I Can't Stop Watching

Three years ago during Katrina and Rita I didn't sleep much. It didn't really effect us. We did have around 7 evacuees and animals in our home, but personally we were fine. My problem is I can't stop watching the Weather Channel and News.

Please pray for everyone effected by this. My Brother-in-law and
Sister-in-law evacuated today from Beaumont.

Nap Mat Drama

When I signed Kaden up for school in July I was told he had to have a nap mat. Because of shipping time or making it would maybe take sometime I decided to get it out of the way and make sure we had it ready to go. When Kaden's school supply list came in it wasn't on the list. I had already made it and decided it must have been a mistake.

When we went to Meet the Teacher I didn't see any in the classroom. I asked the teacher which was different from who I registered with she told me the 4 year old class does not have nap time.

I thought at this point I must have heard wrong but in the manual we received even says that parents must provide a nap mat.

The only conclusion I can come up with is that when I signed him up he was still 3 and the 3 year olds do take naps.

Do not get me wrong I love the school and his teacher. I think it was all a misunderstanding. But I am disappointed about all the time I put into it. I have thought about selling it but Kaden picked out the fabric and was very involved in the process. So I have decided to keep it and he can take it on trips with us or can use it at home.

Ecard

Yesterday Pampaw and Deedee sent this ecard to Kaden. Kaden has wanted to watch it over and over again.

Kaden's Ecard

BirthDAY Part - 2

This afternoon we let Kaden choose what he wanted for lunch. He choose Pizza King. It is a great place to try if you are ever in the Longview area. After lunch we went to the Boardwalk in Shreveport LA.

The Boardwalk has a Build-a-bear. Kaden has been wanting a Batman suite for Scott his bear.

This is Scott before we lost one of his gloves.

I also had a few things to get for Kaden before school starts next Tuesday. I found a great pair of shoes at Stride Rite for him. I also found some outfits for the boys I have been waiting months to go on sale for 70% off each piece at Carters. I hope I got the right sizes its hard to try them on when the boys are both grumpy and ready to go.

The Birthday Chair

BirthDAY Part - 1

When Kaden woke up I heard "Is it my Birthday today?". He was so excited. I made him some pancakes which are his favorite and had the diningroom decorated and his gifts out from us and some others that came in over the week.

This is how Kaden came to breakfast.

Tim is going in half a day and then we will start the 2nd part of his special day.

Kaden's Birthday Week

This week is turning into a Birthday week for Kaden. Today we met our friend Miss Anita for a Birthday lunch. Kaden was greeted with balloons and a cupcake. Out of all the choices Kaden had he picked McAlisters.

After lunch we went to Toys-r-us to use Kaden's Birthday Club card. He found some masks.

Meet The Teacher

This morning we went to Kaden's school to meet his teacher and to see his classroom. I could tell he was a little nervous. I really like it and I think he will too. While we were there he made a mat to sit on and we picked up a ton of information.





While we were there we were given his first homework assignments.

We also went to Target so Kaden could spend some of his Birthday money. He was very excited to find Speedracer house shoes.

The Injury

This morning while we were getting ready to go to meet Kaden's teacher and see his classroom. Kaden was excited and running through the house. I heard a boom and then crying. His little face is brused but is looking much better tonight.

Nap Mat Pattern -- Kindermat Cover Pattern

The supplies needed may be found at any fabric shop or even at Wal-mart or Target stores.

To make this a project to share with your child take them with you when you purchase your supplies. Let him/her pick out the design on the fleece they would most like.

The fleece material is a very soft material and very durable. It is a warm and cozy, brushed finish and does not pill.

If you want to add a pillow or small blanket the mat is designed so that when made you can roll it up and tie it closed, just put the other items inside and roll them up with it. The cover is also removable pillowcase design so that it can be washed anytime.

The mat is machine washable in cold water, on delicate, with no bleach, and just tumble it dry on low.

Supplies needed:

2 1/2 yds fleece (This is enough to make the cover a blanket and pillow)
2 1/2 yds solid color fabric
matching thread
scissors
sewing machine
poly-fil
pins
2" wide ribbon in matching color 48" long
name tag
Kindermat (Can be found at Walmart or Target in the school supplies section.

Directions:
1. Lay the 2 pieces of fleece on top of a table with outsides matching in . Cut the solid piece of fabric 52 1/2 x 21 inches and the Patterned piece 44 x 21.

3. Pin these all together.

4. Start at one corner and sew (on the machine) around but leave uneven side open

5. Fold solid piece 2 inches and pin on uneven side. Sew across. Fold again 8-9 inches and pin. Sew a temporary stitch on the long sides. It took me a few time to size it. This piece gives it a cover effect so the cover can be removed.

6. Fold patterned piece 1 inch and sew across. Fold patterned piece again to meet the edge of solid piece and sew the sides

7. Cut ribbon in half and sew on strips of ribbon.

8. Now roll up the mat and tie ribbon (by looping around itself).

If you want to add a permanent pillow just stitch on a small pillowcase to the end (that does not have the ribbon), sew on a couple snaps to keep the pillow from coming out and insert a small pillow.

For the blanket I used the left over pieces of each fabric. Lay the 2 pieces of fabric on top of a table with outsides matching in. Pinned and sewed around the blanket leaving 3 inches open. Turned it right side out and closed it with a stitch.

Take along the nap mat. All rolled up it's easy to carry around.

The Party

Yesterday we celebrated Kaden's Birthday. We had Kaden's party at Papa and Grannies Farm.

Kaden wanted to announce that he got underpants for his Birthday.

Uncle Nathan and Karsee.

After the party everyone got in the pool.

When we got in the car to drive home. Kaden said "I had a good Speedracer party" and went right to sleep.

Sunday in the LFA Nursery

This morning was good. I brought cupcakes for Kaden's class. Kaden wanted a Panda theme. Thank you Nanny for the Plates, Cups, and Animals. Kaden enjoyed it.

Our Trip - Part Two

For lunch we went to Panera Bread with Papa, Julie, Camryn, and Kaylin.

My niece Kaylin

After lunch we went to see Grannies new library. She is awesome and very creative.

Kaden's favorite part of the school tour.

Tonight Tim and I went on a date. I have to say it was the best date in the 8 years that I have known him.

I gave Chipotle a second chance and now I have a new favorite place to eat.