What Happens When Shayla Doesn't Finish Her Lunch

First Day of School

Yea, that's right, that's Shayla walking into school.  How did this happen?

She knows how to line up with her class, and to follow directions. 

She gave me a big hug and kiss good-bye, like she's all grown up and doesn't need me anymore.

She looks so excited to be here at school.

Cambree will miss her.

Cambree got in the car after dropping her off and said, "Uh, Oh, Mommy, Where's Shay-a?"

She is so proud of her backpack (wasn't it just yesterday when she called it a packpack?)

I guess she's ready for school, but is school ready for her?

What a little sweetheart!

Really, how did this all happen so fast?

Wasn't THIS yesterday?

revenge

My thinks-she's-oh-so-clever, older sister recently 'hijacked' my blog. Little does she remember that I set up her blog, I designed her blog, I've even changed her links on the sidebar of her blog. So here's a little warning of what's to come:

I actually think I'm done, but I couldn't resist getting a little revenge against the Dread Pirate Roberts...but you never know...I could return at any moment...

Shayla's 5!!!

Shayla turned five and I'm still crying.  She had an exciting celebration in Chicago and Utah.  It started the night before by having a birthday dinner at Ed Debevic's.  We all had a fun time, and good food.

The morning of her birthday was in Chicago.  She is so proud to be five.

For breakfast she had German pancakes with candles!

Time for presents then we have to catch a plane to go back home.

There was a surprise waiting at home, and we couldn't get in the garage.  Shayla took no time in helping out.

The favorite birthday surprise.

 A quick trip to the store got Shayla another candle to blow out at home.

Happy Birthday, Shayla!  

We love you and are so happy to have you in our family!

My Kind of Town

First Things First

First things first, you must go downtown Naperville and feed the ducks!

Kiss a few frogs

And make some major changes

That's right, Shayla cut her hair off.  I just wanted her to trim it, but she had other ideas.

She donated her pony tail to locks of love.  Mom cried as we sad good-bye to her hair.

With such cute hair styles we must go out on the town.

So we took off to the museums to ride tractors...

and cows....

drive boats.....

behave as clowns.......

watch dolphin shows at the zoo.....

see the monkeys.... (Cambree didn't like the smell)

and go to the aquarium.

We had a blast!

The Drive

Ever want to put two small children in a car for three days and drive across country?  You should try it, it really isn't so bad (thanks to portable dvd players).  We had a great trip and the girls did really pretty good.  Cambree had some screaming fits when it was time to take a nap, but those were more hilarious than bothersome.

She eventually fell asleep

It always helps to stop and get ice cream cones at Little America

Get out and stretch your legs once in a while, too

Plus sleeping in a hotel is the best!

We of course went swimming at the hotels and had a great visit with my girlfriend, Jen Downs and her boys in Des Moines.  Why I didn't take any pictures with her is beyond me.  I guess I'm going to have to make the trek again and take my camera with me next time.  Anyone is welcome to come along.