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Hayley turns 8!!!

Back in September, our little girl turned 8-years old. Where has the time gone?? Seems like only yesterday I was planning her 1st birthday party. If the next 8 years go by as fast as the last 8 have....OH MY!!! I will have a 16-year-old before I know it...and I am not quite ready for that!!

Here are a few pictures from her birthday party we had for her. Unfortunately, the batteries died on my camera and so far these are the only pictures I have from that day!! Enjoy!!

The case of the missing tooth...

Brayden had an exciting day at school today....he LOST his tooth, literally, 2 ways....out of his mouth as well as on the classroom floor. Oh my, he was so excited that he lost his tooth and was he ever reassured once I said that Daddy texted the Tooth Fairy and she will still be making an appearance even though she will not have a tooth to remove from his bedside table (gotta love technology...who would have every thought 20 years ago that we would be texting the Tooth Fairy??). I actually think I am more disappointed than he is for not have an "actual" tooth since I have kept all of Hayley's since they fell out...and wanted to do the same for him. Oh well, maybe next time.....

(picture to be inserted!)

Bella Balloonza

Two weekends ago...poor Bella (our white boxer puppy that we got on June 3rd...but that's another post I should write) was digging in the back yard. Scott saw that she was digging lots of holes out by his shed, so he took some leftover vinyl fencing we had...and put it up around the area she was digging to stop this bad habit. About 30 minutes later, Hayley says to me, "Mom, what is all over Bella's belly?" Me: "Oh, honey, she was out digging so it is probably dirt." Hayley: "No Mom, they are red bumps. " With this, I go to investigate...and low and behold she was covered in hives. Then I look at her face and the whole right side of her face is swollen and red.....this dog is having an allergic reaction to SOMETHING!! More than likely she had dug up a bees nest in the ground...

I immediately gave her Benadryl and had her go in her crate to "rest". About an hour went by, and the swelling on her face just got worse!! I contacted our vet and left a message. I then started looking for the closest Emergency Vet....all the while thinking in my head, "Our first trip to and ED is going to be with our dog!!!"...Our wonderful vet called me back within 10 minutes. I explained to her what I thought had occurred. She advised me to give her another tsp. of Benadryl and call her in an hour with an update. If she wasn't any better, she would meet me at the office and give her an injection of prednisone. I did just that...and about 1 1/2 hours later...the swelling FINALLY subsided and she was back to looking like our cute little puppy again.

Bella all blown up!!

All cute again!!!

And so it begins.....

So, summer vacation has ended and another school year has started. Tuesday, August 30th was Hayley's first day of 2nd grade and Brayden's first day of Kindergarten!! Amazing!! Both of the kiddos picked out their own clothes the night before (neither of them seeing what the other picked out). Well this morning when they got dressed I noticed that they coordinated!! How CUTE!!!



Mom and I were there to send them on their way...and surprisingly, there were no tears....from ANY of us!!!!





Not exactly looking thrilled :0)


The old pro!

Like I said, Brayden has started Kindergarten and this year the school district implemented an ALL DAY program, I myself am very excited about this as it gives me time to "myself" on Thursday afternoons when I am not working...as well as gives my Mom aka Nanny a break as well...heck she is even going to get Tuesdays and Thursdays off since she won't have my other two nieces that day. As she was walking both Hayley and Brayden to the bus stop this morning both kids told her, " Well, Nanny, since you don't have us at all today....you are not going to have ANYTHING to do!!". I am sure she will find plenty to do on her "days off"...maybe take a much needed break and enjoy being by herself (hopefully, for the sake of my Dad's wallet) she doesn't end up shopping the time away...but if that is what she wants to do with her time so be it!!

Ok..back to the first day of school. Once I got home from work, they didn't really have much to say; however, they did both tell me they were going to go back tomorrow!! YIPPEE!! What I got outta Hayley is, that they got new bathrooms (yeah, I forgot to mention that the school was renovated this summer...and is actually still under construction)...funny that this is the most memorable happening that Hayley felt compelled to tell me about her day!

Brayden enjoyed eating lunch at the cafeteria but did tell me that he wasn't very fond of the corn! Ha! Hayley is also excited because this year they have an Agenda notebook that they need to write their homework assignments in as well as important information that Moms and Dads need to review. Gosh, my babies are growing up...It feels like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with Hayley and trying to figure out our boy and girl names. It really does just fly by in a blink of an eye! And you wonder why I cannot update my blog more often! LOL

Hayley's 4th Dance Recital

This weekend was Hayley's Dance Recital. This is her 4th year dancing with The Dance Academy. She took Ballet I, Tap II, and Hula I this year as well as danced in the Daddy/Daughter dance to Little Miss Magic with her Daddy.

Hayley LOVES to dance and really enjoys being onstage. Although it is a hectic week with black rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and the actual recital...it is all worth it to see that smile on her face!


Hayley & I

Scott & Hayley

Hayley ready for Hula

Lil Tapper




Little Bunny

The production this year was Sleeping Beauty. Hayley was one of the little bunnies in the forest.

Now to enjoy the rest of the summer!! Can you guess what Hayley will be for Halloween this year??

Brayden's graduation

and then my little guy graduated preschool!!!



Walking down the aisle



Getting his diploma from Miss Jane



Nanny & Brayden


Grammy & Brayden


Brayden & I


Daddy & Brayden


Congratulations Brayden!! We are all very proud of you!!!

How can it be??

I sound like a broken record....but WOW it has been a LONG time since I last posted something...just about 5 months!!! Just CRAZY I tell ya!!

Well, tomorrow my BABY graduates from preschool!! Again, I don't know how this is possible since I can clearly remember the day I gave birth to him...and then staying at my parent's for two weeks...and then living with my in laws for two years...then moving into our new house...him FINALLY sleeping through the night {at 18 months ughhhh}...turning 2...starting preschool...then turning 3...turning 4....then 5....it just all goes by way too fast!!

His kindergarten registration did not go by the book that is for sure! He is a shy guy..and didn't want to talk to the kindergarten teachers...then his Daddy accidentally scratched him on the face while we were waiting to get tested...and it all went down hill from there. He cried and cried and was soooo upset. Registrations was just not going to happen that day. He had no interest in going to the "new school"..he wanted to go to his "old school". Scott looks at me as we were exiting the school, "So, now what are we going to do?". Me: "Well, you could always home school him". Scott: "Not happening!!"

Luckily about 3 weeks later, the school had a day where the upcoming Kindergartners could spend the day at school...and he LOVED it. He did so well...and what a difference a few weeks makes, cause he is now REALLY excited to go to school!! CLASS of 2024!!! Unbelievable!!

So, my little boy graduates preschool tomorrow....and I just don't know how this is possible......

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