School Baby Shower

The ladies in my department at school threw me a surprise baby shower.  It was the sweetest thing, and I cannot say how much I appreciate everything that these ladies have done for me over the past few months.  I could not ask for a more caring and generous group of people to work with every day.  Both Baby Barnes and I are so lucky!

There was cake and lots of goodies to eat.







Our amazing department.





Lorie made Lincoln a quilt and a crocheted blanket.  She's just super talented.







There were LOTS of diapers.  These ladies knew what I needed.



Of course I had to have a photo with the cake before we cut it.  It was vanilla with pineapple filling.  My favorite!




I'm a really lucky girl, and they got me with this surprise.  I'll have to think of a million ways to pay them back. :)

First Day of School

It's that day again folks.  The first day of school.  Suprisingly, I was ready for it this year.  This is not to say that if they had called and said, "Hey we decided that you can take off another three months and we'll keep sending your check" that I would have turned them down.  This is my first year that I wasn't sad and really dreading heading back to work. 

I think a lot of it stems from the fact that Emmy and I really had an amazing summer.  We got to do just about everything that we wanted, and we had a great time doing it.

When I was getting the sign ready for the picture below, Emmy asked me what I was writing.  I tried to explain that she was going back to school to see her friends, and her response was but what will you do without me Mommy?  It was the sweetest thing.

Here's my little sometimes angel on her first morning of Pre-K 3.



These two fabulous teachers were excited about their first morning back as well.  Sadly, we didn't have a sign to document the occasion so a quick Instagram photo had to suffice.



Here's to hoping this is our best and most blessed year yet!!

Methodist Christmas Program {2013}

We were invited to attend a Christmas Program at Emmy's school!

I was beyond excited, and in normal Rives/Barnes flair, I invited ALL of our family to come out and see Emmy perform.

They were so adorable up there singing and doing hand motions with the director.  Abby & Emmy were inseparable the whole night.  I felt a little bad for some of the other kids because these two don't beat around the bush about the fact that they are BEST FRIENDS.

I am so very thankful that we have access to such an amazing daycare program for Emmy.  I couldn't ask for better caregivers and the fact that it is located all of 500 yards from my work is just icing on the cake.

The two best "frands" posing before the show.



Our own personal little cheese factory!



The kids were so cute on the stage.  This is their first year to let the kids from Emmy's age group to participate in the Christmas program, and I think that they did a great job.







Emmy is posing with Ms. Joni!



This is Mrs. Sheila, the director of the daycare.



Quick family photo!





Doesn't she look like such a big girl with Nana here?  When I saw this photo, I stopped short because she just looks so different.  She just not a little baby anymore, and I guess I just have to be okay with that.

School Shower

Some of my fellow English teachers threw me a shower at the school. Everything was beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of teachers that showed up. That day at school was a crazy day so this was a wonderful way to relax. It really makes you feel good when people are so nice! :)