First week of August 2016

August is here and it's hot (of course!)

Despite the heat, Katherine and I are still walking multiple times a week.  It's brutal but we are still at it!

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I took Maxwell to the elementary school for his Kindergarten evaluation where they ask the kids a few questions to help them make sure that they are balancing out the skill levels of the kids across the classrooms.  It was so strange for them to take him back to the classroom while I sat in the lobby.  Just waiting, wishing that I could see what was going on.  He did a great job (I grilled him after to find out as much as I could) but it was hard for me because this is just another part of him growing up. 

Landen's turn to go was after Maxwell's and Landen was quite nervous and Maxwell immediately spoke up and offered to go back with Landen.  I was really proud of him for taking care of his buddy.

I had a business trip to Pittsburgh.  It was my first time to the city.  They had this huge dinosaur skeleton in the airport so I took a pic for Maxwell.

I was impressed with how green and hilly Pittsburgh was, not at all what I had imagined.

Facetime with the kiddos

Emmalyn seems to get that I'm out of town and not at home.  When we talks she keeps saying "I come with you Momma." :(

I thought this shirt was pretty funny because these are local phrases/words.  Most of them I had to ask the rep to explain to me.  :)

I spent multiple evenings this week doing an online drivers safety course to get out my recent speeding ticket.  Took a ton of time but worth it to not have the ticket go on my record!

It may be the hottest month of the but that didn't stop her from wanting to wear her hat and gloves.

mmmm.... chocolate deliciousness.  We don't need a snapchat filter to see what she'd look like with a beard. 

I will never tire of taking pictures of my kids sleeping.  It reminds me they are sweet and innocent (which sometimes, let's be real, that reminder is needed).

I brought Maxwell with me to the city offices to turn the stuff in for my ticket dismissal.  Because he was so well-behaved, I let him buy something from the vending machine (his first time ever!).

Clearly, he was very excited!!

My little sailor going to Kindermusik

Playing at the park during Maxwell's class

Having fun in class

Emmalyn got to go into Maxwell's class when they played with the parachute.

I am so blessed to have these two.

So, not only do we have Brittany and her family that have just moved in with us, now Peter's mom is moving in with us as well and will be living in our guest bedroom.  I have many concerns about the situation but ultimately she is Peter's mom and we are going to try to help her.  I started things out with a "bang".  I was coming back from being out at Kindermusik and pulled into the garage and ended up running over Donna's walker because it was placed right in front of the garbage cans on my side of the driveway and because of my height, I can't see the floor of the garage once I start pulling in.  What a start...

Mark and Mariah drove Donna to our house so we enjoyed visiting with them for a few days before they went back home.

Maxwell's competitive side was out in full force.  He's great at uno.

His smack talk is also strong.

Peter's view at work

I hit up my first consignment sale of the season.  It feels really weird to be buying winter clothes in 100 degree weather.

Making breakfast with dad

Emmalyn enjoyed the spatula with the cake frosting for Mark's birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Mark!

Emmalyn is now big enough to open doors in the house. Ugh!

Maxwell loves the smell of essential oils.  Whenever he smells one he talks about how good it smells.

He's been more quick to cry and has been begging and whining all the time since Brittany's family moved in.  Emmalyn hasn't been listening as well, either.  They are clearly going through an adjustment to the changes in the house, hopefully they adjust quickly. 

May is here! Kindergarten Round Up for Maxwell

We had some fun family time going bowling - one of Maxwell's favorite activities and Emmalyn is finally big enough that she can sort of participate too (although she takes a LOT of entertaining when it isn't her turn).

Matching mother/daughter frizzy and curly side hairs

She, of course, wanted to do it on her own

Maxwell did a great job without the ramp (but with the bumpers)

He did a pretty cute celebration dance every time he knocked down some pins

Begging to play the big arcade games

Silly kids enjoying one of their favorites - pizza

Ugh.  It was time to go through Emmalyn's clothes and put away the old size and get out the new size.  This girl is blessed with far too many clothes!!!

Maxwell really like shoes.  I think it's probably his favorite piece of clothing right now and he would love to get new shoes all the time.  I was a little shocked when I laid them all out and realized he has 12 pairs of shoes!

Wearing his new leather penny loafers to school.  He was really excited about them (as was I because they were so handsome).  Unfortunately he came home from school and his feet were so sore from the shoes.  I didn't even think that boys new shoes could be painful like girls new shoes could be.  I know that's silly, but I really never thought about it.

It was a gorgeous day so I treated myself and sat outside to enjoy the weather while enjoying this yummy burger!

Maxwell had Kindergarten Round Up.  This is where all the upcoming Kindergartners get to see parts of the school and the parents get to hear a little about Kindergarten.  Even though we haven't fully decided to send Maxwell to Kindergarten this year, we figured better to send him just in case.

He was all excited until we got there and he realized he would be going someone separately from us.  Then he started crying.  Luckily, right then we saw one of Maxwell's friends from the neighborhood, Avery, who is also going into Kindergarten and so she sweetly put her arm around him and they walked off.  A teacher quickly helped out too and off he went.  My heart was aching a little watching him walk away.

So off he went to see some of the rooms he will be going to as a Kindergartner, like a classroom/the gym/the music room, etc. While Peter and I sat with a bunch of parents and learned about the "ABC's" of Kindergarten.  Such a weird experience! How are we parents of a kid that is old enough to go to school?

When we picked up Maxwell he was having a great time playing with kids in the gym and was happy.  Whew - I was worried he'd still be upset and clinging to an adult.

Maxwell and Avery

In front of the elementary school

This stuffed emoji has a story.  Maxwell got this one from McDonalds, it's name is "J/K".  He LOVES it.  It's the thing he is sleeping with at night.  He wants to take it places with us... He LOVES IT.  Well, all of a sudden it went missing one day and we couldn't find it anywhere.  He was devastated.  I found a picture of it online and put out a cry for help on Facebook to see if anyone might have one.  Our sweet photographer found one and so I picked it up from her and then a mysterious benefactor secretly placed one on our door (and then showered us with a few more over the next few weeks).  So grateful for friends that come to your rescue!

I threw a double bridal shower at work for my friends Beth and Michelle who are just a couple months apart.  It was a lot of fun and we did a "cinco de mayo" theme.  :)

These cousins are so lucky to have each other to play with!  Most of the time, they get along well.

Maxwell's card to his teacher for Teacher Appreciation

Presents for his teacher and co-teacher

3 amigos

Warm spring days and enjoying them outside!

Emmalyn playing with a little friend from Kindermusik after class

Emmalyn got to paints the letters for her "TWO" photoshoot.  She had a lot of fun and I let her do whatever she wanted.

Maxwell did his own paint project at the same time.  He's really into drawing hearts right now.

After the letters she wanted to paint a little more.

On Saturday, I got to pick dinner and I chose to get some take out from a new Sushi restaurant by us.  I chose Teriyaki Chicken and tempura veggies and Peter chose .... get this... sushi.  for real.  He chose Sushi.  Who is this guy???