getting ready for school

Bella will be starting Junior Kindergarten in a few weeks. Illinois is not charging state tax for this week, so we decided to go school shopping with my mom. Since it was so hot out we hit the outlets. Not one pair of pants bought. Bella is on a dress kick. I told her when the weather gets colder she would have to wear pants. She said, " Mom, I will just wear heavy tights". The highlight of her day came when we got back to my mom's house. There was a box sitting there from Zappos. It was her Twinkle Toes shoes. This was a gift from my mom and dad for going to sleep by herself. These are gym shoes made by Sketchers. They are two shades of pink amd have jewels on them. Much to mine and my moms surprise. They light up. I hate light up shoes. As a teacher, they were the biggest distraction. I have always told Bella no to them. I however sat and watched her with a big smile run through my mom's house in them. How could I take them away. I am sure the teachers will hate them but we will deal.

Sleeping by ourselves

As parent I think we all have one or two things we have a problem breaking with our kid. I have a friend whos child has been potty trained for a while but still needs a pullup to poop. Bellas is that she has always had me to fall asleep with. It was my mistake but in all fairness. When everyone was letting their kids cry it out Bella was still too sick to do that. So lately, I have been having a hard time with Bella with me leaving. She is fine if it is during the day but at night she freaks. So yesterday, I decided to make the move.

I put her in her room and told her that she could look at books but had to stay in bed. Needless to say this was rough. She cried and cried. I kept going in and reassuring her. There was a point when I was ready to break but I finally decide: ok I gave her no warning so I am going to sit in the hall. Once I did this she feel right asleep.

Today, I bought her something special to sleep with. You would think Mary her cow was enough but I figured this would help. We also made a chart. After a week of doing it she gets to pick something special. So I read her two books and went in the hallway. At first she cried and I said she could read books. I had to do something so I had Bill sit in the hall. When I went back up, she was laying there. After another 5 minutes, she was out. It still took an hour but she did it. I know I will have to work to not have to sit in the hall but this is a huge step! Yeah Bella! Yeah Mommy!

Flash back

Sean driving Bella in the car!

Face painting

Reilly and Bella having slurpies and popcorn!

Remember a world where the kids ran up and down the street or rode their bikes. SO yesterday, we went to a block party at our friends house. They live in the city, we live in the burbs. Now so many people move to the burbs because to feel safe. Our friends live in a nice area in the city that may surpass the burbs.

Now back when we were growing up, every year our block had a block party. It was more like a backyard party because all our yards were attached with no fences. The kids played, the adults, talked and we ate. Then we either had a water balloon fight or played in the sprinkler. I loved going up in the neighborhood I did. I think those people helped as much as my parents to raise me to who I am today! So thanks!

Yesterday brought me back. The kids rode bikes, jumped in a bounce house, and had their faces painted. The adults ate and drank. No one worried about what might happen. I wish my town allowed them. So thank you to our friends The Johnsons for taking us back and reminding us what summer is about.