Thursday, September 11, 2014

My Big Girl

Well, it's about time I brought myself together to write this post. My big BABY girl started Pre-School three weeks ago. SAY IT AIN'T SO! Maybe I'm not ready to write this post, but I'll try. ;)

On August 25, 2014, My baby went to school for the first time.  She goes three days a week until noon each day.  She LOVES it! It took a lot of prayers and thought for us to finally decide to send her, and I'm sure it was the right decision.  She has thrived.  She has wonderful teachers, and a fun group of classmates.  The pre-school is at the school that I taught at before I had her.  I worked with her teachers so that is nice.  I know that they are great!



Where have the last four years gone?

Super Super Excited!

And just plain silly!

For my records, so I can see how she progresses throughout the year, I am going to list the things she knew before she went to pre-k. So bear with me, it's time for me to be a proud mama. ;)

  • She knows how to spell her name (since she was about 12-18 months old).
  • She knows how to write her name.
  • She knows all her shapes.
  • She knows all her colors.
  • She can count to 100 and over when she wants to.
  • She knows her alphabet.
  • She knows the sounds the letters make.
  • She knows how to write almost all the letters.
  • She recognizes most of her numbers, especially to a little over 10.
  • She has begun to read small words.
  • She has an OUTSTANDING vocabulary.
  • She knows how to spell, Mommy, Jody, Lainee, Papa, Elise, and Madi.
  • She holds her pencil correctly.
That's all I can think of at the moment.  She is a smart girl, and we weren't as worried about that as we were about her knowing how to sit in a classroom setting.  Of course, she still needs to learn, and we really never stop learning, ever, but our biggest concern was her ability to sit and listen.  We make her sit and listen at home, but it's not the same.  She has improved by leaps and bounds though since she has been at school.

  • She has been sitting for longer periods of time and focusing on one task.
  • She has really taken up coloring and drawing.  I have never been able to get her to sit and color.  She has had no interest.  Now, that's nearly all she wants to do.  She gets her colors and some paper and goes and sits at the table and writes all sorts of letters and the names she knows how to spell, and draws pictures constantly.  
  • She is learning a letter a week at school and numbers too.  
  • She is learning about lines.
  • She is learning to listen to a teacher.
I'll keep updating the more she learns.  Like I said, our biggest concern was her ability to sit and focus and listen.  Her improvement has been amazing! I am just floored at the difference that 3 weeks has made.  She will start Kindergarten next year, and we didn't want her to be the child that wouldn't sit still.  Our baby is active, but she is very bright.  And active isn't a bad thing, there is just a time and place for it.  We wanted her to learn that.  We are adjusting to our slight change in schedule, and so far it has worked out great.
First Day os school!!!


Always my baby!
Her sweet teacher, Ms. Connie, sent me this in a text  just to tell me she was having a great time! So sweet!

Our feelings that we had to work through were tough.  Neither one of us was ready to let her go, and I thought I was going to take it the hardest.  I could only see it as giving my baby up before I absolutely had to, I had one more whole year with her.  Jody looked at it as us easing her and all of us really, into having to let her go for 5 days a week all day.  I may fall apart next year, but this year I held it together. She had a wonderful first day, and I didn't shed a tear.  Actually, I think Jody took it harder than any of us. Now, he didn't shed a tear either, but his daddy heart could barely take it.  The saying about Daddy's and their Girls is so true!
She had a great first day!

And was ready to tell me all about it. ;)

Showing off the things she made. 

We are super proud of our baby girl, I have only heard about one day where she got into a little trouble, and didn't get a treat before lunch.  She couldn't quit talking, and it took her to long to finish her work.  If you know my girl you know how surprising this is, or not. ;) But that's the only thing her teacher has said! Woo-hoo! Brailyn has told me all about having to do "heads down" but it's only because when the lights go out, you have to.  She's a sweetheart and we love her to pieces! God has big things in store for her and we pray that she allows Him to do it!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Lainee Bug is TWO!

Our sweet little Lainee Bug turned two last Thursday! TWO!!!! I think the time is flying by even faster with the second child even though we didn't  think that was possible.  Just yesterday I went to the hospital and delivered a healthy 7 lb 1oz baby girl, at least that's how it seems.  And shortly after her arrival, we settled on a name. ;) Lainee Elizabeth Almand.  There were a few family members, or one, who shall go unnamed (Andy) who wasn't very happy with us about that.  After these two years, it's clear we should have named her Whirlwind.  Time has flown, and she has kept up with it if not a few steps in front! She is our busy body and that is another thing we didn't think was possible after Brailyn. We didn't think anyone could surpass her in that area.  Sometimes I think God looks down and laughs and says "Just Watch." It's true.  But He gave us just what we needed in our Lainee Bug, and we know that He made her special and her own little person, and we wouldn't trade her for anything, not even a little more sleep and relaxation. ;)

Lainee Bug, you are so special to us! You have the most tender heart to your Sissy, but you also don't take anything off of her.  You are more than willing to give her anything she wants when she is crying for it and you can tell she really wants it. You defeat Mommy and Daddy's efforts in disciplining her for whining and not sharing. I'm glad you are so giving though.  I think the reason you love her so much and care is because you know how much she LOVES and adores you.  I feel beyond blessed by the bond you two share. Yes you fight sometimes and I think I am going to lose it, but more often than not, y'all are snuggling or playing, and it all falls back in place.  Y'all have been that way since day one.  You are a Mommy's girl, but equally a Daddy's girl too.  You squeal in the most high pitched voice "DADDY!" when he gets home everyday, and run to him to pick you up.  You give the best big squeezes and kisses!

You love your baby dolls.  Brailyn never really has, but you most certainly do.  It's the sweetest thing to watch you grab a baby and sit down and start rocking her and singing Jesus loves me.  You want to play with everything that Sissy has, and you think you are as big as her.  It's hard to say what your favorite TV show is right now.  Minnie Mouse is one of your favorites, but you really like them all.  You will stop everything you are doing to watch the Disney Fairies though.  

We are so thankful for you, Lainee Bug!  Our prayer is that your giving heart always remains, and that you use it for the Lord above all! We love you! 

We had Lainee's party on Saturday the 16th.  It was a Ladybug party for our Lainee Bug and we had so much fun! I think she loved all the decorations and the cake.  It's so fun to watch them grow, and watch their excitement grow from year to year.  We were missing quite a few family members and friends, but we sure had a blast! Here is a picture recap!

Not a great picture, but this is the banner that my Sis-in law made for Lainee's first birthday.  I took the "1st" circle off and used it again this year and it matched perfectly!  I'm going to use it every year wither it matches or not. :)



I loved the way her cake turned out! I always have so much fun making their cakes for them.  

And the cupcakes not completely set up yet. :)

Trying to get a good birthday photo of the Birthday girl and her Sis. 

When you finally get them both to look at the camera, this is what you get. Oh well! :)

Let the party begin!

BOZ movies! 

She was really into opening the presents this year so that was fun!




My dad bought her this ladybug beanie baby at the hospital gift shop and she has loved on it NONSTOP!  The following pictures prove how much she loved it and will melt your heart. I'm pretty sure my dad's is nothing but a puddle now. ;) Pop-ups are the best!





And her baby doll from my sister.  Like I said earlier, she loves her baby dolls.  This one came grocery shopping with us today. ;)

Her present from us.  A water and sand table.  This looked more fun to her though. 

Cake time!


She was a little wary of blowing out the candles, but she caught on quickly.

YAY! Happy Birthday our little Lainee Bug!

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Sunday Photo shoot and Some FUN News!

Sunday's are our favorite days to take pics mainly because we are wearing our Sunday best and not our pajamas/lounging clothes like the rest of the week! Real life people. Real life. So I couldn't resist tonight because our girls were wearing the cutest dresses! Here are the pics for your viewing pleasure! We may be a little biased about the cuteness going on in these pictures!
Started out fairly well...

We had to remove Donald from the picture and Big Sis's compliance started to fade...

This is what happens when that happens...


Alright, It's back...

Although, now, Little Sis is plotting her run for it...



Think, Lainee, Think...

I've got it! Let's bring Donald back in...

Goofy too...

This is so exciting....

Almost there...

This must have been the plan all along, grab all the bounty..

What just happened here?!?!

You're Welcome!

NOW my FUN NEWS!!! 

I am now a Jamberry Nails Consultant! I'm super excited! Jamberry Nails is such a fun company with a great product that I think you will love! Jamberry Nails are wraps for you nails that come in 300+ designs that are super cute and fun! They sell other products too such as, Nail Lacquer, hand care products, nail products, etc. The wraps are $15 a sheet and you get two applications for your fingernails and toenails out of each! That is a great price! They last for up to 2 weeks on your finger nails and 4 weeks on your toenails.  Super durable! If you think it out, it is a lot cheaper than going to a salon, and you can do it from the comfort of your living room in your pjs! And the best part is, the sheets are Buy 3 Get 1 FREE! That's right! And they make great gifts!  They also have junior nails perfect for your little girl or nieces!  I am starting my launch party tomorrow on Facebook. Don't have Facebook? That's okay! You can got to my website Janee's Jamberry Nails.  Check it out! Let me know if you have any questions at all! I'm here to answer them! 

I joined Jamberry because I love the product and the opportunity to stay home with my girls and be able to contribute to our household income! I'm super excited because there is enormous potential in this company for me to help out in a big way and move on up in the company! I need your help though! Please go check out my party! I know you will love them!   If you want to have a party just let me know! It will be fun and you will get great hostess perks! If you think you may be interested in signing up as a consultant let me know for sure! You can email me at janeealmand@hotmail.com.  I would love to share more about this opportunity with you, and help you accomplish your goals whatever they may be! 

Saturday, July 5, 2014

4th of July

I love the 4th of July!  It may be in the top three of my favorite holidays. I have always had a strong patriotic pride and I'm not entirely sure why.  My uncle has served numerous times over in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices he has made.  That is the closest person to me that has served in the line of duty that I can think of.  Even so, I am thankful for all the other men and women who have served and are serving our great country so that I can have freedom.  May we never forget to also be thankful for the families of our troops too.  They sacrifice more than we could ever imagine.  So although we usually celebrate the 4th as a fun holiday to barbecue and relax outside, I hope we take time to remember why we get to do that, without fear.

Yesterday, we had a pretty chill day at home. Jody went fishing with his dad and the girls and I just stayed here and cleaned for our company coming that afternoon.  My parents and my Papaw came and Jody's parents came up to eat supper and just spend time together.  Jody smoked ribs and we had all the fixings.  We were definitely not lacking in the food area! Of course, we never do. ;) While everything was cooking, we sat outside and let the girls play in the garden sprinkler.  I think they had more fun with that than they would have with any other high dollar kids sprinkler.  I love sharing the simple joys that I used to do when I was their age! It makes for the best memories. Soon all the food was done and we stuffed ourselves full, but still made sure we had room for chocolate covered strawberries and homemade chocolate ice cream! YUM! For the chocolate ice cream, I always use the Wendy's Frosty copycat recipe that has been floating around the Internet.  It is delicious and so simple! Just a can of sweetened condensed milk, an 8 oz carton of cool-whip, and a half gallon of chocolate milk.  Mix it all together and pour it in the ice cream machine! Seriously. SO GOOD!


My mom and my Papaw.  Love them!

And my daddy! Love him too!

He's the best Pop-up!




:)

After supper, Jody, the girls, and I headed to watch the fireworks at a church in the next town over.  They put on a huge show every year and this is our third year to go.  We love it because it's free, and so amazing! Last year and this year, we backed Jody's truck into a parking lot across the highway and sat in the back of the truck and watched them. It's a great view!  A friend met us over there and we just sat in the back of the truck and visited, waiting on the show to begin.  When it started, Brailyn was super excited, but Lainee was not so enthused by the noise.  It is very loud.  So I ended up sitting in the truck with her watching them through the window.  She loved them in there.  She kept saying "wow" and "wook mommy! firewooks! Pity(pretty)!" Any time I would open the door she would start whining and shaking her head saying "uh-uh!" Jody said Brailyn loved them.  She kept her hands over her ears the whole time and Jody said she was yelling at them about how pretty they were. :) We had a great time as we do every year, and Lainee was asleep within about 10 minutes on the road.
Waiting on the show to start!

My sweetheart!

My firecracker! :)



We aren't the best at taking firework pictures but they were amazing!




Each year with my girls gets better and better and I would say this has been the best one yet! Can't wait for next year! Or maybe I can. ;)

Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Daisypath Anniversary tickers