School Shopping

When Madeline started school we started a tradition of going on a "special day" to go school shopping.  It is something we all look forward to each year!  We get to shop, eat lunch, laugh and just hang out together.  Oh, and we ALWAYS take lots of photos. 

Thomas enjoying his first Icee and silly straw.
He is not old enough for preschool (thankfully!) but he got to get a treat on a recent trip to Target.

Madeline is going into second grade this year.  She is excited for art class and being in the same class as her best friend.  She is a little nervous about homework.

Madeline and Mama on our lunch date.

Two goofballs.

 

 

Zella will be in first grade.  She is excited about, well, EVERYTHING.  Because Zella that is just how Zella is.  She is nervous about not having her best friends (cousin Gracie and Kiera) in her class.



Zella and Mama

Rock stars!

Violet will be in four-year-old preschool this year four mornings a week.  She is excited to see her "boyfriend" Riley almost every day.  She is nervous about being away from mama because she wants to stay with me FOREVER and never ever move away.  She had very specific instructions for our photos:

Cheers Violet!

Silly faces

Now show me angry!

"Now eat French fries!"

This summer has been a little crazy to tell you the truth.  There have been moments when I have been ready for school to start.  But now that the time is here I am going to miss them like crazy!  What a privilege and honor to get to stay at home with this four crazy kids.  Thomas and I are not going to know what to do with ourselves during our quiet mornings.  (On second thought, *I* will still be here and I'm not that quiet.  Neither is Thomas for that matter!)

Good luck girls!

Remembering Summer 2012 Part 1

Madeline got to play t-ball again this year and this time they had a few actual games.  She had a lot of fun and we all enjoyed watching her play.

Madeline

Thomas, Violet and Zella hanging out

 

 

We spent a lot of time outside playing (especially in the tree house). 

The girls also love to play tea party.

Our dog Josie is always near by in case someone drops a cookie.

Thomas loves walks with Papa.

 

 

The girls picked flowers almost every day and love to arrange them for me.



 

Zella snuggling with Thomas.

We made a  "Summer List" this year of fun things (big and small) that we wanted to do.  We almost finished the list and had a lot of fun doing it. 

More later,
Lori

At Least I'm "Famous"

Note to self: before going to vote make sure you are showered and presentable.  Besides seeing everyone you know (bonus of small town living) there may be a photographer there taking pictures for the paper.

I opened the paper to find a small, unflattering photo of myself voting.  I had to laugh when Madeline said, "Oh well, Mama.  At least you're FAMOUS."

Just Like Papa

Tonight Madeline was changing into her pj's in the living room.  She was about to pull off her tights and she announced,

"GET READY TO SEE SOME LADIES UNDERWEAR!"

I can tell you that without a doubt she gets that from Travis. 

Hilarious!

Madeline's Glasses

Miss Madeline got glasses yesterday.  She started going to K-prep every afternoon a couple weeks ago and has had a headache every day since.  We weren't suprised when she needed them.  Check her out in her new specs:

Loving her new glasses.

Side view.

Violet peeking around the corner...

Pretty, pretty.

She is excited about her "grown up" glasses case, cleaning cloth and lens cleaner spray.  She seriously would not stop cleaning her glasses.  I remember being excited about that too as a kid.

So Violet is now the only Clendenen girl in our family who doesn't wear glasses.  Any bets on when she will start?

Best Friends (And Goofballs)

There is never a dull moment with these two around...

Back to School

Miss Madeline had her first day of Kindergarten-Prep today. She was a little nervous but ended up having a great time. She will be going every afternoon and can't believe she gets to go to school every day. There are 12 kids in her class. 

Zella and I made her chocolate chip cookies for an after school snack. All in all a good day.

Add caption

I have the same picture of Zella and Madeline hugging last year.  They always miss each other when they're apart.

Some links from last year (hard to believe how little they look!):
4 Year Preschool

We're proud of you Maddie B!

Question:

Question: Why does Madeline think I'm the "Best Mom Ever"?

Answer: Because I let her take a shower in her dress.

 

Three Blessings

Violet after trying lasagna for the first time. What a mess! She was rubbing the sauce all over face. She loved the lasagna but not her bath afterwards. Too much scrubbing.

I can't believe it is only October and we've had to break out the snow boots. Twice!

Zella is going to be Minnie Mouse for Halloween. I have a hard time prying her out of it.

Madeline Goes to Preschool: Part Two

Did you miss the post with all the adorable pictures of Madeline on her first day of preschool?

Okay. Now that you're all caught up...

What did Zella, Violet and I do while Madeline was gone?

Zella and Violet took naps and I actually had an hour of alone time!!!!! (I don't think that has happened since Violet was born). Because I've already had three people e-mail to ask, I'll have you know I spent 30 minutes watching a TV show I had recorded, and 30 minutes cleaning. But hey, I enjoyed the cleaning because the house was quiet and I got a lot done.

When Zella woke up we made chocolate chip cookies for an after school snack. Zella's favorite part was licking the beaters. We missed Madeline but will find fun things to do while she is at school.

Mama and Zella.

Zella was such a big helper!

Her favorite part.

Miss Violet, watching the fun from her high chair.

Madeline Goes to Preschool

Miss Madeline had her first day of 4-year-old preschool on Monday. She went to preschool last year (two days a week) so this year was a little easier during drop off. My sister Karen watched Zella and Violet for me so I could take Madeline to school. She is in the afternoon session (12:15 - 3:15 Monday, Wednesday, Friday). We took pictures in front of her tree before we left.

She kept yelling "pink flowers" so it was hard to get one of her smiling.

Showing off her backpack.

"Sisters Forever!" (Yes, they were actually yelling that.)

Zella said to Madeline, "I'm going to miss you!"

My three best girls.

Mama and Maddie.

Walking in the doors.

Her locker. She was too excited to pose...had to look around.

Madeline and her teacher Mrs. Sue.

When I left she was cutting with fancy scissors. This year she didn't ask me to stay. She was already having too much fun!

Travis picked her up and then took her to the coffee shop. She was pretty excited. She came running when she got home but didn't tell me much about her day.

Me: Madeline, what did you do in school today?

Her: I don't remember.

Me: (laughing)

Her: I'm not kidding. I really don't remember.

Her favorite part was handing out snacks (we made fresh blueberry muffins) and recess. They also read a book about a puppy going to school but she made a point to tell me it was only pretend and puppies aren't actually allowed in school.

She is so grown up and we are very proud of her!

Stay tuned for pics of what Zella and I did while Madeline was in school.

(Did I really just say "stay tuned"? Seriously? Anyway, STAY TUNED because you won't want to miss it. Or maybe you will. Whatever.)