The Barton Family Blog

 Hollie started preschool this Monday (3 days a week) at a Preschool co-op that meets at the big girls' primary school (how easy!)  This was kinda a last minute minute decision on my part, after a couple flopped home school attempts!  I really wanted Hollie to have some sort of school-ization before Kindergarten to work on listening skills, sitting still skills, following directions skills etc... and when I realized I don't have what it takes to make it work... I hurriedly made the commitment to this preschool co-op. My commitment level MUST decrease as my belly increases this winter... that's for sure... but lucky for me, Hollie can enroll in just one term, or two if I'm feeling up to it... and bow out just before Barton baby #5 arrives.  I have to work in the classroom 5 times in the 10 week term - so approx once every other week - which I thin k, I can manage (fingers crossed)! I'm glad she is loving it - because it does require a bit of flexibility i...

Ok... slight exaggeration there... nothing too extravagant... but sweet just the same. I love having my family near - and thats what my birthday entailed! Sunday morning started out with breakfast with the inlaws... my Mom-in-law, Dad-in-law, and Sis-in-law Autumn!  It was sooo nice... we had a big breakfast nook/room to ourselves and we were able to linger and chat. No pictures... ): but good memories!! After church Sunday afternoon, my parents & Jen made the drive down to spend the afternoon with us. I was so bummed when the day was over and I thought I had only taken ONE pic (last pic of my parents w/ the grand babies) but I was PLEASANTLY surprised when I uploaded my camera, to realize that I had taken a bunch at the park before my parents arrived.  YEAH ME!!! Brock & his FAVORITE person, Daddy:  Natalee begged for a shot of her on the rocky thingy:  Auntie Jen snuggling Koa Bears. Snuggle bug! I need a snuggly baby!! This last pi...

Naomi and I have share birthdays (we're two days apart) for the last 24 years... :). She's finally starting to be glad that she's 8 years younger as she spent most of her life wishing she was older (ha ha age does that to you!) My sweet Momma (who we don't see enough of...) came down to spend part of Thursday and Friday with us for our birthdays this year! It was so nice!!! She paid a babysitter and we went out to dinner and shopping (I have almost no maternity clothes believe it or not!!) and it was just so so so nice. Did I mention it was nice? Cause it was!! Naomi insisted that we get our pic taken in front of a wild VW bug at the gas station... So here we are... And then at dinner! Happy Birthday Sis! I'm so glad you live here!!!

n case you don't follow me on Instagram (dnbarton), here's a glimpse of my last few weeks! Brocky & Koa doing what they do best: CUTE... Brocky learning to keep his little hat ON Brocky experiencing the tub all to himself. I think he liked it! I sent my oldest two off to Kindergarten... I went on a date with one of my besties! Brocky got to ride in a germ ladened  really cool shopping car We went for walks with Daddy (iphone launch loneliness (: he he) Went on more walks with one of my other besties! Well.... that about sums it up! 

Fun in the sun with cousins & siblings

Not too many exciting shots from the Fair this year.  My mom and I took the girls just for a few hours on a $0 budget (Foster Families got in free this year) and let them enjoy the free aspects of the fair.  It was a fun, free, get-out-of-the-house thing to do so I enjoyed it for that, tho' Johnny and I don't really care for the fair that much after 3 straight years of attendance!  Kinda random, but this was the first year I didn't dress the girls in coordinating dresses... but they still look cute! (:  Petting the animals...  Amazed by the size of these guys!  They were all brave this year to pet the snake! (Mom photographed from a safe distance!) NEW to the fair this year - BIG cats - They had a tiger, lion cub, panther etc.  Getting their feet vibrated courtesy of Nonnie  Nonnie's treat: A view from the sky   I think this was the point where Hollie informed Nonnie that she wanted to get off...  ...

Today was their first day. They were just a little EXCITED (:  I'm so proud of them... I'm not sure why it hits my heart that way... it's not like the did anything to become kindergartners, besides grow... but I just am. I'm proud because they are mine. They are so beautiful on the inside & out. They are sooo excited to learn and be "big". It just makes my heart hurt to think of how much they will grow and change this year.  My sweet little-big girls!  They each picked out their own outfits.  I pulled out some fall clothes since it was rainy and cold today.  Shy went with long sleeve, Natalee with short.  The pink skirt Natalee is wearing, Shy has one too... but it falls straight off her tiny little hips, so we didn't think it was a good plan for her first day of school (:  The girls are attending a primary school - separate from the elementary school.  It's suppose to have K-2 but this year it only has Kindergarten due to so...