LOOK WHO'S SIX!

Fall is here, and that means, so is Adelaide's birthday! The perfect way to start off the very best quarter of the year! This girl of ours loves all things pink, sparkly, princess-y and girly. She loves asking Mercer, "Want to go party?" which means going in her room, turning off the lights, turning the music up to a level that I'm pretty sure can damage their ears and then dancing, setting up pillows on the floor to fall on and I'm pretty sure there is a decent amount of jumping on the bed. But we're not gonna talk about that last part.

   

She can be the sweetest big sister, is the best of buddies with her little brother, and is a fast friend to anyone at all. She loves school, camping, traveling and all things Barbie. Our house is constantly covered in signs, cards, and drawings, nearly all proclaiming "I love u Mom/Dad/Mercer". She is just as into fashion as she was when she started dressing herself at 2 and puts together lots of interesting outfits ;) Her latest favorite finishing touch is knee socks. With everything. 

   

She's also got an attitude that makes me absolutely crazy and a little terrified about what her teenage years will hold! Paired with a love of arguing and a need for the last word that rivals her mom's and we make quite the pair sometimes! She's not taking dance this year (her teacher retired :( but she still gets in plenty of performance time at home!

   

     

Jordan and I regularly talk about how grateful we are to have gotten the two kids that we did. Not only individually, but as a pair too. They are just the best, and seeing Adelaide take on the role of big sister so wonderfully (most of the time ;) warms my heart. For a little more about our girl at six years old, check out her birthday interview on YouTube.

Happy birthday and many, many, many more sweet Adelaide! I hope you always take on the world like the super-girl that you are!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL x2

  

We had a big back-to-school season this year with Adelaide starting Kindergarten and Mercer starting pre-school two days/week! It took both kids a little while to get used to the big changes. Adelaide was pretty nervous about the transition to elementary school, and broke my heart a little bit on one morning when she said, "I don't want to go to school, I'm not ready for Kindergarten." I wasn't so sure I was either. But, I'm so happy to report that by the second full week, she was coming home proclaiming her love for Kindergarten. I've been so impressed too with how much I can already see her learning. From nailing her sight words week after week, to writing out math problems. She even got the very first award of the year in her class, for using kind words and being kind. Proud x1,000,000!

Mercer actually did fine with his first couple of drops offs, but quickly figured out that it was going to be a regular thing and did a 180 - screaming, clinging, tears... the whole bit. It was easily one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. Prying my baby boys hands off of me and walking out the door to him screaming, "I want Mommy!" literally hurt my heart. But again, happy to report that he's now waving by to me and heading off to join his friends with a smile on his face!

   

His amazing teachers even added a couple of photos to his daily report during those rough early days. Seeing that he was smiling and having fun at school was just what I needed to get through those hard drop-offs.

Now excuse me while I go chip away at my to-do list before the kids get home and start their daily wresting match ;)

FATHER'S DAY NACHOS

With Father's Day coming up soon, I wanted to share this cute Father's Day gift idea. Of course, nachos are basically perfect as is, but you won't have to worry about this sweet version getting soggy, they are the perfect way to incorporate some always appreciated humor into gift giving, and are sure to please any sweet tooth! I'm planning on trying to get my hands on a classic red & white cardboard concession boat to deliver these to my dad!

And they don't only have to be for Father's day! You can pretty much make these to suit any occasion: "Nacho average teacher"... "Nacho average boss"... "Nacho average husband"... I think you get the drift ;)

OUR LITTLE GUY IS 2!

   

Mercer is 2 years old today! This little guy is such a happy dude... mostly ;) He loves Sesame Street and Peppa Pig, Built to Spill and Modest Mouse (to Daddy's ultimate satisfaction), raspberries, macaroni and cheese and graham crackers, "helping" me in the kitchen, camping, being outside is always preferable to inside, as is the Target in Allen with cookies vs. the paltry bananas and oranges that McKinney has  on offer :)  Cars, trucks, trains, and Adelaide's Shopkins camper are among his favorite toys, and it doesn't get much better than riding with Daddy on the motorcycle or biking with me.  He gets into absolutely ev.ery.thing! His BFF in the entire world is Adelaide and he would definitely make her top 5 at least, lol! We love you x 1,000,000 little dude and I'm looking forward to continuing to watch you grow up and sharing many more adventures with you and your big sis!