No more braces for Mommy

Two years ago, I had to start the process of orthodontics then a dental implant. And now I'm free of braces and a few weeks from having all the dental work completed! I can't tell how great it is to have my smile back. It's so great to say "cheese" with the kids.

McK's 1st Hair Cut

Top picture is the "before" and the bottom one is the "after"

In typically mom fashion, I gave McKenna her "first haircut" at home after bath. I basically cut as much as I could before she took off running. Afterwards, I cried - my little baby is growing up. I did the same thing with Jonah. Then I look at my handy work and decided I should stick with what I know and not try to cut hair.

So about a month later, on a Saturday afternoon, I was pumped up to take McKenna for her first haircut. It was girl's afternoon out. We headed to the cheesy, over priced kid's hair cuttery. Of course, McKenna loved all the cartoon cut outs and toys everywhere. While we were waiting a little boy was just in tears on his mommy's lap. I got nervous that McKenna would follow suit. When it was our turned, I tried to put her in the chair by herself, but that wasn't going to happen. I sat in the chair with her and she was quiet as a mouse.

I asked the "stylist" to give her a pixie cut. You know, short in the back and longer on the top with little bangs. She did as well as she could with McKenna turn her head back and forth, back and forth. In the end, the haircut wasn't great but it was little shorter. And McKenna had her lollipop for being such a good girl (and she didn't have to share it with brother).

1st day of school

Jonah started school in September. He goes 3 days a week to the church down the street from our house. The school reminds me of school when I was little even down to the smell of it. Jonah had a little trouble with us leaving him at school for the first couple weeks. Now, he runs into his classes with all smiles. He does like to stall my departure but asking for hugs every step I make to the door.

I absolutely love looking through his school bag at the end of each day. There's always an art piece to hang on the fridge. Jonah always says, "Mommy, look what I made for you."

Our days at the beach

A week at the beach will spoil a person. No agenda, no meetings, no desks, no computer, no connections. . . it was wonderful. Only decisions to be made was "beach or pool?" and "SPF 30 or 50?" The ocean was beautiful at Cape San Blas. CSB has to be one of my favorite places to vacation to in the U.S.
The kids took awhile to adjust to the sand. Jonah hated the "yucky sand" and McKenna tolerated it. By the last day of the vacation, Jonah finally warmed up to walking on the sand. They were both a handful the whole week but I manage to capture and lock away some precious moments of them in my mind.

The 4th of July

The 4th of July is always a fun day for our family. The Dunwoody parade starts right in front of our house. Jonah was more interested in the candy that the floats threw out to the crowd than the actual parade. McKenna has a good time smiling and waving at everyone. Our friends, Dave & Thais and their son, Olen, joined us. We spent the rest of the day in the pool and ended up missing fireworks b/c everyone was in bed by 8:30pm. And when I say "everyone", I mean Jonah, McKenna & James!

Family Pictures