Primp primp here, primp primp there

The best idea Disneyland has ever come up with is this Princess Fantasy Faire that was going on while we were there. You could have you're face painted, your hair done, and your wardrobe changed to match that of your favorite princess (no eye dying though). The price $150.00. So my niece, Emma, got her hair fixed but Aubrey settled on face paint and a tiara for a cool $25.00. Ellie wanted the crown but ended up refusing the face paint in the end. She still had a blast looking at herself in the mirror. And when you were through, they had dancing lessons given by all the Disney princesses in the Enchanted theater. Sariah was off with her cousins and of course Andy and Isaac ran away as fast as they could. But Aubrey, Ellie, and I stayed there for hours. So FUN!

And our little dog, too.

So yes I have officially lost my mind and given in. We got a puppy. Andy's sister Wendy's dog had puppies in July and I agreed to let us adopt one. We really lucked out because he has the best personality. He never tries to squirm away and he doesn't get it your face. When I pet him my hands don't feel all grimy. He doesn't bark or jump on you.
He's so laid back, he was born to be a Moss it seems. So far so good. His name is Teddy. My niece Camille named him when he was born. The kids want to keep the name because it just seems to fit him. So we went to California to pick him up. And when we were leaving he was in his kennel crying. I was really thinking it was going to be the longest 15 hour drive home ever (as if that's not insanely long already). I told Sariah to hold him thinking he would quiet down. But he went from crying to yelping. Finally, I suggested Isaac hold him and sure enough, he snuggled down and closed his eyes instantly. There he stayed practically the whole
way home. Isaac had spent a good amount of time playing with the puppy while we were at Wendy's and obviously they'd bonded. So that makes me happy, after all I agreed to this whole puppy thing hoping Isaac would gain a buddy. As of now Teddy is definitely Issac's best friend.

Where Happy Little Bluebirds Fly (well sort of)

Well, so we just took a trip to Disneyland on Wednesday. It was super fun. I did a really horrible job of taking pictures. We were all split up most of the time. All of us but Sariah were together here in the Tiki Room. Wendy, Lynda(not pictured), Emma, and Henry were there too. I just watched Ellie's reaction the whole time. She just very calmly took the whole thing in. The singing Tiki masks scared her a little. Isaac thought it was pretty cool, but didn't understand why they wouldn't use real birds. I totally agree. If they could get real birds to do that, even the Macaws with the corny accents would be cool.

A Horse of a Different Name?

So Isaac Prayed for 3 years, no lie, to be able to go horse back riding with his sisters at Crystal Peaks Youth ranch. The girls go twice a month. Because you have to be 5 this was his first time. He was so cute with the Horse and his instructor, Sam. His favorite horse, Luke, had retired from the ranch so Sam picked out this sweet gentle beauty. You can imagine Isaac's dismay at finding out this horse's name was Isabelle and it was a girl. Horses should be boys named Luke or Bob. He actually asked if he could rename the horse a boy name. Sam explained that the horse knew her name and would be confused if they called her something different. Sam asked Isaac if he could call Isaac by a different girl name. "NO Way", he replied. Then he understood. And he begrudgingly accepted her. And to his surprise he still had fun riding a GIRL.

If ever a Wiz there was!

So I took Isaac to Kindergarten screening yesterday. I have been coaching him constantly to get him prepared. He's never been tested before so I don't know what the end result was. They said he did very good. He's a pretty bright boy so you would think he would remember all the fun things we did this summer but NO, When the teacher asked him what he did all summer his reply? "UUUHHH, I watched TV!" I was so embarrassed. Well, I guess I know where his heart is. And I guess that explains the pictures of his favorite show, Zaboomafoo, I found on my camera yesterday. I didn't even know he knew how to use the camera. He is a wiz after all.

Get the oil can!

Well,
Isaacs arm is officially healed. I don't think it was common knowledge but about 6 weeks ago Isaac was sliding down the stairs on a camping matt, slid off, rolled down the stairs, and broke his wrist. Andy and I were at the movies of course. Luckily a 5 year olds bones are bendable so his bones were only splintered. A removable cast was all he needed. It was pretty sad watching him favor his arm for awhile. But hes good as new now. Not even a little rusty.

I'll Get You My Pretty!

This is the skirt Ellie chose for the day. She's mad because she didn't want to wear a shirt at all. I know your thinking, I'm the mom and I should be able to make the decisions on what my two year old wears. Well, I have to choose my battles. For making her wear a shirt today, she'll be Getting me back for it all day. If it wasn't so cold she might have won this one.

Follow, Follow, Follow, Follow

Here I go, following the masses. Okay, I actually think this blog thing is a lot cooler that I did at first. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to keep up. But I realized I waste a good amount of time online reading stupid "news" and such. If I give that up I should have a sufficient amount of time.
The girls are officially back at school after a whirlwind summer. Sariah started middle school and was very relieved, I think, to see that all her fears would not be realized. She remembered the combo to her locker and the handle didn't jam, she didn't get lost on the way to any of her classes, her teachers didn't saddle her with mountains of homework on the first day, her teachers were all nice and supportive instead of cold and strict, and lunch didn't taste as disgusting as it did in elementary. Her only complaint? Only one teacher pronounced her name right.
Aubrey is now in 4th grade and has kept up with her streak of getting the most highly recommended teacher around, even though they don't allow requests here. She has several kids in her class from last year, so she feels right at home. Her only complaint? Summer seemed more like Christmas vacation that Summer vacation.
Isaac starts school on Monday the 8th. He is so excited. I had intended on keeping him home but decided his brain needs far more stimulation that I can offer him at this point. He is such a social bug. Just being with the other kids is going to do him wonders.
So it will just be Ellie and I. Maybe I'll get a couple of hours without screaming and whining but I doubt it. I hope to get her re-potty trained. Yes, she was successful at it for weeks, only to have her dumb, should have know better on the fourth kid mom, move her into a big girl bed. Now she is used to not having to wear a diaper but completely unwilling to use the toilet. She has turned into a sort of puppy, choosing the same spot in Sariah's room for accidents. (Poor Sariah) Which brings to my next goal. Shampooing the carpets.
I've used my time for today. Time to go to battle with Ellie over the outfit she'll want to wear. Wish me luck.