Wonderful Fall Times

I have absolutely have loved this fall. I love fall anyway..starting a new school year at school, new pencils, notebooks, new faces, seeing old friends..starting the year with all the newness of everything..but it is also different as my kids get older. This is the last time I won't have someone here at home starting their "new school year" and I am trying to cherish every single moment of it. We decided not to send Kali to kindergarten this fall and I feel like 100% confident in that decision for so many reasons. She has had a bit of a tough adjustment going to preschool all day. The first week was great..the second she was just sad. Wasn't upset like didn't kick, scream, or throw a tantrum..just was sad and it broke our hearts. After about a week of that..she now wants to go everyday. Her teachers are awesome and I am so glad we worked through it now rather than kindergarten. As for Cody..he loves his Friday morning preschool as he thinks he is so big now that he also gets to go to school like mom, dad, and Kali!

I am thrilled that my kids are happy at preschool and doing well and excited about my own class this year, but the balance I have with work and home is awesome. What I love most is that on the days I don't work they are at home together playing. Most Thursdays are spent just at home..hanging out. Often in our pjs, playing trains, barbies, catching up on some cleaning and laundry, and just loving our relaxing day. Yesterday afternoon we went out in our backyard and collected cool leaves and acorns. We played on the playset and jumped on the trampoline. Today Kali and I went to the store while Cody was at school and after Cody was done with preschool we went to a park. We ate lunch, played, learned how to run around the baseball field and laughed and laughed. I am so thankful for this time with my kids before they head off to their own new classroom every fall!

First Day of School for Both!

Kali started her first day of Just 4 Kids, which is as an all day preschool here in St. Michael. She loves it. They do projects, have lunch, snack, recess, rest time, circle time, read books, and learn things! She had a couple of hilarious quotes this week:

-"Mom, all the boys always want to sit by me,..it is exhausting!" Ha...she has a few friends in class..

-"Why does everyone else get a treat in their lunch?"

- Mom to Kali-"Why does your hair look so greasy?"
-Kali to Mom- "Not sure, but I did put sunscreen in my hair?" ...Really??

Cody also started his first preschool class. He is attending Friday mornings and went today for the first time and LOVED it! Many of the kids were crying..not Cody..He looks at me, smiles, and says, "Bye Mommy..See you when you pick me, love you!"- So cute!!

Pictures not loading..will try and post again later!

Dare Devil

Kali really wanted to this at the carnival last week in town..had a blast..did flips..was by far the youngest one that did it. Such a brave girl!

Thomas the Train

Thomas the Train was in Duluth this weekend and we surprised the kids with a trip there to take a ride on him. Cody, who loves trains, was so excited. Kali loved the trip too even though she now tells us she is too old to watch Thomas! It was such a fun day!

Summer Preschool

This was the first time Kali and Cody got to go to school together. There was a summer preschool offered for 2 weeks for ages 3-5 so we signed them both up for it. It was priceless. Kali coached her brother leading up to school with things like: Remember you have to raise your hand, wash your hands in the bathroom, listen to the teacher, sit in the circle, etc...and Cody was pumped he was a big boy that got to go with Kali.

Watching them walk into school together chatting and laughing made me hope and pray that this is how it would be in 12 years as they walk into high school. They really are great friends to each other and it couldn't make me happier.

Check out their cute tie-dye shirts they made too..:)

Summer Firsts

Whether it be some things we have done in the past like attending the 4th of July parade, digging for quarters in a sawdust pile, or driving the boat..there were some summer firsts for our kids this past month that they loved. Cody caught his first fish with Andy and is oh so proud. " Mommy, I caught a really big bass!!" Or Kali going tubing for the first time on the lake. " I want to go again!" and she keeps her her thumb in the air to drive the boat faster. Oh she loves it and never wants to get off...and has even done some no hands already! Kali also got to ride on a mattress for the mattress race on the 4th of July! It was so funny as the 4 of them ran with her on the top! It has been an incredible summer so far..excited for another month!

Golden Birthday

Kali had a wonderful golden birthday on July 5th where we celebrated with family. We had her birthday on the lake in Ely where she had a Dairy Queen cake, opened presents, and went swimming. Today we celebrated with with 5 of her friends and went to the pool, came back to our house and had hot dogs, ate an Ariel ( Little Mermaid) cake, and opened presents. It was great time.
Happy Birthday to sweet Kali..

The Shack

Many of you often ask..is it really a shack or it a cabin..well with no running water and an outhouse it is most definitely a shack. Now don't get me wrong it is just a few years old so it is in very good shape, but it is still a shack. A few weeks ago Andy took the kids for the weekend to the shack where they slept in bunk beds, roasted marshmellows, rode the four wheeler, planted trees and just had a blast with their dad. I just love that Andy loves this place we call the shack..and love that he is creating memories to have our kids love it too.