The day before Kindergarten...

Today we had a special day, as it was the last day before Maylee starts school. I had decided I would take Maylee and Ella to the American Girl store for lunch. GG happened to be in town, so she was able to join us, which made it extra special! The girls loved every minute. We did have a funny moment where Kit was decapitated, yep her head just came off. I tried to fixed it as fast as I could not to traumatize any of the other little girls in the store!

Another funny thing...the other day we were in the car and talking about school starting and I told Maylee, "you are about to start the beginning of a long journey". She was puzzled so I told her that after Kindergarten she would go to 1st, 2nd and so on through high school. Then I told her after high school she would go off to college for 4 years. I could see fear cover her face, and she said "I don't want to move off", so I told her she could live with us and go to college, but promised her that she would want to move to college. She seemed a little less worried, but then told me she just wouldn't go to high school or college!!! Boy does she have that wrong! But it was funny.
Leigh Anne

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Daddy's way...

So we have had a little problem with Hadley lately...she refuses to keep her diaper on. NIGHTMARE for carpet, right!!???!!! So daddy had a solution tonight. Yes that is my baby with duck tape on her diaper. Note, this was his second attempt, she tore right through his first! What a little mess!!!
Leigh Anne

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Back to school haircuts..

So we made a trip to one of the girls' favorite places yesterday...Sweet and Sassy. Maylee has wanted short hair for a long time, so we cut a lot off. Ella got a good cut and Hadley had her first.

I wasn't sure how Hadley would react, so I came armed with plenty of M&M's. At Sweet & Sassy they always get to pick a lollipop after the haircut, but I went ahead and let Hadley have hers right off away. It was so funny when they put her in the chair she had the sucker in her mouth (they have a really long stick). When the put the drape around her, she didn't realize she could use her hands to hold the lollipop stick, so she sat there the whole time with that stick sticking straight out. It was so stink'en cute! When they were finished, she didn't have much of that sucker left!

Heavy Heart....

There is a family, whom I have never met, but have many friends who know this dear couple.  They lost their precious little 18 month old boy named Walker yesterday to a rare type of cancer.  They fought hard for a year.  By reading their story on their Caring Bridge page http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/walkerrainey you can see they have they fought with grace and faith, that one could only hope to have during a trail of this kind.  I know a majority of you reading this are mothers whose hearts go out them as well. So I just ask for prayers to uplift this family during this tragic time and their road ahead.

A little of what we have been up to...

Seems like this summer has just flown by, but then it always feels that way. We have been pretty busy...I keep waiting for things to slow down, but I think I have come to except that "slowing down" isn't going to happen. We have two weeks from today before Maylee starts kindergarten, so we are trying to take advantage of our remaining summer days. Here are some of the things we have been up to:

I took Ella to see the Pinkalicious musical while Maylee was at cheer camp.

Maylee and her sweet cheer camp coach.  Maylee had so much fun...the girl really has some spirit!!

This is Hadley making Maylee rub her feet while they watch tv!

We had a super fun trip with all our cousins and aunts to the aquarium.  Check out the shark behind them!

All the cousins and friends (Dylan sat this pic out).

This past weekend we had our annual Aggie Reunion in College Station.  Look at all the kids!  That is even missing 5 from the whole group.  I love how Maylee and Ella ended up with the 10 week old!

Sweet sisters.

A worn out toddler.

Hadley getting into my make-up and thinking mascara was lip gloss!  Me cleaning up the mess of course!

Bet if you try it, you'll never go back...

that is to the store bought granola! I found this recipe in an article about what is better homemade vs. store bought, and this is a winner, if I do say!

Granola

3 cup rolled oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashews
3/4 cup sweetened coconut
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup + 2 TBS dark brown sugar
1/4 cup + 2 TBS maple syrup
1/4 cup oil
3/4 tsp salt

Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix sugar, syrup, oil, and salt. Pour over dry mixture, and mix. Bake at 250 for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. (Can wait to a raisins until after cook time, they will just be softer, I personally liked them baked)
Leigh Anne

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Back in the Saddle again....

Yes! This is my baby up on a horse all by herself! Made me really nervous when I first saw this, but Maylee has started riding lessons this week. Today was her second lesson and she is loving it. She tells me what you have to say to make the horse go and stop. They rode for the first hour, and then they learn how to care for the horses. Think this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Oh and I had to include a picture of the duck. Tuesday, both Ella and Hadley were chasing it. It was really funny to see Hadley directly behind it chasing it, because they were both running with the same waddle, and Hadley's arms were even kind of flapping around like the duck's (unintentionally of course). If I can get a picture of that, I'll be sure to post it!

Leigh Anne

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