What's Up Wednesday ~ August 2017 Edition

Hey gang! It's September!! Did ya know that? I sure didn't, until my mother in law sent me an email trying to find a date to celebrate my birthday and I was all "uhm wait, does that mean it's September already?!" Like what in the actual heck. How did that happen so quickly?!

I'm back today to share another round of What's Up Wednesday -- the bloggers that host the linkup moved it to this week due to a Hurricane Harvey donation drive ... and I'm not complaining because I certainly didn't have it all together last Wednesday to make a post. Moreover, I obviously haven't had to together since March which was the last time I participated. Sheesh. But anywhoodles, we catch up and answer these questions ....

What We're Eating This Week: Gosh, I'm really trying hard to get back to routine. Cooking meals, less summer snacking, getting the kids on a "normal" schedule now that we're back to school, but I'm not gonna lie I'm having a hard time sticking to it. We've gotten into this awful pattern of eating out (thanks to the move, the renovation, and summer) so I'm trying to cut back on that as much as possible. We actually sat down at the dinner table last night for the first time in weeks (our quick and easy dinners we always eat at the island), said grace, talked about the highs and lows of our day, the whole to do. And honestly it was really refreshing. The kids are back to school so they have things they want to share, and it's just good QT with the fam. We're also working really hard to develop little man's palate (and it is SUCH a battle). So we've made a deal that when we sit down to dinner as a family he's required to try one new item. Last night's requirement (we actually snuck in two) corn and mashed potatoes. He didn't LOVE the corn but tolerated it - which I count as a win - and he legit gagged when he ate mashed potatoes. His sweet sister that had been loving them all dinner then proceeded to follow suit (for attention) and it ended in the entire family laughing until we couldn't breathe. Ha! Seriously though - mama's of the world - HELPPPPP. Give me ideas for dinner, lunch, snacks, all the things to get my kiddo to eat. #HopelessMama

What I'm reminiscing about: Some recent fun date nights with my hubs. We've had a lot of fun events lined up lately and it's been good to spend some time together. We've hit up concerts, nights out with friends, simple wine nights in the kitchen, a neighborhood party, some fun drinks before dinner, etc. Nothing over the top, but fun nonetheless.

What I'm loving: THIS WEATHER! Fall is in full swing here in the Bluegrass and I couldn't be happier. The cooler evenings make our neighborhood walks a breeze ~ I'm rocking my jeans and not the slightest bit uncomfortable ~ I'm wearing sweatshirts like it's my job. There have been some gloomy days but the kids are loving stomping in puddles in their rain boots and I'm loving snuggling up after school in a big ole' blanket with them. Ahhh, all of the greatness. Fall is the best. Ever. Ever. Ever. 

What we've been up to: Mostly just end of summer, back to school business and some Labor Day fun. We went to the Kentucky state fair and ate all the food and rode all the rides. 

We had a viewing party for the Solar Eclipse:

And just some fun back to routine days. 

What I'm dreading: Honestly, I'm already dreading November. We went to Nashville last week for the my 3 month check-ups - but got off easy this round because we didn't have any scans. They did take one mole from my chest, but that's pretty much par for the course these days. November is going to be a HUGE visit (PET scan, CT scan, MRI of the abdomen, MRI of the brain, blood work, derm visit) THE WORKS. And there are a couple of really subtle spots they've been watching for a long time and we think this visit will kind of determine a decision one way or another (if they've changed). Sooo ... while it's still a while away - I'm dreading it. But here's a look from last week - my teammate came with me and we had good reports :) 

What I'm working on: The house ... STILL. We're actually doing the landscape right now and they should be wrapping up this week - YAY! The landscape was gorgeous in it's day I'm certain, but it was A LOT and looked like a LOT of work - so I wanted to bring it back down and make it a bit simpler. More grass, less landscape beds, etc. So we're almost there. Furthermore I'm finally feeling the itch to decorate this home (sort of ). I'm honestly still kind of maxed out from the renovation, so I simply have just avoided all things decor focused (which is usually my favorite part). But, last Friday I had a little itch to decorate a wall, so I climbed Shane's shoulders (really though) and finished a gallery wall. :) yay! I hope to share some photos soon.

What I'm excited about: This weekend! It's our anniversary and the Bengals opening home game of the season - and let's be honest football season in general. I live for a good tailgate, fun watch party with all the dips, all of it. Mister Bennett's first soccer game of the season is this weekend too! So much fun packed into a couple of short days! The boys are excited it's football season too - they headed to Indy last weekend to watch their Cards bring home the W over Purdue. 

What I'm watching/reading: Game of Thrones. I did it. I jumped on the band wagon. And I'm binging it. I'll be honest, it's not as great as I was hoping. I really really like it and I'm going to keep watching - but for all of the hype I am a teensy tiny bit disappointed. However - I'm super into the Mother of the Dragons! Haha! I think she's so great.

What I'm listening to: I'm listening to China Rich Girlfriend on audible and Trolls. Will my kids EVER not want to listen to Trolls? Shane came home last week and couldn't stop talking about the new T. Swift song and I'm looking at him going - Taylor Swift has a new song? HA! 

What I'm wearing: MY FALL CLOTHES. No more needs to be said. And blankets! We love snuggling under good blanket!

Mister Bennett is wearing cowboys gear and any and all other costumes because he totally loves dressing up and getting into character right now. 

Lainey is wearing nail polish  and loves to show it off to just about anyone that will look at her "fingah" and she also rocks perfectly tousled tendril curls everyday fresh out of the bathtub #hairenvy

What I'm doing this weekend: Like I said, soccer, football, anniversary celebration, Cincinnati - all great things. Trying to decide where we should make reservations Saturday. 

What I'm looking forward to next month: Ahh September, I've got a birthday coming up, our anniversary, Bennett's soccer begins, I've got some fun family sessions on the books, and I'm hoping to score some tickets to a few shows in town! I'm also going to start thinking about this little lady's count down to two celebration. We've got a while, but I've got some ideas swirling and I'm excited to host her little party. I think second birthday's are so fun because they start to really understand it's all about them. 

What else is new: That's about it really. Back to school mainly and starting into our new groove. This little guy has also grown out of nearly all of this clothes so we went last week and got his some new threads. 

And that's about it gang! Hopefully I'll see ya back here at the end of next month - same time, same place, K?

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 :)