First day of preschool! 2012

Kirsten is in the school district preschool again this year. She is still at the same elementary school but with a new teacher (who I like twice as much as her teacher last year). Kirsten is soo excited about school this year and begged me all summer long to go back. When I told her it was time to get ready this morning she said "oh thank you mom! I love you mom! You are soooo nice!" We decided to celebrate the big day with lunch at McDonald's before heading to school. Kirsten was very shy so Audrey and I walked with her class to their room. She had a great day at school but was so disappointed she didn't get to color anything, oh to be 4. She looked adorable and I'm excited for her new school year to begin. I hate having her gone during the day (and having to be on a schedule), but I know she loves it and I love seeing her grow, learn, and develop throughout the year. (PS Audrey did not come home and take a nap...we are 0 for 1)

Someone photoshop the smiles in these two pictures please!

Parfaits, the girls favorite meal ever!

 

New teacher!

She loves to pull a silly face!

I asked her to "smile like a princess" so she did

How to properly celebrate whilst alone in London

Step 1. Have something to celebrate

(my new job is officially set to start next week)

Step 2. Tell my beautiful wife about it over the phone and dream of her smiling

:)

Step 3. Walk by yourself to dinner trying not to jump and cheer!

*restrain*

Step 4. Find a restaurant with the potential fir some decent food amongst the bland flavors of London

This is harder than you think!!!!

Step 5. Order a drink that you miss. Mt Dew wasnt available...

Step 6.  Order the first Appetizer on the list

Step 6. Order a pizza i wouldn't order around Dynelle cause it has beets on it

Step 7. Wait for food and read Harry Potter...

Book 6

Step 8. Rinse and Repeat.

Sunday London Walk

So today I woke up early (8:00) and went to church in downtown London right next to Hyde Park.  The ward was very friendly and I enjoyed the services.  Afterwards I took the opportunity to walk the 5 miles from church back to the house, passing all the sites I needed to take in while in London.  I went to Trafalgar Square where there were preparations for the Paralympics coming up.  I grabbed a bite to eat at a wonderful Italian Restaurant on the corner.  I then Headed south passing some guards not only standing but the ones on horses? (Really?)  The pinnacle of the trip was to see Westminster Abby, the place my Mom had recommended me to see the moment she heard I was in London.  She remembered a specific statue inside and wanted me to take a picture.  To my disappointment.... It was closed for Religious Services.  I then walked next door  to see the House of Lords and followed the river bank back up to my hotel.  Passing Big Ben (Which apparently is the clock, not the tower), Eye of London, and quite a few other amazing estates and gardens.  It was a fun 5 mile trek back from church!

Sorry the pictures are not in any order...

RAIN

The other day we got some serious (serious) rain! It was raining when we woke up and didn't stop until the later afternoon (it was amazing!). We were planning to get out and run errands but we decided to stay in make pancakes and enjoy a quiet morning. Audrey decided she wanted to go play in the rain but by the time we had jackets, boots, and an umbrella she was crying and opted to stay inside and read books with mom. Kirsten on the other hand had a blast out in the rain. She was soaked before long. Then I saw the gutters full of water in the front of the house and told Kirsten she could go puddle jumping. It took Audrey about 30 seconds to decide she wanted to be out jumping in puddles too. Loved the rain and cool weather that followed. We are very anxious for fall now!

Random

How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Winnie the Pooh

So Kirk is in London,

Audrey is sick

The baby has sucked me dry of patience

And we are going to stir crazy here at home.

But my kitchen is clean so it could be worse right?

It's always really hard to say goodbye to Kirk, especially for so long. We adore him and its not nearly as fun (or functional) at our house without him. Friday night we wanted to go do something fun but could tell Audrey was coming down with something and didn't want to go anywhere public. We threw around a few ideas but ultimately decided to pick up dinner and watch movies at home. Have you taken a pregnant lady out to "pick up dinner"? Kirk has. It took us an hour and we made 4 stops. Ha ha, it was so fun...and yummy!(jimmy johns for the adults, parfaits and fry's for the girls, turtle pecan blizzard, and Alvin and the chipmunks and fishing in Yemin)

We finished our coat closet/mini mud room. I think it turned out swell.

Audrey has been sick enough to keep us at home, but not sick enough to sleep all day. Just sick enough to whine and cry over everylittlething...oh my we have had some very long days. But she sure is sweet when she sleeps!

Kirsten has been her usual perky happy little self. She went to a cute "back to school" tea party today. She had so much fun. She picked out what to wear, we curled her hair like a princess, and I even put some mascara and lip gloss on her. She looked gorgeous...she kind of took my breath away. How is she so beautiful and grown up already?! And heaven help us in about 10 years. Maybe Kirk needs a gun after all!

LOVE Kirsten's smile in this picture

And you know she is absolutely Kirk's daughter because when I asked her to put away the blocks (from the living room to the playroom) she put 5 blocks under each foot and "walked" them to the playroom. Seriously only Kirk's child...

Downtown London

Some sights from downtown London around my hotel.

My flights were good, I actually slept! So this trip might break my pattern of bad luck