First Day of School

Kayla had her first day of school yesterday. This is her second year of preschool and she loves it. Last year she only went 3 days a week but she will be going 5 days now. She only goes for 1/2 a day but I sure miss her.

This is Kayla stopping to pose for a picture on our way to school. Her school is here in our complex so it's a short 5 minute walk.
Showing off her new backpack.

Being "excited" in front of her school.

Putting on her indoor slippers for class.

Getting ready to do a puzzle while waiting for class to start.

She is such an amazing girl. She is smart and sweet and funny. Brice and I feel so blessed to have her. If we could bottle her up and sell it, the world would be a much better place. She is a little too grown up sometimes. This week she told me that she hates princesses and butterflies now. She only likes "Camp Rock" and The Jonas Brothers. (insert eye roll)

Happy Birthday Avery!

So a year ago, I missed your birth since you didn't want to wait an extra 10 minutes for me to get to the hospital. I thought I'd get you back by taking a business trip on your 1 year birthday, thus missing your celebration. I think we're even now! Happy Birthday, cute girl.

Love,

Daddy

1st Grade

Caden started school last week. He is now in 1st grade and is growing up so fast. I can see a big difference in him since last year. Is is coming out of being so shy, he has more confidence and is becoming more independent. His teacher is from Australia, so he was very excited about that.

Here is Caden and his friend Mason in front of the school. Caden is so happy that Mason started Kindergarten. They now get to ride the bus together.
Caden holding his Schultuten. On the first day of school, (usually 1st grade) German "kinder" are given one of these traditional school cones, filled with school supplies, candies and other surprises. Even though we aren't German, it is a fun tradition to start.
Caden in his class. His 1st day was a 1/2 day and I got to drive him to school.
1st day on the school bus.
He was getting annoyed with me taking pictures of him and wouldn't turn around for this last shot.

He seems to really be enjoying school so far. He says he likes it better that Kindergarten. Let's hope that attitude last for a while. I'm sure he'll be complaining about having to get up soon enough. And yes, he is wearing flip flops. He's having a hard time adjusting to school clothes. He wants to wear grubby shorts and t-shirts every day even though it's getting cooler here. I said he could wear the flip flops if he would wear long pants. Seems fair. I can't stand shoes and sock either so I feel his pain.

She's One!!!

Avery had her 1st birthday yesterday. What a wonderful year it has been. As I have said about a billion times, her first few months almost killed me, but she has made up for it. She is such a sweet, sweet girl. She hardly every fusses and is just a joy to be around. If she would only sit still for more than a 1/2 of a second, she would be just perfect. She loves to walk while holding our hand and has taken a few steps on her own. She says Ma Ma, Da Da, Bye Bye, Ah Oh and No No. She loves to make a mess and loves to play with anything she isn't supposed to play with.

Brice and I aren't big on birthday parties unless our kids ask for one. We were able to avoid them with Caden until this past year and so it goes with Avery. We had dinner at the restaurant here in our complex and had cupcakes after. I have a video clip of us singing "Happy Birthday" but am having trouble uploading it.

Avery reaching for a cupcake before we were done singing.

Having a bite of frosting. She really didn't like it.

She wanted to "share" the frosting with me. Truth is she hated having it on her hands.

Although she didn't care for the taste or feel for the cupcakes, she kept going in for more.

Fridge Raider

One of Avery's favorite things to do is to stand in the fridge and make a mess. She will sit in front of the fridge until we open the door and then she will go to work. She isn't hungry but just wanting to make a mess. She like to rearrange the juice boxes and pull out all of the soda cans.

Trying to decide what mess to make.

Found gnawing on some corn on the cobb.

All that gnawing can be exhausting.

Emptying the carrots can be fun.

I had just finished vacuuming when she got out the hot dog buns. Maybe she was hungry this time.

Kid's Olympics

This weekend our community hosted Kid's Olympics for all of the kids here. We had them all divided into age groups with lots of fun events. I was in charge of the oldest group ages 9 and up. I was running back and forth trying to coach my group and take pictures of Caden and Kayla. We had a kickball tournament, 3 leg race, wheel barrow, sack race, crab walk, tug of war, ring toss and foot race. The community hosted a nice BBQ too. Lots of good fun and food.

Avery having a deep discussion about the rules of the game.

After the games there was an award ceremony. Kayla and her two 2nd place ribbons.

Caden after receiving one of his many ribbons. The kids also got a goodie bag with treats and prizes.

It was a wonderful day.

Kid's Olympics

All the kids lined up for the foot race. The raced by age groups. I'm standing in between each group to keep the kids from taking off before it was their turn.

Kayla's age group. Not sure what place she came in, but she had fun.

Caden's age group racing. He came in 1st place. Way to go Caden!!

Tug of war.

Caden getting ready to pull.

Kid's Olympics

Caden in the Sack Race. He took 2nd place.

Kayla in the Sack Race. She took 1st place. Gooooooo Kayla!

Such a sweetie.

Kid's Olympics

The had a kickball game for the kids. Kayla getting ready to kick.

In action. Of course she had no idea where to run to after she kicked.
Caden heading to 1st base.

Kayla in the 3 leg race.

Caden in the 3 leg race. He took 1st place with his friend Luke.