Jack writes!

When Jack started kindergarten, he didn't really like to write or draw or do anything that involved paper, crayons, markers or a pencil.

Since being in kindergarten for a few months now, his love of writing has taken off.  He loves writing and sounding out words and drawing pictures.  He has two excellent teachers, Mrs. Schembri and Mrs. Church that make his classroom a very positive environment.  He loves going to school and loves writing and reading.

Last week when Grandma and Grandpa Judi were visiting us, we let the kids come home from school early to be with them.  After an hour or so, Jack said, "I want to go to school and be with my school-mates."

The other evening, Jack sat down at the bar and said he was going to write down all the words that he could spell, so then I took his picture.

Napping

Ty loves taking naps.  Each day after lunch he happily snuggles in his bed with his "kankets" (blankets) and goes to sleep.  If he falls asleep in the van, he always continues his nap when I put him in his bed.

The other day I had been watching my friend's kids for the morning.  I was chatting with her when she came to pick up her kids.  I hadn't seen Ty for a little while, so I went to look for him and found this in the kitchen. 

Firetrucks

While we were checking out at Lowe's yesterday and a lady gave the kids their own make-your-own fire truck kit.  The kids couldn't wait to get home to make them.

Unfortunately, they had to wait for a few hours while we tried to find an apple orchard to buy some apples.  I need to remember not to go anywhere in New Mexico unless I've looked at the location on a map and called to make sure they're open, etc.

After Dave helped the kids make their fire trucks, Ty said over and over, "Daddy made this."  He was very impressed.

Pumpkin Run

Today was the kids' Pumpkin Run at their new school, Barranca Elementary.  It is a fundraising run -- people donate money and the kids pledge to run/walk for an hour.  Today was the coldest day we've had this fall.  It sprinkled during Kate's "run", but it didn't slow her down.

The kids ran around the neighborhood around the school.  Each "lap" was .70 miles. 

I think Jack could have run pretty much the whole time, but he was held up by me and the jogging stroller and his kindergarten partner.  We eventually dropped his partner off to walk with his teacher, so Jack could run unrestricted.  Every time the kids made another lap, they got a rubber band.  Jack got four!  That's 2.8 miles!

 This is a common look that I get. :)

I borrowed my friend, Megan's single jogger.  Ty was a good sport.  After he ate his snack and watched some Toy Story 3 on my ipod, he just vegged and stared at the road for a while.

Kate and her friend, Kenya, ran with me.  We made it around three times before the teachers made us stop. I think they shortened their run because it was raining.  Kate was a great runner!  Kate went 2.1 miles! 

I guess that means Ty and I went about 5 miles.  I love being with my kids at school!  They are very well behaved and super sweet and excited to be with me. 

Battle of the 7's

Jack has been playing KinderKick soccer the past few weeks.  He and and his good buddy, Eddie, have been long awaiting this week's game, since their teams play each other.

Eddie (the goalie) blocks Jack's shot.

 Jack and friend Cam.

 Love the defense!

Jack and Eddie were thrilled when they found out that they were both #7!  Jack actually asked me to call Stacey (Eddie's mom) just to ask her what number Eddie was.  They were so excited that they were both 7!

 I really wanted a cute picture of the boys together, but this is the best that I could get.

Jack had a rough morning at school because of his ear hurting (he got to go to the nurse!).  This afternoon we went to the doctor and got meds for his ear infection.  He wasn't going to let a little ear infection stop him from playing in this long-awaited soccer game.

Yummy Grass

We've had lots and lots of deer in our yard since we've planted our grass.  They are really great at ripping up the soft soil with their hooves when they walk around or run away (if we scare them).  Now that our backyard grass is a little more established, the deer are coming to lounge on it and nibble away.

This morning I looked out the window and there were six deer in the backyard.  I think there were three does and three fawns or maybe it was two does and four fawns.  I don't know...I got out the camera and tried to be sneaky, but I scared them away.

 I know this isn't the greatest picture, but I love seeing two fawns together.  They're so little!

 I'm really scary.  Look at the fear in that deer. :)

This is our side yard.  A really big buck walked up and down several times and then camped out under our deck.  Some of these tracks are deep.  He's a lot heavier than your average deer.

I'll be glad when our grass isn't so delicate and we can all go play on it.  I'm a little jealous that the deer are out enjoying the backyard while we haven't walked on it in a month.  

We've had a lot of bunnies in the backyard too.  The kids and I throw ice cubes at them to get them off the grass.  Aren't we nice?

Sunday Dress

I thought the kids looked extra sharp this morning when they were all ready for church.  Jack was wearing new church clothes since he grew out of his old ones.

But of course someone might have a crazy look on his face...

 or have a purse strap around his neck...

 or not be looking at the camera at all.

Love these sweet kids!

P.S. did you notice the nice green grass in the back yard?  Hooray!

"Girls Rule When They Read" Book Club

A month or so ago, Kate and her friend Sophi decided that they wanted to start their own book club.  Her mom, Juli, and I go to book club too.  Kate and Sophi started planning all the little details, even emailing a few friends (without me knowing).  Finally Juli and I sat down and finalized all the details and started the club.

The "Girls Rule When They Read" book club met for the first time on Friday at our house.  The books that Kate chose was the original Rainbow Magic Fairy books.  The girls could read any of the books in the series.   There were eight girls invited total.  They thought of lots of other girls that they wanted to invite, but we had to limit it.

Kate and I planned out what the plan was for the meeting and then Kate took charge.

She welcomed all the girls and had them introduce themselves.  Kate led the book "discussion".  They talked about what book they read, who their favorite character was, and what their favorite part of the book was.  The girls were all very sweet and well-behaved and were very interested in the discussion.

Sophi, Annika, Ada, Amelia, Laura and Kate

Next the girls had a snack -- kettle corn and apples w/caramel dip (one of the girls can't have gluten).  Then they made fairy door hangers and worked on a dot to dot coloring page.

Ada, Ty, Laura, Kate, Nina, Amelia, Sophi, Annika

Then they played a few games of "Fairy" Hide and Seek.  Two of the girls were Kirsty and Rachel (from the book), one was Jack Frost and the other girls were fairies.

The girls had a great time and can't wait until their next meeting.

Watching the Grass Grow

Dave planted grass seed in the backyard last Thursday.  It poked out of the ground yesterday and is growing more every day!

Utah Trip Pictures (a little late)

I finally finished posting pictures of our trip to Utah over a month ago.

Click here for our trip to the cabin and here for Judi Family Fun.