Grins, Giggles & Chaos!

A few post back, I blogged about surprising miss priss with a birthday trip to NYC. If you missed it, you can read about it  here.  We left Thursday, the 5th, and got home on the 9th. We had the best time. Here is a little video of her finding out about her surprise. {on the way to the airport}  She was totally surprised!  I will post more about our trip tomorrow! 

I can't believe the first week of school is over, and we are starting on the second week. Woohoo! I am happy to report that Rylee LOVES her new school. I was a little worried about the transition from public school to private school, but she has done great. She is excited to go, and brags about how much she loves it. SO happy! Have y'all started back to school? If so, how was it?  I hope this year is wonderful for all. 

It's definitely fall here in NWA.

It's no secret that this little priss is a picky eater.  I mean, all she wants is peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, and chicken. Seriously! I've never made a big deal about her eating her veggies, or whatever it may be. I just don't feel the need to force a child to eat something they don't want to. Why fight about food? I know some people who punish their kids for not eating whatever food is offered. { hello, eating disorder in the making }  I just don't believe in that. There comes a time when you have to pick and choose your battles. I really don't want my kids thinking if they don't eat something, they will be punished.  Fighting over food just becomes a power struggle, and one that, IMO, has potential damaging consequences.  "Encouraging" is different than forcing. If you provide a healthy variety and eat the foods yourself, most kids will want to  try what you are eating.  I mean, as adults, you know what you like, and you sure d...

I am super behind on blogging, but I will go ahead and get this weekend out of the way. ;) Friday night, we headed to Fayetteville to do a little shopping. My girls were in such need for some fall clothes. After spending the whole evening at the mall, and various stores, we came home with 4 shirts from the GAP, an outfit from Dillard's, and that's it! I couldn't find them anything. UGH! So disappointed. I guess I will have to do some on-line shopping this week. Saturday, we didn't do much. I went to the grocery store, and that was about it. Boring, I know.  Today, I took Rylee on a lunch date. . . . . to see The Lion King .  I can't believe it's back at the theater. I was a little skeptical because it IS a little scary, but she LOVED it! {and so did I} Sorry I didn't get any photos! It's been pouring here all weekend, so the camera was the last thing on my mind. ;) . . . . and speaking of on-line shopping. Look what I just ordered the girls. LOVE! ...

Rylee had her tonsils out on Friday, and we survived. I was a total wreck before the surgery. . . . I maybe got 2 hrs of sleep  the night before. NOT good. I was so nervous. I got up at 4:30 Friday morning, got ready, woke Kasey and Rylee up, and out the door we went. I was sick to my stomach the short drive to the hospital. Rylee, didn't seem nervous at all. It took everything I had not to burst into tears. NOT a good morning for me. We checked in, changed Rylee into her hospital gown, and waited. In my opinion, NO reason to be there 2 hours early. For the first hour, we watched tv. {which, sitting around made my nerves worse} Finally the nurse came in to get us. They let us go down the the OR with Rylee. We waited in the little holding area, and the anesthesiologist came to talk to us..... after her chat, she asked if I had any questions. UGH, ME? of course I did. I had a million questions, but decided that I wasn't going to ask all of them, simply because I was already ner...

I will be the first to admit, I like nice things. I want my children to have the best of everything - including the opportunity to attend the best schools. Since the moment Rylee was born, I've thought about the day she would start kindergarten. I just knew she would attend private school, and a great one at that. So, when the time came to enroll her in kindergarten, I did just that. I enrolled her in a private school that I loved. I was excited & looked forward to the first day of school. The closer it got to the new school year, I began to talk to different people about schools. Not only did I speak to moms, but a lot of teachers as well. Believe me, they all had opinions about the schools around here- both public and private. The more and more I discussed it, the more I was unsure about my decision to have Rylee attend private school. For two months, I prayed and prayed. I toured several public schools and one day I did it - I called the private school, withdrew Ry, and en...

While in Dallas, Rylee had her first successful visit to the dentist. :) We tried this once before and she freaked out. So, we've been trying to get her to go ever sense. This time around, she was excited to go. We went to see "Dr. David"....my sister in law works for him, so she decided that she wanted to see him. Perfect! She did so good. No crying and she did everything Chelsea asked her to do. And NO cavities! Woohoo! Here are a few pics of Rylee getting her teeth cleaned and a fluoride treatment. :) Until next time . . . xoxo

Happy 5th Birthday, Rylee Madison! Mommy is so proud of you. It seems just like yesterday you were this tiny baby girl & now you are a beautiful, sweet, caring & loving little girl. Boy, time flies. You are the best big sister and the sweetest daughter a mom could ask for. :) I hope you have the happiest of happy birthdays today. I love you doodlebug! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Today is also my brother, Michael's birthday! {HAPPY BIRTH DAY, Michael!}  Super special that my daughter and brother share a birthday. Tonight we had dinner with some family & friends and then we headed to my aunt's house for cake, cookies & presents. :) We had a great time!! Here are a few pictures from Rylee & Michael's birthday dinner with family and friends! Dinner! Michael & Sarah Rylee & her BFF, Emma! Michael & his cookie cake! Until next time .... xoxo

Saturday was Rylee's first dance recital and she did so good! She was so cute up on stage dancing to "Single Ladies." All the girls in her class looked so cute & did so well - we were SUPER proud of them! Way to go, Rylee! You are mommy's TINY DANCER! Here are a few pictures of the girls backstage - enjoy! {The 2 Rylee's} Rylee & Ryli   :-)                                                                               Ta-Da!                           ...