First Day Part 2. And Going Strong!

So today was a "first day" for everyone. Corinne and Brendan went back to work and Kate and I started work. I think everyone was very excited and just a little skeptical. I know I was. Most of my thoughts lately  have been that this day could be either really good or really, really bad. However, I think we'll go with really good. Corinne left, and looked very sassy on her first day.

A little later Kate woke up and we ate breakfast. I made her some apple and cinnamon oatmeal with a little bit of apple juice and I had some orange juice and something else. I honestly can't remember however that's ok because we don't need to know every detail.

So then we watched Anastasia and then went out side to swim in the Princess pool. And heads up, I felt a little lazy today so there really are not that many pictures. Sorry. We played/swam with Repunzal and Bell and then not too long after Camy came and joined us, but really it turned in to me playing fetch with her for ten minutes. And let me jut say, the backyard is not extremely huge or at least there are not as many different directons for you to throw the ball so you can only play fetch for so long until you want to totally stab yourself in the eye or cut off your arms so you can no longer play. However finally (thankfully) we came inside for lunch.

After lunch Kate and I went upstairs and cleaned her room and then played with her Jasmine and Sleeping Beauty barbies. We did that for a little while and then came down stairs and joined Brendan in the front yard.

We were playing in the front yard where we then decided to play with Kate's Barbie fishing pole. At first Brendan or I would cast it and then she would reel it in hoping that Camy would want to catch the fake fish on the end of the line; but after a while it turned into me casting it and reeling it in so Kate could trying to catch it. I thought it was rather entertaining.

We then came back inside and decided to watch a movie. I couldn't find the blu-ray remote so we just watched All Dogs go to Heaven 2 on TV which had just started.

So there is something you all need to know. All Kate really wants is long hair. And her hair is kinda long but it's not extremely long. And it's so curly, and the curls are so tight, they stick very close to he skalp which makes it short and it just makes her so sad. So she thinks if she just keeps brushing her hair, Like Rapunzel, her hair will grow and be long. But she can only stroke her hair so many times before she gets bored and then she will go looking for her next victim which are usually her barbies. However today, as we were sitting there she had an epiphany. Asher has long, curly, weavy hair! So for at least, at least, 20 minutes Kate stood and sang, "brush, and brush, and brush, and brush my hair" like Rapunzel does. And if she wasn't brushing and singing, she was "braiding". So yes. Super fun for Asher.

Finally the movie ended and Kate decided she wanted a make over. So pretty much I just swept my foundation and blush brushes all along her face. Then I put on a tiny bit of eye shadow, a little bit of blush, and some lip gloss. She thought she looked so pretty. Then, get this everyone. I braided her hair.

 Yes. It is possible. It is in fact long enough for me to put a tiny little braid from one side if her temple across to the other. She was just as surprised as I was that she could have a braid in her hair. And it looked SO cute.

Just as we fnished playing dress up, it was time for us to get her ready for tae kwon do. By this point I realized I that I had not taken very many pictures at all ,and since she looks so cute in her little tiny outfit, I thought I would share the smiles.

So her and Brendan left for their "daddy and daughter" bonding at tae kwon do and think I am about to start getting ready for dinner while Corinne and I swap first day stories. So far all I know is that her day was great. So was very excited to see that they somewhat have a tag for her already.

(She's the little one made out of paper on the bottom)

So even though tomorrow, or Wednesday, or the day after, or next week may be super rough and Kate will no longer want me here and gives me a hard enough time that playing fetch with Camy might seem like a blast, I am very excited, and releived, with how today went. Things are looking promising and it seems as if Kate might actually like me. So we'll just keep our fingers crossed and our prayers strong.

Pliés and a Par-té

So Thursday was probably one of the greatest days a little girl could ask for. Kate went to ballet and tap class and was pretty much the happiest little thing in pink tights ever. She was so excited, but then when she saw that they danced in fornt of a huge mirror that she could look and see how cute she looked just made the experience even better.

So this is her noticing the mirror for the first time, but sadly not the last.

So this is her after she changed into her tap shoes. I was able to get her attention for like .2 seconds.

So after the were done with there exercises they danced to Little Bunny Foo Foo so they were able to hop like a bunny which Kate thought was so fun. She thought it was so much fun she bounced like a bunny all the way out of the studio until she took a spill off the curb and landed on her knees and started crying. That part wasn't as much fun. Kinda funny but not fun.

So after Little Bunny Foo Foo's fall we all piled back into the car and went home. Corinne and Brendan had to go the DMV so Kate and I went to Target so I could get a few more things so I could finish unpacking my room.

So when we came back Kate decided to watch a movie instead of help Asher (I know. Confusing right) unpack her room. After a few hours this is the final product. Let me give you a grand tour of my room. I'm kinda proud.

 

This is the not the greatest picture the windows that I get to look out every moring. And if I'm not careful, neighbors could look into.

This is the cute bed with the side tables that Melissa and Corinne got and decorated with that I think is super cute and super comortable.

I put up all my pictures which Kate likes to look at. The crazy part is that I still have more to develop.

This is the wall that hold the picture that is next to the candle holder/marble thing that needs some candles and the back of my door that has all my hair flowers. 

This is the other side of the candle/marble thing and a view of the closet.

This is a picture Andi gave to me the day before I left. I told her I would hang it in my new room so now it has it's own wall next to the closet. I just love it. Thank you Monkey!

So finally after I put up all my pictures and unpacked most of my boxes, I saved the best, most beloved box for last.

The shoe box. My grandma and Stevey pretty much judged me and couldn't believe one could have so many shoes; however it is possible, and they are all very much charished.

 So I'm about to show you how the closet doors looks when the doors are open and I just hope you don't judge me like Grandma or Stevey. And now Corinne. However she was excited when she remembered that we wear the same size so really, this is our shared closet.

It looks so pretty!

The left side - All my dressy shirts and jackest along with my sweaters and blankets that fit nicely on top of the shelf so they are easily accessable.

The right side - My shorts, pants, skirts, and dresses along with my sweats and screen shirts that are also easily accessable which is great because I wear them all the time.

 And last but not least. . .

 my shoes.

Really. They just make me so happy. And each one reminded me of the good times I had shopping for them or the fun times I had wearing them. They will be just as happy walking the streets of Colorado as they were walking "The Streets of Bakersfield."

So after I was offically all settled and unpacked I joined Kate and finished watching Tangled with her.

Some people from church invited my to go bowling which was fun. I did ok. I usually stink up the first game and then can break 100 the second game. However we only played one, but for not playing for a couple of months I did well.

Then after we were done we randomly decided to go the the movies and get tickets to see Harry Potter for a Friday showing. So we went and they guy behind the counter told us that they still had tickets for the mid-night showing. So after some quick deliberation, we saw the mid-night showing of the last Harry Potter movie ever. I was kinda happy because I had seen the last like three or four at mid-night so it was a good way to end the series. We got put in this theater which only had maybe thirty people in it which was super nice because then I didn't have to deal with all the crazy girls who like to scream all the time so I was super happy about that. And yes I know most of you thinking that it is pointless to see it at mid-night when you could just see it the next day and that I am ridiculous for going but that's ok because I don't really care and I got to see it before all of you so yeah.

However the best part of the night was when the Prestons made me living here offical. They gave me a gift that Brendan said would be hard for normal, regualr people to give becuase it was super cool, and super awesome, yet showed a sign of trust, but because he is Brendan, it was no problem for him.

Tah-dah!

My very own set of blinged out house keys. And yes. In fact it was a gift that was super cool, and super awesome.

 Not the greatest picture however you can feel the excitement. I have never been so happy with fake dimaond-studded pink hearts and Princess with a crown on top. It was a "super cool, super awesome" way to end the day. And the best part was I was able to use them that night when I got back from Harrp Potter. Thanks Brendan for being awesome enough to pull off such a great gift.

So Thankful.

So this last Sunday was the first time that I went to church at a real, big kids, Young Single Adult Ward. I have gone to church with the girls before to their student ward, however, I have always been with people I know and so this would be the first time I went solo somewhere. So I went to church and luckily, one of Alexis' co-workers lived in Colorado Springs and had a sister who still lives here and attends the single ward here. So, I went and met Jen (who might I just say I think is way nice and super cute) right before Sacrament, and then sat by her pretty much for the rest of the day. However, that is not really the main part that I am trying to get at. Well for one, I found out by listening to this group of people talk that there are many people who can play the piano and a few who can play the organ. So selfishly, that was a big relief. And two, the part I am really thankful for, is the calm and peaceful reassurance that I got, knowing that I was going to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and not just a building I thought looked nice. At first I was nervous because I wasn't really going to know anyone, but it gave me comfort that when the counselor stood up to start the meeting, we would have an opening song, that would be followed by an opening prayer; and then the reverent passing of the sacrament, and that would followed by people who gave talks that were about agency but who used the same scriptures and prophets and apostles that I knew. I don't know if I'm making much sense or if I'm just rambling on re-playing every minute of my Sunday, but what I am trying to say is that at first I was a little scared to go to the "big kids" ward all by myself, but the fact is that it was really just like any Sunday where I could feel the spirit and gave me great reassurance that the gospel is true and is all the same whether you live in pipin hot Bakersfield, California or you find yourself in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I am so thankful for the gospel and to have it my life, and I am grateful for how it as already helped and comforted me as I have timidly started off here in "The Springs", as the locals like to call it.

Hazzah, my lord!

So the first Saturday of my arrival, wondering what the day and Prestons would bring, and I was pretty unsure of what could better than the Zoo, but just in my hour of darkness we ended up finding something just as entertaining. I found of out that we were going to nothing but a good ol' time. . . 

Renaissnce Fair! Crazy, I know. And at first, for those of you who watched Gilmore Girls and know of Luke's sister Liz and her husband T.J who were all about going to traveling Renaissance Fairs and made it look so calm and almost enjoyable, so not even the same. For once, this fair is not traveling. Apparently it is there every weekend and thousands of people love to go there every weekend. And if only I would have known, I might have brought, or made, a dress for me to prance around in. However most likely not.

So you walk in and everyone greets you and talks in, or close too, "English Acciencts" and in old/Shakespearean English. Then you walk in and see this

(the wooden man, not the people) and you know they mean business.

So one of the first little booths/hut things that you come accross is this braiding place and on my gosh.

Some of the things they could do were so intriging. I was super impressed. So I saw this girl and asked her if I could take a picture of her hair and so I did. And it is pretty much like a braid on top of  another briad with an added in twist. It was was intense.

And there were other styles that were also extremely intense however I'm sure if I chased them all down asking if I could take their picture I might have just gotten myself kicked out, so I didn't.

There were lots of people there who were in the middle of the streets that would stand there and either talk to you, or do tricks, or whatever. One person we saw swallowed fire. So my camera and I were fighting so these pictures are a little.. not too great ..but if you look at the first one you can see the stick on fire, and in the second one you can see the fire part of the stick in his mouth. Way impressive. Well kinda. Entertaining I guess.

Or I guess impressive. I can't shove fire down my throat. So props to this guy.

I decided to make so friends with some of the localers. Please excuse my underdressedness.

And out of all the crazy dressed up people who seemed semi-normal, or not scary, who we wanted Kate to take a picture with, she picks this guy.

The bum who looks like the hunch back, however she thought he was funny. 

So as most of you know, our moving truck took the longest time to get here and so for just a few minutes I thought about possibly rolling up to church in of these lovely outfits.

I'm sure the bishopric would have LOVED that. However, of course I didn't. It's far to cold in church buildings to wear one of those. (He he. Just kidding)

Kate decided to get a fake tattoo, now it is Tuesday night and she still has it so yeah. Hard core stuff hena tattoos are.

We were all very impressed by how paitent, and still Kate was.

 But the best part is out of all the butterflies, and dragonflies, and hearts, and flowers, and girly things she could have picked from, she picks this.

The skull. With the added  the word "Mom" to it. What can we say.

Oh Kate.

So towards the end of the fair they have a huge jostings show that they do. So here is what took half an hour to do in maybe fifteen seconds.

Red and white guy = the good guy. Wants to protect the kingdom.

Black and green guy = Bad guy. Wants to take over and invade.

The hit each other three time.

The green guy falls off his hourse. Then knocks the red and white guy off his horse out of anger. So then they randomly start fighting. And in the end, the red and white good guy wins. Yeah for chivialry.

So as we left the jostings we came accross our last attraction which was no other than a flute playing fairy.

 Which of course had us totally under her spell. So as bewitched Kate walked up to take a picture with her she gave Kate a little blue stone which she now pretty much thinks is a magic stone and has had ever since.

After that we went back to a friends house where all the adults went out to dinner and I stayed back and babysat for Kate and our friend Rogan who is three and Barrett who is two. It was way fun. They lived kinda of in like an open country type setting. We swang on the swings out back, ate pizza, drew with side walk chalk all up and down their drive way, watched Tangled and then sent everyone to bed. Another great way to end a crazy day was when I walked out of the house and saw this.

It was like perfect timing with just the wrong camera. However I think you might be able to get the gist of it. Pretty sights here in Colorado.

First Day Part 1

So I call this post part one for two reasons: One, because it was my first full day in Colorado Springs and two, part two will be the day when Corinne and Brendan return to work and me and Kate have our first day and Nanny and Kate. That should be an interesting post. So anyways, I woke up, came down stairs and the first thing Kate asked was if I could watch her go swimming in her Princess Castle Pool. So since it was a nice moring and wasn't sure how long it would stay that way before the afternoon thunder and rain rolled in, I said sure.

So Kate decided that she wanted to swim with her barbies. So, naive me, went to go and get them for her; big mistake! I didn't not grow up playing with barbies however with in three minutes, I had a sadness, and ache for them that I have never had before. So let me tell and show you why. (And hopefully you don't mind the naked barbies. All their clothes were still on the moving truck that still has not yet arrived.) So first I noticed that Kate would get their hair wet, then drag them around the pool, and then flip them/toss them into the air so they would land on the concrete then would say "Whoops! They slipped." 

So here she goes picking her next victim. Poor Princess Jasmine.

She's getting her "hair wet"

and then whoops

She slipped. And soon Jasmine has joined Bell, Ariel, and Cinderella at the

Barbie Drown Unit. Sad day. For them anyways.

So the next adventure that we went to that day was one of the best things ever. We went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and it just so happens that the Prestons got a year pass to go whenever so Kate and I will definitely be using that. So the first thing that you see as you come in are the. . .

GIRAFFES!

So of course I had to feed one and document it for the blog.

As you can tell I was pretty stoked.

I can't give everyone the whole tour because that could take another five hours. But next there was the Zebras.

There was two but this is a better picture.

Elephants

There were some alligators. There are some in the way back that perfered to stay hidden.

So the coolest thing ever. We walked into this hut type thing only to find it full of birds.

Tha wasn't even half of the room and there were about at least 250 to 300 birds. They were really pretty and colorful too. And for a dollar Kate was able to feed one and it decided to come sit on her arm.

Bears were of course there.

I don't want to give it all away because like I said before that would take forever and there will be many more trips to write about. So after we left the Zoo we went out for sushi where I ate some sushi that contained jalapeno in it and was quite yummy if I do say so myself. Pretty much it was quite the perfect ending to a pretty great day.

But before I end this post, did I mention the snakes?

Good times!