the kissing hand

I always told myself when Brielle went to Kindergarten we’d read "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn together and I’d kiss her hand remind her how much I love her and I'd send her off to the big world of school. (If you haven’t read this book it is so great and a perfect book for anyone just starting school).  So last night I read the book to her, I waited on purpose because today was the first day I actually just dropped her off at the curb and picked her up at the curb without going up to her room.  It was very hard for me to do, but she has been begging me since day one so we’ve taken little baby steps and now I think she is finally ready.  I could tell she was very excited, yet a bit nervous, so I reminded her of the "Kissing Hand" and how much we love her and sent her on her way.  Isn't she cute, little Miss Independent Brielle?

As for a little update on how her first week of Kindergarten actually went, it went great.  She seems to being doing great.  She likes her teacher, her classmates, her specials, eating lunch there, playing outside, and she loves having her cousins (Chase and Kinley) there with her, I think that is her favorite part of going to that school.  She is really doing good and acts like she has been going to school forever.  She isn’t even tired when she comes home, which is amazing since I thought she’d be exhausted.  I’m glad she is happy and liking school.  Cooper sure misses her.  About two or three hours into the day he ask, “let’s go get Baba”.  It does bring a tear to my eye, but in the end I know she is happy, learning, and having fun.

happy birthday bower

Today was Bowers 32nd birthday.  He went to work and got to have a wonderful lunch with his ladies (oh I mean his work ladies) and then he got to come home to a living room full of balloons all over the floor.  The kids thought that was a blast.  I’m not sure if Colby was so convinced.  After that we headed to dinner and then home.   At home we had his favorite pie, blueberry banana, which even had a homemade pie crust.  I guess I really do love him and think he is pretty special.  It was a pretty low key birthday, but that’s how Colby likes it.  This weekend he’ll be spending his birthday money at the mall.  Have fun there Bower I know you love the mall.  (NOT)   We love you and think you’re a great daddy.  Thanks for all you do.  

feta cheese goodness

Tonight we had a great salad that Heather's cousin Heidi shared with us so we thought we'd share it with you.  This is a great light summer salad to enjoy after a long hot day (4 hours)  fixing the car because the stupid designers insisted on putting the parts under other parts so I couldn't get to them.  Sigh....Oh well, here is the recipe.

Feta Cheese Salad

• 1-2 Romaine lettuce
• 1/2 lbs bacon
• 1/2 purple onion sliced
• 1/2 feta cheese
• 2 cans madarin oranges

Dressing: (you can half this if you like)

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. poppy seeds
• 1 tsp. Sesame Seeds
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. salt

Put on the dressing right before serving

towing lightening

Cooper cannot settle for a close representation of anything.  If it is supposed to be a certain way, well, it better be that way.  His lastest example comes as he dressed up as Mater from the Disney movie "Cars." 

The costume has a tow hook and the whole picture came together when he wanted to hook on his Lightening McQueen slipper to the tow hook.  But, if he were to stand up...well, Lightening McQueen would be off the ground, and THAT would be incorrect. 

So he motored around the living room dragging Lightening McQueen in tow.  I think only after the rug burns settled in did he decide to stand up. 

Towing Lightening from Colby Bower on Vimeo.

the dreaded boob tube

My little Cooper is a lover of the boob tube and toys.  It is so funny how different he is then his sister.  Brielle has been at school for almost a week and we have just hung out most of the week taking it easy, after a rather hectic previous 10 days. 

So anyway, the only thing my little guy wants to do is play with trains, planes or automobiles and watch the boob tube.  Now I understand what people mean when they say they actually have to turn off the TV during the day so they don’t let their kids watch it all day.  It would definitely be easy to let the TV be the babysitter.  I never had that problem with Brielle; I was lucky if she watched 30 minutes of TV a day or maybe even a week. 

The picture says it all.  Doesn’t he look like a daddy in his recliner chair after a hard day’s work, kickin’ back, watchin’ a little TV in his underwear.  Okay so his dad really doesn’t hang out in his underwear, but he does like to hang out and watch a little TV after  work.  (Maybe not SpongeBob SquarePants, like Cooper)