Another Week Flies By!

It is hard to believe that October starts tomorrow. Where did September go? This past week has been the same as usual. School, dance and more school.

We got Chloe's school finalized. We now have her signed up for speech therapy and three hours a week in a learning center to help her with her cognitive skills. This will hopefully help add to our school work at home. Chloe is flying through her Kindergarten curriculum and is learning so much with her one-on-one time with Mom. I am so excited with her progress. She is still enjoying school and despite a few issues seems to be settling in.

Aidan is growing in leaps and bounds both physically and socially. He is now saying, "Hi," "Dada," and "Momma," when he feels like it. He is climbing onto everything and getting into everything. He is suffering from a terrible case of diaper rash that is incredibly painful. So please pray for him. I am hoping I can get him an appointment in the morning.

Matt is doing well in his college class reading and writing papers. I know he will be glad when the semester is over although he is already planning on taking an English class next term. He is trying to settle into his new command but Monday he is already being moved to a new position. Hopefully he will find a new job.

I have had a long week. Thursday morning I came down with a horrid case of food poisoning and have been fighting it ever sine. I finally feel better tonight and am not as queasy or tired. So Lord willing I am finally on the mend and can be ready to go this week.

Kite Festival

Today we went down to Camp Casey for the local Kite Festival. We got there at the tail end of the event, due to Aidan's nap, but we still got to see some amazing kites. Aidan was in awe and kept pushing his hood back so he could see everything. Chloe couldn't stop talking from the moment she saw the kites from the car windows. Bailey was so excited to go on a walk that she couldn't stop sniffing everything. There were trick kites, people flying kites to music, spinners and so much more. It was really neat to see. The weather was perfect for kite flying, a bit chilly but an awesome wind that kept the kites flying high.

We headed up to the lighthouse and the fort after a while to look around. It has been a few years since we've brought Chloe over there. The height of the fort made me nervous when she was a toddler. She was pretty excited to see the lighthouse but too scared to go up to the top. Maybe in a few years. Once she saw the fort in the distance she asked if we could go to the "playground". That of course got a good laugh. We walked around the main part of the fort for a while and let the kids look at the guns and into the rooms. We weren't really prepared for a day of hiking, we had the umbrella stroller with us (definitely not a great choice for hiking around). It meant that I had to lift the stroller, Aidan and diaper bag down stairs. I can feel it in my shoulders tonight.

It was nice to get out of the house for some family time.

Mariners Game

Matt and I managed to get a night away from the kids. We went to a Mariners game with a group of couples from church and school in a 15-passenger van. It was almost like being in Youth Group again and going on a retreat. It was so nice to have a grown-up, night away. The last time I went to a Mariners game was when they played in the Kingdome (some of you may realize how long ago that was). It was so BORING! But I was looking forward to the game in our fairly new, Safeco Field. It is a beautiful facility. Even though we had "nosebleed" seats (when you have free tickets you can't be choosy) the views of Seattle were gorgeous especially as night fell and the city lit up.

The game was fairly boring at first and I think we were all wondering why we came. The Mariners have been on a very BAD losing streak and it didn't end with Saturday's game. But the last two innings were intense, including a Homerun hit and some incredible double plays. So we were all getting in to the game at the end. By the time we left the field with sore bums, garlic breath (we all had the yummy garlic fries), hoarse voices and stomachs full of overpriced food, we were all pretty tired. But that didn't stop us from laughing and joking most of the way home.

It was nice to get a way from the kids for a few hours but so sweet to come home to see happy, sleepy smiles on their faces when they realized we made it home. I know they enjoyed us being away so they could enjoy an evening of spoiling from Nana and Poppa. They know a good deal when it comes their way.

Family Photo!

Matt had to check in today so he had to shave the goatee he has been sporting for the past month. Chloe was excited it was gone, she didn't like Dad's scratchy face. Aidan didn't even notice as usual. I miss it, as soon as he is done with the military he won't have to shave it off. Yeah!

First Day of Kindergarten

Here is Chloe all decked out for her first day of school. She was as stylish as could be in her leggings, tunic and tennis shoes. She was so excited to finally be able to wear her new clothes (thanks Nana and Poppa). She had such a hard time deciding what to wear so Mom had to step in and decide for her. Chloe has her backpack, which she takes everywhere (not that it is really necessary). It is heavy since we store all of her school workbooks and journals in it. This helps keep us organized and we won't lose anything (I hope).

Chloe had so much fun her first day of classes. She talked my ear off on our way home from the school. But when someone else would ask her about her day, all she could tell them was that she was "now a Kindergartner". That was all that mattered. After months of waiting it was finally here. She is really enjoying school and looks forward to it each day.

Gearing Up for Kindergarten!

It's hard to believe my little girl is going off to Kindergarten next week! She is so excited for school to start again, this has been a very long summer for her. Today she got to pick out her school backpack. She knew she wanted something with butterflies on it (she has been all about butterflies lately) and was very specific in her search. She actually found a purple and black backpack with butterflies and flowers on it (I was surprised). It is a cute backpack and seems very sturdy so it might actually hold up for a few years.

When we got home from backpack shopping, there was a box on our front step, for Chloe. She was so excited. It was her curriculum for the school year. I decided to go with a Christian curriculum called LifePac. It is very easy to teach from and does not require a pile of books either. For Kindergarten all she needs for Math and Language Arts are two workbooks for each subject that will take her through the year. I have a Teacher's book that is so easy to follow. Chloe was so excited to get her books and was ready for her first lesson. So as soon as Aidan was down for his nap we got started.

Chloe loves learning and did awesome for our first day. We didn't go through everything our daily routine will require for the school year, but it was nice to get into the workbooks and get started. Next week we will get a bit more in depth with her school but for now, an hour was enough. Classes start next week and she is besides herself with anticipation. I think we will have a long weekend.

Starbucks Junkie!

These pictures were actually taken on THAT DAY, before Aidan was into everything. Chloe and I came back from our shopping trip with Starbucks and of course Aidan had to have some. He loved Chloe's Orange Cream Frappuchino. He would get furious if he couldn't get anything from the bottom of the cup or when I took it from him to stir it so he could get more. He was hysterical! He has been trying to drink our coffee any chance he gets and he was so excited to get the rest of Chloe's drink. Can you tell he was born in Washington State?

One of THOSE Days!

Have you ever had one of THOSE days? I am sure you know what kind of day I am talking about, especially if you are a parent. THOSE days when your kids test every button known to man just to see what kind of reaction to get. Or when your kids know that you are mentally, physically and emotionally spent and that you will be an easy target. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and would do anything for them but sometimes . . .

Chloe was a great kid today. She patiently waited while I sat through two meetings at school to get ready for the start of school on Monday. We even got to go shopping, just the two of us. Not for anything super exciting but it was nice to spend some time with just her. We picked up some map/posters for my geography class, some folders I needed to keep me organized for school and her primary journals for her daily work (basically composition books for elementary students). She is getting so excited for school to start up again. We even stopped in at Starbucks (a rare treat) and splurged on Frappachinos. (I know, I spelled it wrong Lisa).

Than we came home. Aidan woke up screaming about everything. Anything and Everything would send him into a full blown temper tantrum--on the floor, kicking and screaming. Nothing made him happy (not that we were catering to his demands). I finally picked up the screaming mass of toddler and set him on the floor in his room and walked away. After he calmed down he came out. Not a great start to the evening.

While I was trying to make dinner (which turned into an absolute disaster) he got into everything. First it was removing all the cans out of the pantry. As soon as I was busy putting those away, he had moved on to our room. I found him unrolling our toilet paper and playing with his baby monitor. I cleaned that up, just to walk into the kitchen and fine plastic containers all over the floor. By than he was happy with Chloe in the family room so I worked on dinner a little more. Than I heard a noise. Sure enough he was at it again. He took my melted, almost empty Frappachino cup and was finger painting--the floor, the garbage can, his face and hair.

Sometimes I wonder if I am cut out to be a Mom to a boy. :) AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I feel better now.

We Have A Window!

It has been over a year and we are still working on finishing up the garage/office conversion. Wow! What a project! But it is getting there. Now it is all that little stuff that always gets overlooked. I don't think anyone who owns their home can ever say that it is COMPLETELY, DONE & PERFECT! Especially in a 50+ year old house.

On Thursday our great friend James (THANK YOU) came over and helped Matt install a brand new window for the office. Which involved prying the metal frame out from under our siding. But in just a few hours they had the new window in place and secure. Aidan kept hearing all of the banging and talking going on and had to be in the office to watch. He loves being anywhere Daddy is.

Matt spent time over the weekend finishing the caulking and the trim work. It was the only window in the entire house that was not changed to vinyl by the previous owners (go figure). Now we just have to add some trim and paint. Okay, let me rephrase that --Matt will be adding the trim and I will be painting. Matt does not paint.

It is so nice to have actual sunlight fill the office (not that we have seen too much sunlight here lately). We had to keep the old window covered with a blanket to keep out drafts. We can now open the window (not even an option with the old one). It is also great to have Matt outside puttering around in the garage and driveway with all of his power tools. Leave has been good for him.