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. 

Florida Fun

We went to Orlando for Gospel Coalition and some family fun on Spring Break.  The kids got a few extra days off from school since the conference was Monday-Wednesday of the week after Spring Break.  We flew directly from Owensboro to Sanford airport.  We drove through our little town of Casselberry, on our way tot he hotel, showing the kids our first apartment and giving them a taste of the delicious Bubbalou's Bodacious Barbecue.  

  On Friday we had a fun filled day of Disney.  Owen wasn't so great at waiting in lines this year. He was much easier to please when he was 5 weeks old.  He was excited to see the characters, but got shy when he got near them.  As always, Audrey was thrilled to see the characters. 

 On Saturday, we drove to Clearwater Beach.  All three kids loved the ocean and the sand. Adam showed them how to dig for mussels.  They loved the water and floating in the waves.  They also enjoyed looking for shells. 

On Sunday morning we had breakfast at Cape May.  We got to spend time with Minnie, Donald Duck and Goofy.  That afternoon we went to Downtown Disney.  We played at the Lego Store and searched for a baby Mickey wrapped in a blanket for Alexander. 

 Sunday afternoon we moved to our hotel where the conference was being held.  We enjoyed the pool there on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Alexander and Adam played a game of miniature golf and Alexander even got a hole in one.  He was so proud. 

 Adam enjoyed Gospel Coalition in spite of being sick with a cold.  He got to see a few old friends as well.  Mommy enjoyed meeting other ministry wives.  Alexander met a new friend named Jack, from England.  Alexander has asked a lot of questions about England and life in other countries. 

 We got one last picture of a princess in the Orlando airport. 

It is always a sweet, sad feeling to visit Orlando.  Since Adam and I moved there right after getting married, there are a lot of emotions tied to that place.  I often wonder what life would have been like had we stayed there.  I long for the hot days of summer and year round outdoor play.  I am grateful to be in Kentucky, home, near family and life long friends, but Orlando will always have a piece of my heart. 

May I Brag for a Moment?

I just can't contain my pride for Alexander.  As a former teacher, his academic accomplishments are huge for me.  As a kindergartener he is reading at the end of second grade level.  He is in the 97th percentile for math and the 99th percentile for reading, according to his MAP test.  I was recently blown away with his ability to solve math word problems. He was doing a homework assignment and I expected he would need quite a bit of guidance as to how to solve each problem.  He quickly drew pictures in order to solve the addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.  I remember struggling with word problems as a child and even struggling to get my students to solve them as a teacher. 

In addition to his academic success, Alexander's teacher spoke highly of his character.  She commented on how well he treats his classmates and his hard work ethic.  He was a habit leader for being proactive.  He always does the right thing, even when no one is looking. 

Last night, the kindergarten students had a concert.  Alexander had been singing the songs at home.  He didn't tell us that he was in the percussion ensemble.  He did a great job playing the rhythm sticks and the bucket drum.  He loves music, so this was no surprise.  

We are so proud of our big boy and look forward to seeing all the big plans God has in store for him.  We love you sweet Alexander.  

Baby O

Sweet baby O will be two in a few short weeks.  Seems impossible.  He is so much fun right now.  He is so interested in going to the potty.  He is often successful with going pee pee and poo poo.  He loves to wipe his bottom and flush the toilet.  Such exciting news, I know.

On a sweeter note, he loves to read books and rock in Audrey's room before nap and bed.  He asks for specific books and songs.  He always asks for Lambies- Lots of Lambs, Hat - Old Hat, New Hat, and Ball - Toys.  He is never satisfied with just a few books and always wants more.  Bedtime stalling learned early.  Alexander must have taught him this trick.  He asks to sing - Lu - All I Have is Christ or Lord I Need You.  

He is more attached to his blanket and pacifer than ever.  Blanket is called ackie and his paci his aci.  Obviously he has a little speech problem.  Oh, back to the potty talk, while trying to potty, he will have gas and say - ass. 

Upon waking in the morning or from nap he always asks for Daddy.  When going to bed he will play, sing, or kick the wall or his crib for up to an hour.  It sounds like the walls are shaking from his kick. 

Today we were working puzzles and I believe he may have his sister's uncanny ability to work puzzles.  He has enjoyed playing with marbles lately, good think his mouth is full with paci.  He often prepares mommy some tea, pizza, or cookies in his kitchen.  


Owen carries around his Daddy's guitar and will request a pic to play a song.  He almost always asks for Lord I Need You, when we get in the car.  

He loves to eat toast, cereal with milk, (gulky), and candy.  He has quite a temper if he is refused candy that he knows exists.  Too bad Valentines and Easter are coming.  Another similarity to his sister.  

Owen can occasionally be found dressed up as a princess.  He loves to pull his brother's or sister's suitcase up and down the hallway packed with goodies.  He has really gotten into cars lately and makes lots of fun zooming motions and sounds. 

Christmas 2014

                                 Awaited - A Christmas Show with Kiki and Carter

                           Baby Jesus at her Preschool Christmas Program

Jingle Jam - Mommy was sick and didn't get to attend.

 

Audrey as a sheep at Cathedral's Christmas Program 

 Owen's new blankie from Aunt Kiki

                                                               Jumping Boy

                                                                  Bitty Baby

                                  Sick babies prefer to rest on the trampoline

Elsa was a hit with Owen and Audrey.  Owen loves to sing Let It Go.

Owen cried when Audrey took her toy, but was happy when Daddy played the song on his phone.