party

Cooper had his birthday party the next day (Saturday). It was a farm theme. Unfortunately, it rained so party didn’t get to have all of the elements Emily had planned, but I don’t think Cooper cared (or noticed). Isn’t he a doll?

My 31st birthday

On my birthday this year, our school counselor made a sign for my classroom door. Then, one of my students even make her writing piece about my birthday (they get to free-write on Fridays) Isn’t that cute?



I had told Brian I wanted this birthday to be pretty simple. I wanted a new ceiling fan in our bedroom and so after a few fan purchases (even one that was installed and we realized it was too big for our sloping ceiling...), he finally got one installed. I love it! Well, that night Brian and I went to Loca Luna for dinner (delicious!) and then went to see a movie. Lots of fun!

Labor Day Checklist

I had BIG plans for Labor Day weekend—and it was the ONLY time I have ever accomplished everything on the list! First, we organized Bella’s room by moving a storage system from Liv’s closet to her room. Then I organized all of the toys, spray painted her new/refurbished headboard for her new “big girl bed”, and got new bedding for her room. Then I painted her chest of drawers and put on new drawer pulls, and painted her lamp, and HOPE sign. Her room is amazing!




Then, we straightened up Liv’s room and started working on creating and installing a ballet barre in her room. First, we took closet mirrors, stripped the frames off (breaking only 2…LOL), and installed them on the wall. Then we stained and sealed the wooden closet rod, and installed it on the wall. Olivia is absolutely BESIDE HERSELF! We did the whole job for less than $60. I’m pretty proud of it. Now, if she will just use it…



We had a labor day/birthday dinner at Mom’s on Monday evening as well. I LOVE getting things check off of my list!!!

Two MONTHS??

Seriously? I've gone practically two months w/o posting ANYTHING? I probably have no one left to read this thing! Well, here come a ton of posts all at once... May not have the pictures to go with them right now, but they will--so check back.

Bella's First Day of Preschool

Belle started NLR Montessori on Monday, Aug. 24th. She was SO excited to have a big backpack and a LUNCHBOX! She has never taken her lunch to school before. And then to think it was the Tinkerbell lunchbox from Ms. Judy made it all the more special!

I took her inside, took some pictures of her in her room and had to leave to get to work. But Bella seemed so happy to be there. A friend is picking her up each day from school at 2:30 and bringing her to me at school. THAT should be interesting. :)

I get the biggest kick out of her each morning getting out of the car and running up the stairs with her backpack yelling, "bye mommy! love you!". Man, I love that!

ETA: Later in the week, Bella had her first homework assignment. :) She had to make this life-size cut out look like, and represent her. Isn't it adorable?

Liv made company again!

Ok, so maybe it wasn't a shocker, but it is a tradition. :) Liv with her name on the company poster. Actually, I think everyone makes company...tryouts mainly determine what groups you are in. :) Anyway, had to take her picture with it just the same!

Saying goodbye...

It was bittersweet when we were preparing for Belle to go to NLR Montessori. We were very happy for her to start preschool, but it was heart-breaking for her to leave Ms. Judy at JFK Learning Center. Bella's last week there, her teacher kept saying she couldn't think about her leaving or else she'd cry. And the last day I brought her in, she couldn't even look at me, and just said, "today is going to be tough".

Brian and I both went to pick Bella up from daycare that last Friday (August 21st). We had brought the recital DVD so Ms. Judy could see Bella's dance--I figured she'd get a kick out of that! She did, then Bella opened her present from her...it was a Tinkerbell lunchbox, ABC sticker book, crayons and a Tinkerbell activity book. She said that Bella reminds her SO much of Tinkerbell...

We took a few pictures of Belle and Ms. Judy (those are SO special to me!!!) and then we all cried and hugged. I did NOT want to leave her! She was such a blessing to us. I always told her that she came to us at just the right time in our lives. She will ALWAYS have a special place in our hearts!!! We will ALWAYS love Ms. Judy!

First day of 2nd grade

LISA Academy started on August 19th. Here is Liv on her first day of 2nd grade...Mrs.Crace's class. She was quite proud of her new Sketcher's and her messenger bag (searched all over for that thing...ended up finding it online!) So far, she says 2nd grade is perfect! Let's hope she keeps feeling that way!

Livie's first sleepover

Thursday night, Julianne Fletcher came over to spend the night with Olivia. The girls had Summer Intensive (ballet) each night and since Julianne lives in West Little Rock, I suggested to her mom that she let her come over one night to help them out. Laura took me up on it!

The girls came home and jumped on the trampoline (with Bella at their heels), changed into dance costumes, and then got ready for bed. Isabella did NOT understand why SHE could not sleep with them and why she had to go to bed earlier than they did... It broke my heart! She was sobbing about it for quite a while and it gave me insight to how my sister felt when I started "big girl" things like that...

Well, Liv and Julianne were up talking until after 10:00. I was just about to start some work (thinking I would be up for a while longer), when I realized they were very quiet and probably asleep. Finally! LOL!

The next morning, Brian performed his first marriage ceremony...between Julianne's stuffed lamb, Lamby, and Liv's stuffed dog, Cody. (Julianne had it all planned out!) Here is the new couple in their first offical picture:



Later that day, Brian and I took all 3 girls to Splash Zone, a water park in Jacksonville. We had a great time! We had a picnic lunch at the park out front, and then returned inside to keep swimming and playing. After that, we had a mandatory quiet time for everyone (so Bella could rest and the big girls could too to get ready for dance class that afternoon).






I can't believe my baby is old enough to have sleep overs, but I guess she is. In fact, she's been invited to sleep over at another friend's house tomorrow night, and has a different friend coming over here on Saturday night... Ah! Before we know it, she'll be driving and dating!