Sleep Over

Last night was Allison's first sleepover at someone else's house.  Lucky for me, it was across the street. She was SO EXCITED!!!  As soon as she woke up, she started telling me the "list" of things she wanted to pack and take.  That was at 8 in the morning, the sleepover didn't start until 6 that evening.  It was a LONG day.  But boy, was she thrilled when the moment came for me to walk her over with her bag.  I texted Rachel this morning to see how the night went.  Her reply, "We are great.  Making pancakes and painting some craft they made last night.  She did awesome!  I will say abbey kept Allison up until 11.  Sorry.  Abbey stayed up later but I kept her quieter!  Is 10 ok for pick up?  They have a lot of plans!"  When I picked her up, both girls enquired as to when we can do it again.  I am so blessed to have neighbors like this.  I can't wait to see these two girls grow up together!!!

Diva Dash 2013

It was a cold and rainy morning.  That's how some horror stories start, but this is describing one of my favorite days.  Today was the Diva Dash 5K and Lil Princess Fun Run.  So, I signed Allison, Jen and myself up for it.  When my alarm went off this morning and I heard the rain, I instantly decided to SKIP the run.  I woke up and went to inform Allison of this new turn of events.  Her response was all it took for me to quickly change my mind.  She was crying big crocodile tears.  Her breathing was heavy and all she could get out was, "But MOMMY!  I.  WANT.  TO.  RUN."  Next thing I know, I'm lacing up my shoes and pinning her bib on her shirt.

The weather was less than ideal, but the company was more than adequate.  She inspires me to persevere.  Even when I think it doesn't matter.

This was Allison's FIRST run.  She was so determined to do it.  My 5K started at 8:30.  Allison hung out with some friends, in the freezing rain waiting.  I ran my run in less than 29 minutes!  I wanted to make sure she wasn't changing her mind.  She hugged me when I finished and I asked her if she wanted to go home.  Even though her teeth were chattering, she shook her head.  We waited another 30 minutes in the wind and rain.  Then it was her moment.  They lined the girls up by ages.  Allison was running with about 15 other 6 year olds.  Their distance was 250 yards.  She asked me to run with her, but I was the only mom out there.  So when the horn blew, I told her to go and I'd follow.  The pack of girls ran solid.  Allison ran the WHOLE way!  As soon as I caught up with her, I hugged her.  Told her how proud I was of her.  We walked to get her medal and headed for the car.  After we got in she started to cry and say, "Mommy, I was the last girl to cross the finish line!"  I turned and looked at her and said, "Sweetie, I am so proud of you.  It didn't matter when you crossed that line.  It matters that you finished and did your best."  She's already planning her next run.  She might be little like me.  :)

Allison and me, before

Allison waiting in the rain. 

This was Jen's second 5K!!! 

Our swag from today.

Winter Storm Q

Thank you, Storm Q!  Today became a "snow day" for everyone in the Arnett house.  The kids had no school, Jen's clinic was closed, Jake was post night call and Nick seems to ALWAYS be here.  :)

So we just HAD to get out in it!  Jake went for a run at 8:00 am, we went to the backyard for some fun.

 The view from our front door.

Yep, Jen is up to her knee in snow.  And it's still falling!!! 

Owen burying himself in snow. 

Face plant, in the softest snow EVER! 

Having fun! 

Not quite snowballs, but still cold. 

Nick is even eating the snow.  Possibly to get through it.

We came inside to warm up, bake cookies, start chili in the crockpot and drink hot chocolate.  Thank you, Storm Q!

I'm BACK!!!!

That's right!  I've been motivated, and now I'm going to try to post more frequently.  We've had a wild few months.  (No move to Nashville, new laptop, new camera, trying to figure out the new equipment...you get the idea!)  But to move on to the post from today.

We got SNOW!!!  And we are suppose to get more tonight.  In fact, it's 5:00 and they've already canceled school for tomorrow.  :)  So after school today we decided to bundle up "Boston Style" and have some fun.

Owen making snowballs.

Abbey came over to play too. 

I had an eager helper. 

She did more than I thought she would.  But I did finish the driveway. 

Warming up in front of the fire.

Renaissance Festival-2012

We may have started a new tradition.  This month we went to the Renaissance Festival near KC.  My sister goes almost every year, at least twice!  Since the kids are getting bigger, we decided to give it a try.  THEY LOVED IT!!!!  They are already planning on going next year.  Here are some of the pics I took.

She HAD to get her face painted! 

He met Robin Hood. 

He's ALWAYS wanted a wooden sword. 

Allie on the pony of the REAL carousel. 

Owen on the donkey of the REAL carousel. 

There were TONS of these cut-outs. 

They loved them. 

My princess 

My knight in shining armor.

(How he sees himself.) 

How we see him!

I Can Tie My Shoes

That's right!  She decided she wasn't going to let 2 shoe laces keep her from her fashion potential.  She practiced for about 2 hours and now she's GOT IT!  The best part about learning to tie (besides the CUTE shoes), is rubbing it in her BIG brother's face.  He thinks he'll wear velcro for the rest of his life!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

Or at least the CHEERING part?  This little girl is!

That's right!  For the last two days, she has been going to a Cheer Clinic at Andover High School.  She LOVES IT!!!  As the frosting on her cake, she'll get to cheer (with the AHS cheerleaders) at tomorrow nights game!!!  I just hope I'm able to get some good pics.  Like these few I took tonight after bath.  We had to try on our shirt with mommy's skirt from high school.  She might be wearing it tomorrow night.  :)

A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E.

GO, TEAM, GO!!!

"Queen of Kindergarten"

The title is a direct quote that Allison said as I was taking her picture.  She has been ready for Kindergarten for some time now.  I'm not even sure EXCITED captures her feelings.

On "Meet the Teacher" night, she had been given a homework assignment.  She had to complete an "ALL ABOUT ME TEE".  I thought she captured the essence of her.  :)

I took this pic in the car waiting for drop-off time. 

 Me and my baby

She found her name tag!

Her teacher had a goodie bag for the parents to take after dropping the kids off.  I was bending down to kiss Allie goodbye, when my eyes watered up a little.  She looked at me and pulled out a Kleenex from the bag and said, "You might need this." 

Must have been a good day.  This was the pic I took of them walking out.

Meet The Teacher Night

Last night was "Meet the Teacher" night at Wheatland Elementary.  Both kids were excited!  Allison knew who her teacher was (Mrs. McEwen, Owen's kindergarten teacher) but she couldn't wait to take her school supplies and play in the classroom.  Owen's teacher, Mrs. Udell, is new this year.  I was excited to see what she was like.  She's young and has only taught a few years.  We also got to see who some of Owen's classmates are going to be.  He's excited!!!!  Here are a few pics I took.

Allie with her school supplies. 

 Owen with his school supplies.

Allison found her spot! 

Owen found his desk. 

These are the kids in Allie's class. 

We left feeling good about school starting this year!!!!

She was BORN to swim!

Many of you readers know that Allison has ALWAYS loved to swim.  We've just done the bar minimum in swim lessons... until this summer.  Several of our friends have their kids go to Wichita Swim Club, so we decided to give it a try.  There were several sessions, 2 weeks (Monday-Thursday) long with lessons 30 minutes long.  I signed both kids up for 3 of the 4 sessions.

Today was the last day of summer sessions, but based on the results both kids will be continuing these lessons during the school year.  Allie finished ready to start level 5!!!!  These are the skills she completed to reach this goal.
     streamline
     ready position from walls to streamline
     swim Freestyle 50 yards
     swim Backstroke 50 yards
     Freestyle Catch Up drill
     Breaststroke Separation drill/timing
     Butterfly body-dolphin
     Front somersaults
     Long shallow dive with correct streamline position
     Know Individual Medley (IM):  Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle

I'm not saying she's heading for the Olympics... but if someone starts drowning I'm betting she can save us!

Summer Learning at Butler

Today was our last day of Kid College at Butler Community College.  This is a program that Owen has been participating in for the last 3 summers.  HE LOVES IT!  This summer was Allie's first time going.  Allie got to go to 3 different classes.  Owen signed up for 8 classes.  Here are the classes:  Smart With Money, Ocean World, Animal Care, Lego Mania, Basic Digital Photography, Art With Carle, Play Dough Creations, Rockin Rockets, Science Experiments, Origami and Build Your Own Airplane.  I'm very proud of them for wanting to learn during the summer and thankful they had so much fun doing it.  Here is a sample of what they did.

Art from "The Grouchy Ladybug"

Diorama of a tide pool 

 Self portrait, even framed

Summer 2012-done!

End of Second Grade

YEP!!!  It's summer!  Owen's last day of second grade was Wednesday.  I, of course, took a few pics of him and his friends.  (Ironically, Allie is in most of them!!!)

Paige and Allie 

Allie, Owen and David 

Jake and Owen 

Me, Allie and Owen 

This last one was one I took as he walked out the door.  He looks HAPPY to be done with second grade, doesn't he?