Ava's First Day of Kindergarten!

We've been talking about Kindergarten since Pre-K graduation in May, it feels like forever ago. We've spent all Summer long continuing to help her learn and grow as a student. And now it's here. Ava started kindergarten this week. 

I can hardly believe my little girl is old enough to go to school. It makes all my emotions as a mama run high and gives me all sorts of glimpses into the future. I'm a planner, over thinker and sharer by nature. Already my mind is thinking about all the things she'll learn and do as a kindergartner. I'm already thinking about how we'll be involved at her new school as a family. 

One thing is certain, we are in a new season and new phase of life for sure. 

As we prepared all summer, as uniforms were dropped at our doorstep by the postman and as I took my two little ones to buy school supplies it all became so real in those moments that this was happening. 

I'm not wishing it away, I love watching her grow and learn new things. I was more emotional dropping her off last year at Pre-K than I was this year. This year, it's so different. She's so confident, she's so ready. 

She's taking on her role as a big girl and owning it. And I couldn't be more proud of her for being brave. Being brave at a new school where she knows no one, and making new friends. Being brave to leave the comforts of being at home at day for school. 

When we drooped her off this week on the very first day she confidently walked in, sat at her desk, smiled and waved bye to me and her brother. 

As we were walking away Zane burst into tears screaming " I miss Aba." My heart melted for him, but I knew her home coming at the end of the day would be just as sweet for him and it was. He missed her so much that first day and the next he kept asking when we were gonna go get her. So so sweet. 

So now as we enter a new phase of life, of parents of a school age kid I look forward to all that it will bring. I'm looking forward to seeing how she grows this year. I'm looking forward to being involved in her school and education. And feeling extremely blessed to have her at the school she's at. 

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Ok, mamas. Who sent their kiddos back to school this week? Tell me your stories in the comments below. Any other kinder mamas out there? 

Back to School Eve Dinner

Ava started Kindergarten this week (more on that tomorrow) so the night before we had a little 'Back to School Eve' dinner in her honor. 

This is an idea I saw from fellow blogger Erin of Bringing Up Burns. Erin's been doing these for years for her children and every year I read about them I'm so inspired and couldn't wait to one day do this for my own children. 

The basic idea of this dinner is to pick a theme for the school year, host a dinner and spend time together as a family talking about the upcoming school year. You can see all Erin's posts about Back to School Eve dinners here. 

I took the time to plan out a table scape using everything I already had in my home. Book pages lined the center of the table. I used some letter, number and color flash cards and layered them on top. And then placed two apples on cupcake stands. 

We had a simple dinner, drank sweet tea and chatted about the theme for the year we choose for Ava. 

We choose the theme: BE BRAVE.

This Summer she's been so brave. Learning to swim, holding her breath under water and swimming, going down the slides all by herself at the water park. It's been a summer of transition for our family with a new home and a new church and she's handled all of them with bravery and grace. 

We talked a lot about this concept and how that will help her as she enters kinder this year.

We also took some time to speak some words of encouragement over her and prayed for her as she was starting school the very next day.

I also made this fun little sheet of questions and we took the time to ask her each one and write down the answers. I plan on making the same list of questions each year and keeping them all in a binder to look back on during high school graduation. I'm sappy like that! 

Our simple back to school eve dinner turned out to be so much fun, and we can't wait to add this to our yearly traditions. 

What are some of your favorite back to school traditions? Tell me in the comments below. 

AUGUST GOALS.

I can hardly believe we're in August already, seriously where has the year gone?! I really enjoy writing out, and dreaming up monthly goals. It helps keep me focused on where we're going as a family and what we need to accomplish both personally and as a family. 

I blinked and July flew by. Right after we got home from vacation is when I had my back injury. Unplanned and certainly has set me back a bit. I wasn't as productive because of this set back. 

So let's review July goals before we jump into this month. You can read the original post here. I did crank out a whole bunch of things before we even on vacation so that was nice.

1. Work on 1 new house project: we installed a bunch of different light fixtures, and replaces some and moved the ceiling fan from down stairs to upstairs.

2. Go on 2 dates this month: we only made it on 1 date this month, but it was to celebrate our anniversary which was a lot of fun.

3. Start family evening walks: we only did this once this month. I forgot how hot it still is here in Phoenix in July, so that was part of the problem. 100 degrees is still to hot at 6pm. 

4. Buy jogging stroller: Check done! I got one before we went to Disneyland, and tested it out. I haven't been running with it yet, but can't wait to see how it goes. I'm hoping to review the one I got, it's a more affordable one that I think will work great!

5. Get my shop back up & running: This didn't happen. I'd planned to work on this after we got home from vacation but then my injury. 

6. Buy all Ava's school supplies: Done. We spent the day and got all of her supplies. Her uniforms came in the mail and we're all set for school next week.

7. Turn off social media from 4-8pm: This also didn't happen like I'd planned, so I'm moving it to this month and hoping to make this more of a priority.

8. Organize & Clean garage: Done. We're still unpacking and the garage is a mess, but I was able to unpack quite a bit before leaving on vacation, and then organized things. I also hung my wreaths in the garage, organized the tools and paint supplies.

Here's my goals for August:

1. Get my shop back up & running: I've got new products to list, and want to have a major sale to clear some inventory, stay tuned!

2. Turn off social media from 4-8 pm: Again, moving this here and trying to make it a priority.

3. Test Drive Cars: We've been a one car family for 7 years, the time has come to start the process of buying a new car. I've been doing a lot of research and hoping to test drive some of my choices this month and narrow it down.

4. Work on guest room/office Makeover: I'm partnering with an auction house to make over this space and need to get started on it this month. 

5. Read 2 new books.

6. Start running again.

7. Work on board and batten for the living room.

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What are some of your goals for the month? I'd love to hear them in the comments below.

Wear His Message.

I love dressing up, I always have. I'm a dress & skirt kinda gal. But since becoming a mom and stepping out of the professional world often each day you can typically find me in a tee and jeans.

That's my basic daily uniform. I love finding a fun graphic tee and dressing it up with cute shoes, a bag and some accessories. I save my dresses for fun events and other outings. 

When I came across this shirt from Persimmon Prints I just knew I had to have it! It says 'Love God & Serve Others.'

This is my heart, every day. I love the message of this shirt. A simple reminder of what God's heart is and what ours should be as well. 

This shirt comes in 3 different colors, you can check it out here. I'm wearing the azaela pink color. This shirt is so soft, and the fit is really great. I'm wearing a medium. I love it so much I may have or may not have worn in three times in a row already. ;)

Dressing it up with my simple bangles from Groopdealz. And my favorite bag from Target! 

And I can't forget my favorite studs from Walmart. Seriously, these are the best and they are $2.88! 

shirt: persimmon prints

jeans & shoes: target (last Fall)

earrings: walmart

bangles: groopdealz

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This post is not sponsored in anyway, just sharing brands I love with you. 

Recent WalMart Finds!

Sometimes you find yourself in Walmart and sometimes you find some things worth mentioning. This is a video about that! Some recent Walmart finds I thought I'd share with you all. Also worth mentioning is the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart. I really love that line, they have furniture and some home decor pieces I really love. 

Enjoy this video. If you like it give it a thumbs up and I'd love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel here.

Products mentioned in this video:

rectangular platters

 earrings (my original post about them here)

pineapple t-shirt, original shirt sold out but here's a similar options here and here. Both steals under $10 bucks! 

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This post isn't sponsored or endorsed by Walmart, just passing along some great finds!