The Preschool Pair

"Back to school, back to school to prove to dad I'm not a fool!" Any Adam Sandler fans out there? I'm equal parts nervous, excited, sad, and hopeful as I sit down to write this post today, so the only way I can think to open is with that terribly annoying tune from Billy Madison.

Somehow, enough time has gone by to where both of my little teeny tiny little babies are old enough for preschool. Ugh. To be honest, I love it. I'm totally the mom that appreciates small increments of time away from my littles and quiet time to focus on myself and tending to my own creative brain. But, in the very same breath I struggle with it too. The mom guilt is so real. 

Nevertheless, I love seeing them flourish and letting them experience some independence away from our home. And here we are today with another year of back to school updates! For a little recap, here's what we have under our belts so far:

• 2015/2016 - Two Day Two's: Bennett's First Day || Bennett's Last Day
• 2016/2017 - Two/Three Day Three's: Bennett's First Day || Bennett's Last Day

And here we are at the start of the 2017/2018 school year with Bennett's first day in Four Day Fours and little Miss Lainey's big first day in the Older Toddler's room ~ Two Day Two's. Their first day was yesterday and we were all pretty excited about it.

Their little preschool does things a bit differently than our old preschool in Nash and it's actually kind of fun and cute. Before the first day of school the teachers host a shortened mock-schedule day where they let the kiddos come and explore their classroom with parents in tote. It's a way to get the kids oriented with their class and also let the parents see a bit into their normal day.

Lainey's orientation was last Wednesday and both Hubs and I took our little bit to meet her "new friends" (which Lainey loves to exclaim when we talk about school). We headed out for a little Starbucks to snag breakfast sandwich and this smart little tot picked a cake pop instead and we obliged ... because #letthembelittle 

And then we headed to her classroom to meet her teachers: Mrs. Debbie and Mrs. Beth. She's a bumblebee in the PDO program - Older Toddlers "2 Day 2's" ... my favorite part of the class was their little feet where they line up to head to the playground.

And even though, they're in separate classes for part of the day ... she's going to school with her future husband, Charlie, and that makes my heart happy.

After they explored their classrooms and met their new friends ... they were off to rule the halls and explore the playground! I'd say they "oriented" just fine.

Then Friday, it was Mister Bennett's turn to have his mock day. I goofed on the time and we had to skip out on his Starbucks cake pop before school. Whoopsie. But, similar to Lainey, we headed in to meet his teachers: Mrs. Boylan and Mrs. Klapheke, check out his classroom and meet some pals - and once we were all wrapped up they headed to playground as well.

And then, just like that, orientation and mock days were over and we were ready for the real thing!
My babies first day of preschool, and my big guy's last first day of preschool. Whew! That's a lot on a momma's heart in one day!

Like every year, the kiddos and I baked chocolate chip cookies and packed a treat for their sweet teachers that love and care for the them throughout the day.

Truth be told, I totally had it all together. Veteran mom over here, walking my littles in fully expecting to drop them at the door and head out to take on the day. But, sigh, I ran into Laura on my way in (it's Charlie's first year and his first ever drop off) and just like I was, my first day ever dropping off Bennett, she was a mess of emotions and I walked in to see her crying with tear stains on the tshirt of her cute pregnant belly and this veteran mom was NOT so veteran anymore. Que crying in the drop off line and and waving goodbye to my friend through teary eyes. Good grief!!! One of these years I won't cry. Maybe?!

~ Lainey Lou ~

~ Bennett Bernard ~ 

~ The Preschool Pair ~

 He promised to watch out for her and show her the ropes. And then proceeded to tell me the reason he kissed her on the cheek and not the lips is because "she's always so slobbery" ha!

 I hope they always stay close. And silly. Silly most of all :)

Summer Should Get a Speeding Ticket

Is it really already the middle of June?! How in the world did this happen. I swear just yesterday I was wearing a hoodie and jeans to ward off the chilly spring temps ... and now I'm full on sweating, looking to next month and realizing Summer is already going wayyyy too fast!  We've been so busy, and that's making the long summer days seem short!

I pray we get to move in to the new house before summer draws to a close, because I really really want some memories of my kiddos at this age grilling out on the new back deck and swimming in out pool. And to be 100% honest, I really would just love my own TV and space, so when we are inside during the hottest part of the day I'm not required to listen to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for the 400th time. Is this renovation ever going to be over?!?! Good grief! I'm working on a house update post, but for now ... I'll leave you with this. EEEEEEKKKKS! Ch-Ch-Ch-changes!!

Other than house hooplah, we've had a bunch of distracting activities.

Like hitting up the splash park with our pals...

Sleeping in until way too late ... we blame it on summer.

Being adorable in our costume jewelry.

All. The. Time.

Having fun lunch dates.

Spending as much time visiting the ball park concession stand as possible, bring on all the lollies and snow cones please.

Having more lunch dates with this crazy fella.

Riding the fun animals at the mall, because how else would we get through a Tuesday afternoon?

Hitting up the movie theater for take out popcorn (this is a legitimate thing we do way too frequently) and screening Beauty and the Beast on Bubby's mattress in the living room.

Heading off to Summer Camp together.

Hitting up games to see our favorite soccer team play, Louisville City FC...

And playing and playing and playing with our buddies.

 Hubs and I had a date night with some pals to see Dave Chappelle at the Palace.

We had another adult night and spent an awesome evening by the water celebrating Wes's 30th at Captain's Quarters. The weather was the absolute best!

We wrapped spring tee-ball and little mister did AWESOME at his last game. Their little team has improved so much from the start of the season.

 He proudly accepted his trophy.

 And then (enthusiastically  begrudgingly) posed with everyone.

We had a graduation party for Uncle Max and an early send off before he makes his way to the west coast. These littles even adorned his graduation gear for a fun inclusion in an awesome movie my mom and his buddy, Grant, made for the party.

He's getting ready to begin filming a film he's planning to submit to festivals this fall, Plastic Funerals, and mom did a great job incorporating all of those fun details into the party, but I failed to get any great pics.

It was a great night being surrounded by so many people who love him.

We've spent soooo much time in the pool, our little water babies LOVE to swim.

And we're soaking up our last month in the little house behind the grandparents. Even though we are ready to be in the new house, we sure are going to miss having PaPaw and GoGo in our front yard.

We've still got LOTS of summer ahead of us and if it's anything like what's already behind us we couldn't be more excited!