Where has the month gone?

My goodness....September is flying! School is off to an okay start...for all of us...Sydni has struggled with the transition; we are thankful for a great teacher, Ms. Karen, and Ms. Marci, the 1st grade coordinator! She is doing much better...Paul and Rosie LOVE school and are doing really well...although Ms. Rosie is beginning to get really comfortable and show her true blue feisty self. Thank goodness we have known Ms. Tracy, her teacher, for a long time!:-) Ashleigh tests with FWISD next Monday for (hopefully) placement in the PPCD program. Don't know how long we'll have to wait to find out results but....we're making progress. She really wants to go to school since her brother and sisters are...but I've sure enjoyed our one-on-one time!!

So our biggest news lately is that Sydni is now the proud "mother" of a miniature paint horse named Rocky. He is absolutely adorable...I have certainly fallen head over heels for him!! We got him last week so Sydni gets home, gets homework done, and then heads to the stables. Leigh usually picks her up on her way home. I tell you it's been a great equilizer when it comes to discipline and motivation!!

First Grade

Well, we've survived two days of school. Sydni is just not happy because (1) she misses her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Laura, (2) she didn't get the first grade teacher she wanted (although we really like her teacher, Ms. Karen...and Sydni does too...it's just taking her time to adjust, (3) none of her friends are in her class and (4) school goes longer and there's not as much outdoor time as last year. Big change from kindergarten and anyone who knows Sydni knows how difficult that is for her. Ah...the tough lessons of life! I'm hoping tomorrow morning goes better...this morning we woke up to tears and a determined, "I'm not going to school...I hate it!" We got to see Ms. Laura after school so hopefully that will help some. I think this part of parenting is harder than staying home with 3 toddlers!

Paul and Rosie start PEP next week...9/1...Paul M-F; Rosie M, W, F, so I'll just have Ashleigh at home. Not sure how she's gonna like that although it will be good for us to have some one-on-one time. She gets evaluated by FWISD on 9/28 and hopefully will be admitted to PPCD after that. Am gonna try to pickup some after school care work to supplement our income. I just dont' see how I can go back to work just yet...not until they're all in school....but I don't really want to go back then so hopefully we'll win the lottery and all will be well!!:-) I think I'll just work on living in the moment:-)

Back-to-school swim party

It is hard to believe school starts Monday! We enjoyed one last big hurrah at the pool on Thursday. We had such a great time and I'm really going to miss our weekly play dates. We have made some amazing memories this summer with Trish, Stacy, Tina, Wren, Jeni, Robert and Sarah...and all the kids that go with them!!:-) What would we do without our tribe and village???:-) We made Pat and Janna a big "thank you" sign with lots of pictures from our summer fun attached to it! They have been soooo gracious this summer. After we got home, Daisy came to visit and drop off Ashleigh's birthday present...Leigh got home early...she had a doctor's appointment...then Sydni went to the stables wtih Cindy and Samantha. Busy, busy day. Ashleigh is feeling a little bit better but she, Leigh and I were up from about 1:00 am to 3:30 am...something's gotta give soon....am also very secure in knowing that Spirit has it all under control...not necessarily worry or stress free or even happy about it but....secure nonetheless!!

Happy Birthday, Ashleigh!

Had a nice little family gathering for Ashleigh's birthday. Can't believe she's three! Looking forward to the "big" party on Saturday! I think....lot's to do to get ready between how and then!

Tuesday...

Ah...back a bit ago from a drive to Granbury to look at a horse. Not sure how that's all going to pan out. It was actually a nice day...kids were really good....love getting out of the city....will leave in about an hour to go to Sydni's school orientation. I just can't believe she's going to be in first grade. She put on her new high top Sketchers and said, "I think I've grown!" She is very excited...but also nervous...complaining again of stomach aches. She is sooooo my daughter...I remember having a lot of tummy aches at her age! Will chat more later and add pics from Ashleigh's little family birthday last night.

The weekend...

Ah...it's Sunday evening. Leigh and Sydni are out at the stables. The 3 little ones are down...so it is quiet in the house. I needed it to be. It's been a hard weekend...my fuse has been short...and that tends to lead to guilt cause I'm certainly not modeling the kind of behavior I want to see from my kids!!:-) We all just seem to be on edge for some reason. Thank goodness they're so forgiving.....am going to work this week on breathing...and letting go.....

Friday night mommy date didn't work out...but that's okay...I'd been up since 3:30 so I was pretty tired. Samantha spent the night with Sydni. Saturday was up and at Kroger by 5 am then took van in for oil change. Home by 9 and Leigh, Sydni, Samantha and Mickey went to a horse show that some of the Trinity Farm riders were in. Leigh and Sydni went to her Daisy Scout meeting at 3 then back to the stables to help with a birthday party. Church today...it was good and meaningful...voting on David staying around (YEAH!!!) on 8/30. So excited about that!!! Leigh and Paul had a date this afternoon...movie...Rosie and Ash napped; Sydni and I watched a movie. Didn't nap...am just having a hard time relaxing right now...

Have a lot coming up this week. Ashleigh turns 3 tomorrow....that is so hard to believe. Will celebrate with the "immediate" family tomorrow and then big birthday party on Saturday. Orientation on Tuesday at Sydni's school. Aiden on Wednesday. Back to school swim party on Thursday. Friday...clean, clean, clean...and get whatever I've forgotten...for Ashleigh's party.

Today was good...

Had a great time swimming today; spent 4 hours at the pool. Will post pics when I find batteries for my camera! Sydni went with her friend Samantha and her mom to the stables this afternoon...she and Leigh just got home about 8:30. That girl would live out there if we would let her! Am sad I don't get to go to my nephew's wedding in Roswell this weekend. I knew I couldn't make the trip..10 hours driving...4 kids..one adult...you do the math... but am really bummed that my family will be there without me. We haven't all been together in one place in 14 years or so. Okay...let it go....tomorrow...grocery shopping...pay bills....looking forward to a mommy night out. Think Leigh is heading to a wine tasting in Grapevine...Daddy is coming over to hang out with the kids a bit. Kids were a bit more tame today! That water is an amazing thing.