Summer/Fall Videos

 

Coloring Together

First Day of Sunday School

Look, we had our first day of Sunday School for the year. It's Elizabeth's first year of Sunday School and I'm a teacher helper in her class this year. She did really well!! Even during the music part where there is loud clapping and singing she tried to clap along and did some of the moves. I also managed to do ok in a class of 15 three year olds! 

Pink Shadow Photoshoot

I call Elizabeth my little "pink shadow" because she is never far from me. With her cuteness, I don't mind a bit most of the time! 

A few days ago, she wanted to have her picture taken making many silly faces. How could I say no to an Elizabeth photoshoot? 

Her sad face. 

Her happy face. (Look at those Daddy-inherited dimples!)

Her surprised face. 

Her silly cross eyes face. 

All her cuteness was too much and I had to grab her for a hug. Nope, she's not wearing pants. For as cute as she is, she sure has been having a lot of accidents lately. 

The Queen and her Guard

The Fairy Queen Elizabeth has acquired her own personal Royal Guard. 

He's prepared to strike with his sword if you make a move toward the queen. I was only trying to hug her she was so cute, but apparently that is not allowed.

The Mamarazzi Strikes Again

I've been taking so many pictures of the kids lately. They're just so cute and I can't stop! Good thing the Aunties and Grandmas like the pictures. I spent the evening tonight taking more pictures. 

Nathan loves to get the mail. 

Looking cute riding his scooter. His bike has a flat tire again. Hopefully Daddy can fix it tomorrow!

She loves to run and sing. How does she do that at the same time? I will never know. 

Nathan loves to drive this tractor around. He's filled the bucket with all his sidewalk chalk. Then, when he needs to move around the driveway to draw, he just drives his tractor! 

They've finished the foundation for the last house on the street! 

It's their last chance to jump off and play in big dirt piles. They love to pretend they are king/queen of the mountain. 

Our driveway is always filled with sidewalk chalk drawings. Today, Nathan drew a big mud hole for Pippa. Elizabeth was busy drawing her letters! 

What a beautiful fall day! 

Nathan's First Parent/Teacher Conference

We had our first conference with Nathan's teacher today!

The main purpose of the conference was to review the results from his pre-kindergarten assessment. He passed with flying colors and received a 78/80. Good job on your first test Nathan!

In case future Nathan ever wants to know what 2 questions he missed, here they are.

1. You couldn't come up with the sound "x" made.

2. On a question about common landmarks/signs, you were unable to identify what the golden arches meant. In all fairness, this is not really your fault. Your disability does not allow us to take you to McDonalds-or any other restaurant for that matter.

Your teacher said you are a joy to have in class. She said you are a phenomenal listener and are always on task. She said for a kindergartener, you can really stay focused and have an amazing attention span. Good job! She said you are always agreeable and are nice to all the other kids and are very calm.

She said you are very observant and are big on making sure the rules get followed. You are big on the rules. I guess that's what happens when your Dad is a police officer and your Mom is not exactly a big rule breaker either.  However, being big on the rules means you will pipe up when she gives someone an extra cracker that the other kids didn't get. So we will work on worrying about big problems only.

You are currently in her highest reading group. Mom and Dad are keeping their fingers crossed that you do not begin to show signs of dyslexia. We would love for you to inherit Daddy's math abilities and his eyesight. However, we are hopeful you won't inherit his dyslexia.

Let's hope the rest of your first year of school goes as well as your first month!

Queen Elizabeth

No explanation needed. 

End of Summer Sandbox Play

This appears to be fighting over sandbox space. They like to draw a line down the middle so the other doesn't get in their space. 

He did make some fun sand castles in his space. 

Cute smiles, weird hair

Garage Shelves

Jeremy has been hard at work building shelves for our garage. We are determined to make it neat and tidy! He finished a shelf for all our Christmas decorations last weekend. This weekend, he worked on a shelf that will hold all his "heavy duty" tools and workbench type things. 

Making some cuts. 

Riding horses while watching Daddy. 

Helping Daddy

They think it's a bunk bed. 

Homeschool Preschool

Well, we've pulled Elizabeth out of preschool.  We tried for 2 weeks, but the transportation issues were just too much. There was no way I could pick her up in downtown Richland and still get Nathan on the bus here for afternoon kindergarten.  Jeremy was getting up early to get Nathan lunch and get him on the bus. I do not like seeing my police officer head off to work tired! Also, Jeremy will likely switch shifts come the new year and on any other shift the morning preschool/afternoon kindergarten combination would just not work as I can't be in two places at once. 

Elizabeth doesn't seem to care much. She has fun playing with her brother and her best little friend Charlotte who lives across the street. She's got great social skills so I don't think she'll miss out on too much this year. Plus, I missed my little dolly when she was gone those mornings. I think I'm too attached to my little love. We have so much fun (most of the time).  I'm not ready to give her to anyone else yet and felt so much happier when we pulled her out. 

Next year when Nathan is in school all day long, she can go to preschool! 

I told her we could do a preschool here at home. I found my old boxes of teaching materials in the garage and turned my workout room into a preschool/workout room. It was nice not having to buy any materials other than a small bulletin board to put the calendar on. 

We love to practice our letters/numbers/shapes on whiteboards. Although the fighting over who gets the pink dry erase marker is getting old fast....

This room sure got colorful quickly!

Treadmills make good desks. Did I mention Nathan has joined the preschool? Of course. 

He drew the solar system. Planets on top and stars on bottom. Those kindergartners get self study projects. 

They are the cutest students I've ever had. 

Doing a fall craft. 

I planned on doing preschool 2 mornings a week like she was doing. However, right now, she is wanting to do preschool every day. I wonder how long she'll want to do it every day? I don't mind really. I'm having fun teaching! Plus, if those kids are naughty, they know Mom won't put up with it so it's nice to teach and have no discipline issues!! Plus, we're pretty laid back...this isn't exactly a Harvard Prep Preschool.  

Box Time

One of the "good" parts about living in a construction zone is that the workers are usually more than willing to give you their trash! Today, they were installing cabinets a few houses down. We scored some huge boxes to play in! Elizabeth is using hers as a playhouse. Nathan is decorating his to be a doghouse for Pippa when she visits. It is colorful and sparkly! 

Only 3 more houses left to finish and we will no longer live in a construction zone! 

Daddy was invited to come in the playhouse

It was a rather tight squeeze. 

VBS Dancing

When Nathan went to VBS this summer, he got a CD with all the songs they sang at VBS. He does the little motions and sings. It's so cute! Elizabeth just runs around (mostly annoying him) but sometimes they dance together. 

Cool Down

Well, after almost 3 months of temperatures of 90+, it finally cooled down yesterday after a huge storm rolled through. 

Elizabeth walked outside, said she was cold,  and announced she needed a coat and hat. It was 75 with a breeze.  I guess when you're used to 90, 75 might seem cold! 

I let her wear the coat, but definitely not the hat yet. It will be fall next week, so I guess a coat is something I should get her used to wearing! 

I'm not sure what the wind is doing to her hair here, but it sure looks weird. 

We were sitting in the back of the truck waiting for the kindergarten bus to come pick up Nathan. 

Fun at Ben's birthday

We had a fantastic time at Ben's 7th birthday party! They sure know how to throw great parties. 

Daddy/daughter snuggles while Nathan bowled. Elizabeth is still not interested in bowling. She does; however, like to watch. 

A seasoned bowler awaits his ball. 

He bowls with a 6 pounder. So cute! 

Amazing technique. 

Doesn't that smile just give away how much he loves bumper cars? 

Elizabeth trapped in a bouncy castle jail. 

Arcade games. Bananas that shoot water. Who knew? 

Slashing up fruit on a screen using your hands. 

They loved this game. 

TARDIS games I guess. 

Choosing prizes. They had fun. However, I think the guy behind the counter has the worst job in the world. Trying to be patient while children choose between lots of small toys and candies? There has got to be high turnover in this occupation.