August Schoolwork

Sarah started Kindergarten two weeks ago.  She has been enjoying it and adjusting to her new routine nicely. She has brought many completed papers home already.... the following pictures are some of the papers that she has done at school.  They have done some writing, coloring, counting, number and letter recognition, cutting and gluing, matching and sorting, and listening and reading comprehension activities.

A few stories that Sarah's teacher has read to the class that Sarah has really liked are "The Kissing Hand", "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", and "Lama Lama Misses Mama".  She brought home a small version of the Brown Bear book that she made at school, and she read it many times to Phoebe.  Phoebe even liked looking at it by herself and tried to recite the Brown Bear story.

Me - What are some of your favorite things that you have gotten to do so far at school?

Sarah - "Play outside, eating Goldfish, and doing worksheets. And, I like going to centers.  And, I like going to the library at my school.  And, I like Maria.  And, I like spending time with my friends."

Me - I know you have gotten to go to the library twice so far... What do you like about the library?

Sarah - "Um, checking out books, and getting Starbursts."

Me - Have you made some new friends in your class?  Who are they?
Sarah -"Yes.  Maria and Savannah.  I think one of my new best friends is Kara.  And, I like Emily."
Me - Tell me about your classroom.
Sarah - "There is a rainbow classroom.  There is a window that we can look outside.  There are three tables that we sit at."

Me - What do you hope you get to learn this year in Kindergarten?
Sarah - "I hope I get to learn all about Kindergarten."
Me - What do you like to play on or do at recess time?
Sarah - "I like to play tag and hide and seek.  And, go down the slide with Maria, and I like going swinging with Maria and playing pretend aliens with Maria.  And, we like to play on the little monkey bars and in the little playhouse.  And, we like to do merry-go riding."

Me - Have you had some snacks at school?  Like what?
Sarah - "Goldfish, and the favorite thing about them is that they are tasty and they are colored Goldfish."
Me - Tell me about your teacher.
Sarah - "Her name is Mrs. _ _ _ _ _ _ _.  I like her because she shakes my hand in the morning.  She has dark hair and it's black.  And, she has a really pretty smile."

Keep up the good work Sarah.  You are off to a fantastic start to your first year of school!  We are excited to watch you grow and learn new things this year in Kindergarten.

Colorado Visitors

My sister, Lindsee, and EP came into town last weekend.  Lindsee was the maid of honor in one of her friend's wedding in Topeka on Saturday night.  We got to spend some time with them both before they headed to Topeka and before they flew back to Colorado.  EP was a natural with Silas... putting him right to sleep!  Aunt Lindsee was great too.  They also picked out and gave us some cute outfits and shoes for Silas to wear this winter. 

Sarah and Phoebe really enjoyed having Lindsee and EP here.  They love to play and have tons of fun with their Aunt Lindsee and EP.  Sarah thought it was pretty cool to get to have her Aunt walk her up to her school and waiting to pick her up with me a couple times too.

It was great to have my sister here with us.  Any amount of sister time is always good.  

Thanks Lindsee, for all your help, the cooking, and for playing with the girls.  We love you!

Back In Kansas

My parents left on August 4th on a trip to Alaska with my Uncle Ernie and Aunt Judy.  Their return date was August 21st.  This was a dream trip for my Dad.  He has always wanted to go there.  The plan was to drive to Ernie and Judy's house in Arkansas and then fly out from there.  They would all fly into Anchorage, Alaska and do and see many land sights then board the cruise ship for a seven day Alaskan cruise and excursions. 

(About the same time that this trip was planned and booked I found out that I was pregnant.  My due date was projected to be August 23rd, 2012, about the time when Dad and Mom would get back to Kansas from Alaska, so they would be here to help us with our girls and see the new grandbaby... things did not go as planned for my pregnancy and due date... they never do, and we had a baby before Dad and Mom got back!  We had lots of great help in my parent's absence and are thankful for those that were able to help us then and for a little help with meals, laundry, and playing with the girls from Nanee and Popee now that they are back in Kansas.)

Despite being on a dream vacation when the new grandbaby was born, Dad and Mom, along with Ernie and Judy, had a fabulous time in Alaska!  They have so many pictures and stories to share of their great trip.  Memories for a lifetime!  Here are just a few of Dad and Mom's pictures from their trip....

After getting back into Arkansas late on August 20th, Dad and Mom drove straight to our house the next morning to meet their new grandson, Silas Paul!  Sarah and Phoebe could not wait for their Nanee and Popee to get to our house.  They were excited to show off their new baby brother, and to play with Popee and Nanee.

Meeting and holding Silas for the first time....

Nanee and Popee with all three of their grandchildren! Sarah, Phoebe, and Silas....

Here are Nanee and Popee with Sarah two mornings before taking her to school....

Nanee and Popee brought Sarah, Phoebe, and Silas some gifts from Alaska... 

two new Alaska books, new Alaska t-shirts and a onesie, three stuffed Moose, and three stuffed dogs.

We are glad you are home safe and had a great trip, Nanee and Popee.  

Thank you for your help this past week!

His First Week At Home

Sarah and Phoebe have both been good big sisters!  Sarah wants to hold Silas a lot, and is helpful about getting things we need for him.  Phoebe doesn't mind trying to help change his diapers.  She also likes to just look at him.  Both girls have been very excited to show off and introduce their new baby brother to others... people that come to visit us, friends at church, and even strangers at the store.

Silas likes to sleep a lot during the daytime.He seems to have his days and nights confused just a little bit, but it is getting better as we get routines and schedules more established.  Here he is, during the daytime, sleeping, sleeping, sleeping.....

Some of the friends and relatives that came to see Silas.... John and Mary, Johannah, Dale and Jan, Jess and Andrew...

Uncle Matt came to see us, held the new nephew, played with the nieces, and ate lunch with us one day.

Silas had his first bath at home, given by Daddy.  At first he didn't seem to mind it, but shortly into it started to cry.

Here is our cute little fella in one of his outfits that Daddy picked out for him!

Over the weekend we renewed our zoo pass and we all went to the zoo.  We hadn't been since last February so both girls were very excited to go and look at all of the animals.  The weather was beautiful... 80's and cloud cover!  (Not 100 degrees or over 100 degrees like we have had all summer.)  This was Silas's first trip to the zoo.  He slept through most of it, except for when he woke up to eat.