Trick or Treat Smell My Feet {2014}

Pace yourself Michele. Two blog posts in 1 week. Slow down, don't want to pull something.

So I am a room mom. A room mom. That means I have a kid, in school. Wow. Still weird to me some days that she isn't around all the time. Some mornings it can be a long 3 hours without her.
On Halloween they had their class party. I was in charge of cookie decorating station. Of course sugar is always a big hit.

Snack break. Because eating sugar wasn't enough.

Games for more candy.

Isn't she cute?!

Daddy dropped by...he was a fork in the road. They all dressed as idioms.

Her buddy during the Mummy wrap.

Class Pic. Isn't her teacher the cutest?! She is due anytime...

For Halloween instead of trick or treating the 'hood we go to a local church and play games and jump on bounce houses. I guess I don't really get Halloween. What's the point? To dress up and beg for candy?! What are we celebrating or doing here?! Please, don't mis-understand I know some are against it b/c of the "dark side" of it's roots, I am against walking around in the cold...HA! But that aside I just don't get the holiday...I know I could do with a few less snicker bars around here.

However, before we went out we had to go get our annual Papa Murphy's Pumpkin Pizza. During which time our city biz district hosted early trick or treaters. ALL my kids wanted, and I do mean ALL they wanted was to trick or treat the fire dept. They were so thrilled they were out and got to meet them. My kids are OBSESSED with the fire dept. We can't drive by there without a full 15 minute commentary on what they may or may not be up to.

 

Then off to the church for fun and games.

They both were firefighters. Grandma Rachel got them these cute Melissa and Doug costumes.

And that folks is our Halloween!

First Day of School {Pt deux}

August 18th marked the official start of school. In part one you went for just 2 hours and mostly did testing, screening and a school tour. Today however was the first real day with all the Kindergartners and going each day.
Our First day of school outfit.

Finding our cubbie.

Relaxin with some 'dough. MW wishing he could stay and have some.

So proud of our big girl. There were no tears from any of us. Matter of fact she was ready for us to hit it.

MW just wandered around asking if it was his turn to go.

Bro really misses his sass. For the first week and half he was on me like white on rice. I felt like I had a newborn again.  I guess I just never realized between all their sibling "fights" that deep inside she was his best pal. They do everything together. So now it's my turn to be his playmate. We have had fun and now a month later he is really back to doing his own thing and loves not having anyone tell him what he should be doing, thinking, saying, feeling and eating. {God love her but she is BOSS-Y!}

This photo says it all.

Now to help daddy get to his classroom...

So far she is loving Kindergarten. She has never been in a school setting before, but she is catching on quickly. She has had all greens {ready to learn} on her calendar. I have loved seeing her writing improve in such a short time and she is also learning sight words. She even is sort of disappointed when the weekend comes and she can't go. I am sure one day that will change, but for now I am glad she loves it so much and has a passion to learn.

Lo and MW teach Math

One weekend at church they played this video.



It basically gives 2 kids a topic and let them run with it and then they get adult actors to act out exactly what the kids said. They are hilarious. Especially this one if you are a teacher. Our kids have seen it a lot. So now it is there turn. Micah's face is hilarious.



Lo and MW teach Math from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

VBS + Moving = LONG WEEK

I debated between this post and the 4th of July recap. I choose to stay in order and not get further behind, plus everyone is posting about the 4th, so when I finally get around to it, it will seem new. ;)

Oh, way back in mid-June I sent my baby girl off to her first VBS experience. I get it she is 4 what's the big deal?! Well, for one she has never been outside my care or a grandparent's care ever. {aside from sunday school and kidzone, but I am right there in the building and that is for about an hour!} She doesn't go to pre-school, she doesn't go to day care, she doesn't go anywhere without me. Not because I am "one of those" parents, but I am a SAHM so taking care of her and MW is my job. The opportunity has just never presented itself. It was a little taste of what it will be like in another year when I send  her off to kindergarten!
I can hardly stand the thought!
{on a side note when did she get old enough for all of this?!}

So here she is and praise Jesus she and her BFF were in the same group! Along with my BFF as one of the helpers. She is like a second mom to my kids, so walking away and leaving her for 4 hours felt easier. She was so excited to go!

Chad and I got the privilege of helping my parents move. What was suppose to be a 1 day thing turned into 4 days?! My parent's are Murphy's Law. What will go wrong...DOES. Oy. My dad, my sister and Chad all worked like dogs. I couldn't believe what my sister Meg lifted. That girl is insane. I am just glad no one got seriously injured! So we would do this during VBS and then I would go home for naps. I was tired from all that bossing. ;)

MW was very helpful. He would lift a towel and say "too evey {heavy}." So funny.

The Widow maker. Oh.my.word. Have any of you EVER moved a piano?! Who knew they were that heavy?! By God's grace they got it in the truck, but we couldn't get it in the new house. So they hired movers for that and now they are selling it! Any takers?! Seriously! It's for sale!

Back to VBS. I would go early to watch them sing their songs and dance. I loved the songs. They were so fun.

On Day 2 of VBS Lo was very reluctant to go and stay. She cried and cried. I hated it. Normally at Church I just toss her in crying and walk away {which is such a rarity that she cries}. They know where to find me if she doesn't warm up. But I was leaving. Again, my friend to the rescue. She swooped in and was the mom Lo needed when I couldn't stay. I am so thankful for her!

Day 3 went better, but Day 4 we were back to tears. I think she gets so overwhelmed with everything she just can't process. This whole experience wore her out. She would nap like a rock star every day and then sleep in until 8ish every morning nearly running us late. Nuts.

I am not a t-shirt fan, but she wanted one. They were too big, so we improvised and rocked the '80s side knot and cheerleader tied up the sleeves. She rocked it as usual. 

Micah loved the songs too! He really got into it. Next year buddy!

My friend raises the best kids. They treat both of my kids with such kindness and respect no matter their ages. Love this.

Day 5-Ice Cream Social. Very exciting!!

This was a great VBS and I highly recommend it to anyone in our area, although several churches are putting on the Kingdom Rock program. I was impressed and she learned a lot! This was a great experience for all of us.