Another First

So, we had another first today... Not a good first.

After taking Sarah to school and arriving back at home, Phoebe fell down in our driveway.  I did not see her fall because I was pulling the trash can back up to our garage.  I was on one side of the truck in the driveway and she was on the other.  I heard crying, and thought to myself, she must not know where I am....  so I called out to her, "Phoebe, Mommy's right over here."  More crying, as I walked around the truck to her I could clearly see she was not crying because she could not find me... She was crying because she had fallen and cut her head open.  Blood was running down her forehead and nose as I picked her up and carried her inside to access the situation.

I know head wounds have lots of blood and this made it hard for me to tell how big of a gash I was actually looking at... I called Eric and my Uncle Charlie for some advice and help.

Charlie and I took her into immediate care to get it looked at.  She was such a good girl... cooperating with everything the nurses did to her.  She did not cry until she was strapped down in the papoose and the doctor started stitching her up.  She got three stitches in her little head and two stickers from the nurses for being so good.

I also had to have a backup pick-up Sarah from school (on her second day) because we were in the immediate care.  Thank you to my backup!  You know who you are, and I appreciate your help.

Phoebe is our youngest... I just knew she would end up getting stitches way before Sarah would ever need them.  I was right.

The First Day

Today was the day... the first day of preschool.

Last night Sarah told us she didn't want to go to school.  I think she was just feeling a little nervous and wasn't sure how to express that to us, so it came out as "I don't want to go to school".

This morning when she woke up I asked her if she remembered what today was... She said, "School".  She got up and got dressed, ate breakfast and got her hair fixed.  Then she got out her backpack.  She was ready!  (No complaining, No I don't want to go's, just happiness and smiles.)

Sarah looked extra cute in her tutu from Aunt Lindsee and her new jean jacket from Popee and Nanee. 

    

When we got to her school, Phoebe and I walked her to her classroom.  She hung up her backpack and jacket.  Then turned in her "All About Me" poster that I had helped her complete a couple days ago.  Or, her "homework" as she called it.  Then I helped her find a seat at a table with some girls and she started to work on a Penguin coloring sheet. 

I kept wondering in my mind if Sarah would cry when we left, or if my emotions would overcome me and I would cry... Well I am happy to report neither her or I shed one single tear... Phoebe, on the other hand, cried as we left Sarah sitting at the table and walked out of the classroom.  I think it was a mixture of wanting to stay and play and color with the kids, and not understanding why we were leaving her Sister ("Te Te")there.  Phoebe calmed down in the hallway, but then cried again as we went outside to get in our truck and come home without Sarah for a couple of hours.  (I hope she doesn't cry every time we drop Sarah off.)

When we picked Sarah up later in the morning she was still smiling!  She told me she had fun.  She called Daddy and her Popee and Nanee to tell them about her morning.  I heard her tell them "I woved it!" and "there are three Sarah's, me, one with black hair and another one".

I think it is going to be a great first school year for Sarah!

Something New

Last night we got to meet Sarah's preschool teacher and see her classroom.  She will start school next Wednesday.  She will be going to a Christian preschool three mornings a week that promotes social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth.

When we arrived at the school we found out that her teacher's name is Miss Lila, or "Miss Wywa", as Sarah so sweetly said it!  As we walked down the hallway to meet her and check out the classroom we dropped off all of her supplies.  We had to sort them into the correct piles... Kleenex, markers, glue sticks, napkins, juice, snacks, and paper towels... all large piles... and added to the excitement of going to school!

When we walked into the classroom we first met the classroom helper, Miss Sheryl, then Miss Lila.  When her teachers asked her name she spoke loud and clear... "Sarah".  She walked all around her classroom and looked to see what there was... a kitchen center, game center, sand table, the calendar, some letters, a small stage and a tree house/puppet area.  She was most excited about the tree house.  She wanted to go in it and wanted to make sure that Phoebe saw it too.  We showed her where she would hang her bag and coat.  And, she practiced hanging her bag up.  She said, "I like the cubby spot."  When we asked her what she was excited to learn she told us, "calendar and ABC's".

Before leaving everyone could get a Popsicle.  Sarah choose purple and Phoebe choose orange.  "What a yummy treat", Sarah concluded, finishing the last bite of hers.  As we were walking toward the door to leave Sarah said, "I don't wanna leave.  It's so fun here."

We even saw one of Sarah's friends there.  They will not be in the same class, but are enrolled in the same session, so they will see each other throughout the day.

"Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16

Stories With Daddy

Every night before the girls go to bed they get to read stories with Daddy.  Sarah and Daddy have always done this together, but just recently Phoebe has joined them.

Sometimes they read Dora books, or Elmo books, or Franklin books, but they always read a Bible story.  The three of them snuggle into Sarah's bed together and Sarah holds the flashlight on the words.  Phoebe likes to sit right on top of Daddy.  (This must be the prime book looking at spot! Right up front.)

Two of Sarah's favorite stories are Daniel in the Lion's Den and baby Moses.

They have read all the way through Sarah's small Bible twice, Phoebe's Little Golden Bible , and are now reading through the stories in a children's Bible that belonged to my brother Matt and myself.

Both girls are learning so much from Eric.  Not only from his stories that he reads but the examples he is setting for them in life.  He is patient, consistent, kind, honest, fair, and loving. 

Thank you God, for a wonderful husband and a great Daddy for our girls.

You Can Dig Me A Well Anyday

I am in love, head over heels in love, with my well digger.

Here he is pounding a sand point well.  It will go 25 feet down and will be attached to a pump.  We'll use it to water the lawn and plants.  Free water!

Whoa, hello arm muscle.  I am Stacee and I love you... I mean Eric.  I love Eric.

Manual labor is definitely a good thing, especially in my backyard, showing me arm muscles, and getting me free water.

Next Project Please

Eric seems to always have a project that he is working on...

This summer it was replacing wood on our house, painting our house,  and then Eric VS. the Bermuda Grass.  They went at least three rounds and Eric has been declared the winner... for now.  Oh, and digging a well...

The big project is our front yard.  He has been killing it off, tilling it up, hauling compost  to make our soil better... all in preparation to plant our new front lawn this fall.

I am very thankful that my husband is a hard-worker. We will have a beautiful front lawn soon.

We Can Touch Bugs

When I say we, I mostly mean Eric, Sarah and Phoebe, not me.  For the record though, I do touch bugs that are not so gross, like butterflies, rolie polies, and lightning bugs.

The girl's, especially Sarah, have gotten a lot braver this summer and have been touching and picking up all kinds of bugs. 

One day as we were following a Grasshopper around our backyard a few weeks ago, it became a challenge to see who could pick it up before Daddy got home from work to show him.... Sarah rose to the occasion, beating Phoebe, who gave enough of an effort that Sarah actually thought she might be beat by her little sister.  Sarah's look of excitement and pure joy as she held that Grasshopper between her little fingers was priceless!  Not only was she so happy to hold this creature, but she knew Daddy was going to be excited that she picked it up too. 

From that day on she has been following Grasshoppers around, trapping them under her hand and picking them up.  What a girl!

Phoebe has been liking the Locust... The shells we find on the trees, and the actual bug that sill has wings.

Phoebe has also been trying to squash some bugs with her barefoot.. ants and spiders mostly... What a girl!