Math

It happened to Hannah at this age too.  The love for Math is starting.

Hailey frequently asks us to make a page of Math problems for her to work on.

Sometimes you find gems like this :-)  Worksheets she created for herself.

OCW does Apple Orchard

A big group of neighbors went to the Apple Orchard today.  It was a little chilly but overall a great day to spend at the orchard.  Walked through the corn maze, kids took a train ride, ate some apple donuts and enjoyed a hay ride.

Jump Your Hearts Out

Today the girls celebrated their birthdays with their friends at Zero Gravity.

When we were talking about their parties and coming up with ideas they both wanted to go to the trampoline park.  Perfect!  One party, one day, lots of kids.  Done.

Hannah was not too happy about the idea of a combined birthday party.  She wanted a party that was all about her.  She wanted just her friends there and wanted a time where she didn't have to share her friend party with her sister.   To be honest, I was not interested in this idea.  

The idea of two parties on two separate days just seemed like too much at this time of year.  and besides the girls are so close in age, most of these girls all know each other so what's the big deal.

After Hannah walked away Brian pointed out that Hannah had a good point.  She shouldn't have to always share her birthday party.  They should have a time that is just about celebrating them.  It's not asking too much.

So, two parties it is.

We decided that two parties on one day would be the best solution.  We could schedule them so that we had a little 30-45 min break between them.  Hailey's party was first.

She invited two friends from daycare and three friends from school.

Chloe, Becca, Kaydence, Hailey, Morgan, Jadyn

 

Currently if you asked Hailey who her BFF is she would say Morgan and Chole.

Hailey and Morgan went to Jackie's together and although Morgan is a year old in school, you would never know it.  They have always stayed buds!  Chloe is Hailey's new friend from school.  They are at A Plus together and in the same class with Mrs Rootes this year.

 

After Hailey's party wrapped up and all kids were accounted for, Hannah's group started to arrive.
These girls are much louder and way more active then Hailey's group :-)

Getting photo bombed while waiting in line for laser tag

Sara, Peyton, Amelia, Hannah, Samantha, Hailey (shirt over head), Mira

 Hannah's best friend this year (and every other year since school started) is Sammy.

Volume 5

I finally ordered the 5th Volume of {when i look at this world}

Can't say enough about how much I love these books.  The printed books are a HUGE part of the reason why I want to continue to blog as much as I can for as long as I can.

I hope someday you read these stories with your kids- laying on your stomachs laughing and crying like we always did.

Still Melting

Melting beads are still all the rage over at the Parmley house.  The girls (and their friends) can not get enough.  Surprisingly they do a decent job of picking up the beads that fall on the floor (which was my biggest worry about these things) and they will spend hours together sitting around the table talking and beading.  I love that they are using their creativity to come up with ideas and many times never use a stencil or look at a picture to design what they are making.

 Hannah made some new bling for daddy's garage.

She made Amy a Brain Cancer Awareness Flag and with the help of google she made Perry the Platapu, from Phineas and Ferb.

The day after

Hailey got to draw/write in the Birthday book in her classroom.

She had to draw a picture of her birthday and then write a few sentences about how she celebrated.

I love this picture of herself but mostly I LOVE the backwards numbers :-)

My Baby is 6

Today Hailey turns 6 yrs old.  Where has the time gone?!
She is a kid that BEAMS with personality.  She has the best sense of humor!
She is very expressive and although she likes friends and activity, she is my child that prefers downtime.  She does not mind playing alone or just laying low every so often.

She prefers an egg sandwich over donuts.  PARTY CAR!

Every posed picture is a photo shoot waiting to happen.  "Mom, take one like this.  Now like this.  Mom, get me doing this pose."

Brrr

Brian and Chris always tease me because I sit with my shirt covering my nose. They ask things like "Whatcha smellin'?".  I have told them many many times that I do this because it makes me warmer.  There's probably a security thing with it too, like how I always have to be covered (even use a blanket while on the couch watching TV in the summer).  It really will make you warmer, and these nights in the garage when the temp is starting to change, it helps.  Try it!

One Man Show

Tonight Kami, Loriann, Molly and I went to the Ed Sheeran concert.

Christina Perri opened for him.  

Our seats were awful.  Club Level way in the corner.  They were the best we could get and we hate to risk not getting tickets so sometimes you just gotta take what you get.

I have to admit that I was not totally excited about this concert.  I love concerts and didn't not want to go but I would have been fine skipping it.  

That was until I actually saw the show.  Knowing now what I know, I HAD to be there.

I was SO thoroughly impressed with Ed.  I have never been a huge fan of his songs because I always feel like he whisper sings.  I hate that type of tone/sound but he has a few songs where he really sings and I love those songs.  BUT I HAD NO IDEA what his 'thing' was.

I had NO idea that this guy is a one man show.

Before every song he records himself making different sounds.  Some with his guitar or other instruments, some with his mouth or tapping on the mic stand.

Then, he clicks something with his foot on the ground and the music plays.  

It was amazing!

No band, no back singers.  No one else on stage (except for the duet he did with Christina).

He didn't totally convert me, I don't find myself playing his music more than I had before this but I have a ton of respect for him and how talented he is. 

I cried all day

Conversation during dinner tonight

Mom:  "How was your day today?  What did you do?"

Hailey:  "I cried all day"

Mom:  "What?!  What do you mean you cried all day?!  Are you serious?  Is this for real?"

Hannah:  "No, it's true.  She cries everyday after you drop her off at A+ and usually cries when I drop her off to her classroom.  Today her teacher had to PULL her off of me while she was crying.  She separated us and then I had to run to my classroom."

Me (stunned):  "Why have I not heard about this until today?  What is going on?  Why are you crying?  Honey, Hailey, that makes me so sad."

Hannah:  "Mom, I'm taking care of it."

What in the world just happened?!  Did my 8 yr old really just tell me that she's got the situation under contro1?!  And clearly she must, how else have we gone a week into school and not heard about any of this.

I learned that Hailey is just nervous.  She misses us during the day.  She also loves school and is fine once she gets into the environment.  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised considering how her transition to Bound went (tears everyday for weeks), attempted drop offs to birthday parties, etc.

My poor girl.  It breaks my heart to think that she had some rough days but it makes me feel better knowing that Hannah is there.  Obviously it doesn't mean as much to Hailey but at least I know there are some eyes on her checking things out.

Their classrooms are also directly next door to each other, also gives me a tiny bit of comfort.

Hope things get better for this one, adjustments are hard but I'm confident that this will pass.

Nothing says American like girls and malls

Today the girls got to go to the Mall of America and pick out their American Girl doll.

Hannah had been asking for one for about a year,  Not a constant begging but mentioning it enough that we decided if she was going to get one and enjoy it, this was probably one of the last years to make it happen.  She knew exactly which one she wanted and had NO DOUBTS at all (more like her dad this way).  Hailey knew she wanted a doll but quickly became overwhelmed with the decision to pick one (more like her mom this way).  Too much to look at, too many decisions, too many choices.  She finally picked Ellie because she was blond hair and blue eyes, no freckles.  Just like Hailey!

Grandma Judy came with us, we had some lunch and then made the LONG drive home before we could open those boxes and set those girls free!

Hailey with Ellie

Grace

Here is Hailey with Ellie.  Hannah did not want a picture of Grace on the internet so I had to sneak this one.

OCW Peeps

Paul, Dana, Mike, Karen, Brian, Carl

 I can not express enough how much we love living in this neighborhood.

It has definitely been a game changer!

So many fun nights with so many great people!

Kay

Rocktember

Mary and I headed up to Grand Casino Hinkley tonight for Rocktember!

Skid Row, Candlebox, Great White and Bret Michaels (the REAL reason we are here!)

Mary's sister is a VIP and got us VIP tickets.  It was a gorgeous night with great company.

Afterwards Mary and I slept at the cabin so we didn't have such a long drive home after the concerts.

Mary scored some backstage passes and got her picture with Skid Row, while I was waiting for her the dude from Candlebox came right up to me, held my hand and sang to me for a few minutes.  It was so cool! (Too bad it wasn't Bret and too bad I was alone so there wasn't even a witness with me!)

Big Day for The Parmleys!

 Hannah turns 8 today and Hailey starts school!!

This year we did the standards- balloons in the doorway, special breakfast complete with candle.

This year the car was decorated with a pinata, streamers and balloons.  Quite a nice little surprise to come out to :-)  Hannah just giggled the whole way to school.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Hailey is ready for CBPA!  Her teacher is Mrs. Rootes and she is very excited to make new friends.

I did pretty good this morning.  Better than I imagined I would.

Hailey was a little nervous during drop off but it helped that her sister was there with her.

It's hard getting to Adventures Plus in the morning, everything this year will be new.  New Friends, new school, new routine, new staff.  I know she is up for the challenge but I could clearly see the concern on her face when I left the school.

Once again, I drove away from school and the tears started to fall.

My little girl was just left in that building.  How will she know where to go?  How will she know what to do?  What if she needs to go to the bathroom?  How will she know what to do at lunch?

I know these fears are irrational.  I know she will be fine.  All of the kids will be.  This is what these people do.  They will teach her, they will take care of her.   She will have a great day!  Guaranteed.

2nd Grade Here She Comes!

I hope Ms, Dau is ready for this 2nd grader.

Hannah is ready for the first day of school. She has some kids in her class that she already knows, not that she needs that to be excited to start school but it can't hurt.  She got the teacher she wanted and is very excited to get back to a schedule.

Hailey won't start until tomorrow.  For Kindergarten, they break the group up and have kids with last names A-L start the first day and kids M-Z come on the second day.  So that means a special stay home day for Hailey and I.  Our last one together before this little lady is a big KINDERGARTNER!

There are two ways to get to the cabin

There are two ways to get to the cabin.

Hannah's way:  phone, headphones and snoozing

And Hailey's way: complete with cats, computers and an art tray.

MN State Fair

Today we are taking the girls to the State Fair.

Grandma, Grandpa and the Schreibers will be out there too.  A fun filled family day :-)

A ton of neighbors are also going to be there at various times.  Andy Grammer is playing a FREE concert at the Leine Lodge and I was NOT going to miss it.  Not a chance.

 

Could these two be any cuter!

Chase and Hailey at the Kemps Farm

UGH, it's the worst.

I'd be lying if I said this never gets easier.  Because it actually does.  Especially when you know that they will be home in just a few months for the wedding and Christmas.  BUT that doesn't mean I like it any better.  It doesn't mean that I don't get sad when they leave and wish they didn't have to go.  It doesn't mean that I won't sulk around for the next few days or randomly cry when I think about it.

It just means that right now as they leave, as they pull away from my house, I will wave and smile.  I'll make the most of it and start to get excited for their return in December!

Won't you be my neighbor?

I think I am going to like having the neighborhood completed.  At first I pretty much hated it.  I loved being able to see Joe and Mary's backyard and soon my whole view to their house will be obstructed, but, I think it will be nice to get rid of silt fences and look outside to yards and homes 

instead of dirt and weeds.  Neighbors on both sides are nice which makes this all a little easier!