School and Dance

Caleb started his second year of preschool on Monday. The first day went well thanks to him knowing one of the teachers and a few of the kids. He went in, a little shy as usual. Once the kids went outside, he was great because he got to make "stinky garbage" from the mulch on the playground with his friend Ty. They seem to really like playing together, so I am so glad that they are in the same class again this year. It made the transition so much easier...or so I thought...(see below)

.....onto our second day of preschool...

The second day of preschool was also the second day for Ellery to have dance class. My mom got to take her to her first day :( (good for grandma, sad for mommy) because mommy had to work. So, this was mom's first day seeing her little girl dance. It was so sweet seeing her with little dance shoes, just like momma used to do...However, that was the problem with Caleb.

Ellery said that morning before we left for school, "Mom, you and I are going to dance class and Caleb is going to school by himself".....can you imagine what went through Caleb's head....well I'll tell you what went on at school that morning.

We arrived at school, I got Ellery out and was attempting to get Caleb out of his car seat while he was kicking at me and saying "I don't want to go to school" Well, I've heard that before and I have the policy of ignoring the comment. Last year, that worked out well. He would say he didn't want to go, but once we got into the classroom, he was fine.

Well, wednesday that was NOT the case. I carried him into the school and wouldn't you know that I chose that day to be EARLY to school...so I had to sit with a screaming-and I mean SCREAMING to the point that the other kids waiting to get into school were covering their ears screaming-kid who was fighting me so hard that I was sweating from restraining him. Finally, they opened the door (thank God-but I am sure they were just so looking forward to opening the door to the screaming) and I brought him in-still screaming and handed him off to the teacher and I headed out the door. Theresa, his teacher from last year, took him from me and he sat on her lap for the beginning of class. I stayed by and watched for a while, he did seem okay.

One of the other moms was staying to be a helper for the class and she told me today that he did fine once the class started. When I picked him up that day, he said school was "good" and today when I took him, there was only a slight 'I don't want to go' that happened. He seems to enjoy school, but almost doesn't want to admit it to me for fear of hurting my feelings or something. The assistant at school who works in the office told me that the "I dont' wanna go" didn't end for her daughter until 4th grade-someone HELP ME if that happens with Caleb!!!! He is always good when I pick him up and he is usually smiling and playing nicely when I stop by to observe (unnoticed of course). Hopefully he will realize that school is cool and start to LOVE it. That's my goal!

Ellery, however, went right into her class and sat down without any prompting from me. She didn't always listen to what she was supposed to do, but she did pretty well for never having been in school before. She seems to LOVE her teacher "Miss Heather" and I think she really likes tap shoes. I had her try them on for dad at home later that night and she was just tapping away. I hope she enjoys dance as much as I did.

Here's how we found him one night. With headphones, no shirt, showing off his cool frog tatoo-catching flies...

Caleb LOVES to make art projects. This was a self portrait. I think it's pretty darn cute-close resemblance-no?

Dad's birthday. Caleb and mom made him a chocolate cake, but it wasn't a surprise because Dad came home from work early that day-naughty!!

At the Burnsville Fire Muster Celebration. We didn't get to go to the parade this year, but we did get to check out a few fire trucks and eat some mini donuts. They had a band, but Caleb said it was too loud. He didn't want to stay there for too long. Ellery was having fun dancing to the music, so we had to stay for a little bit. The mosquitos were out in full force by the time we left, so we decided against staying for the fireworks.

A funny and a sad story to share

I have a few words to share with all of you. First is a hilarious story about my dear son...

I worked on labor day and Tim was home with the kids. When I got home, they were down in Caleb's room finishing stories for bedtime. I walked into the room and Tim was saying "tell her what we practiced" after a few moments, Caleb turned to me, smiled and said

"Mom, your butt is extensive"

Okay???

Well, turns out one of his Star wars books had that word "extensive" in it and Tim was helping him understand the word. They were trying out different uses of the word. Tim had told Caleb to say something like "those noodles are extensive"...or so he says. But Caleb has been OBSESSED with the word "butt" lately. He uses it on a daily basis-we're trying to get him to stop calling peole "buttcracks". Anyway, he apparently came up with this use of the word- he said "dad, how about this one, 'My buttcrack is extensive" " Thankfully he hasn't learned those lovely names such as "butthole" or "buttface" hopefully we can wait a few more years before he is calling Ellie those things.


So I started with the funny story first, now here is my sad story to share with all of you.


Last wednesday night, September 2, 2009, a fantastic doctor lost his life at the young age of 59. He was one of the most amazing doctors I've ever had the opportunity to work with. He had the most positive attitude and he was brilliant! It hurts now just thinking of it. He was crossing a street to get to his car in Los Angeles (he commuted from here to LA where his family lives) and a car hit him apparently going about 50 mph. There was no blame placed, so it was just a horrific accident, but I tell you all just to say...you never know when it is your time. Please love those you love as much as you can and try to be kinder to those other folks in your life. And never wait to tell someone that you love them. Life is too short and you are really only given this instant. So, I love you all, as some of you have already heard from me lately.

summer fun

This summer has been crazy for us. Poor Ellery had to have surgery late in August. Pretty minor in the whole scheme of things, but she still had to have anesthesia. I didn't bring my camera to the hospital so I don't have pictures, but she was so brave the whole day. I am really proud of her. Hopefully when we go back to the surgeon for follow up and she has to have another procedure, she is just as brave.

Here is a picture of her poor chest before surgery.

Here is what it looked like the day it got abscessed and needed to be drained...

Here she is all rashy-reacting to yet another antibiotic. She is just so sensitive!!!

And here she is the day after surgery.

Another day at a park. We met Tonya and Kris and their kids at a park and had a picnic. The kids have so much fun together.

Logan and Caleb being silly.

I had dressed my kids in fallish clothes yesterday because I thought it was a little cooler, but Caleb ended up being hot. He asked to take his shirt off near the end of our playtime so I said okay. Then of course everyone had to do it too. They are just too cute!

(Caleb, Myla, Ellery, Logan)

Our day at the State Fair. My mom went with me and the kids this year. I wanted to go again, but decided it was too expensive. The kids would have been so tired anyway. We had a lot of fun riding some rides and of course EATING!!!!

Their favorite ride of the day.

Caleb working on his "draft". Tim printed him up his own sheet to work on a fantasy football team. It was pretty cute. Tim's really hoping he has a football fan on his hands...

Watching the first preseason game.

Here, she took a nap next to her crib on the floor. I guess whatever way one is comfortable right...

We also got to go to a parade at my best friends house. It runs right in front of her house, so we just play in the driveway until the candy feast begins. I think it might be worse than halloween, but the kids always have so much fun!

Double fistin' it!

Here we are at a local art park. The kids had fun "building" a campfire.

Here's my pretty little goddaughter Aubrey at the art park.More fun at another local park.

That's all for our summer fun. I will be posting pictures from Caleb's first day of preschool and Elle's second day of dance class. I say second because I have to work on the first day so my mom will be taking her and I don't want to make her bring my camera too. I'm pretty sad about not being there, but Ellery won't really even know so I'm sure it will be fine, just sad for me :(

7 years of wedded bliss!!!

8/3/02

Summer 2009

Happy Anniversary to my best friend. I am so happy that I married you on this day 7 years ago. Here's to many more happy years together!

the many faces of Elle

This little girl LOVES to make faces, so I thought I would share them with all of you.

and lastly...the pout! "Uncle Sara" is working on this one with her. Dad isn't too happy about that since she's teaching Ellie to use it on him-Go Sara!!! =)

Late spring/early summer

So, here's our update. I think this time might be the most pictures I've ever posted in one post. Oh well. Caleb finished his first year of preschool. He did pretty well, but I'm sure he won't want to go back. Hopefully it won't be a battle forever...Since school has been out, we've had playdates and spent a lot of time outside enjoying our weather. Caleb has worked on riding his bike. Our neighbor boy is not using training wheels, but Caleb still wants to use his. I told him to let me know when he is ready to try without.


We just came home from a weekend at the cabin. It was a short weekend, but it was so nice up there and I know the kids loved it despite the long drive. They did so well in the car-thank goodness for mommy since daddy stayed at home-his fathers day present! Things got a little hairy when they got tired, but for the most part I'd say it went really well. Caleb enjoyed bonding with his uncles over the fishing pole and some walkie talkies. He told me tonight that he should have taken Uncle Jim's (my uncle) boat and gone off when it was time to leave. I told him that everyone was home now, so that there wouldn't be anyone up there with him and he said he would be okay. He would just eat cereal. I guess it's safe to assume that he wants to go back :0)

Watching for the fish to bite....

Look! We got one...

Here, I can hold it Uncle Jon, I'm not scared...

Okay, you do it, I'll just smile!

Going on "missions" with uncle Ben. Caleb really had a fun time and it was a great way to get him to do us some favors. They went on missions out to the camper to find a blanket and to deliver pillows out there. It was pretty funny. He needs his own walkie talkies.

One of the fish Caleb caught.

digging around in the minnow bucket. Caleb really wasn't afraid to touch much. He dug his hand right in there and said he was going to show Ellie one of the minnows.

With "Uncle Sara" Caleb doesn't call her that anymore, but I still think its funny :)

Our first lightrail ride. I didn't realize how long the ride from the mall to downtown was. At least the kids were entertained.

Goofing off in the stands at the Twins game.

Our first sleepover. My best friend's daughter (and Caleb's best friend) Myla slept over night one night. It was interesting and we tried to have all 3 kids sleep in the same room, but Ellery wouldn't settle down, so she got sent back to her room. It was a fun evening and fun morning for me, but Tim said that after that breakfast, he didn't think he could do 3 kids!

We attended a few graduations. My brother, Jon, graduated from the U of M twin cities. The kids were in attendance for a small ceremony put on by his college and also for the commencement until Jon's name was called. They did so awesome!!! They were really well behaved and I was so happy. I took Ellery to my godson, Ryan's high school graduation and again she did very well. I think they are done with graduation ceremonies for a bit.

It was getting close to time to leave...thankfully Jon's name got announced just after this. We made it through!!!

Fun Outside....

Flying kites. He actually did really well once dad got it up in the air for him. I hadn't ever really flown a kite myself and I did this day and found it to be quite fun!