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Please Lower Your Flags

Kipper’s gone & so are my girls… I lost them to preschool.

Kipper’s stay was short and sweet. I wish I could tell you that his responsible owners sought after him and took him home. Unfortunately, Kipper ran off and I can only hope it was to go home. Thanks to some faithful stalkers 🙂 I know right where to find Kipper and here shortly we may just hunt him down and offer his owner a little dinero for his sweet soul… and then we’ll promptly remove his “parts”. Shhh, don’t tell him.

Kipper

John Martin LOVED him. You can see here he’s about to break his neck just to see the little fella.

JMandJustin

Justin was doing some last minute tidying in the yard on Monday morning, which included the use of a wheelbarrow. John Martin was straight from the bed and what better way to wake a little rambunctious boy up than take him for a jaunt around the yard in a wheelbarrow. It almost convinced me to sell all my strollers.

JMwheelbarrow

JMwheelbarrow2

JMwheelbarrow3

Now to the more painful subject matter: school has started! {And if that’s as painful as it gets around here, I am considering myself blessed beyond measure.} Both of the girls started preschool yesterday. Morgan is in the 4-year old class and Paige is in the 3-year old class. I really don’t know where the summer went, but I’ve always said that, even when I was school-aged. I know myself all too well. I am not an organized person. I am not a punctual person. Monday night I spent 30 minutes getting ready so that we could BE ON TIME for preschool. I set the girls alarm clock, laid out their clothes and got their table all ready. They were so excited when they got up… it was almost like some superhero school fairy swept in!

table

apple

keds

Fresh Keds. Does it get any better? The night before {you may have noticed, because you all notice EVERYTHING} I had the wrong pair laid out {the dirty ones on the left}. Paiger quickly retrieved her new, clean school shoes.

The results of a little late-night “prepping”: 2 little girls ready for school AN HOUR EARLY!

girls1

girls2

I asked them if they’d play quietly in the playroom so I could shower, they strongly protested because I would cause them to be late… I concured, threw up a pony and off we went.

Paige was a little more apprehensive about school when we arrrived.

girls3

Thankfully sister was there to comfort her. And it helped that Paige has the same teachers that Morgan had last year.

We ran into cousin, Chapel, in the lobby and couldn’t resist one last picture.

cousins

Paige did so well and went to her classroom with slight hesitation but didn’t shed a tear, which always makes it easier on mom! Morgan has never had a problem going to school, she loves it. She went right in and never looked back!

Thankfully Paiger just goes 2 days a week. So please whatever you do, don’t feel too sorry for me, it’s not like I’m running an empty nest. Rover will keep me plenty entertained while the girls are at school…

JMyogurt

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  • Mallory's Mommy
    August 19, 2009 at 5:33 am

    i always thought i didnt want a little boy until i started reading your blog. THANKS A LOT now i have to have one lol

  • Natalie
    August 19, 2009 at 5:36 am

    only about half of the posts on my blog consist of bennett devouring a carton of yogurt. there is something so entertaining about it, and i love "freaking out" my sister and friends who dont understand it when babies get MESSY!

  • Patricia
    August 19, 2009 at 5:46 am

    The yogurt on his lashes…so cute! School girls too! Thank you so much for that!

  • paige
    August 19, 2009 at 5:48 am

    total cuteness!
    i love the little notes for the first day of school, too sweet
    🙂

  • Jen
    August 19, 2009 at 5:48 am

    hahahaha. I love the picture of JM at the end.

  • NIKKISS08
    August 19, 2009 at 5:51 am

    You have the cutest kids! John Martin eating the yogurt is simply adorable!

  • sarah @ realestatestyle
    August 19, 2009 at 5:51 am

    Your kids are so cute! Way to go on the planning ahead!!

  • Jesse
    August 19, 2009 at 5:57 am

    Precious memories! The girls both look so big going off to school. Comes all too soon. =)

  • Stephanie
    August 19, 2009 at 6:01 am

    I'm new to your blog and just love it! 🙂 I really hope you guys can get Kipper. He's a cute dog, and he really needs his parts removed. lol (btw, my kids loved that show)

    Jon Martin is so adorable and reminds me of my Sawyer at that age. I love how happy he looks riding in the wheel barrow. Your girls are beautiful! I love their little apple shirts and how you had everything ready the night before. I'm sure they will love preschool and you will love your alone time with Jon Martin.

    I don't you don't me, but I will need some flag lowering tomorrow if you think of it. My baby starts all day Kindergarten and I will have an empty nest all day and I'm dreading it. 🙁 I can't believe all 3 of my babies will be in school now.

  • Becky
    August 19, 2009 at 6:01 am

    1. you are correct. there is nothing like fresh keds. i'm hoping i can find the little mary jane ones to shove ACs fat foot in soon. my boys had keds (the boy kind and they were pure precious.)
    2. I'm pretty much in love with JM and now that he is sprouting some dimples…if he is missing one morning, call me. i have him in north alabama. the good news is that we are half way to mom and daddyboy's house.
    3. raiger is looking a little too big girl these days.
    4. my bf has only one lone little girl. she would freak out when she would keep my boys b/c they make such messes (such as the yogurt.) i personally love it.

  • fancy vintage
    August 19, 2009 at 6:07 am

    so precious! I just may have to get some new keds for school 🙂 I loved their little table and the notes with breakfast… great ideas

  • Sarah
    August 19, 2009 at 6:12 am

    Precious back to school outfits..loved the neatly done hair and fresh keds…and having 4 boys myself, love the one you are left with…covered in yogurt.

  • Caroline
    August 19, 2009 at 6:28 am

    Oh, I love it. Sweet pics, JM and the yogurt cracked me up. I am so sad that Julianna isn't going to school this year. Since we are moving so much this fall I didn't really have a place to send her. All of her friends went back last week and it broke my heart to see the pictures. 🙁 Oh well, we have many more school years ahead of us.
    Can't wait to see what you get done with all of your "free time." That was a joke. 🙂

  • bluehydrangea
    August 19, 2009 at 6:29 am

    Too cute! The girls' breakfast table makes me happy. Butterball goes to preschool this year and I can't believe it!!

  • wwwcribbfamily-jill
    August 19, 2009 at 6:36 am

    Glad to know I am not the only one who puts her kids in "back to school" themed outfits…the girls are so adorable and so is JM! My new goal starting Monday (our first day back) is to get everything ready the night before, because, I too, am not organized or punctual…used to be puncutal before kids…

  • susanv
    August 19, 2009 at 6:36 am

    That little boy of yours is PRECIOUS! These boys just steal their mommas hearts. My little boy is about 2-3 months older than yours and I am comforted to see that mine is not the only one that gets into so much TROUBLE. You can't get too mad when they are so dang cute!

  • Jessica
    August 19, 2009 at 6:37 am

    I love their cute shirts! Did yuo make those?

  • Devon
    August 19, 2009 at 6:50 am

    The table with notes, the Keds, the special outfits. I love the great memories you created for your girls today. They seem like such good friends–I hope my boys turn out the same!

    Hope you got an extra couple of minutes to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee with yogurt-face today. I don't think that pic could've been any cuter!

  • Jen
    August 19, 2009 at 6:51 am

    i smiled the whole time i read your post. your kids are the cutest! i don't have any babies yet but i know that my unorganized self will need to be taking notes on the lay-things-out-the-night-before-method.

    happy blogging!

  • Natalya
    August 19, 2009 at 6:54 am

    They are all too cute. I love all the pictures of your little man! I could just eat him with a spoon. Will be thinking about you this week. Good Luck and enjoy just the one!

  • Anne
    August 19, 2009 at 7:01 am

    Darby, this was one of my favorite posts from you. Loved the darling pictures and the sweet story you told of preparing them for school. It just warms my heart and encourages me to savor this calling of ours as mothers.

  • erika
    August 19, 2009 at 7:08 am

    Did it hurt when you threw up a pony?

    Haaa…

    Fresh Keds, you must have learned that from Connie.

    JM is the cutest Rover on the planet. I'm tempted to print all these pictures and wallpaper my office in them. Preciousness.

  • Yansy
    August 19, 2009 at 7:17 am

    This story is adorable! You're so blessed to have such a beautiful family.

  • Mommy Harris
    August 19, 2009 at 7:19 am

    Look at you with that neat little set up for girls like Christmas morning. You're such a cool mom! Did you make the shirts? Please tell how! I'm loving the fresh Keds, exactly like I used to have every first day of school!

    I'm dreading that first day so much, I KNOW I'll cry whether she does or not!

  • Thomtiger
    August 19, 2009 at 7:36 am

    I put my baby on a bus this morning for her first day of middle school. She was so excited – me, not so much.

    A part of me wishes I could go back in time to rubber toe keds, eyelet socks and grosgrain hair bows!

    Your kids are precious as always!

  • Paloma {La Dolce Vita}
    August 19, 2009 at 7:39 am

    Your kids are beyond precious! I hope the girls have a great day at school and that you enjoy your one on one time with JM. 🙂

  • Ashley
    August 19, 2009 at 7:45 am

    precious. makes me miss my mother too…..things were so much easier when she laid everything out for me 😉

  • Alice Allen
    August 19, 2009 at 7:51 am

    I have just started reading your blog as well as Erika's at the insistance of a friend who attended LCA the same time you did.

    I absolutely enjoy catching a glimpse of your life and I really enjoy your tutorials! You have an adorable family Darby!

  • Christie
    August 19, 2009 at 8:08 am

    I totally feel your pain — I just sent my oldest daughter off to first grade. I was on the verge of tears all day.

    My other two don't start for a couple of weeks, so they are still keeping me plenty of company…sometimes a little too much company!!

  • Megan
    August 19, 2009 at 8:13 am

    If you're not organized then you sure have everyone fooled!

    Your babies will be home soon. Look at it as a much needed break. Maybe you'll even have a little quiet time 🙂

  • Ashley
    August 19, 2009 at 8:16 am

    Hey Darby! I love the girls "old school" book bags. I had some almost identical when I was their age! So cute.

  • Shireen
    August 19, 2009 at 8:39 am

    Well, praise the LORD!! Good job, Darby!! Keep up the good work, and I'm excited to see how the Lord has blessed your school mornings!!

    Enjoy these sweet mornings with the girls!! Oh, and it was really selfless of you to put on the 'pony' 🙂 and get them on to school!!

  • Lauren
    August 19, 2009 at 8:46 am

    You know how they say "I make this look good!" Well Darby, you make motherhood look good! Those sweet pictures make me look forward to one day having my own family 🙂

  • Mrs. Davis
    August 19, 2009 at 8:51 am

    I agree with Lauren's comment…I hope when I am a mother I can be as precious as you with your kids…They are so cute and you make motherhood look so fun and special. How sweet to lay out their clothes with a note….so very sweet!!!!!!

  • Rachel
    August 19, 2009 at 8:56 am

    You two crack me up! Not that this was an extraordinaraily funny post…but I just read your sister's comment.

    Sweet, sleepy JM face. Seriously that boy reminds me of myself as a kiddo, except he's more handsome of course! And Morgan reminds me of my mother as a child…not that I was around then!

    Oh, you should definitely get Kipper…as long as Eufaby is okay with it – she'd have a friend!

    I can't wait to see what you do with all of your "free time," even though that doesn't really exist, right? Get ready for some adorable mommy, son "bonding time!!"

  • Rachel
    August 19, 2009 at 8:58 am

    And I forgot to say just HOW adorable your two girls are for school! And of course, too cute that they're matchy-matchy. I honestly thought you painted the Keds…why? b/c I did that as a kid so that I would have a "new pair!"

  • alston
    August 19, 2009 at 9:45 am

    those wheelbarrow pictures are adorable — having boys, i know it doesn't get too much better than a wheelbarrow ride first things in the morning!

    the girls look so sweet going off to school — i'm going to miss having the boys at the same place this year — i loved that they had each other.

  • Amanda @ Serenity Now
    August 19, 2009 at 10:01 am

    As I am reading this, my 19 month old is sitting in her high chair, covered in yogurt. I think she's giving herself a facial! 🙂 My 3 year old starts back to preschool next month. She did "young 3s" two days a week last year, and she'll do "young 4s" two days a week this year. We are BOTH looking forward to it. 😉

  • Love Being a Nonny
    August 19, 2009 at 10:09 am

    Those two with the apple shirts…um, let me just say, they are too cute for words.

    I LOVE the table and the way you had it all ready for their first day. I hope you are still that prepared in October or November. I wonder what *my* board above the table says today?? I still covet that and want it. I look online every day for one. Did I tell you I even contacted the people at Pottery Barn? They have a lunatic, coveting blogger on their hands!!

    I'll bet Rover missed those girls…….

  • Amanda
    August 19, 2009 at 10:10 am

    so precious….and i got the same little apple applique, from michael's for like a $1, yea!!! did you see the owls too?…i made little christian a tee and charlotte an apple tee for her first day of school which is not for 2 or 3 more weeks!

  • Amanda Thrasher
    August 19, 2009 at 10:38 am

    Scrumptious. I almost think the 1st day of school is as exciting as Christmas morning. Frenetically fluffing my nest here to find a clean spot to put their "pile" for school tomorrow. Happy Day!

  • Amy
    August 19, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Darby. I LOVE your blog. It makes me so happy to read it. I have 3 kids, 12, 10 and 2 and I remember those FIRST days of school so well. I am so happy I can experience my little Mary Margaret's first day next year. But I digress…

    When my 12 year old daughter was 3 she received a board/card game called "Crazy Kipper" based on that same character you were talking about. It is a fabulous game and I bet your girls would love it. You might try looking for it. We played it so much we actually wore it out.

    Love your photos…you are an inspiration. BTW, my 12 year old Emma was born on July 14th. It is a great birthday.

  • Victoria
    August 19, 2009 at 11:54 am

    My little girl started preschool this year too and it has been an interesting journey so far!

    Love the girls little shirts. They are adorable.

    Looks like you'll be busy enough with one! 😉

  • Amber
    August 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    well, here i am, leaving my first comment, as promised!
    that 2nd pic of JM in the wheelbarrow made me laugh. Caleb gives us that same smile when we push him around in his little cart. too cute!
    and the girls looked precious in their little outfits! keds still make me think of being a kid, and how i loved when they were brand new and still white!

  • Cstargel
    August 19, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    SHUT UP! He is hysterical! I have two boys so I know all about their craziness!!!!

  • Susannah
    August 19, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    You and Rover will have fun while the girls are at school! Yes, do a drive by on Derbyshire and Rampart and I bet you'll find Kipper!

  • Liz N Duffy
    August 19, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    I am so with you on this Darby! My 3 year old started yesterday..sad but good :-)I don't yet have a little Yogurt Covered Rover to keep me entertained, but you never know 🙂 All 3 of your are enough to get anyone broody!!

  • The Langham's
    August 19, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    I am new to your blog. I am also new to Erika's. I found both via an Auburn friend's blog. Your first day of school post is so precious. I am all of a sudden a "Fly Through My Window" fan. I made your Asian stir-fry last night. I just printed your cinimini recipe to make for my husband this weekend. I am really enjoying reading about your sweet family and great craft/baking/cooking/motherhood ideas. I don't have children yet but I feel like I should be taking mommy notes for the future.

  • Tiffany
    August 19, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    I sure hope sweet Kipper is okay. Your girls look so ready for school and so cute! LOVE the apple shirts and the ready table for them to wake up to. So sweet. John Martin is just adorable as always.

  • andi
    August 19, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    So precious! I know they will love school!

  • Melissa
    August 19, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    I just love it all….Rover in the yogurt, those little apple shirts, new Keds! I'm hoping I can be really organized next week when we start back!

  • b.a.
    August 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    oh my word, i was raised in the south and relate to SO many of your posts because of that. particularly: NEW KEDS! people up north just don't appreciate keds. we always got new lace up keds for the fall and slip-ons for the summer. sigh…

  • Amber
    August 19, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    JM is so cute!!! Glad the girls had a good first day of school. Their outfits are adorable!!

  • Jennifer
    August 19, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    JM is pure scrumptious-ness (i know, not a word!)

  • Jennifer
    August 19, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    I always had a fresh pair of Keds for back to school. They are precious.

  • Nessa
    August 19, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    I got teary eyed at your breakfast set up – my mom always wrote us notes to read with breakfast. So sweet and something your babies will always remember. Thanks for the peek Darby.

  • Sharlotte
    August 19, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    Your children are absolutely gorgeous…snd your photographs are so crisp and clear.

    I love reading your blog ~ you should turn it into a book!

  • Erin
    August 19, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    I just love this post! Kipper is a dream boat and I wish he could come to live with me!

    Enjoy the precious one on one time with JM.

  • katydid
    August 19, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    I have 2 1/2 weeks left before my one and only begins 4th grade…she's 9 years old and almost taller than I am… I don't know where the time goes. It seems like it was yesterday that she began pre-school. Every day is a gift…enjoy them all, I certainly try. Love the Keds – they get harder and harder to find!!! Hope the school year is filled with many blessings for you and yours.

  • Kat
    August 19, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    As always, these pictures are precious!!! I love the notes on the table, what a sweet touch! That is awesome that you got everything ready the night before,(I am also neither organized or punctual) definitely makes things much more manageable the morning of. You are so lucky your girls are back in school already, mine don't start back until after Labor Day. Gah!

  • Karen
    August 19, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Very cute shirts! Did you do the appliques yourself? If so, did you put something underneath the fabric to make the apples look a little more "poofy"?

  • Hillary @ The Other Mama
    August 20, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    OK. I think the pics of JM in the wheelbarrow are framers as are the pics of the girls in the matching adorable shirts hugging. Absolutely precious, Darby.
    And, if you are like me, it takes time to get them there, get them back, etc that it almost seems like they are only there an hour! But it is a great time for them and us. Does JM miss the playmates? I'm sure he does!

  • megan
    August 20, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    lovely post! kipper is/was so cute. i hope he comes back. i love your first day post and photos. keds are classic, they will always remember them for the first day of school (i do)!

  • Laura
    August 20, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    Somewhere, in a closet at my parents' home, is a First Presbyterian Preschool bag – very similar to your daughters' bags – but it was blue I think. Glad to see they still go with that. Very avant garde in their eco-friendly bags, weren't they?

  • Tess
    August 21, 2009 at 9:26 am

    Good gravy that boy is precious. Your girls are mighty precious themselves, but something about those boys gets me everytime!!

  • kate
    August 21, 2009 at 11:49 am

    Darby, where did the summer go!? I remember getting fresh new keds for my first days of school. The girls are so cute (as is JM)!

  • Dave and Mandi
    August 21, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    If my hair would look like Morgan's does in a bob, I would cut it off in a heartbeat!