Friends - or as Ella says BFF's, 2nd day of school

Lori and I made their outfits :)  Berkley, Ella, Faith and Ella Mae all have the same one!  They wore their matching outfits on the 2nd day of school!  

Ever seen a dog jump rope?

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Ella and her shadow.

Just watering the flowers in our pj's.

Ella goes to KINDERGARTEN

 This day is here and it was filled with mixed emotions.
I have dreaded it because my BABY is going to school, which means now all my babies are in school all day, every day :(
Burt was looking forward to it because no more paying for preschool.
Ella was SO EXCITED!

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With her backpack that she picked out.  It is monogrammed at the top and has her ladybug germ x and holder attached.  All pink and purple, her favorite colors.

Teachers were there to greet her all the way down the hall.  She was known as "the last Barrett."  haha. 

I have this same picture of Emma and Eva Grace on their first days of Kindergarten. 

Her pencil box she designed.  This took a LOT of time.  She was very picky on fabrics!

Ella and Berkley with their teacher, Mrs. Mitzi.

Her first thing to bring home.

I couldn't wait to pick her up.  She was so excited to see Daddy...  She had a great day!

Tomorrow she will be a Kindergartner... What a difference a day can make.

The best chapter of of my life, thus far, is closing in the morning. I have had babies home with me for the past 10 years but tomorrow Ella will wake up and go to Kindergarten.  The saying is true, "The days are   sometimes long but the years are short."  I have cherished this chapter of life and I am nervous about opening the next one in the morning.  Tears have been shed, and more will fall tomorrow, but she won't see any of them.  She will know I am as excited as she is- her biggest fan!

Turning the page...

We have eggs~

We have been waiting for this day.  Fresh farm eggs right in the middle of the city.  The girls are excited.  I'm sure the neighbors are too.  Who doesn't love a crowing rooster at the crack of dawn? Cock a Doodle doo.

2nd day of 3rd and 5th grade

Can't you see the love?  I needed a picture of their outfits because they both looked adorable.  After arguing over who brushed their teeth in which bathroom, this was the most loving picture I could get.

Back to School 2012-13, Kindergarten, 3rd and 5th grader

We tried on several outfits until we each found the perfect one,  painted our nails exactly how we wanted them,  tried out our hair do's last night to make sure they would be perfect,  picked out the perfect accessories to complete our outfits, made our teacher's gifts and tried out best to go to sleep "early."  

Eva Grace started 3rd grade at NIC and is in Mrs. Appleby's class.  She was bubbily on the way home saying her teacher was, "very nice."

Emma started 5th grade in Ms. Pepper's class.  She thinks this year, "is going to be a superb year." :) In 5th grade you get lockers and at open house we realized what a big deal it is to decorate your lockers.   This weekend we went and Emma picked out the perfect decorations and today after school we decorated it.  Lime green polka dot wall paper (her favorite color), a lime green rug, a purple chandelier, a purple flower, a peace sign mirror, and a personalized pencil box. I think the door needs some more tweaking but the inside turned out pretty cute. 

Ella went for Kindergarten screening today.  Afterwards, Berkley joined us at "Chicken Lay" (Chick Fil A) and spent the afternoon with us.  After Chicken Lay they wanted to go to Target :)  It was the sweetest afternoon.  Their first day of school is Wednesday.

Just a night out with Emma

Emma and I snuck away for dinner at Cheddars, just the 2 of us.  We played Tic-Tac-Toe with silverware and sugar packets while we waited for our food.  :)  Isn't she beautiful!

Girl's best friend

 Grinnin Barrett is the perfect name for this dog and she and Ella are crazy about each other.   They play dress up, chase, Ella brushes her hair, they lay on each other, they tackle each other, they are partners in crime.  I also love hearing Ella yell, "Gwinnin Bawwett."  Here are pictures of the latest thing Ella realized she could play with the dog.

 Of course, Burt is right in the middle of it too.

 (Ignore the huge mess in my craft room. It is back to school time and it's a craft room!)

13 CRAZY years

13 years later and we still drive each other crazy!  :)

We celebrated by going to eat at Longhorn Steakhouse and going to the movies to see The Watch.  Thanks to Uncle Adam who called and volunteered to take the girls for the night.

Shopped til we dropped and Melting Pot

What???  A Mama's trip?? With no kids??  A whole weekend???  YES!!!!!!!  Thanks to husbands, in-laws, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and anyone else we could sweet talk, we were able to get away for a whole night!  (I haven't done this since before Ella was born.) We went to Memphis and shopped till we dropped :)  

None of us had eaten at The Melting Pot either so we had that for dinner then went back to the motel suite that Kevin had hooked us up with for FREE!  It was perfect.  I am so blessed to be friends with these two women!