Ethan's First Day of Kindergarten!!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Today was the big day. Our firstborn went off to school! :) :(

Fortunately, Kindergarten is only 1/2 day - and Ethan goes in the mornings.

His school is within a ten minute (with 2 sisters in tow) walking distance.

The first 1/2 of the walk to school Ethan was happy and excited, but I could tell that as we got closer, the realization that he was going to school, and not just on a walk, was starting to sink in. We held hands the rest of the way. Although he was a bit apprehensive, he walked on like a trooper! I was SO proud of Ethan. He did not whine or even cry a little bit. After our 3 hugs goodbye at the classroom door, he went in and sat at the table like he was supposed to. Such a big boy :) Then the girls and I started our walk home. Krystin was dwadling even more than usual, so I went to pick her up. (this usually creates a squeel to be let down) But instead she let me hold her. I said "It is OK. Ethan is at school. We will see him at lunch. Do you miss him?" And she put her head on my shoulder! :( Sweet in a sad way.

Ethan's classroom is on the other side of the left-handed section.

Going to pick up Ethan.

Ethan wearing his nameplate. (This helps the teacher know which kids ride the bus and which are being picked up by parents)

Krystin thought she could pull E and Kay.

(she did - with the help of Mom pushing from behind!)

I WISH this picture had turned out better! But my batteries were really low and I didn't have enough power to run the flash! Still a cute pic, though :) This was while they were waiting on lunch. And if you are wondering.... Ethan was sent off to school with a cheesy-scrambled egg and wheat toast breakfast. Lunch was his choice - hot dogs and mac cheese and nectarines.

July 2007 - Misc

7/11 - Ethan being goofy with his spoon...

... so Kaylin had to be goofy with HER spoon ;)

7/16 - Girly-girl Krystin

Of course, she is also not shy about trying to tackle her Mama!

7/21 - Mimicking one of their favorite books

7/23 - I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Train them while they are young! :)

I love child labor at my house!

... of course - I also REWARD child labor ;)

but on this occasion (7/25) Krystin took it upon herself to get into the Tic-Tacs!

7/25 - I plan on using this one in Ethan's dating years.

They currently watch "Little Einsteins" and on one episode "Rocket" enters the "great sky race". Don't ask me HOW that relates to doll clothes - but that is what Ethan and Kaylin are doing. Getting ready for the "Great Sky Race"! :)

7/30 - Enjoying the swingset

7/30 - A picture of our 3 little stair-steppers enjoying a popsicle treat - in front of our new (late June) side fence. Finally our backyard is fully enclosed.

7/27 - This was the last night before switching the kids' beds and rooms around.

I'll post pics of their new rooms after I finalize some decorating details (meaning MAYBE in September!). But in Summary - Ethan is now back in the blue room and the girls are together in what used to be the jungle room - but is now bugs and flowers room......

Krystin is still working on staying in her todder bed instead of playing during rest and bedtime!

4th of July 2007

As promised, I am now ready to post 4th of July photos in August :)

The green 3-ring pool had a hole in one of its rings so it was time to upgrade. (Mom likes to be in the water, too!) Below, Ethan is modeling the pool and the new pool toys that we are about to try out on July 4th.

Oh yah - and I finally assembled the teeter-totter portion of the swingset..... 3 years after initial assembly!

Our 3 little stair-steppers :)

Dan doing "poppers" fireworks for the kids. I think their favorite part was picking up the trash and putting it in the water bucket. Dan also tried lighting some "snakes" - but it was too windy.

After poppers, it was time to cool off again (it was a 100+ degree day) with fudge bars!

After a second dip in the pool, it was time to make supper. Dan grilled brats and threw some fries in the oven. The kids shucked corn for corn-on-the-cob.

My Iowa heritage compells me to take photos of eating corn on the cob! :)

Dessert was gourmet.

Cherry Jello Star-shaped jigglers (red) with whipped cream (white), and blueberries (blue).

Going to our usual spot to watch fireworks. Kaylin said now that she was "3" she wasn't going to be scared. It started off well.

Any guesses?

That's right - 3 little kids with glow sticks!

To her credit, Kaylin DID saty outside for the fireworks, and she DIDN'T cry....

but her eyes were closed TIGHT the whole time and earplugs were inserted! Poor girl. :( However, on the car ride home, she several from a further distance and really enjoyed those. I think she just gets sensory-overload easily.

3 TIRED kids.

June 07 - Water Bottle Fight

On Saturday, 6/23, we had a Family water bottle fight. It started out more of a free-for-all, but ended up boys versus girls. (with Krystin playing in a bowl of water as she was too little to pull the trigger very well). We had a great time and ended up being sopping wet. (Dan showed no mercy on his poor wife) :)

Britt's Birthday - Tuesday, June 19th

Well, I turned 31 this year. I decided to have a birthday party...... with my kids in our wading pool in the back yard! :) For supper I made lasagna with garlic toast and cottage cheese. For dessert Dan picked up a mud pie ice cream cake. It was a good day.

Blowing bubbles

Modeling my birthday gits. Thanks Dan and kids :) (The package in my hand is a set of frige magnet clips... and no, the ball on the floor was NOT a birthday gift) ;)