Libby's First Day of Preschool

Libby was SO exicted her first day of preschool. I'm so glad because she can be really shy. Off she went, right into the classroom, showing her teacher her new backpack!

When I picked her up she talked non-stop all the way home (we walked). She loved it! They had read the Gingerbread Man in class and made a gingerbread man, put it in the oven, and when they went to get it he was gone! So we were keeping an eye out for him on our walk home...

Libby's class is actually a Language, Literacy, and Literature class. She goes one day a week, Friday, for 2.5 hours. Several people told me their kid learned more in this class than in their 3 or 4 day/week preschool classes. I'm so thrilled that she has liked it so much!

Off to School

The time has come to send my first born off to first grade... all day... Austin started 1st grade on August 25th. His level of excitement matched my level of sadness that day. I purposely wore sunglasses that day to hide any tears that I might shed. The first day of school they have the 'opening ceremony' where the kids meet their teachers and line up as a class on the playground. Then by classes they march to the front of the school and stand around the flag pole. The principal, who was new this year, says a few words and then everyone says the pledge. After that the kids march in the front doors by class to their classrooms to the sounds of the school song over the intercom. I only made it to the principal's speach before I had to put on my sunglasses.

It was a very sad day for both Libby and I. We are still in transition. Austin was so excited the first week. This week he told me he didn't want to go to school everyday anymore, maybe just a few days, because he misses us. (more tears) And everynight since then he's mentioned how little time he has to 'visit' with us. (more tears as I type this!) I'm sure we will all get used to this after a few more weeks.

Libby starts her preschool class tomorrow (Sept. 5th). She's excited to 'go to school' like Austin. And she can't wait to carry her princess backpack! Hopefully, I'm able to supress the tears tomorrow...

Austin with his teacher, Mrs. Blessing

BUSINESS Trip

I thought I'd share the picture Chad sent me yesterday from his business trip to Europe this week. Here he is enjoying a glass of Guinness after a tour of the Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland. This was the day after he attended Wimbledon in London! He's working hard over there!

Love That Red Ribbon

These are the ribbons that Austin has earned from swim meets so far. Do you see that red ribbon? That's a second place ribbon from the 25 meter freestyle event. Before he received that ribbon he had blue, white, and yellow ribbons on his board.

Last Thursday, when he earned that ribbon, he was in first place until the very end of the race, and then another boy on his team finished ahead of him. Chad noticed Austin kept looking under water at who was next to him, and then it seemed he slowed down a little bit. Chad asked him afterwards, "Were you looking under water to see if someone was close to you?"
Austin, "yes".
Chad, "Why did it look like you slowed down at the end?"
Austin, "I don't have any red ribbons!"

Now he has RED, white, and blue ribbons!

Swimmers Take Your Mark

Saturday was our first swim meet of the season. Actually, it was the time trials. The time trails are a 'practice' meet that is just our team swimming each event to get and idea of each swimmer's times. Here is Austin waiting in line (in his cute jammer swim suit - so glad they don't have to wear the good 'ole speedo!). He did great!

Tuesday was our first REAL meet! Austin placed first in both the 6 & under 25 yard freestyle and the 25 yard backstroke! Then he got to join the 7-8 year old freestyle relay and they came in first. It was an exciting meet.

We have another this Thursday. We will keep you posted!

Summer 'Break'

Summer is a break from school for the kids; I'm not so sure it's a break for Mom! The end of the school year and the beginning of summer have been a whirlwind of activity. We had the end of both kids gymnastics classes, a spring musical, school field day, volunteer appreciation brunch, kindergarten celebration, the beginning of swim practice, the beginning of baseball practice, and next week starts swim lessons for Libby. We have entered a new phase of life!

Check out our kindergarten graduate! The last day of school was a mini graduation ceremony for the kindergarteners. They received a certificate for finishing kindergarten and sang some songs that they learned throughout the year. It was cute!

Gym Tigers

We have a full house of gymnists! Here are a few pictures from Libby's last day of her 'Gym Tigers' class. She thought it was more exciting that ballet!

Ouch!

Ouch is all I can say about this!

Austin finished his Gymnastics class and this is his favorite trick!

Green Thumb

This past weekend we planted our garden. Last year we just planted tomatoes. This year we dug out all of the day lilies at the back of the yard and replaced it with a 'full' garden. The kids enjoyed helping plant the seeds. (It went right along with the plant unit that Austin was doing in school). We planted tomatoes, green and red peppers, jalapenos, two types of green beans, peas, carrots, and cumumbers. It will be a miracle if it all grows! It will also be a miracle if the bunnies don't eat some/all of it. We have a nice 'rabbit' fence surrounding the garden. We'll see if it does the job.

Austin decided that since we have a garden, we won't have to go grocery shopping this summer... oh wouldn't that be nice...

Tune in later this summer for pictures of the garden (right now it just looks like a mudpit).

NCO Spring Ahead 5k Run

A couple of weeks ago, April 20th, I ran a 5k for the first time since I've had kids. I had no goal in mind because I hadn't run one in years. I thought I'd be doing well if I could run it in less than 30 minutes. I was pretty pleased with my time of 28:31, which is a pace of 9:11 per mile. I finished 16th out of 48 women in my age group... I was 236th out of 590 runners, woo-hoo! You can see the race results at http://www.ncoyouth.org/springahead.htm. (5k overall and 5k by age group).

Beautiful Hair

Libby and Austin decided to do Libby's hair today. It's quite beautiful. It's 11:30 am right now and I've allowed it to stay in so far. We've already been to Austin's school to drop off cookies and then to the bank...

Libby cannot wait to show her friend Anna her beautiful hair when we take Austin to school this afternoon! Check it out below!

Swim Team

As of Tuesday night we have signed our summer away! Austin decided he wanted to try swim team this year. So Tuesday night we signed our time (and money) away. As parents, we have to work 7 jobs for the season. Chad signed up to time the swimmers at swim meets, and I'm going to brave it and be a stroke/turn judge. Since I have some swim experience I thought I'd help out in that area. They were begging people to join the 'officials' team because not many people feel comfortable 'judging' the swimmers. I think it should be fun (that is, if parents aren't yelling at me for disqualifying their kid)! I have a short 'training' session next Tuesday night for the 'official position'.

If you have time come watch Austin swim. I hope he likes it as much as he THINKS he's going to!

Colorado Skiing

In February, Chad had a chance to get away with four other guys and ski a little in Colorado. They had a blast and had great weather. One of the days they were there it reached 60 degrees (the end of February)!

I couldn't find a picture with Chad in it (he was taking the pictures).

Ballet

Libby finished her ballet class a while ago. I thought I would post a couple of pictures from the last day of class. When it was over I asked her if she wanted me to sign her up for the next level of ballet she said, "No, ballet was boring." She loved dressing up for it, but well, it was boring... So we signed her up for an intro gymnastics class. We'll see how she likes it!

Gym Tigers

Austin finished his intro to gymnastics class a couple of weeks ago. They did some hand stands, back bends, modified vault, rings, balance beam, parallel bars, etc.. He enjoyed it and is going to start a Level 1 class in a few weeks. Maybe this is his thing! Here's a few pictures. It was dark in the gym and the pictures didn't turn out too well.

Strike!

I didn't get too many of those, maybe one. We took the family bowling one Sunday evening with another family. This was Libby's first time bowling, Austin's 3rd time, I think. We all had fun bowling and making fun of each other! It's a great family thing to do in the winter when you cannot get outside. I love the bumpers for the kids... hey, mabye I should use the bumpers myself...

I think I scored a 98... not the greatest bowler... maybe with some practive I'll be better. I don't think Austin was too far behind me!










Kerplunk!










Rolling, and rolling, and rolling... :)











Check out that form!

Cheese!

Walking On Water

Michiganders have loved this winter of cold temperatures and lots of snow, even if no one else has! We went to our lakehouse in February to find a foot of snow on the ground and the lake frozen about 10-12 inches in depth. Yes, we were able to walk across the lake. There were several ice fishers out there. Snowmobiles were out in numbers... People in Michigan have been waiting for a winter like this for a while.

We had a lot of fun sledding down our driveway, 'walking on water', and making snow angels on the lake.

ECM Christmas Party in January

Last night we attended Chad's company Christmas party. They have it every year in January after everyone's holiday schedules slow down. It is a formal family party. The adults dress in semi-formal/formal wear, the kids just dress in Sunday attire. They do a great job of planning the party. It is enjoyable for both parents and kids. Austin and Libby look forward to it.

The night began with appetizers, open bar, and mingling. Then we moved downstairs for the sit-down dinner. The kids enjoyed chicken strips, fruit, and french fries; while we enjoyed mushroom soup, saland, chicken, filet mignon, and asparagus wrapped in bacon. We had cake that was decorated as presents for dessert. They had a small performance of the Nutcracker and an 'elf' that juggled and gave the kids some treat bags. The rest of the night was a live band and dancing... The kids favorite part!

Austin loves dancing with all of the older women at the party. His favorite dance partner is the owner's wife! (below)














He danced with a few ladies last night, but not as many as last year! Libby preferred to stick with Mommy and Daddy.










We left the party around 10:30 pm and the kids fell asleep on the way home. It was a late night for them! When we got home Austin looked at the clock and exclaimed, "Wow, it's almost the middle of the night! Have I ever stayed up this late before?"

Christmas

We spent Christmas Day at our house. The morning started at 7 AM (only because we told the kids they were not allowed out of their rooms until then!). I would guess all of the kids presents were unwrapped by 7:10... It was fun. Austin jumped up and down when he opened his Lego Star Wars game and then came over and gave Chad and I a hug and thanked us. It was very sweet. We have it all on video...

Libby received her American Girl doll, Emily. She also got a party dress for Emily from Nana and Papa, and matching pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa.

Christmas break has been very relaxing, with many days in our pajamas. One day we took the kids snow skiing in Michigan and enrolled them in ski school. They had a good time and by the end of the day Austin was skiiing pretty well on his own. Libby still needed help. We're hoping to take them again at the end of January.

We spent a couple of days in Kalamazoo to celebrate Christmas with Chad's family. All of Chad's family was able to get together. It was a fun time for all. We spent one night up until 3:30 am playing a 'riproaring game of Rook' as Grandma would say!

Christmas break is almost over. I'm sad to see it go. It's been nice not having to send Austin off to school. Life has been slow and relaxing. Monday morning brings back reality...

December Highlights

Here is a little catch-up on the things that happened during the Christmas season...

We had our annual Gingerbread Man Day. We read the Gingerbread Man story and bake gingerbread men! Libby has always loved that story... run, run as fast as you can...

We took the kids sledding when Chad returned from a business trip in Europe. They had been begging to go sledding since the first snow.

The kids had a couple of Christmas programs where they both sang. One was a kids program at our church called Breakfast at the Stable. The Elders of the church serve pancakes and then the kids do their program. The other program was through the Bible Study we attend on Thursdays.

Austin's kindergarten class at school made snowman sweatshirts. Then they wore the sweatshirts to their 'Winter Party' (not allowed to call it a Christmas party...). I was able to help with the Winter party. Austin's sweatshirt turned out great! I was very impressed.