How Can A Bunch Of Wire Cost $52?

When it was time for Reese to pick out his frames, I was sure I could find a suitable pair from the $9 rack. I tried and tried...he tried on every pair but they just weren't right.

So we moved down to the next rack...the $18 frames. He tried on some big black rectangle frames that matched his big brother's exactly, but they were too heavy for his face and didn't work.

Hmmm...Reese moved down a bit and saw the Spongebob Squarepants frames. First, I really hate licensed cartoon products. No offense if you dress your kid in the latest Dora the Explorer jumpsuit, but it's just not my preference. I let him try different Spongebob frames on while I searched for something in the cheaper frames.

And then he turned around, and had the perfect pair of frames on his cute little face.

I loved them, he loved them. I looked at the price.

$52?

For some silly pieces of wire? Why did this wire cost $40 more than the other wire? Ugh.

I made my poor boy try on every.single.frame they had, and none of them were THE pair. Except the Spongebob frames.

OK...edit that. There were frames (for kids, mind you) that were over $200, but I didn't even touch those!

So we went with the $52 Spongebob frames (which frankly I don't get because there isn't one single of SB anywhere on the entire thing...there's just a tiny word that says "Spongebob" on the inside of the earpiece!).

Reese is so proud of his new glasses, and I think they fit his face perfectly. AND WalMart gives a 12 month warranty on the frames for any breakage so I felt a little better about buying a 6 year old a $100 pair of glasses (you mean lenses cost extra?).

And they're just for reading, so he won't be wearing them full time. Less wearing=less breakage!

Overwhelmed. What? Me?

Exciting stuff happened last weekend...the FedEx man delivered two important boxes!

Reese's 1st Grade curriculum arrived and we couldn't wait to dig in and see what Mommy had ordered!

Lots of exciting books, instructor guides, manipulatives, experiments...

And more....

Overwhelmed with all of the items? Me? *cough cough* Nah!

I have to keep reminding myself that these are the supplies for our entire year and that if I laid out the supplies from my 1st Grade Teacher Days it would have looked just as massive an undertaking.

Luckily, Hubby always reminds me to eat the elephant one bite at a time & it does help me to remember that this isn't all for Day 1! :)

I've sorted through all the Instructor Guides and placed everything in the notebooks for Mama. We will begin our school year on August 17th & I can't wait...this curriculum from Sonlight is heavily literature based which makes me so excited!

And...it is a little less intimidating once everything is put on the bookshelves, in the cabinets, organized in the binders, etc.

But don't even get me started on the fact that my baby boy is a 1st grader...I remember when I taught 1st grade that the students seemed so independent and "big" by the end of the year. Don't even get me started I tell 'ya....

It All Fell Into Place

Yesterday, we had a morning appointment for Reese's annual pictures at the Picture People & so we headed out for our day...it was hard to believe we were really taking his Six Year Old pictures!! Since we homeschool and don't get annual school pictures, I make sure we get a set done during the summer (near his birthday).

He was beyond silly during his pictures, & the photographer kept laughing at him because he was making faces at her. When I asked him to please smile for the camera and stop making wonky faces, he said "But it's making her laugh!" Luckily, we managed a bunch of cute shots and as usual I had a hard time picking which were the best.

I think photographers prey on just that. But I did good and didn't choose more than I needed this year. One 8x10 pose and some 4x6s to mail to relatives. Self restraint...I did it for once!

We also met up with some awesome ladies from BurbMom.Net and Playin' Around Town while getting our pictures done. This particular picture date was set up by these wonderful two groups of Moms, & Reese had fun making his "Scientist Hat" and door hanger crafts that they provided while we waited for our photos to print.

With photos in hand, we walked over to our favorite lunchtime "date" spot...Corner Bakery! As usual, the grilled cheese sandwich hit the spot for Reese, and his favorite chocolate chip cookie was gone in no time!

What chocolate on my face Mom?

Reese decided to try a lemonade with lunch today...

Just a *little* tart!

After Corner Bakery, we mosied over to the water fountain to sit and watch for a bit. Then across the way, Mommy saw the Chocolate Apothecary & asked Reese if he wanted to stop in for some chocolate and a game!

Of course, there's always time for chocolate and games, so we walked over to the shop. When we got there, I was instructed to wait at the table, because Reese wanted to do the transaction himself.

Getting his change & receipt....

Did I mention my boy loves dark chocolate? I wasn't sure what he'd think of the 65% dark chocolate, but he ate them both. Perfect little squares of chocolate...

Aren't the wrappers cute?

We played a few rounds of Mancala. I love that the Chocolate Apothecary has tables in the back so you can sit and eat your chocolates and play a game of dominoes or Mancala.

Mommy lost both games...and NOT on purpose!

I just love it when a simple outing like getting pictures made turns into a full day of fun together!

A Mommy's Love, In 583 Pieces

Reese scored some major bucks from Grandparents & GreatGrandparents for his birthday, & he was beyond excited to go to the store and choose a gift!

So what did he pick?

A Star Wars Lego set, with only 583 pieces! One thing that I have the hardest time with is putting anything together using picture directions.

And Legos? All picture directions. Granted, they're designed for 7 year olds. But it takes me forever to put together something from a Lego kit.
Like a good Mommy, I open all the packs, sort through all the pieces, and start with Step 1.

I checked the clock before we began. It took me one solid hour to put together this beauty:

Reese's favorite thing to do with Legos? Break apart whatever I have built. Ugh. He promised he would keep it together for at least one day, which he did.

Now it's all in a big bag in 583 pieces again...waiting until Reese asks Mommy to build it again.

Which I will :)

Get Thee To SmallThreads!

I stumbled upon Small Threads this morning & I just had to share! These handmade tshirts, onesies, undies, & such are the most adorable designs ever.

I love the rough edges of the stitching....
And how cute are these skivvies? They make equally adorable skivvies for little girls, but since I live in Boy Land, I love these...adds a whole new meaning to Pirate Booty...
Hello, Father's Day!
Go check out the Small Threads Etsy Store and see what goodies you can find. I want to do some serious shopping....