Another busy weekend is in the books, and it amazes me what all we can pack into three days. From back-to-school shopping, Old Settlers and continued work on the house, there is never a dull moment.
Friday, I made my way to Des Moines for a little clothes shopping for the girls. Both of my girls will be going to preschool this year, with my oldest going four half-days a week. They were pretty hard on their summer clothes and most of them will go to the play clothes side of the closet instead of being worn out in public.
I made myself a spreadsheet to make sure I covered all of my bases and didn’t forget anything important. After hitting up Carters, Old Navy, Gap, Von Maur, Younkers and Target, I think I have enough for at least the first semester. I will have to bring a couple things back that didn’t fit quite right, and I am still on a hunt for the perfect pair of purple shoes for my youngest.
I got home in time to throw my kids in the tub to get ready for the kiddie parade later that evening. My mom is the mastermind behind the Loud and Proud Cheerleaders idea and the girls loved it. They each had megaphones and dressed in their red, white and blue American Cutie outfits and did a great job walking down the street yelling “loud and proud” to the crowd.
Before heading home that night, they jumped in the inflatable houses and got a couple tattoos. A bag of cotton candy may have made its way to the house as well.
Saturday morning, I was up early to help with MAMM (Monroe Annual Micro Marathon) that my friend heads up. Following the “big” kids race my littles were ready to go in their races. I was slightly worried because my oldest has become super competitive and is known to throw a fit mid-race if she is losing.
My youngest was in the first race, and I couldn’t have been more proud. She took off and was like an arrow straight to her dad getting what we think was third place. When it was my oldest daughter’s turn we told her to just try her best and run as fast as she could. Thankfully, she did just that and ended the race excited to have participated.
Following the races they participated in the coin toss collecting money in sawdust and the frog jumping contest where their frog actually followed their lead and was one of the first to cross the line. After a short lunch break, we went back to the square so my oldest could perform with her dance class on the “big stage.”
The girls and my husband participated in the parade that evening on the 3-year-old preschool float, waving and tossing candy while riding in a train. I spent the time taking photos for the paper along with working at the preschool booth selling popcorn, water and temporary tattoos to raise money.
Following the parade, the girls spent the next hour or so jumping to their hearts’ desire along with their cousins until it started to rain and we called it an evening. As we were walking to the car my youngest asked if she could fall asleep in the car because she was so tired. A pretty successful day all around.
Sunday was school supply shopping day with the highlight being shopping for backpacks. Oddly enough the girls picked out the same one, a pink kitty that has hands that flip open and closed. After gathering everything on the list, we headed home to continue working on the house.
My husband set out to mow our 3.5 acres, finishing in just more than three hours. I went back to the basement to continue sorting through boxes. We have boxes that were packed two years ago when we first moved, those from my childhood that my mom gave me and some filled with last minute items that were thrown together right before our last move.
My girls thought it was Christmas and their birthdays wrapped into one with all of their toys making a reappearance. I was also pretty excited that I have my craft room nearly set up, and I can start getting organized in that department.
Another busy weekend in the books for the Pierson family.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534
or jpierson@newtondailynews.com