Back To School Shopping

By the time you are reading this we will be on the train.  Mini K thinks we are getting up early to run errands before school starts on Monday...the exciting stuff like snack and sandwich bags, socks, underwear and shorts to wear under her jumper.  She has been grumbling about how errands.

Well, she is in for a surprise when she wakes up because she and I are going to New York City, for a mother daughter back to school trip.  I planned this on a whim and am so happy I did.  I packed out suitcases while she was at the pool today and they are hiding in the spare bedroom.  She has noticed her doll is missing and promptly blamed her little brother (I owe you a treat Baby C)!  We are having at fancy NYC dinner at the hippest place (aka The American Girl Doll Cafe), afternoon tea at the Plaza and I am sure a Magnolia Cupcake or too and of course a stop by our favorite bakery Le Vain.

I promise to post photos of our adventure on Facebook and Instagram.

No doubt the boys will be eating balanced meals (takeout) and watching education programs (college football previews) while we are out of town!

Saying Goodbye Makes Me Sad

No not to blogging, but today was Mini K's last day at her day school. She has been there since she was 16 months old and the teachers and staff are like family. They have been with us through 2 operations, countless doctor's appointments, several false alarms and we will miss them all. Mini K is starting her "big girl" preschool on September 1st. Mr. Grove joked, the school might be changing, but the bow will ALWAYS be in her hair. Today was no exception.

I didn't want today to be sad, so I do what I do best: I threw a party! And doesn't cake make everything better? So the always talented Christina at Simply Sweet Bakery came up with one amazing crayon cake.

So many hugs, and yes a few tears later, we are home. Mini K is sound asleep and our bags are packed. She is starting her "big girl" life by coming on a business trip with Mr. Grove and I to Williamsburg. My mother is coming along with us and they have their own suite at the hotel. The magi room fairies will visit (room service), she will float in the pool and they are going to meet Elmo. Double thanks to my mom for saving me the Elmo experience.

And what always makes me smile...no matter what we are doing if you ask Mini K what her favorite part of the day was she says RIGHT NOW in a loud booming voice and smile on her face. I will confess I used to take this for granted, but have come to realize it is a lesson. She lives in the present, and even getting in trouble passes and the fun returns. So since we are starting many new adventures in the Grove House these days, mine will be to live for the right now, because even the bad stuff passes quickly.

And with that, my super sore muscles from Crossfit, I am off to dreamland.