Endings and new Beginnings

Kali's last day at Cathy's was Tuesday August 21st.  I know Kali will miss Cathy.  She has been an amazing daycare provider to Kali and Hoyt.  However, since Hoyt will still be going to Cathy's until the end of the year, Kali will still get to see her on a regular basis. Kali will start going to Emily's a new daycare provider in Center Point for Before/After School starting on the first day of school.   

We love you Cathy!

Kali's first day of Kindergarten was Wednesday August 22.  CPU actually started on Tuesday 21st, however for the Kindergarten class they do half the students on Tuesday and the 2nd half on Wednesday so students get more individual attention with the teacher! 

We got up early for the first day of school because Kali wanted her hair done. She was beaming with excitement when she woke up.  I was so excited that she was excited!!  She didn't seem nervous at all. 

Our goal is to leave the house at 7 so we can drop off Hoyt at Cathy's and then head to CP to be at Emily's house at 7:30 so Kali has time to eat breakfast.  For the first day, I wanted Kali to understand her routine so I dropped Kali off at Emily's and then the 3 Kindergartners were loaded in Emily's car and I followed.  We took some pictures.  I walked Kali into school and Kali met her teacher Mrs. Silver and we went into the classroom to drop off her bag.  Then the kids all meet in the center pod and watch a movie until school starts at 8:30.  Kali saw her 3 best friends from preschool and she just plopped right down in the middle of them.  I had to take more pictures!!  Too bad I forgot to take a picture w/ Kali and her teacher...I'll have to get that another time. Then I went over and gave Kali a BIG hug and said, "Good Luck!"  There were no tears from either of us.  She was so excited to be with her friends she wasn't sad at all.  Seeing her excitement, I was so excited myself.  Emily and I walked out together and Emily started to cry.  I hadn't even thought about crying because I was just so happy Kali was excited....but then I did get a little teary eyed just because I can't believe my baby is 5.  Where does the time go!?!?!?  But, I would have to say, preschool was way more tough because everything was so new.  But this year Kali was a pro! :)

Kali's new outfit that Gma and Gpa Holub got her.  Kali picked it out all by herself!  IT is definitely a "Kali" outfit.  Doesn't she look so grown up!?!?!

Kali wanted Cathy to see her new outfit when I dropped Hoyt off.  So, we all went downstairs.  Hoyt was a little surprised when Kali gave him a kiss and said good bye and followed me up the stairs. Cathy had said that Hoyt tried to follow us up the stairs and cried for like 5 secs, but then he was fine.  I think the kids get a long better when they don't see each other all day. 

These are Kali's new daycare buddies that also go to Kindergarten w/ Kali but neither one of them are in Kali's class.  Hunter is the boy in the green and he his Emily's son and Jack in the black shirt.  Kali told me a funny story after the first day of school and being at the new daycare.  She said that Jack was taunting Hunter saying, "Hunters going to marry Kali." and "Hunter has a crush on Kali" and Hunter was like no I don't so he took a frying pan from the sand box and hit Jack right in the head.  Needless to say, Emily put Hunter in time out after that.  Emily said the boys just need to get used to having a pretty girl around! :)  Never a dull moment when Kali is around!!! 

Another story Kali told me was a little boy got sent to the principals office the first day of school because he was talking back to the teacher, saying bad words, and not having good manners.  She told met that the little boy said to Kali, "Your kitten is fat and your mom is fat."  Kali said, "Mom I stood of  for you and I told the boy that you weren't fat!"  Ahhhhhhh...that is my girl!!!! :)

Baby Barkdoll

As we all know, Tasha and Brian are expecting a baby on December 31st.  They had the ultrasound on Wednesday August 16th and had the ultra sound tech put the gender of the baby in an envelope.  They waited until Sunday to have a party to unveil the gender of their baby.  We all waited in anticipation.......................

Drum roll...................................

Its a BOY!!!!!!  They are going to name the little boy Nash John!!!!

Congratulations Tasha and Brian!  We are so very happy for you!!!  We can't wait until we are able to meet little baby Nash!! 

My two little babies!!!  Don't you love Kali's outfit. Gma Dolores got it for her for a back to school outfit....it is so 70's.  I LOVE IT!!!! 



Play Date!

On Saturday, August 18th we had a much needed play date with the Coufal's.  The kids needed it as well as the adults.  The kids always get along so well.  It is so nice that Jill and I have remained friends after so many years and now our kids love to hang out!!!

Look at those funky outfits!!!!!  Gotta love 'em!  Fashion Diva's....at least they think so!!!!



Meet and Greet

On Thursday August 17th, Kali had her meet and greet at the school!  Kali was so excited to meet her teacher Mrs. Silver and drop off all of her school supplies.  She even met a few new students in her class and saw some friends from preschool.  Kali was a happy girl!!!!

I don't know if it is because my baby is starting Kindergarten, but I think she is looking so much older!!!! Sniff Sniff :(

After the Meet and Greet, we headed to Gpa Holub's farm to see the cows and sheep.  Kali was able to bottle feed one of the calfs.  She loved it. 



My little farmer girl!!!

Hoyt on the other hand loves talking about farm animals and loves them from a distance, but gets scared when we are near them.  At this visit, he didn't mind the cows, but he didn't even want to look at the sheep.  He really has a complex about those darn sheep.  I was holding him and he would turn his head every time I turned around to have him see the sheep.  But then when we were in the car again, that is all he can talk about!!!  Crazy little kid.  I didn't get any pictures of Hoyt at the farm but when we went back to Gma and Gpa's house, I got a picture of Hoyt on the lawn mower....so he was HAPPY!!!

Kali trying on Gpa's glasses

Kali trying on Gma's glasses



State Fair

Thank you Sissy and Michelle (Brianna's mom) for taking Kali to the State Fair on Monday August 13th.  This was Kali's first time at the State Fair.  Kali had a wonderful time sharing the fun with Quinten and Audrey (Brianna's cousins).  Kali milked a cow, had a fried snickers, and was almost able to meet President Obama, but the President decided to hit the beer tent and have Iowa Pork Chops instead of the location Kali was at!  Thanks again for taking Kali she really enjoyed the day of fun!!!! 

Winning the BET!!!

Kali proved us all wrong, and she won the bet by sleeping in her own bed for over a week straight!!!!  This just shows that anything is possible!!!  Both Chad and I were very surprised that she completed this goal...what an accomplishment!!!

Welcome to our family Kisha the kitten! Kali named her herself. We got her at the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter!!!  I brought her home Thursday August 9th over lunch and surprised her with it when we got home from daycare. Kisha was hidden in the bathroom.   I told Kali to give me a brush and of course Kali asked why I couldn't go get it myself....KIDS!  But, she finally went to get the brush and the kitten jumped out at her and Kali jumped 10 ft in the air as the kitten scared her.  She looked at me and said, "Is she mine?"  I told her yes and she was like, "Thank you,Thank you. Thank you....I love you, I love you, I love you." Then she said, "I think I'm gonna cry!"  Needless to say, Kali was ecstatic.

Kisha sleeping with Kali and Hoyt!!!  Good thing that Kisha loves to cuddle!!!

Kali is a wonderful little mommy to Kisha!!!  She helps feed and water her and she even has helped clean the litter box!!!  Kali loves to cuddle her and play with her.  I hope this all continues and Kali continues to help!! :)

Another cute story that happened over the weekend, I had to share, so that I don't forget these funny little stories.  We attended my cousins graduation and I was telling my brother, Brad and Becky that Kali and Hoyt were going to be in Tasha and Brian's wedding.  Becky asked Kali what the kids were going to be in the wedding?  Kali told Becky, that she was going to be a flower girl and that Hoyt was going to be a dingle berry....now I'm not quite sure if Kali forgot the name "ring bearer", or if she was trying to be funny....but it definitely was a shock...we all started laughing....I guess as parents we can't put anything passed our children!!! We are always up for a surprise.

A few other pictures from the weekend.

Savannah took this picture of Hoyt in his "BIG BOY" pants and his batman mask!!!  I LOVE IT!!!  Even though Hoyt hasn't gone in the potty chair, we still put them on and get him pumped about them.  Every time we take a bath, we try to go on the potty, but we haven't succeeded YET!  Hopefully soon!

Alburnett Parade

On Saturday August 4, Laura and I took Jackson, Kali, and Hoyt to the Alburnett Parade.  It was a very nice parade. The kids got so much candy!!!  Kali and Hoyt got a gallon size bucket of sweets!!! We were also fortunate to hang out with the Coufals.  Kali and Kathryn definitely enjoy each other's company.    Luckily, the parade didn't have any showers...but shortly after the parade, a big storm came through, so we took cover for a little while to wait out the storm.

Hoyt and his cousin, Lexi!

Hoyt was not scared of the parade at all this year....he loved the fire trucks, tractors, and horses....horfes as Hoyt likes to call them!!! :)

Shhhhh hunting rabbits!!! :)

On Sunday, we went to David's Bridal to view Tasha in her bridal gown that she picked out over the weekend and to help Savannah pick out her bridesmaids dress....OOOOHHHHHH I probably haven't mentioned that Tasha and Brian are now getting married before the baby is born. They are having a small intimate ceremony and reception prior to baby Barkdoll being born!!!  YES, it all has happened very fast!!!  Tasha and Brian just like to add another box on their checklist of to do's.  Sorry, not able to post pictures, but I can inform you the dresses are very beautiful!!! 

Brianna stopped over to surprise Kali with some school supplies....of course Kali LOVED them...I'm not sure if school supply shopping is a girl thing or if everyone loves school supplies at that age...but I know Kali LOVES them!!!  Thanks Sissy!!!!!  She loved the Hello Kitty spiral the BEST!!!!

Brianna also took this cute picture of Hoyt!!!  He loves shades and a hat...he always thinks it is time to mow the yard...he hasn't had many opportunities this summer with the lack of rain! :(