Double Digit Day!!

Happy 10th Birthday Ireland!!

I can't believe how fast the last decade has flown by. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding my first born in my arms. My little girl was born at 4:32pm she was 6 lbs 11 oz. and 20.5 inches long. My how things have changed...here are 10 reasons I think my daughter is the greatest:

1. She has an awesome sense of humor

2. super friendly

3. very compassionate

4. she is a great helper

5. very smart and artistic

6. she can cook really well- she bakes excellent brownies

7. I love that she is part tom-boy but that she isn't afraid to be girly

8. she is very brave and will try anything

9. Her self confidence is awesome

10. Her smile (braces and all) is contagious =)

Ireland has such a special way of just lighting up a room- she has the type of personality that is just a pleasure to have around, I have always gotten complimented on how well behaved and awesome she is, and I couldn't agree more. I don't know what Rich and I did to deserve such an amazing little girl, but all I can say is I feel very blessed to be her mom.

Happy Birthday Peanut, we all love you very much!!!

1st Day of School at Minshew Elementary

Last week was a very bitter-sweet week for me- The kids started school- which I think is so great for them, the hard part was letting go of my "babies". The twins started kindergarten and I was so sad to see them go- they have been with me since the day they were born and I think that because they were pre-mature I've always been a little more protective of them, and the fact that I know that there will be no more children after them, it made it a little bit harder for me. Most people send their kids off to school gradually, with twins it's all at once. I had such a fear of feeling all alone once all my kids were gone for the whole day. The first day was somewhat difficult but the night before, after the kids went to bed, I cried my self to sleep so that I could get out all of the tears so I wouldn't cry when I dropped them off.
We got to the school, walked Ireland to her locker so we could help her decorate it (with Zac Effron magnets) then we walked her to her class, gave loves, wished her a wonderful day and said goodbye. (She is a pro at the whole school thing now that she is in 4th grade, she was super excited to start).
Then off to the kindergarten hall- I wasn't sure just how Spencer or Kaston would react- they were so brave- they put their backpacks in their cubbies- Kaston's is a "soldier one" as he calls it (camouflage) and Spencer's is Joe Jonas- whom she adores- she is very proud of that backpack- Then they looked for their name on a table, they each found their own name very quick and easy, they both gave me big hugs and kisses- Spencer didn't look nervous at all, she was just really happy and Kaston had a small look of concern but he was very brave and didn't let his nerves get the best of him, I took a few pictures gave a few last loves and left. Once I got in the car I actually felt relieved. I think I was afraid that they would have a hard time with me leaving them, but since they were okay, it made me feel okay.
Now we are a week into school, and there are moments when I feel a little lonely, like I'm missing something, but for the most part it has been pretty good. Going grocery shopping is a breeze & I am able to start a project at home and actually finish it. It's nice to have a routine and I love hearing about the kids day and seeing how excited they are to learn so many new things. As scared as I was for the first day of school, I think things are working out just fine, and- I am getting better at not feeling guilty when I say that having a break is actually a pretty nice thing.