Boys and Puppies

On Thursday, my last baby started kindergarten.  It looked a little different than most years.  We weren't allowed to walk the kids into their class. I was so upset when I first found that out. I couldn't imagine just dropping him off at the door on his first day (and I had the best of circumstances - he has been to the school a zillion times and has a big sister to walk him to class).  I REALLY felt for all the first time kindergarten moms.  

But our school district made the best of things.  We were able to have an in person meet the teacher.  They scheduled us and we went just a few at a time and we got all of our "first day" pictures then.  Then last week after the other kids were already in school, they did a "soft opening practice day" for kindergarteners.  We dropped them off in carline at a scheduled time and they took them to their class for about 20 minutes and then brought them back out.  This gave the kids confidence about going to class and helped the parents too.  

Honestly, I think walking him to class and then having to leave him there probably would have made me cry but because he just hopped out of the car and walked with his sisters - I didn't cry.  He was just SO excited and so proud to go to his "sister's school" which he said all summer "THIS IS MY SCHOOL NOW".  

He also kept telling me how he was going to make so many friends! And I knew he would! 

How sweet is this? They are so good to their brother.  He's so lucky to have them.  

All this first days of school.  Can you spot a theme? ha! 

He has the SWEETEST teacher.  I had forgot how she is so good about sending reports and tons of pictures.  It helps this momma SO MUCH to get his picture! I mean how cute is he? 

He just went two days last week but he LOVED it.  He was so sad on Saturday because he wanted to go to school.  He wore the mask and has handled it better than I could have imagined.  

Meanwhile - I've developed an eye infection from bad contact habits and I've been in glasses since Wednesday.  I have to put sunglasses over them because the light hurts me.  I haven't blogged or done a lot of social media lately because my eye hurts too bad to do much.  It looks like I"m calling's the doctors today.  

I put out on instagram that y'all could ask me questions for me to answer on the blog this week.  I've grouped the questions and I'm going to do several posts this week.  

Several of them were about Milli.  She is a cavapoo.  It's a GREAT breed.  We had a bichon previously and I loved it.  I like dogs that don't shed and Harper has some allergies so that narrows down breeds for us.  I LOVE golden doodles but I didn't want anything THAT big.  So I saw the Cavapoo and thought they were so cute.  Milli is a little bigger than I imagined her being but I think she is a great size.  She's about 22 lbs and I think she is full grown.  She's 11 months this week.  We got her from Kingdom Dogs in Carthage Mo and they were a great breeder to work with.  

A lot of you asked about training.  I'm no expert but I can just tell you what we did.  I know everyone says to kennel train and I even planned to with her but in the end I just couldn't do it.  I'm just not a fan of keeping a dog in a kennel.  My #1 recommendation is a doggie door.  That has been key for us.  The Covid quarantine back in early March really helped honestly.  We were still struggling with potty training when it happened and then having us all home 24/7 - it just REALLY clicked.  That's not realistic but I do think consistency is key.  Take them outside hourly if possible.  We got one of those big toddler fences and put it around the doggie door for the first few months and tried to keep her in there if we had to leave and even when we were home.  Say the same word - whether it's "potty" or "outside" so they understand every time you go outside and we gave a lot of treats and praise.  Milli also sleeps with us (I needed sleep which is another reason I couldn't do the kennel).  And she is a great sleeper.  She goes to bed when I do and will sleep all night until 8 in the morning and always has.  Occasionally she goes outside in the night but usually only if I get up.  She's just an easy, sweet dog and we love her so much.  It was HARD in the beginning.  Puppies are TOUGH.  I was ready to give her back the first 2-3 months but push through and it gets easier and so worth it.  She is so loving and cuddly and I can't imagine not having her.  

That's my pitch on "get a puppy"! Just do it! 

 

First Day of School

Yesterday was our first day back to school after 23 weeks at home.  It was a very different first day and we all had things we were nervous about but it felt SO good and SO normal to be back at school.  

We are back in person.  And the girls were very excited to be back with PEOPLE! We got everything ready the night before - lunches packed, clothes laid out, masks washed and ready, water bottles fixed, etc.  It made our morning smooth and everyone was not as cranky as I expected.  They went to bed last night early without too many complaints also.  

 Hollis' class only has 20 kids.  They are staying together as a class at recess and playing in zones.  They are eating in the cafeteria but with their class mates and they have to sit by the same kids all year.  They kept their masks on all day but were able to take them off at recess.  Hollis didn't complain and seemed to have a really good day. 

Harper has a schedule this year where she changes classes and is with different kids every period.  She said they kept masks on all day with no breaks but wasn't too upset about it.  She had to sit with her last class before lunch and she didn't really know anyone and they had to sit spaced apart so basically she had to eat alone.  She wasn't too upset about that either.  She seemed to have a good day.  I'm so thankful! 

I feel very hopeful and I know it's not like anyone is used to but I'm hoping we can all push through and in a few months it can look different.  

From Kindergarten to sixth grade.  She has changed so much but she's so delightful.  

And this one has come out of her shell from her first day of kindergarten to her first day of the last year of elementary school.  

Praying for all of you - no matter what school looks like at your house.  We can do this! 

 

Sliding into a new year!

We had a great last weekend of our five month spring break! 

Friday morning we went to Roaring River to the water slide.  It's our favorite thing.  They have been closed most of the summer so we didn't think we would get to go but we decided to go and we had so much fun.  It's always like stepping back into 1987 and I love it.  

Then the girls got much needed hair cuts.  Their hair is SO thick and was so long.  We got it thinned and cut several inches off.  It just looks healthy.  My girls like having long hair but I told them it would grow faster this way.  

We also have gone to Branson and White Water the weekend before school starts every year for the last few years and we decided last minute to go again! 

We got there before it even opened.  There weren't many people at all.  Scott and the girls got to do all the slides without any lines.  We enjoyed the park so much and then once people started coming after lunch we left.  

We stayed in a hotel near the landing in Branson and it was super clean and we never even saw another person.  It felt so good to get out of town.  

We went to Cantina Laredo - our favorite place.  It was delicious! After dinner, we went back to our room and we were all asleep by 8:30.  We got a ton of sleep and it felt great! 

We got up early this morning and came back home.  I had a lot of things to do before school started today.  We also had left Milli for the first time and I missed her.  We had someone checking on her but I knew she would be so sad without us.  And bless her heart - she was so happy yesterday.  

Last night after dinner, we biked to our school and prayed in the parking lot.  We each took turns praying - even Will Holden.  I love this tradition but this year felt extra special and necessary.  I want our kids to remember they are prayed for.  I have a peace over this school year.  I hate how school has to look.  I HATE that they have to wear masks and be separated from their friends.  But I also know it won't be forever and this is building character in us all.  Kids are resilient and we should learn from them.  

I love these three.  I have LOVED having so much extra time with them.  But I'm also excited for them to go back to school and get a little regular back in their life.  

So ready or not - here we come! 

 

Ready for School

This week has been dedicated to getting ready to go back to school next week.  

Last year we started taking the kids one at a time for a little school shopping date.  It's a little easier to pull off this year since Scott works from home - I can leave the other kids at home.  Monday I took Harper to lunch and to Target to get her supplies.  

I love the chance to spend one on one time.  We do our best talking that way.  

Tuesday was Will Holden's turn.  He was SO excited to pick out his school supplies.  

Wednesday the girls each had a friend over. They had a great time hanging with their friends.  

These two are so sweet.  They aren't in the same class for the first time since Kindergarten.  It was a little sad at first but Hollis has a few friends in her class.  The classes are going to be together at lunch and at recess and they won't be mingling with other classes so I'm hoping she makes good friends in her class this year.  

I found this picture of me on the first day of school when I was about their age.  I had a MULLET, mom jeans and those yellow earrings.  Oh and the glasses.  Not pictured is my headgear.  Kids these days do not look like that anymore.  

I put together teacher gifts for the first day and they couldn't possibly be more 2020 if they tried.  Yes - I found a few things of wipes and snatched them up! It was a lucky day! 

Yesterday, kindergarten had in person open house. They gave us assigned times so only a few kids and parents were in the building at a time.  Will Holden has the same teacher that Hollis had.  We love her.  She's wonderful! Will Holden thought she was so nice.  He can't wait to start.  Kindergarten starts 3 days after the other grades so  I get a few last days of just him next week.  

The girls had virtual open houses.  Everything is so weird but the teachers are doing the greatest jobs at all of it.  

Us and our kindergarten boy.  I can't believe we are here.  When he was born, I told myself I could survive until he started kindergarten and it seems light years away.  And instead it went so fast.  

Last night was Hollis' turn to do her shopping! 

She picked out everything she needed and loaded it in her backpack.  And we are officially ready! We are going to have some fun over the weekend to celebrate the end of a five month summer! 

 

Basketball, Bikes and Golf

We had a fun filled weekend.  Friday night we ate dinner at home and then went to our new favorite park to play basketball and walk Milli.  

I'm trying to convince Hollis she needs to play basketball this year (if they have it).  

Saturday morning we got up early to go on a bike ride.  It's been SO HOT so to beat the heat we left our house at 7:30.  The kids have been sleeping until 9:30 or 10 so this was the first time they have been up early in months and they were NOT thrilled! But it was a beautiful morning! 

And we got to see this!  We have gone to Lake Atalanta in Rogers many times to play on the playgrounds but we have never walked or rode around the lake.  They have a super nice trail all around it and it's beautiful.  I decided it was my new favorite riding spot.  

The weather was great and we had so much fun riding.  

I love the Station downtown for breakfast but they quit having it a while ago.  I happened to look them up and they were serving again and they have a great patio.  

So we stopped in for brunch and had the best time! 

If you are in Bentonville - the station is a great place to eat! It's so cute too! 

That afternoon we went to Top Golf.  Top Golf just opened here this summer and we wanted to check it out.  It was a MILLION degrees outside but we had a great time! 

We were trying not to melt.  

We have golf fans! 

Sunday we went to church and then went swimming.  I didn't take one picture.  But it was a good weekend for us.  We have been together so much for the last five months and we still all get along.  Which is a huge blessing! 

 

Last Days of Summer

We have one week left until school starts.  We are trying to soak up the last few days.  Which is funny because we have already had over five months together.  But the last few days of summer are always precious.  And who knows what the fall holds so I'm trying to get joy in when we can.  

Harper has a best friend who moved to Texas two years ago.  They have been so close since they were little bitty.  They talk all day nearly every day.  We have had such a gift because they have seen each other three times this summer.  

Kampbell's family has a lake house an hour from here.  Last week was her birthday and they invited Hollis to come spend four days there with them.  Hollis has never been so excited about anything in her life. She squealed constantly in the days leadings up to it.  And I've never seen her smile so big! 

Hollis got to go on a boat and tube for the first time.  She had the time of her life! 

She celebrated in style! 

and she swam and swam! 

They had matching tees and matching braids and just so much fun! 

I'm so glad they are so close and I hope their friendship stays strong through the years.  Kampbell's mom is one of my very best friends so I hope we all stay close! Friendship is so important. 

While Hollis was gone, Harper had two full days with one of her best friends.  L spent the night at our house and a day and then Harper went to her house and spent another night and day.  They kept calling and begging to stay together longer.  I'm thankful they have a sweet friendship.  

Close enough to share a cozy! 

Yes it's August and blazing hot - but they are wearing sweatsuits.  This is a preteen girl these days.  I took them to the coffee shop because they love iced coffee.  I never even drank coffee until I was 45.  ha! 

The older my girls get - the harder I'm praying for good friendships! 

We are still on summer schedules - which basically means no schedule.  For the last five months, the kids have slept late and stayed up late.  I go to bed before the girls most nights. They sleep until 9:30 or 10.  It's going to be ROUGH when we are back to getting up by 6 next week.  I know some people prepare or ease in but we will just jump in cold turkey.  Of course now when Will Holden FINALLY started sleeping in until 8:30 and I have to jolt him back.  I really will miss not setting an alarm.  It's been a huge gift.  Since we have no schedule, we can make late night runs to Sonic occasionally! 

I'm going to miss this super long summer but we are all pretty excited for school to start!