Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Up, Up and Away!

Last week we went to a hot air balloon festival. I have been wanting to go for the last few years, but it is a 2 hour drive, and between timing and weather cancellations, we never made it. This year, we had a gorgeous day! It was a little windy, so not all the balloons went up and the ones that did went up about an hour later than expected, but it was still a really fun experience.

They had a craft fair going on and food vendors, and then you just set up chairs or a blanket in the open field, and watched all the balloons go up around you. Audrey had really been looking forward to this. She was a little cranky while we were there, and it ended up turning into a very late night, but I think she had fun.

The colors were so pretty and it was a different, more laid back kind of activity than we usually get ourselves into. Plus, they were right there in front of you, so you really got a good look at how they set up and what they look like. I'm glad we went and experienced it, but with the drive, and the nightmare it was to get out of there when it was done, I don't know that it is something we would do every year. A got a couple fun pictures, so I thought I'd share.





























Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Bookworms

How true is this?! I found it on Pinterest and thought it was cute! I had to share because Audrey and I just recently went to our library's annual book sale. This book sale is great because it is not only books that the library is getting rid of, but mostly books that have been donated by people. So it is HUGE, and there is a wonderful mix of old and new.

This year, we made out even better than last year! Audrey got 21 books, I got 11, and we got a few for my nephew and niece. The best part? All of them together were only $23!!!! We both love to read so we were happy as clams!

She has so many books, we don't know what to do with them all though. We recently put a bookshelf in her bedroom and moved some of the books from the playroom up there. But I think I'm going to have to do another cleaning out so her new books have a place to live! I'm such a book hoarder though. I can't bring myself to get rid of any of them. So I try to rotate them, and the ones that are too young for her now go in a box in the attic. Hopefully someday her kids will be bookworms, too, and will be able to enjoy all of her favorite childhood books!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Frustration

I'm feeling a little frustrated today. Okay, a lot frustrated and I cried most of the morning.

Audrey came home from her first day of preschool last week and I noticed when we got home that her name was written in permanent marker on the outside of it. Honestly, I was upset and irritated at first. The lunchbox was not cheap and I bought this more expensive, high qulaity backpack and lunchbox intending for her to use it for several years and to even possibly use it for another child if we ever have one. Anyway, in the moment of my irritation I posted something about the situation of my private Facebook page, asking for tips on removing permanent marker from cloth. Was I venting a little? Yeah, probably. But my main goal was to get advice on removing the marker.

Through this post, I got removal advice, which worked for the most part, and some perspective from my friends through their preschool, daycare and teaching experiences. I realized that it must make it so much easier for the teachers to have the kids' names on the outside when there are 13 kids reaching for their lunchbox at the same time, especially with allergies and the fact that Audrey herself has an allergy. I still thought it would be more appropriate to let parents decide how to mark the outside of their child's lunchbox with their name, but I removed the marker, tied a temporary tag with her name on it to the handle, and left it at that. I could have said something or written a little note, but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. It is just a lunchbox after all.

Well this morning, Audrey's teacher pulled me aside. She said she wanted to apologize about writing on the lunchbox and said that she had been "reprimanded." She explained that it made it easier, especially with allergies. She went on and on about how if I have any concerns I should feel free to talk to her, and that they would be doing some painting in class so there is a possibility she could get paint on her clothes. I was in shock. I tried to explain to her that I hadn't said anything to anyone at the school, and that I hadn't said anything to her because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.

But I'm not sure if she believed me. She was trying to be professional but just looked hurt while she was talking to me. And I'm upset because I don't know who said something, or what the circumstances were that it came up with a school official, or why I was never asked my opinion on the situation before the teacher was reprimanded. And now I feel like she thinks she has to walk on egg shells around me. I don't care if Audrey gets a little paint on her clothes. She's a kid. It will happen accidentally. It will wash out. Writing in permanent marker on her lunchbox is not accidental and took hours of scrubbing with rubbing alcohol to get it out. That is not the same thing.

And it is just a lunch box. I'm fully aware of that, which is why I didn't say anything. But the Facebook part really bothers me. With the privacy settings I had, it had to be one of my "friends." But there are only 2 people I'm friends with that have any connection to the school I'm sending Audrey to, and I can't understand why they would say anything. It's none of anyone's business but my own, and had I wanted to say something, I am quite capable of saying it on my own. I don't need people talking to the school on my behalf without my permission, whatever their intentions may have been.

And while their intentions may have been good, they have gone and done the exact opposite of what I wanted to happen; they made a big deal out of it. It just makes me uncomfortable now. Today was only her 3rd day of class, and I feel like we're starting off this year (and a possible 2 more years in the same class, with the same teacher) on the wrong foot. It is a hard enough transition for me as it is, leaving her with basically a stranger when she has been in my care almost exclusively for her entire life. So I cried, and I vented on Facebook hoping the person who did it would see the post, and then I deactivated my account. I post a lot about my daughter on Facebook for friends and family who don't get to see her very often. So it is unfortunate that I felt like it had to come to this. And I'm sure I will re-activate eventually, but I won't be posting very much at all. I'm just a sensitive person and liars and people who involve themselves in other people's business bother me. They bother me more than they should. When it comes down to it, this is about a lunchbox. I shouldn't be crying about a lunchbox.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Preschool 2013

Today was Audrey's first day of preschool! Her 3rd birthday isn't until December, so we're starting her a little early, but she was so excited and definitely ready to go!



 Her backpack is bigger than she is, but a smile and an eagerness to learn can never be too big!



 There was not an ounce of fear or timidness from her as we hopped out of the car.


And when we got inside, we hung up her backpack and she went straight over to play.


I managed to steal her attention for a split second hug and kiss goodbye and she was off to make new friends and play some more, not concerned at all that I was leaving.

I, on the other hand, had to hold back the tears until I made it back to the car. And then the flood gates opened. They were both happy and sad tears. I am so proud of her and her enthusiasm to learn and make new friends. I love that she is confident enough in my love for her that she knows I will be back to get her and would never leave her somewhere she wasn't safe. But it is sad to watch how quickly our babies grow up. But grow, they do! And we can't stop them, so I'm trying to have as much enthusiasm about this new chapter as she has!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Header Update!

My little bear is growing up too quickly! Tomorrow, she starts preschool! I just can't believe it. And as cute as she was in my old header, she is not that little anymore!

She is now an adventurous, curious, outdoor loving little girl! So I thought it was time for a new header that reflects her now. She loves to explore and discover something new, and, appropriately, that also reflects my journey to discover myself and to explore with her.



Friday, September 6, 2013

Four Seasons Handprint Craft


Audrey loves craft time, especially painting, so we do all kinds of projects in our house. And a lot of the time I spend on Pinterest is spent looking for new craft ideas, so I always have something new and interesting for her when she says, "Mommy, let's do a project!"

I pinned this awhile ago just because I love the change of seasons and thought it was beautiful, not because I had any intention of making it into a project for Audrey.

Then I saw this on Pinterest and it was like a choir of angels singing in my head!

An idea was born! So we got out the paint and got to work!
Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall!
A little brown paint on her hand and forearm and the tree was formed. When that was dry, she used her pinkie finger to make the Spring leaves, and her thumb to make the Summer and Fall leaves.



With some $3 frames from Walmart, they are now hung above the couch in the playroom and are officially my favorite project we've ever done!