Last Swim of the Summer?

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THE SUMMER IS OVER?

It is still August (albeit only for one more day), it will still be 100-degree temperature for another month (or two). 

BECAUSE SCHOOL STARTED OVER THREE WEEKS AGO!

Kade, Sammy, Tommy, Austin, Trey, and Sarah

Even though summer is "technically" far from over, we most likely had our last swimming day of the season.  Last Friday, school was cancelled for teacher inservice.  We took advantage of the day and recreated our typical summer day - swim, lunch, swim. 

Austin

We have several amazing neighbors who have told we can use their pool anytime...so we do! Probably my most amazing neighbor is my super friend, Kodi.  She doesn't have a pool either so we spent the summer pool hopping with her and her kids, Trey and Kade. 

Trey

Kade

We ordered some pizza and enjoyed lunch by the pool.

Sammy

Sarah

Kade and Sarah - these two have spent a lot of time together this summer.

  

GOODBYE SUMMER!

Tigers and Lions and - WOLVES!

On August 17th, Austin was awarded his Wolf badge in Cub Scouts.

Austin the Bobcat

Austin the Wolf - mom and dad are so proud! 

Sammy and Sarah are jealous that they didn't get to paint their faces.

Since Tommy turned 10 he is now in the Webelos den and working hard towards earning his Webelos badge.

Here we go again...

Introducing the 2010-11 Mommy & Me Preschool

Bailey, Sarah, Haven, Jacob, and Marissa

Sarah

Haven

Bailey

Marissa

Our only boy, Jacob

Haven and Bailey enjoying some free time.

We kicked off the school year by talking about the Letter Aa.  Note to parents:  Have your children tell you what sound "A" makes and then have them sing you the "A song."

The A says "a"

The A says "a"

Every letter makes a sound

The A says "a"

Our number of the day was zero.  I think they got the concept of "0" down pretty well.  We worked on tracing our names.  I'm going out on a limb here, but I predict by the end of the year they will ALL be able to write their names.  We did a couple of pages out of our preschool workbooks.

For snack, we had apples and crackers.

Bailey showing off her masterpiece

FACT:  Musicians use both of sides of their brain more frequently that the average person.

THIS IS GONNA BE A FUN YEAR!!!

Shrinking Potion

We have been warning Tommy and Austin for years (at least 5) to be nice to Sammy because one day he will be bigger than both of them.  We have a wall in the garage where we have marked the kids growth over the years.  Last week, I took the opportunity to measure the boys and compare their measurements.

Turns out Sammy at age 5 is taller than Tommy at the age of 6 and Austin at the age of 7.  Tommy and Austin both realize it is only a matter time before Sammy is the BIG man on this campus.  My prediction is that Sammy is taller than Austin in two years (Austin is 3 years older than Sammy and at this point only about an  inch taller)...it will probably be in the teenage years for Tommy, but only because Tommy has five years on him.

This afternoon Tommy and Austin have been spending a lot of time quietly in their rooms.  Yes, very unusual.  After closer investigation I discovered they are making preparations for a "Shrinking Potion."

Shrinking Potion

1. 3-4 rubber bands

2. 1 flower petal

3. Half an inch of Gatorade

4. 1 drop of water

5. grass

6. 1 piece of Sam's hair

7. Chusher (I asked them what "chusher" was and they said, "like a nut crusher.")

Things we need

1. A small cup

2. Sam asleep (I couldn't help but laugh at this one)

3. "RUBERBANDS" (I think they mean "rubber bands.")

 

Sammy's days of peaceful naps are coming to an end. And yes, Sammy really is sleeping here.  Poor guy.

The Best Day of the Year!

I love my kids, I really do!  But I have decided today is even better than Christmas.  Today is the first day of school!  Sammy started kindergarten today so he is joining the ranks of Tommy and Austin. 

Sammy is ready for school.

Austin has a new pose for the 2010-11 school year.

Tommy is wearing a shirt he got three years ago (seriously, I love him).

YEAH!!! I'm in kindergarten!!!

Tommy, Austin, Sammy, and I rode our bikes to the school.  As much as Tommy and Austin complained about school starting they sure took off fast.  Sammy and I counted to 100 as we rode to the school.

 

Sammy's kindergarten teacher is Ms. VanDeCar.  Yesterday Ms. VanDeCar called Sammy to see if he had any questions about school.  I think I'm going to like this teacher.

 

Austin's 3rd grade teacher is Ms. Cameron.  She already has her students hard at work.  I think I'm going to like this teacher as well.

Tommy's 5th grade teacher is Ms. Phillips, I already know I like her cause she was a long-term sub for Tommy's 2nd grade class.  Tommy, as a big 5th grader, is mortified that his mother came in to take a picture.  That is as good of a shot as I could get because he kept covering his head with his binder. 

Watch out!  Here we come!

p.s. In my defense I can honestly, truly, without a doubt say that my 2nd favorite day of the year is the Last Day of School!  It beats Christmas, Mother's Day, and even my birthday!

Princess Sarah and Her Royal Party

Sarah is 3 years old today. 

Yesterday we had a Princess Party to celebrate her birthday.

Ms. Brittany, our neighbor, fulfilled the role of royal cake maker.  She did an absolutely marvelous job and helped to make Sarah's birthday party spectacular (and less stressful because I didn't have to worry about the cake at all).

Marvelous!

Sarah's guests included: Princess Bailey, Princess Eleanor, Princess Petra, Princess Natalie, Prince Reid, Prince Sammy, Princess Avy, Princess Kim, Queen Olivia, Princess Olivia, Princess Marissa, Queen Emily, Knight Austin, and Knight Tommy.  Whew!

After a little lunch our little princesses needed some TLC, so we put nail polish on their fingernails (and toes if they wanted).  Queen Emily and Queen Olivia made sure Sarah's nails were up to royal standards.

The evil step mother hide all the princess party prices.  Fortunately Prince Charming saw her and he left some clues before he dashed away to slay another dragon. 

After following the clues the princesses found the treasure box, which was overflowing with royal jewels, bubbles, flavored chapstick, playdough.  Also the princesses found everything they needed to make their very own tiaria's. 

Princess Sarah and Princess Marissa

Princess Bailey

 

No Royal Party would be complete without a pinata.  The girls were delighfully dainty as they each took a good whack and almost every time knocking one or two pieces of candy out.

Princess Eleanor

Princess Kim

Princes Petra

Princess Olivia

 PRESENT TIME

Thank you princesses for all of the wonderful gifts!

One of the things Sarah has been wanting for at least the past six months is a jewelry box.  I'm hoping this will keep her out of mine (probably not).

CAKE TIME!!!

Happy birthday to you!

After all the guests left and the castle got cleaned, Sarah received her final present of the day - a bike!  About two weeks ago as we were walking through Walmart, we stopped by the bikes and Sarah wanted to get on the "princess" bike.  I didn't think she would be able to pedal it because all of my boys really struggled with pushing forward at first (they always wanted to push back).  She got right on and started pedaling around. 

Yesterday, all of Princess Sarah's royal birthday wishes were granted - a bike, a helmet, a jewelry box, and most importantly FRIENDS!!!