The Demo Derby

Towards the end of our summer, I got to experience my first demo derby! Chris had suggested that we go and I was a little hesitant, but we did end up going and we had a lot of fun! I have to admit...I kinda liked watching people run into each other on purpose. The girls called it "bumper cars", which I thought was most appropriate!

It was a good excuse to eat candy and pop!

and to see family and friends.. we met up with Shannon and Jill there too!

I think the girls had a lot of fun....or, at least Brooke did.

okay...and Mommy too! What good fun and a new memory for us.... maybe it will become a new family tradition!

First Day of School

I can't believe I'm just now posting this considering the first days of school were LAST week...but that's how life goes!

Summer is officially over and school has begun. Back to routine bedtimes, homework, school activities, schedules and so much more that comes along with it! I still have a few more things to share about our summer...but that is to come in another post.

Maddie started 2nd grade this year on Monday (of last week). She was pretty excited to go to school...but some of that was from the fact that she had been going to Summer Jam for several weeks prior to give her a little extra boost into 2nd grade! Her first day went very smoothly, except for the fact that Ashlyn was pretty bummed that she wasn't starting that day too! She's been talking about being in Kindergarten since the moment she finished her last day at preschool. She was sooooo excited to ride the bus and to go to school with her big sister and to be at school for the WHOLE DAY! However, Ashlyn's first day wasn't until Wednesday (still of last week). The school decided to ease the kindergartners into school by setting up individual parent/teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday so that the kids and their parents could meet their teachers and see their classrooms BEFORE their first day.

I did the bad mom thing this year as I accidently scheduled an eye appointment in the middle of August and it ended up being right on Ashlyn's first day of school. So....here is the photo of Ashlyn's ACTUAL first day of school....opening the door to the school since Chris and I had to take her to school instead of her riding the bus the first day. (sorry about the bad quality...we only had Chris' cell phone with us that day!)

And...here is her first day of riding the bus! Every mom has to have that picture of their baby getting on the bus for the first time!

So now I have two babies...and yes, they are still my babies... in school!

Maddie's Post

So, Maddie is sitting here beside me watching my post on my new blog...Cooking with the Johnson's! I am enjoying this blog...you should check it out if you haven't already! I share my weekly menus and new recipes we are trying...it's a bunch of fun!

Anyways, so Maddie asks me "mom, can I post something today...something about our family"! I mean, what do you say! "Of course you can!"

I seceretly grinned thinking.... 'is my baby going to be a blogger like me'... aweseome!

So, here is is... Maddie's post... Maddie is the writer... Mommy is the typer!

"My family is nice...and so are my sister's...well, sometimes. We do sometimes fight. We just took pictures together...me and my family....I am really ready to see them. I am excited to go back to school tomorrow...I'm ready to see all my friends...and my teacher...I'm glad Ashlyn gets to go to school with me this year too. But, I'm sad that I won't see the daycare kids tomorrow...and Zoey...I'm going to miss her....she goes to a different school now. I am happy that we get to go to the pool today...we should be getting ready for church mom!

So, that is it...I mean, we really should be getting ready for churh...right?

PS. I have to tell you that I have the BEST husband... I am kinda laughing right now as I sit here, trying to catch up on my blogging and my dear husband is trying to get the kids ready for church...he's dressing three girls....and Ashlyn is pinning to wear a silly "dress up" dress (I think it is actually an old halloween princess outfit). I'm wondering what they will look like when they make it out here to the living room. I keep hearing " no, not that... can't you just find something that isn't so short"...OH ASHLYN! And, now Brooke has made it out here.... in a diaper, her Dora sandals, and a necklace! Chris says to me "isn't she fashionable....she says she's ready to go to church"... HA, yeah right!

Now they are eating some cheese...BROOKE LOVES CHEESE! But, I am getting a lecture about cheese...Chris is NOT happy that I bought Aldi cheese....he says "Kraft is the only cheese that is edible...Kraft is the only way to go." Whatever....

So...I really an going to go now...gotta go get ready for church!

every girls' dream

Every girls' dream is to be a bride... and my three girls aren't any different!

We attended a wedding last Saturday and I snapped this shot of my girls during Krissy and Mick's first dance!

I am a Blogging Nut!

So I have started yet another blog...

one for the Daycare! It is http://www.johnsonsfamilydaycare.blogspot.com/

We have fun things planned and we want everyone (especially parents of our kids) to know about what we are doing each day.

So, check it out and add it to your blog list...it will be a fun and exciting site. Plus we will share recipes, games, songs, and different activites we are doing...so it may be a great site for all you moms who need ideas of fun things to do with your kids. (I know I am having fun learning all this stuff...there is so much out there...so many different little crafts, activities, supplies that can be made at home, etc....and we want to share it!)

Keep praying for us as we still need to fill some spots in our daycare and for our transition into our new roles as child care providers. I have to say, the first three days have gone really well.... and we anticipate it to get even better!

ready for tomorrow...check

so here it is...my last evening before I "go back to work"...

well, technically anyways...

I am SO VERY THANKFUL that Mindy is doing this with me...to help share the load and to have some adult interaction throughout the day!

Up until now I have been planning and preparing...and stressing for this day to get here...and here it is - looking me right in the face!

am I ready? is my house and family and attitude prepared? well...let's think about it...

~daycare insection complete....check
~childcare classes taken and observations done...check
~temporary permit in hand...check
~CPR and first aid certified...check
~fabric in the playroom sprayed with fire retardant spray...check
~children paperwork in place and completed...check
~outside play area ready to go...check
~menus planned and groceries bought...check
~toys organized and in their place....check
~house clean and organized....check (barely - thanks to my dear husband, who threw it into gear ~today when we got home from the lake ...whew!)

so, let's see...I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be! Wish us LUCK!