First Piano Lesson

Kayla had her very first piano lesson today. Her teacher's name is Denise. She is very nice and worked really well with Kayla. I don't know the first thing about piano, but she has a bachelors and a masters in Piano Performance. That sounds pretty good to me! Kayla really enjoyed it and wants to "play as good as Aunt Jenny."

A Great Day

We all had a great day today. Kayla was very excited that her friends Libby and Mallory got to come over early this morning and ride the bus with her to school. She was the "Student of the Day" in her class today. She got to bring home a giant worksheet which she is having a great time using to play school. Oh the things Caroline has learned today!!



This afternoon Caroline and I got to play with my friend's baby while she went to an appointment. Caroline was so excited when she woke up from her nap and found Baby Cole.

Andy and I bought bikes this weekend. We pretty much hated both of them by Sunday night. We took a piece off of my bike, put the baby seat together, discovered it would not fit on my bike, took a part off of Andy's bike, discovered the seat would not fit on his bike either, bought a different baby seat, put it together, it does not fit on Andy's bike, and surprise, it does not fit on my bike either. I returned my bike this morning. I bought one with no bells and whistles and called my dad for help. (Andy is in Wichita today.) It took a while, but the seat is on. Thank you dad! I know Andy thanks you too! Whoever made the seat never actually attached it to a bike! We went for a ride tonight. Caroline never made a peep, other than the few times she said "Momma - go faster." I think she will like it. It is so much easier than chasing Kayla while pushing Caroline in the stroller.

She really is having a great time!!

A Sad Day

It was a sad afternoon in our house today. Kayla came home from school today to find her fish, Thomas, at the bottom of his tank. We knew this was coming. He had some sort of growth in the front part of his body, and he was not moving around very much. Kayla cried and cried. She flushed him down the toilet and cried some more. Then her friend Patrick rang the doorbell and she never mentioned the fish again. She did not even tell Andy about it tonight. How quickly she recovered from the loss of her first pet!

First Day of School!!!

Today is Kayla's first day of 1st grade. She was not excited until she met her teacher yesterday. Her name is Ms. Walton and she seems very nice. Hopefully it will be a great year!

Kayla was so excited this morning she could barely eat her breakfast.

We walked to school this morning because the traffic is always terrible the first few days.

Our neighbors and good friends Libby and Mallory walked with us.

The first day of school is so much more fun when you get to start the day with your friends!

Kaylie, Libby, and Kayla ready to see their new class!

She is growing up so fast - no more cubbies!

This is Kayla with her new teacher, Ms. Walton. She has NEVER let me take a picture of her with her teacher on the first day of school. I have a great feeling about this teacher.

Now that they are in 1st grade they get to have a morning recess. When they get to school they can play outside until the bell rings at 8:20. Here they are heading back to class.

Kayla thought I was done taking pictures. I could not resist getting a shot of her at her desk. I can't believe she is in first grade!

I was trying to get Caroline to do a "hooray they are back in school" happy dance with me, but I am pretty sure she just thought I was crazy!

I hope that she has a great first day. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Kayla's New Talent

Last weekend Kayla saw something on TV that she wanted to try. She is very excited about her new talent...


I would like to say she got this amazing talent from her father, but this is the only way he could keep any spoons on his face...



It only took me a few minutes to discover my hidden ability. Pretty amazing!!

Finally...some relief

About a week ago, I started having a lot of pressure in my right ear. I felt like my head was going to explode on the inside the pressure was so great. My hearing during this time was not so great. I finally went to the doctor yesterday. He said it was the result of an allergy. Something back behind my eardrum was swollen. This caused air to be trapped behind my eardrum which made my eardrum bulge out a little. It has been a long week for me. It is amazing how miserable ear pain can make you feel. No hearing, lots of dizziness, tons of pressure.

I had to get a steroid shot (he wanted to make sure I was feeling some relief before we get on a plane next week), some allergy meds, and a nasal spray.

I hate to say it, but I think this may have been a result of Elfy. The timing is just too right. I was reading about puggles before we got her. I remember telling Andy that I was a little bit worried about Kayla because puggles are not hypoallergenic dogs. I read that if you have an allergy to other animals, you may very well have an allergy to puggles. Kayla has always had some allergy issues. However, as soon as we got the dog I noticed my neck was red and itchy. The ear problem started while we still had her, and the worst day for me was the day I was in the car with Elfy for 2 1/2 hours. I had every intention of cleaning my van out really well after we delivered Elfy back to Jenny. I never did. The pressure in my head got worse every time I spent much time in the car.

I am finally getting relief from the meds. Andy vacuumed out the van really well last night. Having Elfy was a great experience for all of us. I thought even Kayla learned she was not a dog person, but she is still asking for one. Just not as often. She does miss Elfy though. I learned that I am absolutely not a dog person. I knew I was allergic to cats, and now maybe some dogs too. I am so thankful that we got Elfy and were able to return her. That was so much better than finding all of this out after buying a puppy!

Children

Ok, it is 4:50 in the morning. I am sleeping, like most people at that time of day. I hear Caroline. That is not really that unusual. But I keep hearing her. She is just talking, but it is alot louder than it should be. I get up to go and check on her. When I come out of my room I can see her walking around. Keep in mind that she sleeps in a crib that she has NEVER tried to climb out of. The light is on in Kayla's room, and they are both in there having some turkey...at 4:50 in the morning. Kayla said Caroline was screaming so she thought she would just put her to sleep in her bed with her. "But the she started asking for stuff." So now it is 5 in the morning and I am having to put 2 kids to bed. Oh, the joys of parenthood.

I just went to check on them. Caroline is finally going back to sleep. I go in Kayla's room and she is laying on the floor on top of two pillows. I asked her why she was not in her bed. Her answer "It is full of turkey." Sure enough, it is a mess. But is is 5:10 am. My best purchase ever was our little fold out couch that the girls sit on. It makes a great emergency bed! Some messes can wait to be cleaned up later.

Dog Walking

Andy took the three kids out for a walk last night so that I could have a moment alone without a kid hollering my name or a dog licking my leg. It was wonderful.



At the end of the walk he called me and said he finally figured out a way that he did not have to push the stroller and pull on Elfy...

I know this is another sideways movie clip and I apologize. I guess I turned my camera when I took this. I need to work on that!

My memory card was full so the clip got cut short. Elfy really picked up some speed going down that hill and ran Caroline right into the curb. It was really funny. Andy was still pushing the stroller until I came out with the camera. Elfy was not doing all of the work.

Speaking of Elfy...she is a good dog. I am really glad we took her from Jenny and Steve, but I will be even happier on Monday when we return her. This really has been a good thing. Kayla and I both learned that we are not dog people. I just don't care for them, and she thinks they stink. Our house is not anywhere big enough for an inside dog of her size. I am alot happier now that I found a way to keep her out of my living room and off of my furniture. I get the front room, and she gets the hallway, kitchen and outside. We are doing really well with this arrangement. I am still looking forward to Monday though!

I told Jenny that I found a really good and loving home for her if they decide not to keep her. Joel and Christy (mostly Christy) would love to have her in the spring. They already love dogs and they have a beagle. Elfy might like having another dog around.