School Update!

Well, the good news is that Nora didn't pee on herself!!! But, unfortunately, there is bad news! :( When I went to pick her up at the door, her teachers said they had a small problem. And before the could say anything I looked to the right and saw Nora sitting up against the wall. I knew she was in time out. They said she seems to have a problem with sharing and hitting. I immediately started to cry. If you know Nora at all then you know she has had this aggression problem since we moved to Arkansas. It's really quite embarrassing!! She will hit and push with no hold bar!!! I felt so ridiculous for crying, but her teachers were really nice about it. They said she probably get better as she gets used to their schedule and all the kids. This is her first time at school so lets hope they are right!!

The biggest reason it's so embarrassing when your child is the bully is because it feels like it's a reflection of you. I have a fear that people think I just yell and push and shove my child all day and never discipline. My poor daughter is in time out at least 3 times a day and even that might be modest. Sometimes she even puts herself in time out. It's obvious that's not a very effective form of punshment! ;)

Any advice from parents that have "strong willed" children???? Help!!!!

Nora's First Day of "School"

Nora and her teachers @ at the Open House. And Nora
and her handy Dandy Backpack and Lunch box!


A Pose to see her fantastic Backpack and then Nora @Play!



OK, so It's not really school, but she has a lunch box and backpack so It's close enough for me! It's the Kids Day Out program and Springdale First Baptist Church. She goes on Thursday's form 9am-2pm. We hope to be able to do 2 days a week in the future, but there was only 1 day available when we enrolled! When I dropped her off this morning there were other kids there crying and clutching onto their mommies, but not Nora. she went through the door and Turned around, waved, and said, "bye, bye Mommy"! I mean she could at least have wiped off that huge grin on her face for a minute and pretend to miss me! ;) Seriously, I am really excited for her b/c I know she will thrive in an environment like that. She has always been so independent and I think she will probably listen to her teachers more than me. It will be a structured schedule every day, which Nora has always done well with. They will have a Bible story, craft, finger plays, songs, puppets, and other play time! Sound fun, huh?! I wish I could go!;)

Anyway, it's already been so nice to have a little bit of time to myself and to be able to give Audrey a little bit more attention other than constantly saving her from her from Nora who is constantly on top of her or in her face yelling. Poor Nora, she thinks she's playing and having fun with Audrey, but sometimes Audrey just wants to chill!! Anyway, I am excited to go pick her up to see how the day went. I just pray that Nora doesn't pee in her pants after their nap. I mean, literally said a quiet prayer this morning after I dropped her off!! OK, enough of my tangents! I'll post again on how it goes!! stay tuned....

I guess i figured out how to use the timer on my camera...so, here's a picture of Nora and I before school and I just threw one of Audrey and I for kicks!!

Grandma and Grandpa Schafer

We obviously were visiting my parents while in Utah. One of the last days we were there I got some good pictures of the girls and their grandparents. Earlier in the day we went to Temple Square in Salt Lake and we took a picture in front of the Salt Lake Temple. I have been there a million times but this time was different for some reason. My parents were married there 41 years ago. It just hit me while I was there. It was kind of neat seeing it again and thinking of my parents taking their wedding pictures on the grounds and being newlyweds!! I guess being married and starting a family of your own makes you look at things a little differently. ;)

Later that evening we went out to eat and we took some pictures of the Grandparents with their two youngest granddaughters! I just wish they lived closer. Oh well, maybe one day!!

The girls and I in front of the Salt Lake Temple. The pedestal, of course, is where many a bride has stood on their wedding day for the perfect picture!

The Stealth Roller

This past week Audrey has been getting closer and closer to rolling over. I have been trying like crazy to catch her first roll in action. Somehow, I got a picture of Nora rolling for the first time; so I was hoping to be so lucky with Audrey as well. Anyway, I spent half of Wednesday trying to get a video of her rolling over but she would never do it when I had the camera on. But throughout the day EVERY time I would lay her down on her back and go into another room, when I walked back in she would be on her belly. She did this with Wade, as well, later that evening. Wade was even blaming Nora for rolling her over when he wasn't looking! Poor Nora!

Well, we finally got a video of her rolling Wednesday evening. It may not be the very first time she rolled over, but it is probably the first time we actually viewed it! So we have dubbed her the stealth roller!

Bryce Canyon

Once we all arrived in Utah we all jumped in the car AGAIN to go to Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah! My sister's friend Tammy and 2 of her kids went with us b/c that is where her dad grew up. He is kind of a "Big Deal" down there according to her. But, the proof was in the pudding. We got discounts everywhere we went. Our cute little "cabin" motel rooms were like $30 cheaper. We got 10% discounts almost every time we ate. And we rode horses AKA mules around the canyon for only $20 unlike all those poor pathetic tourists who had to pay $40!! So thanks Tammy!! She was the name dropping queen! It was like we were related to a celebrity! But, I guess if He were a celebrity we probably would have gotten everything free.

We had a lot of fun at Bryce Canyon. But, due to chasing around a 2 year old, and a constantly hungry 4 month old, and a camera with dying batteries, I didn't quite get to take as many pictures I would have liked. Lots of hokie pictures that tourists take but none of the canyon and all the family perfectly posed in front of God's art work! :)

Ride Em' Cow girls!!

The Most scary, I mean dangerous, twosome in the Wild West!!

She fits in perfectly there doesn't she?!

Cousins getting crazy in the bathtub...they totally have a love hate relationship!

We had to take a picture of them getting along so well. I guess nakedness brings kids together!!

All the kids on a Rock, yep , just some rock in the middle of a parking lot. Tourist much!

Me and good ole Goose. That was the name of my Mule. We were kindred spirits!!

What a way to start a 3 week Vacation

Before I left on my 3 week venture out West. Wade and I and the girls went to Tulsa. I was flying out of Tulsa at 6 am so we decided to go up there the day before and got to the Zoo! Well, let me tell ya...the last place you want to be at about 2:00 pm in the Middle of July is at a Zoo! I mean I litererally had beads of sweat dropping down my back! Half of the animals weren't even out b/c it was soooooo hot! It was nice to spend some quality time with the fam, but goodness gracious alive, I thought I was gonna pass out. We ended up buying a train ticket, no not b/c the girls would enjoy it, but because we didn't want to have to walk all the way up to the front. We wanted out of that living furnace!! ;)


We then went to the local mall, bought some Orange Julius' and a couple sale items! ;) Then we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner, YUMMY!! Then of course a pre-flight trip to Target. Which, by the way, was the most fabulous Target I have ever been in! We totally had a great time, but we were a little discouraged at how much money we spent before I even got on a plane! YIKES! ;) But, life goes on...if only the checkbook did! ;)


The zoo was good for one thing...Picture's!! And here they are...

I had to resist jumping in the water with the Turtles to cool off!!

Up Close and personal!

Nothing too interesting, just a gorgeous woman holing a strickingly beautiful baby!!What's a visit to the zoo without a train ride?

Never say Never!!

Well, let me say that there are a couple things in my life that I said I would NEVER do. For instance, I said I would never scrapbook...sure enough I caught that bug! I also said I would never do one of the at home show businesses like Tupperware or Pampered Chef....then Southern Living at Home comes into my life and I give it a go. And now, I have always said I would NEVER cut my own children's hair. I mean what am I some Molly Mormon that seeks after all things domestic???? Well, apparently I am in the running for Molly of the month b/c before I left on my trip I cut Nora's hair. Seriously, does it make sense to spend $10- $15 dollars for some woman to cut a couple of strands of hair off your 2 year old daughter's head? I think not! So I protested in my own way and sat Nora right in front of Dora or whatever, cartoon would hold her attention, and went to snipping!

Over the next couple days I kept cutting a little here and there to make it "perfect". I soon had to force myself to stop before her hair was up to her ears. I am just so obsessive, I felt it just wasn't perfect. But, I got over it and accepted the haircut as it was. The last picture is the finish product! I think I did pretty good for a first timer!!

Just to Share

Well, I am finally back...and EXHAUSTED!! It's amazing how much you have to catch up on when you have been away from home for 3 weeks. I had a great time, but am happy to be at home again. The girls are too! ;)

I haven't uploaded pictures yet to post on my blog...eventually I'll get to that. But to get myself back into blogging I wanted to post a video of "So you think you can dance". It is my favorite routine and I am so sad they both got kicked off, and right before the finale. I give all credit to my sister for this obesession!! This dance is from Chelsea and Mark to the song "Bleeding Love". I LOVE IT!!! I could watch it again and again so I thought I would share!! Hope you like it too!