KK: I'll Always Say Yes To...

In honor of my birthday, I thought it would be fun to record a little bit of me for my future girls.  This is me, in a nutshell, at forty years old.

I will always say yes to: feedback, grated parmesan, homemade brownies, girls nights out, an offer from my mom to keep the girls (date night!), a trip to the library/book store, a glass of wine, more mascara, road trip snacks, a chance to learn a new hobby, a game of basketball, a trip to the zoo, margs and guac, gum, spanx, a bike ride with JKK, a trip to the movies, puff pastry, Fork and Crust pie, drinks on the balcony/patio, an early morning walk on the beach, the heated seat option, any JK Rowling book, giving gifts, more lip balm, romance, nachos, books/discussion on self-awareness, coffee, the girls good morning hugs, birthday cake, funny cat videos, anything after the fifth time you've asked me (the girls know this trick), homemade pickles, a trip to the vinyl record store, cheese plates, concerts at the Amp, celebrating others birthdays (I LOVE birthdays)!!

Back to School!

JKK and I flew into town just in time for the first day of school!  They both popped out of bed super excited!  However, as the hour wore on, I noticed Syd spiraling down the anxiety blackhole.  She went from excited to meltdown pretty quickly and all of a sudden her shoes were itchy.  These pictures didn't go over so well. :(

3rd grade and 1st grade, here we come!

At least one of them was ready!

By the time we got to school, Sydney was feeling a bit better!

I walked her into class and just felt terrible for her.  She was super tense and her chin quivered a bit.  Heartbreaking.  But she kept it together!  Proud of her bravery.

Then I walked Millie to her room and Dylan had a special first day of school matching shirt for her: Pinkie Promise. ;)  Millie is excited her friend Micah is also in the class!

Such big girls - love them

Later, Sawyer's mom sent me this pic which made me feel much better.  I'm glad they are in the same class!

the teacher posted this one to our class picture page ;)

Millie asked to buy lunch at the cafeteria, but Syd requested her "usual" homemade lunch. 

Back to car line life for me.  I was so happy to see them after school and they both had a great day!

A little first day ice cream treat for these three to celebrate! And then we walked over to Dillard's to pick out outfits for the upcoming fashion show.

Fresh haircut day is always fun

When the girls were with Nana, they made me a cake!  On my actual birthday, we had it for breakfast!  They were so proud.  

Funny story: they made this cake on Sunday.  My birthday wasn't until Wednesday.  I figured we would just munch on their cake all week, and I had planned to make one of our fave momofuku milk bar bday cakes for my actual bday.  I bought the stuff and had it sitting on the counter, when Millie walked in and asked what it was for.  I told her I was going to make one of those cakes for my bday.  Her face was so bewildered when she asked "but why?!  we already made you a cake."  Ack!  I quickly backpedaled and said "oh you're right!  I forgot, there is no need for me to make a cake - yay!".  So we'll save those ingredients for JKK's bday cake next month. ;)

A well-balanced breakfast: cake, s'mores pie, and coffee.  Perfect.  A good start to the day!

My mom loves to make collages for birthday social media posts.  They are always so fun to look at!  I was pretty cute, no?

Birthday bonus: finally a new record player in the house!  

The next night I had planned to go to dinner with Whitney and Katie.  We always do birthday celebration dinners together.  When I walked in, I was so SURPRISED to find a group of my good friends all waiting!  Oh gosh, it was the sweetest surprise.  Whitney and Katie did a great job of planning it, and I felt so special!  I'm so lucky to have these friends in my life.

I have been celebrated 40 times over this year!

Dillards fashion show time!  Millie's favorite part is the makeup counter

Since Sawyer decided to participate this year, Syd thought she would too.  She picked out the outfit and accessories...but when it came time, she opted to just hang back with me. ;)  Our sweet shy girl hates to be in the spotlight, and that's okay.  I'm learning to encourage her without pressuring her.  Millie and Sawyer, on the other hand, rocked the runway!  Not a shy bone in their little bodies.

We took the girls on a quick sunday morning nature walk at Crystal Bridges.  It's so peaceful there.  And we got to see some of the chihuly installations!

Check out this cheetah face that Millie drew!  So awesome Mills!

Current situation.  Always trying to make them more independent, but it's tough for me.

The best part of the day is seeing them when they walk out of the school and get in my car.  I miss them!  We had a great summer together and it's been sad to have them gone so much again.

Millie's teacher likes for them to wear yellow on Wednesdays to brighten up the middle of the week!

A rare mid-week sleepover at Nana's...

...so that we could go to the Bush concert with the Cruiks!  We appreciate you Nana!

Early morning donuts on the way to school isn't too bad either

Sydney's self-portrait <3

Sawyer's grandmother sent this from the lunchroom

Syd had to fill out this form: All About Me.  Her favorite subject is reading, favorite movie is Descendants 3, favorite color is purple, favorite book is David.

This is Syd showing us what she thinks the cats will look like when we walk in the door after school

The girls both give the cats love right when they walk in.  Then they grab a snack and their iPads and leave me again. :(

See, car line can be productive!  Syd requested one of these for her room.  Done!

Kendyl chose to recreate the girls first day pictures and it cracks me up!

Look at this babe!  It's still hot as blazes here, so we still frequent the pool after school and on weekends

Big sis reading to little sis before bed

I think school is off to a great start!  It's sad when summer ends but it's always nice to be back in a routine.

Nana Camp for the kids/Napa for the mommy and daddy

This year, for my big 40th birthday, I called in all favors with Nana.  She kept the girls for four days so that JKK and I could go play in Napa CA with our friends!

The girls were basically at sleepover camp for the whole weekend and were spoiled and loved on and taken care of so dearly.  They were having the time of their lives, which made us able to relax and enjoy the trip.  Thanks so much, Nana!

This was pretty much the theme of the trip.

My crew! Heath, Amanda, KK, JKK, Ashley, Midge, Ridge

Ashley and I have been friends since 2004 when we met at KPMG.  She lives in Austin, so I don't get to see her nearly as much as I'd like.  Wonderful how we can pick up right where we left off though!

While we were away, Nana had to take the girls to open house to meet their teachers and find out who is in their class.  It was all very exciting!

Dylan is in Millie's class this year!

And Syd gets another year with Sawyer!

See?  Spoiled.  Popsicles in the bubble bath.  Amazing.

Do you know where your weenus is??

I was surprised (twice) on the trip with birthday cupcakes!  I don't love being in the spotlight but it was such a sweet gesture.  I felt so loved and celebrated.  Thankful to have made so many great friends by this point in my life.  Grateful for this whole trip and celebration.  Grateful for time away with JKK. Grateful for Nana for keeping our girls safe and making it all possible.  

Day 2 = more wine!

The whole crew!  Ashley brought some friends from Austin to join us!

Lots of reflection while listening to the tour guides ramble on...we heard a lot of cool stories!

Couple pics!  I love these people.

More reflection ;)

In the meantime, Syd conquered this rock, which has never happened before!

Afternoon porch time was a daily must

Day 3 = more wine!

The caves were one of the coolest things to see

Nana cracked us up with her pictures.  Syd dabbling in the hosiery dept...

 ...close up! Hahahaha

More bubble baths...

...and silliness

And oh my!  The girls dream come true: a trip to Golden Corral

Ending the trip with a pig roast and lots of laughs - such a great time was had by all!

Clearly we have zero fun together...

...none.

In another part of the US, Christie was also turning 40.  She celebrated by climbing a mountain wearing a super cool wolf shirt, of course!