10 things I'm thinking on the 10th

1. My first born will be starting 1st grade in 14 days. Just two short weeks and she'll be gone ALL DAY LONG. I think I'm really, REALLY gonna miss her. We've been getting all the documents for registration and should have her registered at the school down the road tomorrow. We have gathered all her school supplies and purchased new school clothes. The only thing left is just a good pair of tennis shoes. Does anyone know how to stop a child from growing up?
2. I'm looking forward to doing pre-school with Hailey. I'll probably bring Carter in some. They're never too young to learn, right? It's gonna be so much fun. Hailey's been working on the Starfall website (See my sidebar under sites worth a look-see - I'd put the link up, but I'm just too lazy right now) It's so cute when she asks if she can do her school on my "puter" Santa may have to save up for a couple of netbooks for Christmas this year...
3. We've started discussing boy names. We still can't make up our minds. Seems like the girls' names were so much easier. We're thinking we might have to send out another poll like last time. Funny, but the name (Carter) that we both really liked took the poll by a storm. This time, we've come up with a few new ones and still have some of the ones from last time. Any suggestions we can take into consideration before the poll comes out?
4. I've really missed my blog. I get on and I visit all the updated blogs in my blogroll, but I just never update. I've missed blogging on so many different things. Maybe I can just use WOW Wednesday to post some pictures from recent activities. (Like when the girls ate "Mud Bugs" or Carter's first time to hold his own ice cream cone or his trip to the barber shop with Daddy) It's not like I haven't had anything to blog about. I've just lacked the motivation. It's got to be either the pregnancy......or facebook. (Darn you, facebook!)
5. So, could it be pregnancy brain that is telling me that a minivan might not be too bad? I mean, the doors practically open themselves. And all that storage... Don't get me wrong, I'll always be an SUV girl, but when we put that third row up, I lose most of my storage room. Once the baby (we call him "Walt" - story to come) arrives I'll need that big ol' double stroller for Carter and him in the back and it will NOT fit in the SUV (maybe if I had the Expedition EL or a Suburban) with the third row. Where am I gonna put groceries?
6. Should I just buy a bus?
7. We're gonna have to get a new carseat/stroller/travel system for Walt. The one we used with the other three is not only outdated by safety regulations, but it's falling apart. I practically cried when Hot Rod took the old carseat/carrier out to the trash man. I loved that thing. It was silly, I know, but I loved the pattern. I mean, we could hardly get the seat off the base in the car. Drove Hot Rod crazy sometimes trying to get Carter out of the car. I can't tell you how many times we just unbuckled him from the seat. Oh, and the stroller...What an awesome stroller. It had cup holders and storage up near the handles just perfect for two drinks and keys and cell phone...and the basket at the bottom holds SO MUCH STUFF. One of the best features, you could push and guide it or even fold it with ONE HAND! How will we ever find the perfect replacement...?
8. Okay, now I'm thinking about "Walt" so I guess I should explain. Or have I done that already? (I can't remember.) Anyway, so maybe there is more to the magic of Disney...WALT Disney. Long Story Short (LOL) we had a Disney World trip planned for October - the SAME week that "Walt" is due. Even bought the stinkin' airline tickets. FYI - pregnancy is not covered under the airline ticket insurance. (Glad we didn't waste our money on that.)
9. Speaking of insurance...PPO's are horrible. Co-pays and Co-insurance and deductibles. Covered and non-covered, in-network and out of network...blah, blah, blah...It's sad when I can easily say that the hassle of Cobra Insurance for Carter's birth was waaay less trouble and inconvenience. Getting the PPO to pay what they are supposed to is next to impossible.
10. Okay, just saw the end of The Tonight Show. What is going on? They actually had Lyle Lovett singing something along the lines of "I'll choke my chicken all night long" I miss Leno...

10 things I'm thinking on the 10th

1. Staying home with my children is so much more rewarding than working. I worried how I might feel leaving work to stay home, but I am glad I did.

2. I do wish there was a way I could contribute monitarily to our family, but I know that I am contibuting in other areas. (And right now, I have no desire to jump into one of these "Really, it's not a pyramid" and "You can't beat working from your home and making your own hours," and then, "Trust me, you don't have to be a salesperson" only to learn that you have to beg your friends to host parties in their homes so that you can sell things to people and convince them to sign up to "not sell anything" as well. The next thing you know, people are avoiding you because they think you are going to hit them up to buy something or host a party in their home. Not that there's anything wrong with that...it's just not for me.)

3. Sometimes, I feel like I am working harder now than I ever did at any "paying" outside of the home job.

4. The 4 people I am working for can be quite demanding at times. Not so much the boys as the girls. I wonder what that means?

5. Often, I feel like I am lazy. I'm not really sure why...Must just be part of getting used to my "new" situation. Or it could be that I'm busy blog-hopping playing computer games watching TV holding the baby too much. (that's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day!)

6. I love to watch Maddie learn. She's starting to read and she loves sounding out the words. She's learned that Daddy will pay her for words that she is able to read to him. I am so glad to not be missing out on these accomplishments.

7. I must admit, I was (and still am) a little nervous about Maddie's learning being all on my shoulders...but on the other hand, it is fun.

8. The girls are a lot like me - they enjoy "craft time" Anything involving paint, glue, scissors, etc...is more fun than watching TV, and almost as much fun as playing outside.

9. We don't have all of the beautiful fall colors here, but the weather has been fabulous outside lately. Now if we can just kick those pesky mosquitos. (Why must EVERYthing in Texas be bigger?)

10. I'm so looking forward to Halloween...I love when my kids get to dress up as someone/something else for a day. They're always so cute. I also enjoy seeing my friends' kids. It's fun that for just one day kids all across the country get to be whatever they want -- even if it is just make believe!

Because I AM THAT Crazy!

Pardon me while I wipe the tears from my eyes. I just can't believe that my baby girl Maddie started Kindergarten today!

It wasn't so bad though...she didn't actually GO anywhere. I made the difficult (maybe a little crazy) choice to homeschool - at least for Kindergarten. She's never been able to stay home with Mommy since I've been working from the time she was 6 weeks old.

For the first few years of her life, she hung out with my oldest sister, Laurie. (For Maddie, it was like visiting an amusement park everyday!)

The past two years have been spent in preschool. She's learned a lot and done quite well for herself, but she's always wanted to stay home with Mommy...

When we made the decision earlier this year for me to quit my job, we started discussing options for Maddie's schooling. She's only been to private Christian preschools. With only one income, that is no longer an option. We live in a great school district and several parents rave about the elementary school she'd be attending, but that wouldn't give Maddie much time with Mommy.

We bit the bullet (WAIT, I bit the bullet! Daddy still leaves for work! WHAT HAVE I DONE?!)

All kidding aside, today was a great day! Maddie was actually disappointed when I told her we were done with school for the day. She wanted to move on to tomorrow's lesson.

I can only hope that the rest of the week goes so well...