Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday we visited Santa at the Pearl Club.  This was everyone's first time meeting Santa.  I was pleased that no one was afraid of him and all were willing to sit on his lap and speak to him. 

                              Audrey asked Santa for a pink bicycle. 

                Owen asked Santa for a Tot Clock, similar to the one his brother has. 

                            Alexander asked Santa for an invention. 

We enjoyed lots of donut holes, muffins, and cinnamon rolls.  We had a few grapes too.  Santa will be visiting our house soon. 

Ready for Christmas

We are excited for Christmas in the Neel household. Today we will visit Santa for the first time ever.  

Everyone enjoyed Awaited at Bellevue last night. What a wonderful picture of God's beautiful plan for creation, Jesus' birth, and ultimate sacrifice. 

We have been reading "Prepare Him Room" as a family devotion each evening. Audrey and Owen especially love the music and when Daddy plays the guitar. 

Alexander's First UK Basketball Game

 Alexander enjoyed his first UK basketball game on November 24th.  He loved holding up his 3 point sign and cheering C-A-T-S!

 He also enjoyed a Rupp Arena hot dog and ice cream cone.  Yummy.  Go Cats.  The Cats beat Boston University 82-62. 

Alexander's 7th Birthday

We celebrated our sweet seven year old with a fishing birthday party.  The kids fished for inflatable fish in the pool, dug for worms in the sand, and ate more than their fair share of gummy worms.  We even got to swim in the pond, or the pool. 

The watermelon shark was a fun photo prop in addition to a yummy snack. 

 

Alexander is anxious to learn to skate with his newest set of wheels. 

What Have We Been Doing All Summer?

Where has the summer gone?  We have been busy, but enjoyed lots of lazy days playing at the pool.  

In early June we visited the Louisville Zoo.  Alexander then spent a week visiting Mimi.  While Alexander was away we went to the preparty for the Moonlight Ride.  We celebrated our friend Ben and his successful treatment at St. Jude.  

Alexander also celebrated his friend Merrick's birthday at Holiday World.  We went to Frankfort for a wedding, but Alexander stayed with Nana.  We enoyed visiting with Jessica, Derek, Addie, and baby Asher.  Audrey stayed with Mimi that week while Mommy, Owen, and Alexander went to Bible School.  Owen loved Bible School and Mrs. Pam and Mrs. Abby.  Mommy and Alexander enjoyed our time together in the kindergarten class. 

 We also celebrated at Ellen's wedding.  The kids had a blast dancing and hanging out with some of their favorite people, Madeline, Trey, Ellen, Jake, Allie, and Emily.  

We had another great day picking blueberries.  We picked and ate more than 6 pounds of blueberries.  Once again Owen was the champ at eating them right off the bush.  

 















We often visited the library to participate in Fancy Nancy Tea Parties, Paw Patrol Days, or see the penguin from the Newport Aquarium.  

Audrey was thrilled to see Madeline try on her wedding dress and make a new bear at Build a Bear Workshop.  This was her reward for learning to swim.  Her new bear is Little Bear.  Audrey treasures her girl time.  What a fun day with Nana, Manny, Mommy, Ellie Jelly, and Miss Jill.  

We also dressed up like cows in order to get a free meal at Chick Fil A.  We have enjoyed playing in the sprinkler, watching fireworks, eating plenty of ice cream, and hanging out with friends.  Why does summer have to end? 

Summer Goals

At the end of MOPS last year, my sweet, smart friend Laci challenged us to set some goals for our summer.  My goals for my children were the following: 

Alexander     Ride a bike                                                        Addition facts                                                        
Tie a shoe       

 Count money                                 

Audrey                    

Swim 

Read 

Owen                                            No pacifier 

Potty train

Swim 

 


It is the end of July and here is the status of meeting our goals. 

Alexander can ride a bike.  He still needs help getting started and sometimes has trouble turning.  Mommy got a little frustrated with teaching him how to ride.  After a few google searches I found some strategies.  Going down a grassy hill with his feet on the ground, then on the pedals was how he finally learned.  After using these techniques he was riding within an hour.  He is so proud and we are excited about riding bikes together.  He also enjoys taking his bike to Nana's and riding around her block.  There isn't much traffic there, so it is very safe.  He is doing well with addition facts and money. He can tie his shoes, but it is not easy or pretty.  


Audrey learned to swim with the help of Trey.  He bribed her with ice cream.  She jumped in and swam across the pool.  That boosted her confidence and she bloomed from there.  She soon learned to put her face in the water and swim the length of the pool.  Just recently has she learned to go to the bottom of the pool and retrieve toys.  She too is so proud.  It feels great to have another independent, safe swimmer.  Auj is currently on lesson 81 of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  She knows all her letters and sounds and can read short and long vowels.  She is not as interested in school work as she initially was.  I think this is because it is getting a little harder.  We went through this book twice before Alexander became a fluent reader.  

Owen is pacifier free.  It took a few days of him asking for paci and saying, "I want paci, Mommy.  I love paci."  Nap and bed time have become much more difficult.  He often plays or screams for hours instead of sleeping.  Daddy is the only one who can get him to sleep easily.  Owen doesn't have any interest in swimming independently.  He prefers to play on the step of hang out in his Puddle Jumper.  He is proud that he can go under up to his ears while wearing his goggles on his head.  He currently has swimmers ear so is limited on his swimming.  Owie is doing fairly well potty training.  He now tells me after he has pooped in his diaper.  He will go pee pee on the potty when prompted.  Adam kindly reminded me that Auj and Alexander were much older before they mastered this skill.  

We have made a lot of progress this summer so we are going to Holiday World for a reward!  

Ready for First Grade

 My big boy is ready for first grade. He finished his second season on soccer.  He has learned to be more aggressive and has improved a great deal this year.  He loves playing with his buddy Merrick.  They have become more focused on playing and less talking to one another.  Alexander especially loves the trophy he received at the end of the season. 

While he really enjoys soccer, he shines even more academically than athletically.  Alexander is reading on a second grade level. He scored a 198 on his MAP reading test and is in the 99th percentile.  In math he scored a 188 on his MAP test and is also in the 99th percentile.

We are very proud of Alexander for receiving the award for highest Accelerated Reader points in his class.  He read 124 books and has 57.2 AR points. 

Alexander enjoyed beach day with his classmates. 

He especially enjoys playing with Liam and Riley. 

We will certainly miss his wonderful teacher Ms. DeWitt.  She has been a blessing to Alexander this year and has provided him with a fantastic first year of school.