Preschool Open House

(This is probably way over-kill of information for the "regular people" but I thought the grandparents would like to know a lot about Lorelei's first school...so the rest of you feel free to skim. :) )

Lorelei's preschool open house was today. Wednesday night she had a low fever, so we opted not to bring her and get all of her friends sick just in time for their first day of school. Of course she was completely bummed and mentioned several times that she wanted to go, but took it very well. (As she does most things when we just explain them.)

Brad had worked out his schedule in order to attend the open house. He was so excited to see everything as he had not been inside at all when I went to visit last winter. So our new plan was, I went right when it started (come and go from 9-11) then came home and he went in on his way to work. It worked out very well (of course not ideal) and I am very glad Brad got a chance to meet the teachers and see the classroom. He loved it as much as I do.

Lorelei's teachers are Mrs. Kristin and Mrs. Vanessa. There are 15 students in her class and I think 6 boys and 9 girls or something like that. There are two other students with L names in her class. :) Just notes my brain is taking from all our paperwork sent home.

Just a taste of a bit of the paperwork...they have many different things for each day (including show and tell every Thursday I think...wow are they going to love that!) including making a boat that can float with her family for the 28th! (Cough...Brad's job! :) ) Each day they start with their clothespin on a green smiley face, then it is moved to yellow and red as needed for discipline. Then their folder that comes home with them each day has what smiley face they had for that day. The white basket holds their nap mat, change of clothes etc and sits in the hall outside their room (in place of cubbies...no room I don't think!). Her face compltely lit up seeing the ladybug with her name on it on her basket. :)



Think this girl is excited for school? :) I brought home one of the coloring pages they had for the kids to color and then sent it back to them with Brad. If only all school buses were that colorful. :)

Another note...we got a letter from her teachers in the mail a couple of weeks ago and Lorelei asked me to read it to her multiple times. This girl is SO excited to go to school.





Thought the grandparents might like to see the schedule as well. This mommy is a bit concerned about her girl laying down quietly for 1 hr and 15 minutes in a social setting...but we will take it as it comes! :) Power to those teachers!!! :)

And prayers for me on Tuesday. I think this girl is going to have no problem but Makin and I will probably be a basket case. :)

Bit Of An Off Week

We had a busy weekend with Brad taking on the job of having the kids two half days with me working at the Divine Consign sale. They had a complete ball and has him wishing for early retirement so he can play with them every day like I do. :) They have SO much fun playing with their dad. Sunday was extra busy with me teaching Sunday School...which also resulted in Brad taking Makin out to the car for the second half of the service because he did not want to be there without his two favorite ladies...will give it a couple more teaching Sundays and if it continues we will have to figure out a change in plans.

Monday we met with Mary, Morgan and Kyle for coffee after she dropped Aubrey off for her first day of Kindergarten. Just a little tradition Melissa and I had when she dropped off Chase for his first day of preschool. Glad to be there for friends on those iffy days! (And wishing I were there for Melissa with coffee when Chase has HIS first day of K!)

And from then on we have had the cold blues at our place. Both kid with runny noses and fevers, a couple of rough nights for Makin that wore Brad and I out, so we have been trying to do low-key things, lots of coloring and play-doh and of course they milk it for extra tv. ;)

And as if helping with the kids like the super-dad he is isn't enough, Brad is also helping me with my crazy birthday party preparations, already in full swing of course...and its not until the 15th! In case anyone was on the fence, we are in fact, insane. ;) Can't wait for their party and all of our wonderful visitors who will be here to help celebrate!

Unexpected August Weather

August in Texas is usually something I am dreading...and was pretty bummed we didn't get to go cool off in Nebraska to get a break from the heat...well, I have nothing to complain about, as the weather was beautiful over the last week!

Temperatures were in the low to mid 90s, with one or two days not even reaching 90! It was amazing and I'm so, SO thankful.



The kids played outside pretty much every morning. "Maf" (golf) and sandbox time galore made for very happy kids! Makin is now too much of a golf snob for his little plastic kid's clubs and only wants to use old ones of Brads...on a Craigslist hunt for kids clubs! :)








Auntie Di and I planned to meet up at the mall on Tuesday, which happened to be our rainy day of the week! The kids got to play outside with Brad before we left and he went into work, and it was pouring rain while we were at the mall, and we got to go back out when we got home since it cleared up by then!

We had a wonderful visit at the mall and the kids were completely spoiled by Auntie Di. The kids got a train ride, lunch at Rainforest Cafe, a carousel ride, AND cookies. Lorelei asked if we could sit by the elephants at lunch, so per Di's request, they seated us RIGHT next to them. Lorelei loved it. Makin opted for the high chair as far away from them as possible. :) And it goes without saying that Makin was beyond elated to go on a train ride, and picked the blue car out for them to ride in. Di said that on their ride Lorelei said, "I can hear the train saying, 'I think I can, I think I can.'" :) We are so thankful to live close to such a special lady and so thankful for a little spoiling. :)


Wednesday was bright and beautiful and full of friend time. Aubrey and Morgan finally got to check out the sandbox and I finally got some Kyle cuddle time and Mary catch up time! So much fun for all of us.

The kids and I actually ventured out in the afternoon to get some library books too. Finally realized I should get some "First Day Of School" type books for Miss L! :)




Thursday afternoon we got in a little kiddie pool time followed by some patio sunbathing in the shade. ;) Lorelei said, "Its just like the beach." I then got out the two ice pops left from the Stahl visit in May and was reminded why I am not ready to have ice pops at our house. :) Makin was blue from head to toe! :)

Beautiful summer week.

Organizational Bliss

This is the name of one of my "boards" on Pinterest. I will save yet another Pinterest rave, but just know, I love how it has kick-started me into organizing as I have been wanting to do forever, and now that a few ideas have cleaned out the cobwebs in my brain, I am loving it!

So, one of my first organizing priorities was counter-top clutter.
We turned this:





























Into this:

A weekly organizer (wipe of with dry erase markers) so we can have our schedule right there instead of making a new paper I seemed to have each week. It also has an area for notes for next week or whatever you need. Below is for organizing our mail. And all put together by Brad and myself on the cheap! :)

We both felt lighter after completing this. Love, LOVE!

Also not pictured...I have a binder for myself. Got this idea from Sara a while back, mine is not nearly as organized as hers, but still amazingly helpful nonetheless. Every paper I need to keep goes in the binder. I have a birthday party section, Christmas planner section, section for activities for the kids...you get the idea. I have had it for a while now, but that is a huge help in getting rid of any clutter as well.




I also read a while back the wonderful idea to make a "visitors" cleaning check list and laminate it so that you don't have to make a new one each time. I love that idea (although that one has yet to be made) but I then turned it into our regular Brad/Elizabeth To Do lists idea. We each picked a piece of scrapbook paper (no golf ball pages to be found!) and then I laminated it and put up in the cabinet. And wipe off when job is done! Woo hoo!

Book Of The Week

For the longest time we only had the Trucks. It was one of Makin's favorite for a long time, and one of my favorite "boy" books as its not just "dump truck, cement truck, skid steer..." you get the idea. It has different trucks but tells the job they do. Definitely for the earlier years but wanted to mention it. We got Planes, I think, just before our trip to VA (for obvious reasons) and thinking Trains will be added to the collection now that our little guy loves them so much. Recommend esp if you are looking for baby boy gifts! :)

A Couple Of Special Daddy Moments

Painting her face like a kitty, complete with glitter and sporting kitty ears. (He did turn down her offer to wear glitter himself as he was going to work...next time. ;) )







Starting a fire and roasting hotdogs on a rainy day.


Just because. :)

Aubrey's 6th Birthday Party

Miss Aubrey celebrated her birthday with a bowling party on Saturday!
We were all excited to celebrate. The kids and Brad loved bowling and playing games. It was a wonderful time spent as a family and with friends too. :)

Missing Grace

Our family is missing our sweet dog, Grace. She had been having many health problems the last year or so and my parents could see she was in quite a lot of pain, so Dad took her in to be put down Friday. She was our loyal companion for roughly 15 years and was not even a puppy when we got her and we are missing her dearly. She loved rides in the pickup or on the hay-bales and she loved keeping us company. We are so thankful we had her in our lives for as long as we did.










This was what the sky looked like Saturday morning. Lorelei said, "I think it is God saying, 'Don't worry, Grace is with me.' I think Jesus is playing fetch...I hope he has one ball..."

I like the way she thinks.

August Happiness

Strawberries... (Yay that the Little Man will FINALLY eat strawberries!!!)

Corn on the cob...

Fresh peaches...
(Especially when they are made into pie! But the kids like them better fresh.)

Happy Hour Slushes...

Lemonade...

Ahhh Summery goodness! :)

Side note: August not-so-happiness...No trip to Nebraska. It did not work out for Brad to work his week of hours ahead of time as his manager thought he could, so we had to nix our summer trip up to Potter. We are totally bummed and still holding out hope it might work out somehow...but hoping at the worst we will go the last week of Sept and Lor can just miss school. Cannot wait to get up there and spend time with family and enjoy the Nebraska cooler air. :) And hopefully they will save us some corn. :)

Wonderful Family Day

Since Brad worked so much on Monday, he was given Wednesday off.

We had an absolutely wonderful family day. It was a cooler morning after some rain, so the kids splashed out in puddles with Brad while I got ready. Then we headed out to Barnes and Noble for some train table and story time.






After nap they loved putting golf balls in the backyard with their dad. Both are very interested so far. :) When I asked Makin's favorite part of the day before bed he said "Maf" (golf). They also topped off the fun day with glow sticks in the bath.

Brad's work hours are different some days, a few have been during the day as his manager was in town from Chicago and he still has the evening shift some days. Still waiting for the "at home" part to work out with this same company. They are hoping for next week...but they say that every week. ;)

Super Makin...

Caption Adorable...either way SUPER ADORABLE. :)



I love mornings like this. Kids running around turning bandanas into capes and sunglasses into...whatever those things are super-heroes wear on their eyes. ;) Make-you-smile moments for sure.

Unexpected Fun Monday

We talked to Alysa on Sunday and planned to do something with her this week, but had not set a day. I absolutely HAD to grocery shop Monday morning. Even a double whammy of Walmart/Kroger. This is usually all we do in a day. Just after a record-breaking frustrating Walmart trip (you know the ones where both kids are screaming their heads off and you cannot get out to your car fast enough?!) I got a message from Alysa and she ended up having her dad drop her off at Kroger to hang out with us the rest of the day.

This worked out so well. After shopping trips where my patience was worn thin, we had a girl who loves to play with them and it cheered us all up. The kids both adore her, she has tons of fun, and I love being able to let her get a look into life staying home with kids! She loves to make things during nap (Puppy Chow and Rice Krispie treats this time) so it usually means I'm on my feet the entire day, but it is worth it for sure!



For her visit we experimented with "volcanoes" with baking soda and vinegar, colored and broke out the soap and slip n slide. To name a few. ;)

Brad ended up working the entire ENTIRE day...so phew. Our plans seem to go awry a lot these days, but for once the unplanned worked out very well! :)

Dressed Up

For church...as we are most Sundays...but stole a few minutes for some Mommy/Kids pics.

Book Of The Week

I love this series. We own the first two books. I think I got them in college when I was buying children's books here and there to use in my classroom.

Click Clack Moo Cows That Type
Farmer Brown has a rather strange problem. His cows have found an old typewriter and have begun leaving messages for him. When he doesn’t give in to their demands (they want electric blankets) they go on strike. What is a farmer to do?


Giggle Giggle Quack
The story of Farmer Brown's brother Bob, who is farm-sitting for the vacationing Farmer Brown. Farmer Brown leaves a to-do list for Bob, but Duck is able to get hold of it and write his own list.

There have been a few others to continue it. We recently checked out the latest (I think) in the series Dooby Dooby Moo and loved it. I had to take a few pics of the last pages. It brought on the most adorable giggles every single time we read it. :) To explain...the animals go to the fair's talent contest in order to win a trampoline...so that will hopefully explain the page enough.

Watermelon Day

Its the second annual Stahl Family Watermelon Day! :)

So, Watermelon Day is technically August 3rd, but as usual, we were behind. We wanted to make sure Brad was around to enjoy it with us. (Even though he doesn't really like watermelon that much...just likes to see the kids eat it. Shhhh don't tell them!)

It was a huge hit and we had a blast. Definitely a family tradition we'd like to keep! :) Last year it took months and months before they stopped always asking to eat watermelon outside.

This year I was not nearly as prepared by checking out books about watermelons...next year! :) I did luck out that I just laminated a watermelon file folder game for Lorelei to enjoy! :) We also painted watermelons on paper plates again.


The kids ran through the sprinkler for a while before Brad got home. I like them to wear suites to eat the watermelon as we have to hose them down after. :)









So. Much. Fun! :)

Highlights From The Last 6 Days

Father/Daughter time at Home Depot Workshop...and my favorite project so far! Can't wait to hang it up!

Our after-bath superhero time.

Kids being bums on the air mattress while grown ups get ready for our visitor.












A trip to Little Elm Library (yay only 15 minute drive!) to see Critterman! He brought some animals to the library (only two of which Mom really cared to see...the rest were slithery and creepy crawly) for us to learn about. He was humorous and educational. And boy was it a PACKED library. BOTH kids touched (Lorelei petted, Makin poked) a Burmese python. I did get a picture of Critterman holding it, but decided to spare Melissa the shuddering factor. ;) (Although I know she is shuddering just reading about it!)











A visit to the Hughes house. I got to cuddle three weekish baby Kyle and the kids got to play. Makin had the train tracks out within 30 seconds of our arrival and that was a big hit for all of them. :)









When we got home...it was raining! So, out we went! :) The temperature drop (although the high for the day was still 95) was so nice after our heat wave, so we had to enjoy it as long as we could before nap. The kids just loved being outside, and it reminded me why they have been a bit wild after being cooped up for a month or two now. They loved swinging in the rain. After a full month of no swinging, it was extra fun. :)

And thinking ahead for car trips, I got on a file folders kick last week. This meant we needed to head to Mardels for laminating on Thursday. The kids loved the train table there and played "ok" while I laminated. :) Now for more cutting and figuring out an envelope on the back! :)