Well, I should have known better than to send Kyla off to school in shoes she can’t walk in. She biffed it again and had to make a trip to the nurses office for a band-aid. Poor kid. She shed a few tears, not because she was hurt but because the nurse told her maybe she shouldn’t wear those shoes to school anymore. Ha! She likes them, a lot. And besides that, she has cute outfits that go with the shoes. OK, maybe they aren’t the most practical shoes for the playground but we’ll practice walking before we totally give them up.
Other than that little mishap it was a great day and they are decidedly going back tomorrow. On the bus. Which ironically was their favorite part.

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I think maybe I have Bi-polar tendencies. For the past couple weeks my kids have done nothing but bug each other and in so doing they have really been buggin’ me. I’ve been ready to shoo them off to school for days now and now that they’ve been shooed, I’m sorry they are gone. Could it be that I already miss them? For heaven sakes, the bus only came a few hours ago.

Even before their alarm went off the kids came out dressed and with their beds made. It’s really too bad the excitement and adrenaline of the first day doesn’t last longer. In a couple days I’m sure I’ll be pulling them out of bed and reminding them 10 times before they make their beds.
McKenna and I spent breakfast answering all Kyla’s last minute questions about kindergarten. McKenna reminded her that she has to raise her hand before she talks and that if she needs help opening something in her lunch the cafeteria workers will help her. Kyla was bouncing off the walls with energy and excitement. Kenna was more quiet, but trying hard to be excited. And I think she was a little. Although some of her excitement was probably more roleplaying for Kyla’s sake. After all, she is a big sister who feels the responsibility of taking care of Kyla and showing her the ropes of elementary school. Funny how two girls, sisters even, can have such different experiences over the same thing. McKenna helps Kyla in so many ways but this year Kyla will be helping McKenna more than she knows just by being there.

Anyway, they were ready 30 minutes before the bus was coming. Yes, the BUS!

My kids aren’t the only ones with butterflies this morning. This might not be a big deal to some of you, but to me riding the bus is huge. I’ve never really wanted them to ride it. I like driving them to school, making sure they get there safe and sound and then watching them walk in. I know, a bit controlling and dramatic but it makes me feel a little better about them being gone all day. I at least planned on taking them the first day but Kyla really wanted to ride the bus. So in attempt to not allow my irrational fears to rub off on them I decided it best to let them go.
Morning routines at my house are usually hurried during school so I was happy to have the extra time to not send them away in a rush. We had plenty of time to take pictures, find umbrellas due to the ridiculous amount of rain that was coming down and then dry off a couple times because kids with umbrellas in their hands just can’t help themselves when it comes to puddles.

The girls loaded the bus and were off with smiles while Ellie and I were faking ours. Its hard to be left behind-at any age.  Then with mixed emotions we watched them drive away. Sigh.

It was over just like that. Well, almost. You didn’t think I would just let them go like that did you? Of course I jumped in the car to follow. I couldn’t help myself. Those darn control issues.

I’ll be thinking of them all day and counting down the minutes until its time to go get them. Here’s to hoping for a great first day of school. Bye girls, I love you!

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Some Sundays we have ourselves put together while other Sundays, not so much. This was “an anything goes because we are going to be late and you look cute, if only to your mother” kind of Sunday. Here is how my girls went to church yesterday.

I’ll start with Ellie. The hairdo. I’m not sure if I should be more embarrassed that we have so many barrettes or that they are all on Ellie’s head at once. I wish I would have taken a picture of the back because Kyla the stylist, who as you can see has a promising career if she so chooses, had an equally impressive display on the flip side. (Do you get the sense that maybe Kyla took some inspiration from a few of the Chinese gymnasts we’ve been watching?) Anyhow, I didn’t have the heart to take them out. Kyla would have been crushed to watch her hard work go down the drain and the fact that Ellie sat still long enough to let her head be covered was slightly impressive and deserving of a few hours of church.
And then there are the green shoes. They are her favorite and according to Ellie they go with everything. And finally, later that afternoon Ellie wanted a tail. And so she got one from McKenna.

Kyla. She looks cute enough but her new shoes are causing her some grief. Granted clogs are heavy, hard to keep on and take a little getting used to but she seriously has biffed it several times in the few days she has owned them.

As for McKenna, well, they don’t really go with her church clothes and probably aren’t totally appropriate for church anyway but Miley Cyrus wears them so they must be cool right? When I went to check on the girls before I went to bed I found her sleeping in them. She has been eyeing these at Claires all summer-so for a few bucks I’m glad she has something she likes so much that she can’t bear to part with for the night. Meanwhile I don’t even know what they are-arm warmers maybe? Any hints?

My Sunday was good for a few giggles.

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Yesterday was supposed to be my 6 week Dr’s. appointment. I got my kids up early, dropped one off at gymnastics and then rushed to make my appointment on time. Upon arrival, with 3 kids in tow, they said “oh, Mrs. Dahl, didn’t you get the letter we mailed to you saying that we had rescheduled your appointment? The Dr. is not in today.” What! Surely they are aware of the hassel it is to come to the doctors office at all, let alone with the kids only to be turned away and told you’ll have to do it again another day. Ahhh! But really what more can you say than “Um.. no I did not get the letter.” Maybe I should have suggested they place a phone call instead next time.  Then to add insult to injury it was pouring rain when we walked back out just a few minutes later. Lame folks, very lame!

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Summer is coming to an end and it seems as though there hasn’t been enough time for much individual attention in the last couple months. Between having a new baby and Matt being so busy the kids have kind of had to fend for themselves. But last Saturday Matt was home and ready to make the most of his day with the girls. Daddy/Daughter dates. Saturday was beautiful day. A cool morning with highs in the low 80’s and a slight breeze. Its days like these that I can understand why people are willing to pay the price to live in California. Perfect to be spent outside and so McKenna opted for a bike ride alone with her daddy. Off they went, winding through the neighborhood streets. McKenna leading the way until Matt eventually encouraged a few turns here and there secretly directing them to McDonalds for breakfast. Nothing like spending time with your little girl over a shared sausage biscuit and OJ

Couple hours later it was Kyla’s turn. Wanting to be just like McKenna, (as usual) she also chose a bike ride. Not quite as fast but equally capable (with a few helpful nudges up the hills) Matt and Kyla also made their way to McDonalds. Strategically planned so that breakfast had ended and Happy Meals were being served.  The only acceptable thing on the menu according to Kyla. Eventually they made it home. With smiles.

My girls are lucky to have him but I think they already know that.

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