i don't like preschool

How can 3 years olds come up with so many reasons NOT to go to preschool. It starts as soon as they open their eyes on a school day.

1. I don't like preschool
2. preschool yucky
3. I'm too little for preschool
4. go to preschool later
5. go to preschool when I'm five.
6. they don't put lid on my cup
7. I stay home today
8. I stay at Bubbies (grandma) today
9. I don't like my school shoes
10. Leave book bag at home

Shall I go on...no!!! The poor kids are so anxious about us leaving them at school, I guess they think we aren't coming back. I've read them the Kissing-Hand and a couple other books about school, they weren't buying it. This morning they watched The Wonderpets (they LOVE the Wonderpets) about the baby blow fish that was scared to go to school. And they said I go to preschool too. My mom said they were fine all morning and even while they were waiting to go into class. As soon as their teacher opened the door they started crying. Mrs. K. grabbed Kayla and Mrs. M. grabbed Chloe and off they went. My mom was spying at the window and they were fine, in a matter of minutes! I think they are totally playing us at this point to I don't know stress us out!!! It's day 8 of preschool and they might be on their way to actually like preschool...I sure hope so.

my gram

This post is dedicated to my grandma Theresa. My gram is 88 years old has been dealing with cancer for some time. The cancer has spread to her liver. She is now living with my aunt (her daughter) in florida so she can have around the clock care. I know that it's bad now, I guess she isn't eating and it hurts too much to get out of bed. My aunt told my mom that my gram saw my grandpap who is in heaven and an angel. He told her ssh because the angel was sleeping. I guess he is waiting for her.

My Grandma is the best Grandma ever. Her and my grandpap moved down to Florida after I graduated highschool. While she lived near us it was a great time. My sister and I would have sleep overs, go to church with her, make cakes she always said we were lucky their were only two of us since there were only two beaters to lick! She always had a candy dish in the dining room that me and my sis loved to sneak candy from. Although I'm sure we really weren't sneaking it because she knew when the dish was almost empty that someone was eating it. We would always watch her put curlers in her hair at night or file her nails or put cold cream on. She is the best cook and she loved to cook. We would go to her house every Sunday for dinner and usually there was a house full of people. My grandpap would play his organ and we would all dance in their living room and just have fun. She is always laughing and smiling and loves to be around her family, she has 3 sons, 1 daughter, 3 daugther in laws, 1 son in law, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. She has dimples just like me and the girls. She would dressup like Carmen Miranda and lip sych a song, i can't remember the name, it was very cute. I really wish I had half the positive attitude that she has, I wish I would laugh or smile just a little more like she does. There so much more I could say about her but I'll leave it at that. I just hope she is comfortable and not afraid to go when she's ready. I love you Grandma.

My gram and Aunt Diane

Light the Night Walk

I am participating in the Light the Night Walk next Thursday. It benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am walking as part of a team with my company. So far we have raised over $2000.00. I have a personal page for donations that will be added to the team tally. If anyone would like to make a donation big or small it would be greatly appreciated. This year we are walking for my co-workers dad who passed away last year from Leukemia.

http://www.active.com/donate/ltnPittsb/2484_kimangel

done with dance

Well last Saturday which would have been the girls 2ND dance class. I was getting them ready and they fought me the entire time I was dressing them. They kept saying they don't like ballet, they don't want to go to dance, they want to stay home. After I finally got them ready we drove to the studio. Once we got inside they were like little cling-ons. I told the teacher about them being apprehensive and not wanting to come. She said they had fun last week, they were clapping and laughing. She did however allow me to come in the room with them. They usually have the parents wait in the waiting area. They don't want the kids to be distracted by having parents in the same room. We got into the room and the girls would not let me go. I said let's go stand in the circle with the other girls. They wanted nothing to do with it. I went to stand up and they were literally hanging from my shorts. The little girls in the class were just looking at us, I felt bad for them and for my girls. I told the teacher we are just going to leave. I was trying to stay composed because I didn't want to look like an idiot crying in front of all these people. We got to the car and I just started bawling. I know that if they went they would have fun, but they don't understand that at 3 years old. I think it's too much right now with starting school which they've been crying everytime we take them to school too and dance all at once. They aren't used to being away from me, Shawn or my mom since they stay with her during the day. They haven't really been subject to groups of kids without me being in the same room.
I talked to the teacher later and she said to maybe try them again in January or even next fall. She said 1 year makes a huge difference. She said she doesn't want them to relate dance to a scary place then they may never want to come back. She said lots of the girls have older sisters they see coming to dance so they want to come too or they are 4 already. I decided to make one more attempt at taking them before I threw in the towel completely. This time I told Shawn to take them. They don't cling to him as much as me. He said once they got to the cobblestone road by the studio the girls kept saying ...don't want to go to ballet...too little..maybe next year!! He said he didn't even take them in. So we're done for now. I might try again in January and see what happens. If it's the same outcome we'll try again next September.
I know it's me that wants them to do this..especially since I did it and loved it. Of course my mom said I was 5 when I started. They just look so cute in their little leotards and ballet shoes!!

Wordful Wednesday - Nicknames!!

I've realized I have many little nicknames for the girls...I decided to make a list...

my little angels

Kayla-bug

Chloe-bug

peanuts

little stinkers

pumpkin

punkie

honey

honey bunny

chloe-bug-a-roonie

kayla-bug-a-roonie

Stop over at angiescircus for more Wordful Wednesdays!!!!

Let's talk about strangers

I took the girls to the pediatrician for their 3 year check up a few months ago. While there the doctor reminded me about educating the girls about strangers. Good point, I guess it's never too early to start. So that night we were in the car driving to my sisters and I decided to bring it up. The conversation went a little like this...

me..a stranger is someone you do not know, sometimes they are nice, but sometimes they aren't. If a stranger walks up to you and wants to give you candy, you run and find mommy.
So what do you do if a stranger wants to give you candy?
Kayla ... say please!!!
me.. . no you would run and get mommy.

so there was a man standing on the sidewalk when we were at the red light. I pointed to the man and said...

me.. If that man wanted to give you candy what would you do...
girls.. say please!!

Oh boy! We'll keep working on this.

Wordful Wednesday!

I definitely thought this was a good photo opp. Four little friends sitting together..how cute!

All of a sudden the "twins" started yelling "cheese" at the top of their lungs!!! Notice little Mackenzie reaching for her ears to try and shield the noise! It obviously wasn't bothering Caitlin, she still sitting as sweet as can be!

Not quit sure what's happening here. Kayla looks to be in deep thought about something. Chloe is either snapping or unsnapping her skirt...not really sure why! Mackenzie looks like "get me outta here" and then Caitlin's just sitting sweet!

Join the fun at angiescircus for more Wordful Wednesdays!!

1st day of dance

The 1st day of ballet and tap was Saturday. I didn't get to take any pictures yet because it was a little crazy getting out the of the house Saturday. But for the record they looked really cute in their pink Disney princess leotard! We got to class and the teacher introduced herself and they were off! They do not allow parents to stay and watch because they don't want the kids to be distracted. Which I guess is understandable. I also had my niece with us so her and I went outside for the duration of the class. When the class ended they came out with smiles on their faces and said they really liked it. The teacher said they both cried a little bit but they were fine after a few minutes.
When we got home I was looking in their bags and noticed we only had one pair of ballet slippers and I knew we started the day with two pair. I called the school and the teacher said there weren't any left but they might have put them in the wrong bag. She said she would check their bags next Saturday. That was fine, I figured someone accidentally took them. Well, the teacher called me about an hour later and said one of the moms call from home and noticed her daughter had an extra pair of ballet slippers. Whew!! Thank goodness. From now on I'm checking their bags before we even leave.

1st day of pre-school!!

We survived it! It actually went very well. We were waiting outside the door with all the other kids and the teacher came out to welcome everyone. As soon as she came out Kayla and Chloe were right up there with her. She explained when they went in they would hang up there book bag on the hook that had their name on it. Then they would take their picture and put it by the hook. They were ready to go, I handed them their book bags gave them a kiss and they went in. Of course, I welled up with tears, I was really happy for them and I know they are going to enjoy this. I came to pick them up and the teacher did say Kayla cried a little bit. She said she was done and wanted to go home. I guess it didn't last very long though. They said they had fun and they do want to go back.

1st day of school

walking up the driveway to school

I was peeking through the window before I left, they are

playing in the kitchen.

I hope they enjoy the rest of the school year. Oh and the 1st day of ballet and tap is Saturday. We can't wait!!!

I smell.....SKUNK??!!

We have two cats, Harley who stays inside and Buddy who can't stand to be cooped up very long. He's the adventurous one and hangs outside pretty much all day.

Saturday night when I was calling him to come inside by tapping on a bowl, he usually comes in a couple minutes. It was probably a 1/2 hour or so before he finally showed up at the door. When he came in I smelled something unusual. What is that smell I thought, at first I just thought it was something outside. But then I quickly realized it was Buddy. Oh my goodness it smells like a skunk. Okay it's 11pm on a Saturday night now what do I do. I thought about just kicking him out for the rest of the night. Then I decided to call the 24 hour vet. She told me to make this recipe of 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon dish soap. Mix it up and wash him from head to toe. Then rewash him with just the soap. Luckily I had everything. Has anyone ever bathed a cat? Very interesting, but I do have to admit he was really good. He only tried to escape twice. I think he was happy to get rid of the smell! The mixture did work because he smells normal again.

Not really sure what happened out there in the woods but I'm sure he won't mess with a skunk again!