Conference and zoo

Today we started our day off with a conference with Mia’s teacher, to talk about progress and such.  Mia was in a 3-4 year old preschool class and there were only two 3 year olds.  Her and another little boy.  I was so proud when her teacher showed us her “progress report.”  Mia was in all “green” and was meeting all requirements and was exactly where she should be!  My little fighter has come such a long way!  We had the option of moving her to her “home school” next year, but we decided to keep her with the same teacher for next year as well.  Not only for stability for Mia, but because her teacher already knows her and her story and plus we really like her!  Mrs. Dabney has been good to Mia!

Next up, I loaded the girls up and we met up with Dana and Aubrey and their girls Addy and Gracie for lunch and the zoo!  It started out great, but y'all?  What I had envisioned about taking two kids to the zoo was not at all how it went!!  It was borderline comical.  Now, that is.  Then, it was not!

I decided to take a stroller for Mia (since we don’t have a double stroller) and take the Moby wrap for Finley.  By time I changed Finley’s diaper, lathered them both up with sunscreen, loaded the stroller up with the essentials of the diaper bag, Mia’s snacks, camera bag, etc., and wrapped Finley in the Moby, about 20 minutes had already passed!!  Keep in mind that is was a hot day, so Finley and I were both already sweating on each other!  And?  I had the stroller so weighted down, that every time Mia would get out to check out some animals, the stroller would fall backwards!! 


One of our favorite exhibits, the Polar bear!
Mia and Gracie


Mia and Addy


Mia and the polar bear!  How cool is that??


We had to stop in the scorching heat toward the end to let the kiddos play while I fed Finley.  I put Finley in the stroller so that she, and I, could cool off.  And of course, Mia threw a fit because she didn’t want to walk and wanted to be in the stroller!

Once we finally got to the car and unloaded everything, Mia decided she needed to pee, badly.  I was not going to load Finley back up and go back in the zoo, so we did what any civilized and normal people would do.  I pulled her pants down and she squatted, right there in the middle of the parking lot, to pee.  Yep, I am that mom!

To top it off, despite my best efforts, she managed to pee all over the back of her shorts and panties.  Therefore, she got to ride home completely naked!  HA!

Although we all had fun and all got great naps out of it, I was more stressed than relaxed, to say the least!  I forgot how easy it was with just one kid!!

Next time?  I will execute a better plan.  Somehow.

A last day, a birthday and a big day

Well it’s official, my big girl had her last day of 3 year old preschool. 
Can someone tell me how this happened?  I feel like I was just changing her diapers, and now her first year of preschool is over.  It is so bittersweet.  To see her grow and change and develop, but to also lose a little bit of her reliance on me to independence and reliance on herself.  Obviously, she is only 4, but to see her independence develop more and more makes me realize how we only have them in our arms to nurture and form for such a little time before they spread their wings and fly.  Better do it right!!

First day and last day.


Today is almost my dad’s 55th birthday!!  Although I don’t get to spend it with him, because he is in Florida, I know him and my mom are having a great time together and nurturing their marriage while alone on this trip.  And I’m ok with that.  All marriages need that!  Happy birthday to my first love and man in my life.  You will always hold a special place in my heart and my life.  You are a wonderful dad, but an amazing Poppy!!  LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I decided that since today was Mia’s last day of school, I would let her do something fun.  Something of her choosing.  We decided to have her best friend Nadia (we missed Brinlee because she still has school) come over for a sleep over!!  We would first go get pedicures with Nadia and her mommy, per Mia’s request!





They were so awesome and so patient with us.  Everything they did to our feet, they did to the girls feet (well not quite everything and not as extensive, obvs.)

That tickles!!




After Nadia’s mommy left, Ben, Finley, the girls and I went to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner!





We came home and the girls ran around and played outside…




Monkey bars!







After all of that playing and pampering, the girls got to play in the tub…



Time for popcorn and then a movie!!


I would say Mia’s first official friend sleep over was a success!!
I LOVE being a girl mom!!

A picnic and award

I started out my morning by waking up to this goober…

She is always in such a good mood! By the way, we are in Mia’s bed because she was in my bed.  Horizontally.  Forget that.  So Fin and I packed up and went to her bed!  HA!

Mia’s end-of-the-year picnic for school was today.  We played, had a cookout, made a craft and got a book!!  It was nice to get to finally see her play with all of her friends that she talks about and put a face with the names.



Mia and her teacher Mrs. Dabney tracing her hand…


This is what they made…


The items were, hands, a Hershey kiss, a bingo chip, and eraser and a Kleenex.  All in a brown bag with this note attached…


After the picnic, we came home and played outside on this beautiful day while daddy cut grass!
Love popsicles!


Blowing bubbles…


It’s official!  We have flip flops people!!




We squeezed in a small nap and then when daddy left for work, the girls and I headed to Meme and Poppy’s for dinner before church!!  If it wasn’t’ for them, I may not ever eat (except for fast food, that is)! HA!  I’m not very domesticated.  Never claimed to be.

Tonight was the last night for Awana, and since I was nominated “Mother-of-the-year” I forgot about it.  We still got our award though ;) 




And the gift her teachers gave to me…

First, it’s the famous “tongue-out” face.  Second, I love being a mom.  It’s definitely the best!

It was also the last night for our high schoolers, so they had a cookout, complete with bounce houses and corn hole!!


Mia thought she was big stuff hanging with the cool sophomore girls!


And of course Miss Finley got passed around and loved on!!

Veronica making Finley so happy and laughing!


Mia actually reached up and grabbed Brooke’s hand and immediately let go of mine.  She was like see ya mom, I’m with the girls.  I thought that happened when they were teens, not 4??!


Sweet Jamie cuddling my baby.  Her mom is a NICU nurse and that is what she wants to be!  I think she will make a great NICU nurse!  Such a sweet heart!


Little McKemie!!


I am certainly gonna miss these girls over the summer, but that is why we are planning some girls nights!!  Also, I’m calling them if I need a baby sitter ;)