Disturbing

So I drop my baby girl off at my mom's the other day, and a few hours later, she greets me at the door in this...

 This is so disturbing, I hardly have words.

Apparently, Nana was looking for Keatyn a replacement for some wet britches and came upon this little number in her drawer.  She thought it would be the perfect princess dress and even accessorized with a gold chain link necklace.  I think Nana may have a warped definition of "princess."

To add insult to injury...

She insisted it hadn't been worn in YEARS, and tried to claim she got it as a wedding gift, 42 years ago.  I wasn't around in 1970 (but now know what I was most likely conceived in 1974 in... ugh) but it doesn't strike me as lingerie from long ago.

I don't know what's worse, seeing my parents "sex" clothes (to quote my favorite show Friends) or seeing my toddler so happily twirling about in it. 

Another hand-me-down. At least it wasn't blue.

We may both need therapy.

Singin' the blues...

Hey ya'll this is Keatyn,

I've got a little bone to pick and the word on the street is, there are like 4 people that read this blog so I'm hoping to get some help.

As you know, I'm a girl. (Even though they named me a name that could go either way.)  A girlie-girl that loves her shoes and glittery Hello Kitty t-shirts, a girl that spins and twirls to show off her dress.  But lately, I've noticed a trend.  A blue trend.

I get that I'm the second child, that Trace came first and he was clearly a boy, therefore prompting all the blue.  But you'd think those tightwads could spring for a little pink and purple in a poor girl's life.  

It began very early...

Here I am, 2 days old, in a brown pack-n-play with a blue sheet.  Seriously???  They couldn't have managed a pink sheet???

Apparently, when Trace was born, Daddy thought he would be their "only baby" and since he was a boy, they went all out with the brown and blue.  Mommy eventually worked her magic on Daddy and got me, and I subsequently got all the hand-me-downs. Sigh.

Honestly, have these people not ever heard of Goodwill?

Again...  A blue swing at home and one at Sisty and Granddaddy's.

A blue bicycle helmet...

blue bumbo seat...

blue float...

ANOTHER blue float...

a blue lifejacket...

I've heard babies are expensive and you gotta save where you can, but come on!!

I've sucked it up and tried not to get my diapers in a wad, but the other night they crossed the line.

Apparently, my pediatrician told Mommy at my 18 month checkup that I'm as tall as the average 27 month old.  I have no idea what that means, but it seemed to be a big deal to her, because that night, I slept in this...

Trace's old, used (with holey feet) 24 month pajamas.  They let me run around the yard in them, where people could see me!!  They could at least have put a bow in my hair!

Mommy claims she'll get me some of my own pj's and was feeling a little mommy guilt over cramming me in sleepers that were obviously too small, but a girl needs a little pink, a little purple, a little sparkle on her sleepwear, not trucks and trains.

I guarantee you, if I had come first, there is NO WAY Daddy would let Trace be walking around the yard in my princess pajamas and he wouldn't be caught dead in his bass boat sporting a pink lifejacket.

I've heard a rumor that my Aunt Bonnie has bought me a pink tricycle, that I will soon be big enough to ride.  I can't wait to have my own outdoor toy, that's not a ride-on fire truck or lawn mower.

Mark my words... when the time comes, instead of getting my own Barbie battery operated car with built in mirror and car phone, I'll inherit this...
 

Daddy may try to spray paint it or bedazzle it up but, I'll know.

Thanks for listening and letting me sing the blues...

Keatyn

Summer's End

Well, every good summer must come to an end.  This one felt a little different than the last 5, and took me back to before Trace was born, when I would count every summer day I had left before school started.  Only this time, the nerves and anticipation weren't over getting my classroom ready, or thinking up new strategies and ideas (wish Pinterest had been around when I was still teaching!!!) but more about sending my baby to school and all the unknowns that come with that. 

Although we didn't take any trips or do anything particularly special this summer, we tried to make the most of it.  While Jim and Sylvia were away, we took a little staycation at their house.
We enjoyed dinner on the deck with this view...

And took a pontoon boat ride...

That ended on this note...

We had many potential pets come in and out of our lives this summer.  Meet Franklin.  This one only lasted the few minutes it took us to drive down Mountain Creek Road.  But he brought countless seconds of joy to Trace.  ha!

We decided Franklin needed to be with his little family, he was so desperately trying to reunite with while crossing the road, when we picked him up and saved him from becoming road kill.  Ever witness a turtle cross the street?  It's painful to watch.

Turkeys have invaded our yard and have taken full advantage of the fact that our neighbors never mow their grass.  We see them outside while we are eating dinner and they're amazing to watch!  But no, I don't think we want a "pet" turkey.

Next came Hoppy.  Nana and Trace nabbed him at Uncle Andy's house and we tried to contain the little guy but it was obvious he wanted to be free.  It's really a wonder he survived the day with my rowdy bunch. So, he too, was released back into the wild, otherwise known as my front yard.

So we promised Trace we would go to the pet store and actually buy are real pet.  We went for a hamster, but I honestly about had a panic attack once we got there and I saw them.  It was all about placement really.  They were right next to the cage labeled "Large Rat."  As cute as they were, they didn't stand a chance after that.  I'm sorry son.  You know my history with rats, and having anything that remotely resembles one living (on purpose) in my home, just about sent me over the edge.  So... we settled on 2 betta fish, Nemo and Dino.  We bought the whole set up along with a double tank, because apparently they will attack and kill one another if put together, and what 5 year old needs to see that?  Two weeks later, I'm happy to report they are still alive and living happily on Trace's dresser.  And I'm pretty sure have been fed daily... yeah!!!

 

We swam with my dear friends Penny and Lynda and sweet Zander this summer.  After 18 long months, Lynda finally got her second knee replaced and is doing great!  Praise the Lord!!!  I'm so thankful to have these two ladies in my life!  Penny is still at Woodmore, where we all met, and is counting down the days till retirement.

We made tents...

got a cleaning lady...

 perfected our smokers laugh...

 We went to the splash pad with Trinity and her girls and the big kiddos LOVED doing the obstacle course.  Trace thought he was on Wipeout!

He even ran into his buddy Coulter from preschool.

That's a hole water randomly shoots out of... live and learn.

We celebrated Daddy's birthday on the 8th with a little family dinner and ice cream cake.

Trace lost his 2nd tooth using the door slam technique again...

We lounged at Uncle Andy and Aunt Kadi's pool...

played at TAG for Nalin's birthday party...

And ended the summer by spending a morning at Chester Frost.  We have been wanting to go, but everytime we drove by it was packed.  So the Monday Hamilton County went back to school, we went and practically had the beach to ourselves!  Little picnic, swimming, and playground action was just what we needed before kicking off Kindergarten!

It's been a great summer but with these cooler mornings, it reminds me how much I love Fall.  I can't wait to see what's ahead!!

In reverse...

I got a little ahead of myself last week.  It was a whirlwind!  I thought I'd already posted our 2 other little trips to CCS to introduce Trace (and mom) to the school, but I hadn't.  I'm used to living my life in catch up mode so I'm going in reverse today.

A couple of weeks ago, I took Trace down to school to show him around.  He had only been there 2 other times and it was very short, crowded, in and out trips, so we went and spent just a little time there learning our way around, finding his classroom, the gym, the cafeteria and of course the playground.

 We had been working on states so when we found this HUGE map of the U.S. painted on the sidewalk next to the playground, we had a  teachable moment  fun mommy/son moment.  It was blazing hot that day, but I enjoyed every second we spent out there.  He would run and jump on California or Washington state and then tell me to go stand on New York or Florida.  Then he would cup his hands around his mouth and yell "Heeelllloooo there!  How is it over in ____________?"  It was precious and although silly, something I'll never forget.

Getting the much needed "back to school" free haircut from JCPenney!  

 Looking at this picture, I think I see where the young males fascination with boobs begin. At the hairdressers.  They are right there in. your. face.

 And then, there was Desk Day.  CCS doesn't "phase in" like most schools, and I'm not sure why, but they have a day before the first day of school to come, meet the teacher, put all your supplies up, and look around the room.  It was about 30 minutes total and Trace was really loving that time frame.  The 7 hour day the followed, he wasn't as fond of.

 Meeting Mrs. Watts for the first time...

 Showing off his new LL Bean backpack...

So, now it's Sunday night and we are ready to kick off our first full week of Kindergarten.  Trace has already said 3 times this afternoon that he doesn't want to go to school tomorrow.  Just what every parent wants to hear! 

I have yet to get ANY details about the past 3 days... no names of people in his class, what they are doing in the room, what all he's learned.  Fortunately, Mrs. Watts has sent 3 mass emails to the parents filling us in on all the happenings and keeping us in the know.  It is wonderful to have a teacher that communicates so well. 

I've already texted Lauren's mom, Trace's friend from preschool, to see if she is getting any more info, being that Lauren is a girl. (Is this a sign as to what I'm gonna have to do with my future daughter-in-law???)  All Emily could give me was the run down on everyone's hair style in the classroom.  Apparently, Lauren is a budding beauty consultant.  Oh, and lets not forgot the Everyone Poops and The Gas We Pass books they read the first day, that Lauren went on and on about.  I can't believe Trace wasn't all over that! 

If he  is anything like his Uncle Andy, getting any dirt about his day is going to be like pulling teeth. One word answers on the car ride home, followed by a lot of  "I don't remembers."  Sigh.  This may be a long year!!  But hopefully a great one! :)