Mommy's Day Out..........

We've had a great weekend!  Friday night Matthew picked up a pizza and we stayed home so that we could watching the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics.  We sat up until the very end, taking it all in.  I can't say that I loved it, but there were a few highlights that I enjoyed.  It definitely made me want to visit London again.....SOON!

I can count on two hands the things that Kyndall will eat, and that's not an exaggeration.  To say she is picky doesn't even begin to describe it.  However, I've learned that she's much more likely to at least TRY something if it's covered in Ranch dressing.  So, here she is dipping her pizza in ranch!  (Her Aunt Kelly is very proud!!)

A few months ago, Matthew started getting up on Saturday mornings and taking Kyndall to breakfast.  It's something that we ALL look forward to, and I think it's important for Kyndall to spend this time alone with Matthew, since she's with me all week long.  It looks like she's mad in this picture, but she's actually saying "cheese".  (Sorry, this post is packed full of more crappy cell phone pictures!)

Ready to go out with Daddy

While they were out, they stopped and bought these for me.  How sweet!

I can't remember the last time I've had an entire day to myself!  I usually don't mind taking Kyndall with me wherever I go, but every now and then it's nice to just be able to take my time and not think about snacks or naptime or diaper changes or any of the other things that can slow you down when you have a little one in tow.  So, while Kyndall and Matthew were out together, I used that time to go run errands and just have a day for myself.  By most people's standards I didn't do anything exciting or special, but just having a few hours to do what I wanted needed to do was nice!

I started out by picking up my bridesmaids dress for my cousin's upcoming wedding.  While I was waiting for them to bring it out, I couldn't help but find myself in "awe" of all the beautiful dresses around me!  I had a perfect wedding and I wouldn't change a single thing about it, but sometimes I wish I could do it all over again, just to experience all of the excitement that comes along with it.  I saw this dress and fell in love!!!  If I was a bride-to-be, THIS would be my dress!

As I was shopping, I saw this in Bed Bath and Beyond and grabbed it for our upcoming beach trip!  Of course, I got the pink one!  Hopefully she'll actually sit in it!

I took a break and enjoyed a delicious lunch at one of my favorite places.  When I was younger, I never would've dreamed of going into a restaurant and sitting down and eating alone.  I guess I was afraid of what people would think.  Now, it's a TREAT!  Funny how things change!

One of my main goals while I was out shopping was to start gathering supplies and ideas for a basic learning curriculum I want to start doing with Kyndall.  I feel like she's getting bored at home everyday and not being stimulated enough.  Her mind is like a little sponge, ready and waiting for new things.  I'm in no way attempting to home-school or anything even remotely similar.  That is definitely NOT my calling and it just doesn't seem like the right fit for our family.  This time next year I plan on enrolling Kyndall in part-time pre-school which will prepare her for public school in a few years.  I know that home-schooling is on the rise right now, and I have a lot of friends who do it.  I just think in our case, it's important for Kyndall to learn from someone other than me and I also think it's important for her to socialize with other children on a daily basis.  Not to mention the fact that I am in no way, shape or form cut out to be a teacher!  So, all that to say this is just a small attempt to keep her mind stimulated while also teaching her some very basic things.  My friend Jenny in Tallahassee is helping me to get organized and providing me with lots of good ideas!  Her daughter Ali is a few months younger than Kyndall and they've been doing this for a while.  I'm very thankful to have someone to guide me, since this is all new to me!

So, what started out as "a few supplies" quickly became a lot more than that!  I took this picture before I was done shopping, so by the time I got home the entire back seat was covered!  Oops!  =)

I'm trying to get organized and decide just how little or how much I want to do with Kyndall each week.  I don't want to force anything on her, but rather just take it day by day.  If she seems interested, great......if not, we'll put it off for another day.  I've spent the last few hours just organizing all that STUFF! 

Since we're heading off on our beach vacation soon, I think I'll start with an ocean/beach theme.  I found lots of cool sensory objects like assorted sea shells, plastic fish, water beads and even sand.  I'm anxious to see what she thinks about all of it!  Wish me luck!

We have a fun week ahead, including a trip to the splash pad, lunch with friends at Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, (don't forget to show your support on August 1st!!)  and possibly Kyndall's first theater movie!  Still not sure about the last one, but it's only $1 so if she hates it we'll just leave!  No big loss!

I hope that you had a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead!