2011...an eventful year already

Recently, Jackson started attending the church preschool that Tristyn went to over the last several years. Josh and I were concerned with Jackson's lack of activity during the day and thought it would be best for him to have some interaction with other children while Tristyn was at school. I emailed the preschool shortly before Christmas and they were completely booked. A few days after Christmas I received an email saying they had one opening in their three day a week class and we jumped on it! His first day was Wednesday, January 5th and he did excellent. Josh and I both went with him, walked him into class and introduced him to his teacher. He jumped right in like he had known the kids for years. He was not the least bit shy and really impressed Josh and I with his confidence. Luckily I did not cry, but I was beaming with pride at how well he handled his first day. He only got to attend preschool on Wednesday and Friday of that week, the following week all schools were closed because of more SNOW! That's right, a full week of unexpected vacation because we were snowed in....who would have thought that would be possible in Georgia? Not me!

Sunday evening the snow started coming down heavy, an inch within a hour with no sign of letting up. The weather forecasters had prepared everyone to be snowed in for a few days with possible power outages, so the store shelves were barren. Luckily I didn't have to fight the crowds, we had enough food from grocery shopping earlier in the week and I had several meals in the freezer already cooked. We were trapped in the house ALL week...it was crazy. Josh was off on Monday and Tuesday because of the ice, nobody could get out of their neighborhoods. Luckily on Wednesday he made it safely to work and was able to head to the store for odds and ends like deli meat and bread. By Friday the kids and I were really wanting to get out of the house, so we went and had Mexican for lunch and went shopping for Tristyn's birthday party, which was being held the following day and I was close to having a heart attack about because I was so unprepared! I had planned to do my shopping throughout the week while both kids were at school. My dad and stepmother were also coming to visit AND we had planned to host a surprise going away party for our good friends who are moving to south Georgia next week. I had a ton on my plate, half of one day to get it all accomplished, and three kids around my ankles...I was a tad bit stressed, but pulled it off. We enjoyed a nice lunch with Josh, then he headed out to work while we cruised around Hobby Lobby. Trying to plan a party in my head with three kids chitter chattering and touching everything in the store was quite stressful =) We came away with lots of fun crafts for Tris' craft themed party and decided to skip the grocery shopping because Dad and Tracye were close to arriving at the house. We headed home and met them upon their arrival. They got settled in and then Dad and I headed to the grocery store with only baby in tow. Tracye watched the two oldest kids so Dad and I could concentrate on getting what we needed. Luckily, I had already prepared a menu for the following day...but I was still quite scatterbrained. We spent an hour or two in Kroger getting all of our ingredients and then headed back to start prepping recipes and setting up the craft party. I whipped together a quick spaghetti dinner with some frozen homemade sauce I had stashed in the freezer. We picked up two rolls of sushi at the market, so Tracye and I munched on those. Dad started preparing food for the following day and then we all sat down to watch a movie and then headed to bed rather early. It was a crazy busy day, but enjoyable!

Saturday started bright and early preparing for the arrival of all of the neighborhood little girlies. We got the craft table setup, Dad had already baked the cupcakes, we had ice cream, pizza and fruit ready to go. The girls arrived around 11am and immediately dove into creating. They had a great time making little foam notebooks, painting ceramics, assembling tissue paper butterflies, making bouncy balls (by far the coolest craft!) and much more. We served them pizza, fruit and juice then did cupcakes and ice cream. Everyone headed out close to two and we immediately geared into a clean-up and prep for the NEXT party mode, haha! Guests were to arrive around 6pm with the guests of honor showing up at 6:45. The menu was a southern Paula Deen theme which included: stuffed mushrooms, sausage balls, deviled eggs, breaded chicken tenders, crab and artichoke dip with homemade pita chips, shrimp cocktail, cheese ball with crackers, fruits and veggies. Everyone had a wonderful time, we're really going to miss those guys...it will be different not having them around. Thankfully, Dad and Tracye were visiting and helped out a ton, none of it would have been possible without them, I possibly would have pulled my hair out and that is about as far as I would've gotten! I am really very upset about everyone leaving this month, it is hitting me pretty hard. Earlier in the year we lost Jeremy, Ju and Alexa to CT. During the summer we lost Diana, Des and Devyn to Florida. Now we are losing Beth, Brent, Logan and Nate to South Georgia and Dad and Tracye to Cuba. It feels as though everyone is leaving and we only have a few close friends left around us. It is hard to see everyone go, I am not the only one who is going to miss them all, Josh and the kids are dreading it as well. We are going to miss our impromptu cookouts and game day gatherings with the Price family, our summer trips to the beach and loads of good food with Dad and Tracye. We already miss spending time with Jeremy, Ju and Alexa...especially the play dates and spend the nights. We miss our chickfila dates with Di, Des and Devyn...mommy's Wednesday wine nights were always a favorite. We will miss everyone, but wish them all good luck on their new ventures!

On to a happier note...today was Toastie Toes Day at preschool for Jackson. He got to pick out a new pair of pajamas last night, during an outing designated solely for pj-picking-outing, which turned into a three hour long momma-is-gonna-pull-her-hair-out-outing! Only to find this morning that he did not choose to wear the spiffy new (and freshly laundered, might I add) pajama's we had spent so much time picking out the previous night. Instead, he chose to wear a pair that he has owned for quite a while, stinker. He dressed himself, helped get his backpack and lunch bag ready, and we were off. He couldn't get there fast enough! He told me that he would not miss me because he was going to have so much fun. Tonight he also said he was not ready to go to college, I told him he still had a few more years ;) Today was a big day for Tristyn as well, she got to be on the school news announcements in recognition of her birthday! She was extremely excited about it yesterday when she came home, so we made sure to lay out a cute outfit (bright purple long sweater with jean leggings) and straighten her hair. I completely forgot to get a picture and I really regret it. She came home with a super cute ribbon pinned to her shirt honoring her birthday. She had a wonderful day!

Pictures to follow!