Packing day

The packers arrived this morning to pack up the house. It is always hard to watch your things go into a box, even though you know in just a short while you will be unpacking it again. They were quick and efficient which made it much easier on me as Scott isn't flying in until the evening. Mckenzie had camp this morning and Abby went over to a friend's house for the day. They spent the night there too so Cooper and I had some one on one time after the packers were gone for the day. Scott's flight was supposed to land around 10, but because of weather, he didn't end up arriving until after midnight and we didn't make it home until 2 AM. Luckily, Cooper slept through the drive to and from the airport. Lord knows that little man does not like his car seat!

Daisy Swim Party

Today Abby went to a swim party for her Daisy troop. She had a blast splashing around with her friends and I had a good time having an adult conversation. Mckenzie got to hang out with her friend while the big girls were swimming. Afterwards, we went over to my friend's house for a final dinner. It has become commonplace for us to share meals and I am really going to miss it. I'm not happy our husbands are gone, but I am happy that they are gone at the same time so I have had someone to hang out with. On the way home from her place, there was the most beautiful double rainbow in the sky. So pretty in fact, that I pulled over on the side of the road just to capture it!


We are going to miss all these sweet little Daisies :(


This little stinker didn't want her photo taken so she tried to squirt me with water!


Best Buddies :)

Build a Bear

Happy birthday to the most handsome husband a girl could ask for! You are as old as me again babe :) Sorry we aren't able to be together to celebrate. Luckily, Sheri and Matt invited Scott up to their place for the night so he was in good company on his birthday!

The girls had a birthday party this afternoon at Build a Bear. It was a fun party, although I got suckered into spending a small fortune on accessories for their new bears.  This was their last birthday celebration in NJ :( I hate goodbyes and I hate watching my girls say goodbye to their friends. They handled it well, although, I don't think they fully grasp the concept. I'm sure it won't sink in until we have been settled into our new place for awhile and they are bored of each other.

Last day of First Grade

Today was Abby's last day of First Grade. I am so sad it is over, but I am so happy with everything she has learned. She started first grade barely reading and she is now reading chapter books. She has learned addition and started on subtraction. Her handwriting has greatly improved and I'm sure that is because they write in their journals at school a lot. Her stories have become so much more detailed and so have the illustrations that accompany them. I am amazed at everything she has learned this past year. She is wiser and more mature and has grown in ways I never imagined. She has blossomed so much and I am so thankful to her teacher for helping her grow.





Both girls had friends over today. It was a little crazy around here with five kids, but somehow we managed :)


Abby and her friend JT kept telling each other secrets to one another during lunch. I have no idea what they were saying, but they were sure laughing a lot. When her friend left, Abby ran down the sidewalk, chasing the car and waving goodbye. It broke my heart to watch her. I hate to watch my kids say goodbye to their friends. Abby didn't seem to be bothered, but I don't think she understands it yet. I think it won't sink in until we are actually gone.


Mckenzie and her friend were so busy running around, it was hard to get them to stop for a photo. They played inside, then outside, and then back in. You get the idea.

Our babysitter stopped by to say goodbye today. The girls were so happy to see her that they couldn't stop hanging on her. It was hard to say goodbye to Miss Tiffany. She has been the best babysitter for our children. She plays with them and takes an interest in them and the girls adore her. I've never worried about leaving the kids with her because she is so responsible and kind. I am really going to miss her :(

And to end the day, we had friends over for dinner. Her hubby is out of town and we end up having dinner at least 2 or 3 times a week. It is so easy because the kids get along well and the conversation is always good. I'm really gonna miss them too.

Cooper is really taking an interest in toys. He can sort of grab them (his depth perception isn't quite there yet) and hang on to them for a little while before dropping them.



Cooper grabbed Mckenzie's finger and was trying to pull it to his mouth. Mckenzie wouldn't have any of that and kept pulling her hand away.

Both girls had play dates today. I am trying to fit as many in as I can before we leave. Mckenzie went swimming at her friend's house and Abby had a couple of friends over here. Abby also got to go swimming at her friend's house later on and ended up getting a swim lesson while she was there. The friend's grandma likes to teach kids to swim so she gave Abby a few pointers. Abby can now swim on her back and dive into the pool. I am so impressed at what a little one on one lesson did for her skills. She has never been able to swim on her back before. She would just sink and give up. But after today's lesson, she looked like she had been doing it for a long time. I am so proud of Abby for what she has learned!

Attitude Adjustment

Abby was complaining she was bored. I offered several solutions but none of them were exciting enough for her. I'm assuming they weren't good enough because not a single one involved inviting one of her friends over to play.  Anyway, she kept whining and stomping around the house with the attitude of a teenager so I decided I needed to give her an attitude adjustment (I remember getting one or two of those as a kid. I really disliked those words when I was younger, but they seem appropriate now). I gave her one last chance to do one of the fun things I suggested but she said no, so I gave her chores to do instead. She ended up putting away laundry, sweeping the floor, washing the windows, washing the cupboards, and cleaning the bathroom before she finally stopped complaining about being bored. Every time she finished a chore, she came back in with the same ugly attitude and complained about being bored so I offered a new chore. It wasn't until after she cleaned the bathroom that she realized she needed to stop complaining. She quietly asked if she could watch a movie. Then she looked at me out of the corner of her eye and asked "when I have kids, can I make them do chores?" When I said yes, she got the biggest smile on her face.

Today was Abby's last full day of first grade. Tomorrow and Friday are half days. They had a Camp In yesterday where they got to bring sleeping bags and flashlights to class and pretend they were camping. The teacher even set up a tent in the middle of the classroom! Today, Abby had her End of the Year party. It was a luau themed party and Abby said she had lots of fun playing with hula hoops and leis.



Mckenzie's friend came over to play for a bit today while her Mom worked the End of the Year Party at Abby's school. They played dress up for the longest time and pretended they were both getting married. I know Mckenzie is really going to miss her friend.

14 weeks old

It's time for another bear photo with Cooper :) only 38 more to go. I just love this little onesie with the aviator glasses on it. The last time he wore it, I wanted to snap a photo, but Cooper had other plans for his outfit. His plans included a blowout, a bath, and a load of laundry. Not quite as fun as a photo if you ask me :)

Last week of school.

I love watching Cooper sleep. He looks so peaceful.



Today is Abby's last week of school. I can't believe it is already the end of the school year. It seemed so far away and now here it is. It means our movers are a week out and we are a week from seeing Scott. I'm excited for our next chapter, I just can't seem to wrap my head around this move. It's going to be a tough one for sure. 

We met a friend and her children for dinner. I always feel like we look like a tornado going through the restaurant because we have 6 kids between the two of us and mine for sure aren't very quiet when it comes to eating out.

Mommy's heper

Abby changed Cooper's diaper all by herself. She was so proud of herself! And I am so proud of her for being such a great helper.

Bath time

Little man loves his bath time and I can't get enough of his cute little toes. The girls love to help me give him a bath. Especially Mckenzie. She loves to wash his hair with this little brush I have.