Gold Star

Each child is different.  I really have no idea how many times I have heard or said it.  Although, it is a terribly overused statement, it does not change that it is so very true.  My girls are as different as they can possibly be.  Leah is independent, rough, and not always very friendly.  She loves pretending to be a puppy, and eats her dinner without any begging!

Ryenn, however, is my shy princess.  She sticks close to mommy everywhere we go.  Even if it is the home of a family friend, she is still hesitant to wander by herself.  She plays dress up, but doesn't like doing it alone, and getting her to eat solid foods is like trying to move a mountain.

In August we discovered that Ryenn wouldn't meet the cut off date for kindergarten.  She would have to be 5 by August 31st.  Unfortunately, her birthday is in September so she misses the date by two weeks.  They do, however, test 4 year olds into school.  I have decided that it is our best option.  It would be detrimental to her social skills if she spent another year alone with mom.  There aren't a great deal of activities that a mom can do with her young children in the area.  We had already tried dance, but she was intimidated by all of the kids. 

I knew that she had to be enrolled in preschool, but I was really nervous that things would not go well.  When her first day arrived I didn't know what to do.  I was excited, scared, and sad all at once.  Daddy loaded up the car, and we headed to school.  We walked into the room, and with the smallest hugs Ry says, "Bye," and runs into the group of kids.  I was sure that I was going to make it home, and the teacher would be calling to tell me that I needed to pick up my hysterical child.  After 30 minutes, I was a bit shocked, but I continued by wait.  An hour went by, and then another, soon it was time to get her!  I was so proud when she skipped over to me and declared that she had so much fun!

Here we are a semester later, and she is still so excited to go to school every morning.  We were given her first progress report, and it was a special moment.  She scored all "U's," the highest marks possible!  This is what her teacher had to say about her:

"Ryenn is such an amazing little girl.  She is super smart and probably the most polite girl I've ever met.  She is excellent at making friends and helping others feel included."

When it rains

I really don't know what has gotten into our belongings!?!? I have even started questioning the existence of an electronic breaking, super angsty, punk-rock loving, purple-haired fairy dressed in static crashing about our house destroying everything in her wake.

The backlight in our computer monitor has burnt out. It sits mockingly working, but not revealing it's secrets.....unless you turn out all the lights and hold a flashlight to it. So, a few of the blogs I had planned will just have to wait until we replace it. At least I finally found an app for my phone :-).

We also had an incident at our home today. The bedrooms in the house all have sliding glass mirrors. We have had some small problems keeping them on the tracks, but we are all really good at using the doors safely. Ryenn has even learned to be cautious while around them. Today, our niece was visiting, and for some reason she is drawn to the mirrors like me to brownies. After the umpteenth time of telling her to be careful, I hear a loud crash.

Now these mirrors have fallen on several occasions, but there has never been any real damage. I was not so lucky today. Imagine tiny, sparkling glass shards littering the floor and furniture of a child's room. On chairs, the bed, and on toys. I don't think she is going to be able to play in there for days!

This Little Piggy

Ryenn is a girl with many obsessions.  She flutters from one thing to the next and back again with such an extreme passion for a four year old.  Her interests vary a great deal.  She loves Lady Gaga, assassins, Orca whales, flowers, and all things princess.  I may or may not have mentioned that on of her new favorite things are piggy banks.  She found her first during our trip to California.  She carries it around the house with her, and not surprisingly she has lost the cork that keeps the coins safe inside.  (she also found a very expensive one in a fashionable boutique in downtown Ventura, but that was not purchased)

Leah and I made our usual trip to Walmart after dropping Ry off at preschool.  We were rushing past the jewelry section (making our second trip to the opposite side of the store...i always forget something) and out of the corner of my eye I saw it!  A piggy bank all dressed up with a tutu and tiara!  I couldn't help myself.  Before I even knew I was doing it, my phone was out, and I was placing the call to John.  (yeah, i call and make sure i can spend money on random items)  He is such a sucker when it comes to making his little girls happy, and he quickly agreed.  I bought one for Leah too.

 

 

Time: Harvest and Otherwise

I know that it is entirely cliche, but where did the time go?? I mean seriously. My little baby girl Leah is almost 2 years old, and Ryenn has become a teenage girl in the matter of a few years.  I remember the autumn season last year.  I was so glad that Leah could finally sit up.  I was looking forward to taking some pictures of my lovely girls with their pumpkins.  It really was something special.  Here we are again, and I almost didn't do it.  I hate to admit it, but I think I have finally reached the phase where I am more reluctant to pick up the camera.  So much of the girl's moments are going undocumented! :-/  What a horrible mommy I have become.  I didn't even carve pumpkins with the girls this year! SIGH!  Yes, I realize that I am ranting.....(back to the topic at hand)

Ryenn and Leah are exactly two and a half years apart, and John and I have been considering trying for a third baby Nutty Nunley.  We are now at the time of year where if we (ahem) get started, then Leah and B.N. #3 will be 2 1/2 years apart as well.  I am really at the point of wanting a baby, but without all the baby (for lack of a better word) stuff. We are finally sleeping more....ish. Leah isn't potty trained, but might be.....someday. Who am I kidding! We still have a baby. It would be nice if we could magically have a two year old. I guess between diaper changes and the late night bottle feedings I will continue to sleep on it.

Here are photos of the current Nutty Nunleys :-D

Latest Nutty Nunley Trend

I think it is safe to say that our newest family trend is breaking our electronics. We had a scare this week with our XBOX. I was sure that we were visited by the dreaded "Red Ring of Death." I fiddled with it for a few hours, and I came to the conclusion that it was unfixable. John came home and made one adjustment and voila! Magic! I will continue my defense of the Kirkwall Mages....lol.

As you know, our computer was broken, and we thought fixed. Sadly, this was not the case. Our motherboard shorted out again, but John was able to work his magic. So, here I am gracing you with my presence once again.

However, yup you guessed it, these things come in threes. Our camera has decided that it wants to be broken. During our lovely vacation to California we introduced it to sand. Not the best idea. John tried to work his magic, but the camera has thwarted him.....for now. He is not ready to admit defeat. (updates to follow) We were able to remove the pictures from the memory card, so without further adieu.

1) Mommy and Ryenn looking fashionable 2) Leah and her very dirty Cheeto 3) The Nutty Nunleys on the Ventura Beach!

1) Leah playing in the back yard 2) Ryenn striking a pose 3) Me and my Mommy!

1) Daddy keeping Ry's feet dry 2) Daddy keeping Ry warm 3) Ry trying to keep herself dry

1) Showing off her castle 2) Yes, she does have an endless supply of poses

1) Burying sister's foot 2) Joining in on the fun 3) There it is!

1) Grandma Lisa and Leah enjoying the view 2) One more time