End of August- boring title, but I'm stumped

 

Love it when they get along!  I find myself drilling Scott and Natalie after school, itching for details from their day.  I am finding that I am learning the most during the conversations they have with each other during playtime/over a meal.  Their classrooms are across the hall from one another, and they have recess together.   They will say things like, "Did you see when our class..."  or "When you were in kindergarten did you..."  My ears perk up during these sweet conversations.

Scott cannot wait to join Jon whenever he gets home from school.  Scott often asks in the mornings, "Is Daddy off today?"  He loves doing these projects with his dad and has already been asking what they are going to start on next when they are finished with these things.  

Had to break from dancing due to a head conk...

 

We took a field trip to the John Deere store.  

These head nets, as ridiculous as they look, were a lifesaver.  After trying various mosquito repellents, the guys finally resorted to wearing these during their woodsy projects.  

Natalie brought it to my attention that we got Scott a "YAY Kindergarten" cookie, but we had failed to celebrate her first day of school this way.  We just HAD to remedy that problem!:)  

Our playground ended up being such a blessing.  Jon told me to keep my eye out for a deal, and I found a set on Craigslist for $1,000.  I sent the lady a low-ball offer, and she said that if we could come and get it soon, we could have it for FREE!   So nice!

Butterfly Friends Again...

We've been watching caterpillars and butterflies for the past couple of weeks.  It's been a little crazy this year since we've had so many.  We have given a few away, but last week when I got more milkweed, I brought home more caterpillars attached to the plant.  I told the kids today that I'm about ready to wind the butterfly factory down for the year to which they protested.  They are enjoying watching them grow, and we continue to learn more about this amazing process.  

I'm excited about planting milkweed in our backyard this fall so we can hopefully watch more of this process outside instead of on our dining room table.  :) 

 Scott named his Catergator. 

 Natalie named hers Glitter. 

 Kate named hers Donald Duck.  ??!?!

After the first three, we lost track of names!  We have an AWESOME CREATOR! 

Back to School (sniffle, sniffle)

Here the kiddos are on the first day of school.  It was actually pretty awful (for me), and I decided that they can never go away to college.  :)  Full day first grade seems like a long time to be away.  I've been so eager to get Scott at 3:15.  Natalie is doing half day, which is easier on this momma!:)  

As for the kids, they are doing fine and adjusting pretty well to the new schedule with minor grumpiness and complaints.  

These two children are so opposite.  We're going to have different battles.  "Natalie, have a good day at school.  Don't talk to your friends!"  ....."Scott, have a good day at school.  Talk to your friends!" 

Kate is a bit lost without her big brother and sister.  She whined a lot on the first day, and even asked me to pull up a picture on my phone so that she could "see Scott and Natalie!"

While the big kids were at school, I decided to work on potty training Kate.  Besides making me laugh, we haven't gotten too far. 

On the first day, she sat on the toilet for all of 10 seconds and then said, "Nothing came out.  We can try again tomorrow."

We tried again later in the day and I decided to give her some privacy.  I left the bathroom for a few moments and walked back in.  She stood up and said, "I don't have exciting news." 

Perhaps I should buy another box of Pampers, after all.

Jon and I recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.  The kids were sweet and made an early morning show for Jon & I as part of the celebration.  They tried to play/sing our favorite songs, as well. 

I overheard them making cards for us about a week prior, and they were arguing if they should write "MOM" or "MOMMY" on the card.  I heard Scott tell Natalie that they should write "Mommy" since I would be impressed with that the most.  He said, "She doesn't even know that I know how to spell that word."  Then, on the morning of our anniversary, I got their sweet card.  It was addressed to "Momey"...:) 

Scott learned to ride without training wheels this summer now that we have a nice long gravel driveway (go figure!), and he can't get enough.  He rides almost everyday.  Here he is taking a quick spin before church.  No wonder we walk in late...Scott's taking bike rides and I'm taking pictures!

 Sweet corn from the "sweet corn man"...wahoo!

 Grammy and Great Grandma took the kids to a nice splash park.  It was fun to hear Kate squeal with excitement. 

 Love those big Amazon boxes!  They are worth at least an hour of easy entertainment.  (And then of course, someone's feet kicked someone else's head, someone drew on someone else's creation, someone slobbered on someone else's stuffed friend...all good things must come to an end.)

Natalie:  KATE!  You're pushing my buttons!  DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?  IT MEANS I'M ABOUT TO USE CONTROL OF YOU!

 I told the kids to enjoy the blue cupcakes since it was a one time deal...what a mess!

Scott and Jon are completing project after project.  Scott can't get enough of it.  I think Jon is over it, but keeps finding more that needs to be done!

Holiday World 2015

In years past, we've made it to Holiday World right around the kids early summer birthdays.  This year, with the move, we waited until late July.   The lines were much longer this time of year, and it was hotter.  While we had a good day overall, we agreed that we would try to come earlier in the season next year. 

This was Kate's first trip to Holiday World.  On the drive there, four out of five people in our van would have voted that she had stayed home with Grandpa & Grandma as in years past.  The screeching was not making her any friends.  HOWEVER, once we arrived, the picture below made it all worth it.  Goober-pants!

Before boarding the canoe, Jon told Natalie to make sure that Kate kept her hands inside to canoe (as the worker was instructing others to do).  Natalie held Kate like she had been placed in handcuffs throughout the ride. 

Scott's first year to drive the car.  Those pedals are sure hard to push!

Natalie screams and hides when she sees a character in costume.  Kate asks to dance.