The change has begun

The drop off of the kids went well, boy was that parking lot crazy! Bailey cried when Eric dropped her off in her new room but she was getting ready to eat breakfast so I'm sure she stopped pretty quickly. I took Reagan to her room and there were a lot of her friends already there, even some that she knew. She got her backpack hung up and then got her name tag. She did okay, no crying or fussing for us to stay longer. She did tell Eric that morning while they ate breakfast that she was going to be a little shy. I'm sure she was fine once we left and she saw her friends there.

I got a few pics this morning but didn't really take too much at school or in her new room. Since she was doing pretty well, I hated to get her upset or mad, so I just took some of her walking into the room from behind & such.

Eating breakfast
Bailey is up & ready! Ready to eat!
Reagan helping out
Reagan was thrilled to wear her backpack
Actually smiling for the camera, I did get her bangs fixed to the side
Off to the car!
Bailey's ready to go
Going to school in Daddy's "cricket"
Going into the new classroom!

The change is coming....

So tomorrow is a big day here in the Gakstatter house, a big day of change! Reagan will start PreK tomorrow and Bailey will start to go to school full time!

We have been waiting, well waiting financially, for Reagan to start PreK and the day has come! Can't believe it has been 4 years, it all just goes so fast! Reagan will have new teachers and pretty much a new class full of friends. There are a few in her class from her class room this past year but only a few of them were there during the summer. Her teachers seem really nice and should be good for Reagan. We went to Open House today and she did pretty good, she actually went into the classroom unlike Friday. She loved the reading center, which is a loft that has a small couch on the top portion. And they have some new dollhouse stuff and a nice home center! She is really excited about bringing a backpack to school! So we'll see how it goes tomorrow, she seems prepared for the change. But she of course will tell me that she is going to be a little shy. I may have a harder time than her! Don't know why, same school, same place, etc; just time is moving so fast!

Bailey is finally in her new room and will be going full time now. She should love it, she loves to play. She is having a hard time starting out in the new room since she is used to just going over there during the day. But that will come in time, hopefully sooner rather than later!

So our Mondays will be Bailey free pretty much now! Wow! Eric won't know what to do on Mondays now and the Mondays that I am home, we will be lost with out any kids around!

Reagan's Dress Up Tea Party

We had Reagan & Riley's Dress Up Tea Party today and everyone had a great time, even their buddy Austin. All the kids did great and there were actually no meltdowns or struggles or fights over dresses, etc.

Everyone made a bracelet when they arrived and after that got their nails done. After their nails were done they got to pick out a dress and changed into their outfits. Then got to pick out the shoes and accessories to get with the dress. Even Austin got his nails done and dressed up, it was great, what a trooper (not sure if he will agree with all this when he is older). After everyone was dressed up, they played a game and everyone got to go to the treasure box. Then it was time to to eat and drink lemonade. Of course they were all really waiting for the cupcakes. That place got quiet while they were eating. After that we tried to get a group picture but that was kind of hard.

Reagan had a great time and loved it all. We loved it because it wasn't at our house and we pretty much just showed up and they ran it all!

I selected a few pictures to show what basically happened at the party, we of course took tons of pictures (you don't want to know how many). The poor girls (which Riley & Reagan both are not too great with cameras) will probably being see flashbulbs all night in their sleep.

The table is set
The girls checking out their cupcake cake
Everyone making a bracelet
Reagan showing Daddy her bracelet
Austin & Reagan getting her nails done
Emma in her dress

Ansley in her dress
Reagan waiting for her nails to dry
The girls having lots of fun

Here comes Reagan Ariel
Reagan was loving this outfit!
The Birthday Princesses

Austin picking out his shoes
The girls getting ready to play a game
Austin in his attire (his daddy has already said this will be shown on Austin's first date)

The girls going around the Princess Squares
Bailey was attached to me the entire time
There they go around

Austin decided to play some sort of boy game
The kids having some food
Riley blowing out her candles

Bailey & I had to help Reagan blow out her candles
Reagan drinking out of the china very nicely
Riley enjoying her cupcake

Riley's cousins & Austin having a cupcake
Emma & Ansley having some fun
The girls of course ended back up in the dress up room

Birthday girls had a great time!
This was about the best group picture we could get

Austin, Riley, Reagan, Emma, Ansley, Peyton (Riley's sis) and Lillie

Cape San Blas Beach trip

Saturday - the trip down
So our trip down to the beach went fine. We think Reagan took a longer nap than Bailey, which is surprising, especially since Reagan's nap was about 20 mins or so. We stopped to visit Grandmother & Pops on the way down so that broke up the trip a little bit. Eric got pulled over right as we were almost at their house. He got a warning, thank goodness. We got to Cape San Blas sometime after 4 and the house is nice and we have a great view of the ocean. However there was no pack n play for Bailey when we got here so we had to deal with that. We have Bailey's pack n play in the closet in our room so she can't see us or notice us when we come in & out and go to bed. It's not as bad as it sounds. Reagan & Emma are in a room together. That didn't work well the first night and Emma ended up in the bed with Kelly & Brandon and I slept in the room with Reagan. As poor Geri slept on the sleeper sofa listening to the ice maker all night.

Sunday
I actually got up & ran this morning, our first full day at the beach! It was a nice & warm & muggy run. We all got ready and went to the ocean and I carried Reagan crying that she didn't want to go to the ocean. Once we got down there and got settled she was fine and played in the sand. Bailey crawled around in the sand and of course ate some of it. Eric took Bailey in the ocean to rinse the sand off her and she did fine. Reagan never made near the ocean. Then a couple of hrs later we went back to the house so the girls could swim in the pool. Reagan was thrilled and had a great time. Bailey got in her little float and loved it. As the girls napped/quiet time we just hung out at the pool. Eric made us drinks all afternoon which was nice! Eric & I made dinner that night which was just bbq pork with roasted red potatoes. It did rain this afternoon but was over by 8. The girls ended up sleeping in the same room tonight but didn't go to sleep until late. Bailey is doing okay in the closet, not taking long naps but once she is asleep at night she is down for the whole night.

Monday
Another nice day! We went out to the ocean this time no crying from Reagan, but she still never made it in the water. Bailey just sat in Mama's lap & chilled the whole time. The water was nicer today and more waves so the boys took their boogie boards out in the water. We came back to the pool before lunch and everyone had a great time. Since we're going out to eat tonight, the girls, Geri & I just stayed in the rest of the day. Eric & Brandon took his kayak out and rode the boogie boards. We went out to a place called Papa Joes on the water. The girls loved looking out at the water through the windows. We ate some good fried seafood and hushpuppies. We made it home in time to see the sunset and get in a walk on the beach. The girls are still doing okay in the same room, just up late talking & playing. We all take turns going in and "threatening" things.

Tuesday
I made it up to run this morning, did a little bit better than the other morning. We had another nice day. It was the typical day of going down to the ocean in the morning and then hitting the pool before lunch and quiet/nap time. Then after quiet/nap time the girls hit the pool again. Tonight we just stayed home and ate some steak and broiled shrimp.

Wednesday
Brandon & Eric headed out this morning to go fishing on the kayak in the Bay. We hit the ocean while they were gone and saw dolphins this morning! The water was not as cold as it has been and it was calm so we were out in the ocean a little bit more this morning. Well most of us, Reagan still won't go near the ocean. Emma & Papa D fed the birds. Reagan & Emma love to look for shells. Since we're going out to eat tonight we let the girls play in the pool longer before lunch time. Tonight we ate at Dockside in Port Saint Joe. It was good, Eric even liked his fish! We came back and attempted to fly Reagan's kite but she didn't want it to go up in the air. So she got mad and so did Eric so that didn't happen. I believe tonight is the night that the girls were actually asleep early!

Thursday
We all hit the water this morning as usual. We saw dolphins again so that was neat. The water was calmer again so Brandon took Emma out on the kayak and she loved it. Then Kelly joined them for a short ride. Eric & I took the kayak out also. Kelly & Brandon went out for lunch and picked up seafood on their way back for us to have for dinner. We spent the afternoon in the pool. Bailey took another long nap. After dinner we took the girls up to the local ice cream shop that is .75 miles from the house. Emma & Reagan rode in the carrier hooked to Eric's bike and loved it! Mom, Geri & I walked up there with Bailey in the stroller. It was good ice cream! Geri slept on the rollaway bed in the room with the girls and as soon as she went in there they fell asleep.

Friday
I got up and ran this morning, our last day at the beach! We had lovely weather & water again this morning at the beach. And we saw lots of dolphins this morning, one actually swam not too far from us. We hit the pool again and just let Reagan come back out to the pool after lunch since it was the last day. Brandon & Papa D went up to Indian Pass Raw Bar and picked up some stuffed shrimp, steamed shrimp, crab legs & some oysters for dinner. My crew left around 8:30 tonight to head home. We were hoping driving overnight would be better for Bailey. Both girls finally konked out around 10:30. Bailey would wake up on & off and cry and Reagan snored the whole time. We got home around 2:30 am and we all hit the bed. After Bailey finally went to sleep we all slept in until 10 am!

We had wonderful weather the entire week and the water was pretty most of the week. We barely had any seaweed the whole week. There were some mornings where the ocean was like a big ice bath. The girls had a great time and loved it! Reagan even said one time that she wanted to stay at the beach house forever and this is the girl that didn't even get close to the ocean.

My pictures are up on my webshots page, there are just too many to post on here. I might try & post a few of my faves for those who do not want to look at all my pics. The link to that page is under my links section.

Pictures, pictures, pictures

Here are some recent pics I have taken over the past few days since the 4th. I wanted to get these posted before we head to the beach and take lots of other photos.

Bailey enjoying a snack at the pool
Reagan taking a break from the pool
Such a cutie!
Bailey in her pool outfit

Reagan's new hairdo (kind of hard to see in this pic)
Reagan giving Daddy a haircut
Reagan doing Daddy's hair

Bailey loves to push the shopping cart around and put what ever she finds in it
Hi!
"Take a picture of me Mommy!"
"hello"
Anytime Reagan lays this blanket out, Bailey goes over and lays down on it

Bailey taking a break from playing
Bailey posing for the camera
Reagan actually giving me a cute smile for the camera
"No more pictures please"
This isn't the best pic of Bailey but you can kind of see her boo-boo on her cheek - she fell walking at school and hit the side of the table