Preschool Open House

Caleb begins Preschool next Tuesday! I have enrolled him in a 2 day class, and he is very excited.  Nick and I had parents night last night, and then this morning was Caleb's open house.

When we arrived at the school he was a little timid.  I assured him that I was staying with him today, and that there was no need to worry.  When we entered the building we went and washed his hands, and then headed to his room.  His room's theme is "Crayons".  The teachers incorporated this theme throughout, and it turned out very cute.

The puzzles were the first activity to catch Caleb's eye.  He sat and worked two puzzles and met a little boy that is going to be in his class.  We then moved onto the Science station.  He loved this station.  He used magnifying glasses and binoculars to inspect everything.

He then wandered throughout the room, and played with various other toys.  He love playing with the keyboard and the mouse in the dramatic play center.  He walked up and realized that the mouse and keyboard were separated, so he put them back together and then played with them. 

We spent some time in the reading corner, and then we started looking for his cubby.  I told him to find his cubby because that was where he would put his lunch box. He looked for a moment and then he picked out his cubby all by himself!!! Smart boy! I also showed him where he would hang his back pack.

It was then time to clean up and the teachers sang a fun clean up song. He was quick to pick up toys, even ones he did not play with.  Such a big helper! I think he is going to do great at school!

Working Hard

Caleb is fascinated by the idea of "going to work".  In his little boy mind it is a magical experience filled with fun adventures and money to buy toys with.  He is always jealous of Nick when he leaves in the morning, and begs to go to work with him.  When we were in my hometown my dad took him to "work" for a little bit, and it made his life! Today, Nick and his dad decided to carry on the tradition and took Caleb to work with them.

Caleb knew yesterday that he was going to work today.  That was all he talked about.  Last night after bath we went to his closet, and picked out his work clothes.  Daddy and Pa always wear khaki shorts and a grey work shirt.  We picked out the same for Caleb, but he was distraught because his shirt did not have "letters" on it like daddy's.  Daddy's shirt has the company name on it.  I told Nick this, and he called to inform his dad. Lucky for us MeeMaw is super crafty and she fixed his some letters on a sticker to put on his shirt.

This morning when he awoke he told me he had to "eat first before work".  He quickly gobbled down his breakfast.

We then brushed his teeth, got him dressed, and packed his "tool box".  His tool box also included a sippy, some goldfish, and a cereal bar :).  He was so excited.  He did not let his tool box out of his sight.  He then grabbed his "credit card", and his cell phone.  He had to make a quick call to Pa to talk about the house they were building today.

It was then time to go outside and wait on the BIG truck to get here.  Daddy showed him the ins and outs of his Big truck.  Caleb loved seeing all the tools, and helping daddy lock the doors.

When Pa arrived they had to measure some wire.  Caleb said "Mom I need my tape measure"...smart boy.  We got it out of his tool box and he helped daddy and Pa.  Pa also gave him his letters to put on his shirt, and he was super excited about that!

After a quick sit while he waited for daddy and Pa it was time to go. I snapped a couple of pictures, and then watched as he drove away with a huge smile on his face.

I can't wait to hear about his day, and about all the "big blue houses" they built :).

Monday Monday

This Monday started out in a rush to say the least!! Caleb and Mckinlee had their well baby check ups scheduled for 9 am this morning, and it was CRAZY trying to get there in time.  Nick is generally home that early to help me, but he had to run to a job early this morning, and would be meeting us at the doctors office.  I had to get myself, and both kids fed, changed, and out the door by  8:40.  Also, Ethan  joined us for this adventure, and I had to rush to get him into the car when he arrived as well

The visit was typical Hell as you would expect.  My children both have a crazy fear of the doctor, so they basically took turns crying as he checked them.  I had to fill out paperwork for both, all in the midst of them screaming.  I would be surprised if my answers did not make them appear as if they have underlying issues :).  
I went on to ask my questions that I had mapped to ask.  Caleb does not need speech therapy and Mckinlee does need to see a dermatologists. He thinks she has vertiligo on her arms and legs and that is why she has white spots. I am super freaked out by this because that is what Michael Jackson had that caused him to turn white. I know that I am blowing it out of proportion but it freaks me out, and I want to start trying to fix the problem now.  In the midst of this Ethan is sitting on a stool crying because he has to go poop at the most inopportune time.  I assured him that I would take him as soon I finished talking to the doctor, and he stopped crying.  However, then one of my two would start crying....such continued the chorus of tears.

Nick was there to hold them down for shots. THANK GOD.  Caleb is too much for the doctor and I to handle now.  Caleb was so mad.  He screamed "I don't like that"  after they finished his shots.  Mckinlee was very un-happy as well.

We then were free to leave, and the nurse let Caleb and Ethan pick out a sticker. I then had Nick check out as I rushed Ethan to the potty. Of course once we got the restroom he stated that he did not need to go.... Toddlers....

After the check up I decided to stop and let them play at a near by park.  Thankfully this was uneventful and they had a lot of fun.  Once home, they fought like crazy over E.V.E.R.Y S.I.N.G.L.E. T.O.Y., as if I do not have a million other toys laying around.  In the midst of their fighting they each got hurt in some way shape or form.  We had a uneventful lunch, and now they are all sleeping!! I am praying today is a nap past 4 kind of day, but I am sure I just jinxed myself by typing that.

 This was the comic relief of the morning.  Caleb had to pee pee so we took a hike in a nearby wooded area.  Mckinlee kept saying "potty" and lifting up her shorts to expose her diaper.  She would then thrust out her crotch and say "Pee Pee", haha!! 

Oh Monday.....is it Friday yet?

Caleb's stats:
35 lbs 75 %
38 1/2 inches 60%

Mckinlee's stats:
19 lbs 12 ounces 3%
30" 25%

They are such opposites!!

The End of Summer

I am so sad that summer is coming to an end.  With each passing day the days are getting cooler, shorter, and we are spending less and less time playing in water.  Ugh.  The days of winter can be so long, so I am trying to make the most of the last few summer/early fall days that we have left.

Last weekend Nick and I enjoyed some time in the park with the kids.  We have a small park in our neighborhood, and it is the perfect little before bed getaway.

This week we were back to reality.  I took the kids to otterville one morning, and we stayed until well after nap time.

Yesterday, I wanted to do something different with them.  Caleb starts preschool in a couple of weeks, so I am really trying to make our days more structured to get him ready.  I thought that it would be a fun idea to allow the children to play with paint. I had a box from my new stroller, and I opened it up to make a giant canvas. The kids loved this activity, and filled the box with handprints, foot prints, and scribbles. We then had puzzle time at the table while I made lunch.  I am trying to incorporate more educational activities into everyday life.  While they eat, I have been doing flash cards with them and reading them stories as well.  It really helps to keep them happy, and I have noticed they eat more of their food as well.

Caleb is also in a big "I want to dress myself" phase.  I am hoping he outgrows this before preschool, because some days his outfits are more than I can handle :).

I also give you bed head at its finest :).

A Trip Home

Last week the kids and I traveled to my hometown for a few days to visit.  We had such a great time seeing everyone!

Caleb and Paw made pizza together one night for dinner

The kids loved playing outside with paw.

We celebrated Caleb's birthday again with doughnuts.  He made us sing to him and blow out the candles at least 10 times.

My dad took Caleb to "work" one day with him, and he came home with a paycheck :).  My dad also took him to see the new Ice Age movie, but about 1/2 way through Caleb decided it was time to leave.

We traveled to a state park one day to go to the water park and go hiking.  Caleb swam backwards "just like paw", and Kinlee went down her first water slide. They both loved hiking, and Mckinlee had to stop and hug every tree she saw.  It took us a long time to walk with her stopping every foot, hugging a tree, and saying "ahh".  Caleb stepped in a mud puddle and screamed like a little girl, he hates getting dirty haha.

This view always stops me in my tracks.  It floods me with memories of childhood, dreams of life, and the love that surrounds me when I am back between those mountains.  This place will forever feel like home!

A few more random shots from grammy's house. Whenever I am in town we have to have Hardees for breakfast, because we do not have one where we live.  It is right up there with eating gravy and biscuits.  The kids share in my love!