Summer Fun: Phase 1

This summer is really unlike any other.  Seems like each week is a bit different with varying events and responsibilities keeping us from getting fully into our summer routine.  But we have been doing typical summer things, such as...

Painting...

Swinging...

Flying kites...

Running (ah, togetherness...)

Farming?

And bowling with our besties at the new Pinstripes!  

The bowling was a bit chaotic...

Reese, no fingers in your mouth at the BOWLING ALLEY...ew!!

We were about 4 frames in when Cade said he was done bowling...but between the coloring and a plate of fries, oh yes, and ice cream sundaes...he managed to tough it out.  

Reese definitely thought that it was more about the ball return rather than the actual bowling.  She would roll her ball down the lane then race back to the ball return without even watching to see how many pins she knocked down.

We'll work on it...

They offer free sundaes and we gladly accepted. 

We visited Dad at work...sorry, about your board, Dad!

And sweet Reesie tried to get rid of the mullet...again.

Cade participated in Optimist swim lessons at Indian Trail Middle School for a couple of weeks.  Thankful for indoor lessons since we've had so much rain lately!  Cade is still not a lover of the water...but he's getting more comfortable.  He considers himself "swimming"even if he's just walking around in water where he can touch.  It's fine...for now.

We all enjoyed a trip to Black Bob Bay with Jamie and Maddox.  Cade was brave enough to go down the slide in the kids area over and over and is eager to get back there already!

Now we can get ready for our vacays!  Two amazing trips coming up.  First the beach house then...

Spring Photo Dump

I will now roll out nearly all of the pics from this Spring that I didn't blog about thus far...

The bounce house truly is the gift that keeps on giving.  Get one.  Now.

We are at a total loss for what to do with stickers.  My children seem to believe they are interchangeable with tattoos.  Luckily, we're okay with a little "ink" around here.

Ok, maybe not this much...

Reesie being cute.

First trip to Deanna Rose of the season came in May with my parents.  Everyone loves the Farm!!

A fun night out at the K with Chris and DeAnna in their crazy-good seats!

We survived the spring session of gymnastics with both kids.  They enjoyed it at the time but neither of them have said a thing about it since the session has ended.  If they don't notice its absence in our lives, do we really need it?!

The kids and I made a quick trip to the Bend over Mother's Day weekend while Matt was traveling for a MoKan tourney.  The Bend is perfect for...

Swinging...

Biking...

And the Zoo!
Highlights included hearing the lions roar, the "fish house," and watching the chinchillas be fed.

The Kid, always great for a laugh!

This slide is quite high...and in hind-sight, not the safest idea.

Gentry and Reese had the right idea here...

This was when Cade said, "Mom, take my picture with these guys before I brush my teeth."  Sure thing, Cade.

That nearly catches us up to summer time...more to come!

Preschool: Year 1

Cade has a late spring birthday so we weren't really sure if we'd be sending him to Kindergarten as a 5-year-old or as a 6-year-old.  I was young for my grade and Matt was older for his grade when we were in school.  It's no shocker to us that Cade is on the small side (Matt weighed 90 pounds as a high school freshman!!).

Academically, Cade would be ready.  He has known his letters and the sound they make since about 18 months.  No lie.  Proof here.  Also know that this is not really a result of anything that we did other than purchase magnetic letters and the Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD.  (My poor 26-month-old second child has no clue about letters and sounds...)

We decided to send Cade to 3-year-old Preschool this year as we felt he was ready for this step and this could help us test the waters as to his Kindergarten readiness.  Preschool: Year 1, we will call it, was a learning experience for all of us.  We, as parents, were pretty clueless.  I'm thankful that Matt is able to do the drop-off and pick-up since I cannot, but this kept me pretty clueless about school and Cade's performance.  I am glad that I was able to attend several class parties and special events, despite having to take off an extra hour for round-trip travel time to and from work.

Cade's First Day

My gifts at the Mother's Day Tea...where no tea was served...but I get it.  

My handsome date.

Cade's Last Day of Preschool: Year 1...of 3

It's looking like it will be best to do a 3-year-old program (this year, twice a week), a 4-year-old program (next year, 3 times per week), and a Pre-K year (4-5 times per week) to be on track behaviorally and socially for Kindergarten.  Turns out Cade's not much of a corporate rule-follower it seems... 

Only time will tell, but it's probably better for the start of Kindergarten to be overdue rather than the opposite.  I would think there are few that wish they would have sent their child earlier (especially boys) but there are many that wish they would have waited.  This is just one of those unknowns that is difficult about parenting.  I want to do all I can to set my children up for success.  Even if that's completely over-analyzing whether they will be ready for Kindergarten in the year 2016 or not.  Seems extreme, I know.  So let's just say that Preschool: Year 1 has taught our family a lot.  Things we will do differently next year and things that are good to know for the future.  

I am so proud of Cade.  He's such a special combination of a strong-will and a caring spirit and it is a blessing and a privilege to be his mom.  As educators, we have high hopes for our children to love learning, which is definitely not something that can be forced upon someone.  So we'll take it slow, and follow his lead, and do the best we know how with our first-born.  I hate feeling like he's our "experimental" child as we work out all the kinks of our parenting...but I have a feeling we are never going to be experts at this gig...

C & R Meet the Dentist

Cade and Reese's first dental appointment was a family affair!

Cade was the brave one to go first and show Reese how it's done.

While I was impressed with the kids' reaction to the whole experience, I couldn't help but think God bless this dental hygienist!

Reesie was a bit unsure about this business, but warmed up to it after seeing Cade.

Cade looked on intently, cheering Reesie through!

Dental chair full of cuteness!!!

Dr. B has become famous in our household now.  He instructed Reese not to suck on her two fingers anymore...and Cade has made it his personal mission to remind her of that now!  (I figure orthodontia is inevitably a part of our future...if you knew Matt and I in middle school and high school...you'd probably agree.)

Happy to report healthy teeth and an even  more amped up enthusiasm for brushing resulted from this appointment.  The kids are obsessed with brushing and now they have these timers to help you remember to brush for a full two minutes.  LONGEST two minutes ever!!!