Getting Back Into Routine

We are snapped right back into our routines now and we've come up with a system that really works for us.  First, we have a great bedtime routine and morning routine that I swiped right off of "I Heart Organization."
It works perfectly for us and the kids are getting pretty good at moving through the routine without me having to tell them what's next.
I love that they are now involved with getting their clothes ready for the next day.  This, I have found, is teaching a very valuable lesson on preparation and looking ahead to the next day.
We have a drawer in his bedside table that is dedicated to their "up on deck" clothing.  We keep tomorrow's clothes in it so that in the morning we are not scrambling in different drawers to get everything we need.  It is all together ready for even the sleepiest of eyes.  I also put clothes that are needed for tomorrow's activities in there.  So if we have his soccer practice or her ballet class, those clothes are in there as well.


The morning routine saves us a bundle of time as well.  The kids know what is expected and we are out the door with plenty of time to spare.

Emma and I continue our routine by going over to the Y after we drop Drew off.  I run for almost an hour and she visits her friends in the Playhouse.  It works great for us.
Then it is either time to drop her off at school, time for ballet, or time to go home and have some mommy/daughter time together.

It works like a charm!  I love being back in the routine of things!

Back To School Interview

Drew was "interviewed" at his back-to-school dinner and here is what the man in the spotlight had to say:

Drew’s Back-To-School Night

JR.  K 8.19.12

1. What is your favorite color? Green

2. What is your favorite toy? Legos

3. What is your favorite fruit? Necterines & Apples

4. What is your favorite tv show? The Upside Down Show

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pepperoni Pizza

6. What is your favorite outfit? Ducati t-shirt with black shorts

7. What is your favorite game? Star Wars Lego Game

8. What is your favorite snack?  Candy and greens

9. What is your favorite animal? Bunny / Parrot / Dogs / Cats

10. What is your favorite song?  Itsy Bitsy Spider

11. What is your favorite book? 3 Little Pigs (with the puppets)

12. Who is your best friend? Quinton

13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? playing or looking at cracks in the ground

15. What is your favorite drink? water

16. What is your favorite holiday? summer holidays

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Bunny Bashful

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Whatever Mom cooks

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  I want to be a motorcycle racer "so you can see me on TV"

Drew is 42 lbs. and 45 inches tall.

Back To School

Our little guy is off to school!  Today was his first day at "the big school."
I am so happy for him, but I am so nervous too!
We began the festivities last night by preparing a Back To School Dinner of grilled cheese and alphabet spaghettios, our new tradition.
We celebrated the beginning of a new year and all of the exciting things to come!
I found a lot of the back to school dinner table ideas on Pinterest and from my friend Sarah.

The table was set

Grilled cheese and alphabet spaghettios for our traditional back to school dinner

A special dessert for my little smartie too!

This little stow-away joined us for dinner.  He'll be tagging along with Drew on his backpack everyday.

Nom nom nom!!!

It's here.  Drew's first day

Ready to go in the building!

Mommy and Daddy aren't the only one's who are going to miss him!

This one is heartbreaking.  Our little princess is really missing her best buddy!

This is the song that came on the radio as we left the school.  How appropriate.

Emma's New Do

Emma's first hair cut was everything I hoped it would be.  We found a great place that specializes in kids hair in Birkdale Village.  It was great and they knew exactly how to handle everyone.  From feeling like a princess while looking in her mirror to blowing bubbles right there at the station, Emma never even had a chance to stress about getter her lovely locks lopped!

A little bit shabby

Things are getting serious as we approach the first clip

There it goes!!!!  While Emma looks at herself in the mirror

Drew is so proud of her and so encouraging!  He was using his LeapPad to document Emma's first haircut.  He recorded the first clipping.  How cute is that!?!  I did not prompt him in any way to do that which made it that much sweeter!

Let's take a break for some bubbles!

Finishing off the sides

Emma's enjoying a cartoon while having her hair cut

And now for the braids

Drew kept himself pretty busy after he was finished making his "documentary"

Daddy loved her braids

Looking at her new hair for the first time

She loves it!

So pretty

What a princess!!!

Miscellaneous From Arizona

Here are just random pictures from our trip that don't necessarily fit into any particular category, but are still the little things that made one great trip!

Strike a pose

Tlaquepaque Chapel

The kids were tuckered out after all of our fun

The girls

This was my view walking in the resort to the pool  <3 td="td">

Sleepy girl and Lizzie the Lizard

This was my view when I left the resort to run.  I had an 8 mile training run while I was there.  The view sure made 8 miles fly by.

Rushing water was a rare sight in the desert

My loves

Lunch with Ms. Emma while Drew was on his "date" with Nana and Papa  (Emma had her "date" earlier in the week)

Cuties

Tlaquepaque at night

Pool time!!!!

Pool time!!!!!!

Jumping down by the creek.  (you could see Johnny Depp's house from here!)

Little desert girl...

She's all smiles

That rushing water again... quite the attraction.  

Saying goodbye to Nana at the Phoenix airport...

And Papa too!

My babies

Love

The Fam!

Cuties

My loves

Nana and Papa time!