oh-oh, HELLO!!

last week when we received this GORGEOUS save the date, I realized we’ve got less than FIVE months until THE kraxberger event, I couldn’t be more happy for E + M, and I have nothing to wear!!

now I know there are A LOT more pressing planning details (aka VEGAS bachelorette party), but there’s nothing like a stylish and graceful baby sister getting married to make one feel old and matronly.

so in a perfect world, where money grows on trees, my daughter wouldn’t eat my necklace and I had the confidence to wear 5 inch heels, a MOH would don something like this.

 

erinplusmatt by ericayarger featuring an asymmetrical dress

 

 

what do you think?

doesn’t it feel like they just got engaged?

in my shoes…

 

while thousands of inspiring teachers and anxious children across the country headed back to school today, it was just another monday for my little students. but, they both scored new sneakers and backpacks to embrace the season.

CJ recently joined the one-year-old class, which means only one nap a day -- on a mat!! so exhausted most evenings, she falls asleep in the car before we get out of the parking lot. but after a hearty dinner and some rowdy playtime, she’s sleeping great at night. unfortunately, it also means we’re familiarizing ourselves with the biting age/phase again, as indicated by the chunk o’ cheek that one of her “friends” took the other day on her face (in case you missed our past experience)!! she’s a little firecracker, so I’m just hoping she doesn’t reciprocate.

DB is doing great on the potty training front and his vocabulary skills have grown exponentially in the last few months. one of the most disruptive kiddos in his class has moved up to the next class (yippee!!). sad I know, but it will definitely make his days less dramatic and likely more fulfilling.

as for me, taking the kiddos to preschool is a daily emotional tug-o-war. so for today, i am extremely grateful for their social experiences and passionate educators, and my valuable employment.

 

“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”  John F. Kennedy

summer funshine…

hard to believe we’re just halfway thru the summer of relentless sun. despite the heat and lack of precipitation, it hasn’t stopped us from having all sorts of fun, fun, fun indoors and out.

we kicked off july at the hendrix ranch near fort phantom lake (at least I still think it has enough water to qualify), to celebrate cheyenne’s birthday. no surprise, it was super hot, but lots of food and fun. still wish we could have stay to enjoy more dancing and great live music. but drew and callie were threatening to knock over all of the motorcycles Big Adventure style, so…we had to go.

 

for those few nights it’s actually been under 100 degrees, we’ve played outside and enjoyed the sand & water table callie got from mimi and peepa (tammy & bret) for her birthday. of course with our green efforts (and my moderate psychosis), we couldn’t get regular play sand from the hardware store (ps. it’s been linked to lung cancer). we have special silica-free sand imported from dallas via opa and gigi (chris & debbie). thank you. now I’ll only have to worry about drew falling off the monkey bars.

the abilene zoo has been a great early morning getaway for stir crazy kids and parents alike, especially thanks to our family membership purchased in the spring. at our last visit, callie jane was really engaged and enjoyed feeding the giraffes even more than big bro. but that’s because the only real reason he’s there is for the safari express train ride.

alas august is here, which marks our ONE YEAR anniversary of the big move to A-town. and we finally visited the historic Grace Museum. gracefully, she did not disappoint. the children’s museum is the perfect indoor and interactive play space for all ages. and on our way in AND out of the museum (which is across from the old train station), we got to see the train bustling thru town which made drew happier than any kid in a candy store.

finally, for lots of not-very-good reasons, we didn’t take our traditional florida beach trip this year. and though we probably needed the relief more than ever, last weekend we experienced a healthy dose of dozier serenity in noodle, texas. who knew?! AH. MAZING.

clearly the pink bow princess is comfortably geared up for the heat and fun of summertime in texas. and while i too have always considered myself a summer gal, i don’t think i’ve ever been more excited about crisp fall evenings, someone’s THIRD birthday party, college and fantasy football and more fun, fun, fun with the fam.

have a great weekend ya’ll!!