Pumpkin Patch 2011

Today we went to a small local pumpkin patch in Georgetown.  The kids were so excited and ready to pick out the BIGGEST pumpkin they could find. 

We searched over 100+ different pumpkins.

We took pictures. 

  

We found big ones and small ones.

 

We took more pictures.

 

We played bean bag toss game.

 

We took more pictures.

 

And finally, the kids found the perfect pumpkins (just their size).

Kindergarten begins…

The first day was VERY hectic and VERY wonderful.  First having to get up at 6am…that is a tough one for the Schneider family.  But we did it. I cant believe we made it and had time to take photos before leaving. It was difficult waking my sleeping beauty up, but after a few tickles and kisses she was up and ready to get going.

 

Whew! Out the door and had time to take a few pictures. 

Off to Meridian World School.  Now, being a new a school and having 110 kindergarteners and their parents (plus all the other kids in 1st-8th), you can guess the chaos and uneasy nerves in the air.  We arrived at 7:55.  At first, I felt like a cow being herded into a pin.  It was CRAZY!! Once we were corralled into the “Common Room” it was all good.  Kayla found her class line and then it was “mommy who?”  She immediately found her friend, Sierra.  The two sat together in line and then started talking to another little girl sitting next to them.  The three girls chatted up a storm as they waited to be walked to their Kindergarten room.  When Ms. Cossey’s class was finally called (30 minutes later), all the children stood and the three girls held hands and walked to class together.  I will admit, I was nervous. Will she meet new friends?  Will she enjoy her new school?  However, after seeing the three little girls smiling and giggling there were no more nerves by mommy…she would be fine.  10 steps in front of the parents and then right into the room. Never once did Kayla look back.  She was gone into the room and into her seat.  No good bye kiss.  Sniff. Sniff.  I wanted to stay around and take pictures, but it was already 8:45 and I knew the staff was ready for ALL the parents to leave so the day could get started.

Picking Kayla up was great.  The smile on her face as she ran out of the school was priceless.  A smile of happiness.  As we got into the car, she told me about all the new friends she met, all the fun activities and best of all how much she enjoyed school.  I decided to take the kids for a treat after school..so, I off to McDonald’s with some friends for ice cream.  DELICIOUS!

Two weeks have passed and Kayla is still loving school. Her favorite part of school is of course PE.  The homework is also another part of school that she is enjoying.  It is not like last years homework, practice writing your letters and memorize sight words.  So far this year we have had fun assignments like make up a game with a deck of cards, a scavenger hunt and research a culture.

Can you guess what culture we researched?

I am so happy that Kayla is enjoying Kindergarten. Even today she asked if she could stay later for the after school programs .  Wow, she must really like it.  Happy kid, makes for a happy mom!!

A Tough Little Girl

Kayla can stand with the toughest kids.  She can give that intense glare that reads “Beware!”

 

But, she is still a little girl.

When it is over 100 degrees outside…

there is only one way to cool off.

First Day for My Three Year Old

Christian’s first day in his three year old class at First Baptist Weekday Education Program was GREAT.  This year he did not cry when I dropped him off.  He did not grab on to my leg begging me to stay.  This year he walked right in and started working on his morning craft. Yah!!!

   

And as always, he was the last one to wake up during nap time (I think nap time is his favorite part of the day).

   

Love you Christian!!!

The End of Babyhood…

The end of babyhood… OKAY, so maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but you really notice your baby growing up when you see them put on that backpack and head off into the world of kindergarten! Suddenly, she’s no longer my baby girl, she’s a BIG GIRL!

When Kayla was a newborn, everyone told me the days of parenting are long but the years are short. I had no idea how true that was until today.

I didn't cry before their first day because I was too concerned with Kayla’s nerves. I didn't cry while taking photos on our front porch. I didn't even cry when she headed into her classroom because the look of the happy face as proudly entered the room and found her seat.

Instead the tears came as I sat down to write this as I thought about how quickly the last five years have gone. Realization that I have a kindergartener. The baby years are over, forever.

At the same time I am also excited. I am excited that she will make new friends who she may have her entire life. I am excited at her independence and confidence, how she didn’t look back as she walked in her new classroom with a big smile and no fear. I am excited for the new phase in her life.

This parenting thing is hard. And wonderful. And joyful. And amazing.

From a baby to a…

KINDERGARTENER!

2011 Annual Pictures

Every year during the summer, I shop around for the perfect coordinating outfits.  I get the kids ready for what feels like an all day event.  And then the headache begins. This year was...well no words can explain the stress.  Christian did not want to calm down.  He was on some kind of sugar high.  He was being his silly self; falling down, laughing, rolling on the ground, driving Mommy crazy.  Kayla kept smiling a fake, unnatural smile and was more worried about what Christian was doing then looking at the camera.  I was tired, stressed over some simple pictures and SO ready to go.  Many times I thought about calling it quits and saying forget about 2011 photos.  Just one good picture please! I had put off picture day all summer.  Today was the last day before school started.  Thank goodness for a great photographer.  She was calm.  She helped settle the kids down.  After an hour photo session and 50+ photos, we finally got a few good ones.

Now I can relax, until next year.

  

A weekend to myself…

The house is quiet. The kids are visiting the grandparents for the weekend. The husband is away at a tennis tournament. I am left alone and it feels great.  My goal for the weekend was to relax, catch up on sleep, clean the house, sew and enjoy the piece and quiet. Well that is not happening. 

It is 2am and I am still up (there goes the idea of catching up on sleep).  The sewing machine has not been turned on (I got everything out and ready.  The intent was there but did not happen).  The house is not clean.  Laundry not done (well, I actually did clean out the fridge so I guess I can say I did do something in the cleaning category). 

Instead, I have spent the last 24 hours working on ANOTHER craft.  Those that know me are probably thinking that I am CRAZY (I already have tons of crafts and a list of to-do items a mile long). I might be, but I actually have really enjoyed sitting down with no interruptions and working on a new project.  So far, I have completed (well almost completed) five pair of painted pants. 

 

These were my first pair.  I may be in trouble when Kayla gets home and sees these since I did not have a pair of jeans in her size.  I guess I will be going to get her a pair of jeans and painting them this week.

Still need to add Pixie Dust. 

Going to add Chip (the little cup in Beauty and the Beast)

  Waiting for the paint to dry to add the leaves and glitter.

A Much Needed Family Vacation

Last minute decision (that is the Schneider way).  Two nights at Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, TX.  What a great place for the family.  There were so many different activities for kids. Of course mine only wanted to do one activity…so, we spent most all of our time in the water.  The kids really enjoyed the lazy river, the water slide and the sand beach.  Mommy really liked the fact that a waiter was there to take my drink order. Pina Colada please.  After several hours in the pool, we were all getting hungry.  The first night, we ate dinner at the resort.  It was so cute…they had a little buffet line set up for the kids  (just their size with chicken nuggets, corn dogs and all those yummy nutritious finger foods).  Christian thought it was cool that he could make his own plate and that he got a RED plate.  After dinner, a movie was playing outside. We grabbed a blanket, a bag of popcorn and all laid down to watch Garfield.  Great family time.  The kids lasted about 30 minutes and then started getting bored.  They were not really into the movie (they would have rather been watching Transformers or Scooby Doo).  Oh well, it was getting late and we still hadn’t roasted our evening marshmallows.  Fun times.   The kids had been asking to roast marshmallows all summer (but with the lack of rain and the extreme heat, we have not really thought it enjoyable to go camping)  Christian really liked holding the stick and roasting his marshmallow, but when it came time to eat his S’more, Mommy had to help out.  Darn!  The next day can you figure out what the kids wanted to do….SWIM. We did take a short nature walk down by the Colorado River, went to the Animal Corral (got to pet some donkeys and llamas) and played some soccer, but the entire time…can we go swimming now.  After nearly five hours in the pool it was time to get out and get the kids to Camp Hyatt.  Mommy and Daddy time.  The kids enjoyed time away from the parents while the parents enjoyed relaxing adult time…a cocktail and dinner on the patio.  It was a nice evening with my hubby.  Needless to say ,the kids passed out that last night.  But when they got up, it was time to SWIM!!! Yes, I took them for a last dip in the pool and then it was time to head home.