Riley's First Day of School

Riley started 1st grade this year which means... ALL. DAY. SCHOOL.  I am torn, on one had, what in the world will I do with all this extra alone time?!! (I love me some alone time) On the other hand is he really ready to be in school all day long? What if he needs something and there is no one following him around asking him if he needs something?!!! (it's only kind of a joke)

So anyway - this is the beginning of 1st grade...

Waffles to start the day, it's one of his favorite breakfasts.

Once again, he insisted on taking the bus on the first day so here we are waiting for the bus.

So excited to see his driver from last year.

So then I drove to the school to take more pics. I had a freak out moment because he wasn't on the playgroud anywhere and the kids were all lined up already. I started walking around and finally found him heading towards his classroom coming from the opposite school entrance. That is why I drove to the school even though he took the bus in!

Already asking his teacher a question.

His own locker!

Getting ready to start his day.

Here he is on the way home, a little tired but happy. 

Showing off his super cool hat he colored.

Totally exhausted and ready to watch some cartoons. He said it was fun but wanted to take a break and watch his shows now. 

Kolbi's First Day Of School

Let me start out with - Kolbi is 14 now and not too excited to pose for first day of school pictures. This year she started High School... wow. Anyway I'm splitting the post for first day so that the difference between a freshman and a first grader is even more painfully obvious. 

I say - your outfit is so cute, stand here so I can get a picture! She says - no, it's way too early for pictures. And so I get a grumpy face pic. 

I try again - do a pose or something so I can get a better picture. She says - whatever.

cut to after school - can't get those shoes off quick enough

and... right onto the computer - welcome to the life of a teenager.

The Baby Shower Post

I put a lot of work into the shower for Baby Kloe. There was some major worrying about Kloe getting here BEFORE the party, but *whew* that did not happen. I learned my lesson about planning a shower at least 1 FULL month before the due date! Anyway, I made some great decorations that I will for sure make at future parties. Here's the party in pictures...

mama of the day - Nichole

the banner (that will hang in the baby's room)

the spread

of course, pink, fuzzy punch

paper cupcakes

a little pre-party visit from the dad (he's totally stealing a croissant!)

He was there because I forgot to print one of the games & he came to the rescue with my laptop (pink to match the party of course - lol)

these tissue paper balls made the party & were easy to make

pinwheel favors for the guests. 

I just love an excuse for a pink party - too bad we don't have another expectant mom in our group! Most of my decorations were made with Cosmo Cricket Scrapbook Paper and I found the templates and tutorials for almost everything online. 

Like the pinwheels here and baby shoes here 

I'm A Year Older

We celebrated my Birthday (29, of course) last night. It was a fun day of being lazy and playing video games followed by a yummy dinner with family & friends. 

I was spoiled by the good company and good food. I feel like a lucky girl. 

A Sneak Peek

I'm planning a baby shower.

 *squeeeeel*

It's for Nichole and the soon to join us baby Kloe - yep, it's a girl baby shower!

*squeeeeel*

This is what has been keeping me away from the computer. I spend my evenings and free time fiddling with paper in preparation for the shower. Here are a few sneak peek shots of the shenanigans I'm up to...

The party is this Saturday so better pics will be here soon!

Cupcakes & Cars

Huge, rainbow colored cupcakes that is. Last week was Kolbi's friends birthday and we put together this super sized cupcake cake for her. Of course, it was rainbow with some sugar sprinkles on top - turned out cute! Not sure how it tasted though because they didn't save me a piece!

And on the Hot Rod front...

Check it out, it's like a real vehicle now. I tried to find a before pic to post but we've had the Hot Rod for so long that the coming home pics are not on this computer! I will see what I can dig up for a full Hot Rod story at some point. Anyway, it drives now. Even has a license plate! Here is Kolbi & her friend trying to look cool in the back.  

And here is Riley trying to push it up the driveway. There was a little 'accident' that involved running out of gas and it had to be pushed home. All I did was snap a few pics - no pushing cars for me!

F This I'm Outta Here!

...followed by flipping a table full of glassware over and me storming out of the house. Ha Ha Ha Ha - it's from an old Saturday Night Live skit - does anyone but me remember it? It's one of my favorites and in any situation I'm probably thinking of doing that in my head and cracking myself up. So anyway, I am outta here just not in a mad way. I'm headed to LA for a scrapbook show. 

I'm frantically trying to pack and make sure I don't forget anything. Don't worry I plan on visiting lost of scrapbook stores (totally work related, right?!) and of course,

 Johnny Cupcakes. 

I was totally looking forward to going to the Flower Market but turns out it is not open on Sundays :( Oh well, I'll save that for another time.  I've been busy working and sneaking in some grocery deals with Nichole - my coupon mentor. We hit Albertson's the other day and I just have to show off the crazy amount of stuff I got for $47. 

(ya - that's totally 36 jars of Ragu, 15 boxes of cereal, 19 Rice Sides, 4 packs of IBC, 3 Skippy, 12 boxes of Qtips, 4 1/2 gallons of Breyers, 

2 boxes of Klondikes - we ate 1 before the pic, 2 jugs of ALL and 1 gallon of milk)

Ok - so I am OUTTA HERE!