No More Birthdays, Kate!!

My baby is growing up!

Kate celebrated her 6th birthday about a month ago.  We took advantage of the "Count Your Candles" (pay your age) program at Build-A-Bear, and Kate had fun making a birthday bear. 

She made a stop by the grandparents' houses and did a little celebrating there, as well!:)

We all love Kate SOOOO much!!  She's a good friend to both Scott and Natalie and has a sweet disposition.  She is a very eager learner (although not very eager about going to kindergarten), and is developing a fun sense of humor.  I wish I could freeze time!!  She's at a fun age.  

Kate has developed a love for spelling!  She wants me to quiz her a lot now.  Today she asked me if I thought she could spell "tight" and I told her that it was a tricky one that has letters that don't sound like they should be in the word.  She said, "How come you say that on a lot of words?!"  As I've been focused on her spelling lately, I am reminded that the English language is full of a lot of tough words that do not follow phonetic rules. 

Since the field was harvested next to our house, Scout has been in Labrador Retriever heaven!  Here she is with a prize bunny.  :(  Scout finds the need to drop off all of her catches right by the back door when she's done with them.  Gross!

Proud of our veteran!  Enjoyed a special Veteran's Day chapel at school.

School Skating Party

The girls (and all of us) are thankful that their Great Grandma can be home again and is recovering nicely from a bad fall. 

State Park, Kite Fun??, and 50's Day

Scott has a big project at school coming up and has to do a 6-10 minute PowerPoint presentation on a state attraction.  We visited a popular park over break in order for him to gather information and to take LOTS of pictures!

 The sisters might not make the slide show, but they sure are cute!:)

Scott started his PowerPoint as soon as we got home and has much more enthusiasm about another school project than I do!  

 Beautiful day!

Perhaps it's just us, but I always hesitate to let the kids fly kites, because it ALWAYS ends in fights and frustration.  This day was no different, but here are a couple pictures of the "fun" while it lasted. 

Kate's class celebrated the 50th day of school with special activities and games.  It was cute to see all of the kids dressed up.

First Half of Fall Break

     Over fall break, we did the traditional pumpkin patch visit.  This time though, we did it without Jon since he was away on a hiking trip.  We missed him on the bumpy wagon ride.  We missed him during the tough selection process.  Most of all, however, we missed him when it was time to lug the heaviest pumpkin ever back to the van which was parked oh so far away.  Scott kindly pointed out a closer parking spot on our journey back, during which I pulled and strained every muscle in back, neck, and arms in an attempt to get this monster back to the trunk.  Live and learn, I guess...or just bring Jon next year. 

     Over break, we also ventured to see this precious little pumpkin and her mom and dad.  Anna is the sweetest, happiest, cutest little one around!   I've seen so many pictures and videos of her over this past year, but it was wonderful to see her again in person. 

 Lovable baby, lovable dog...if only they lived closer!

 Sophie impressed us all with her HIGH FIVE dog tricks. 

   After visiting, we did some farm touring.  Molly comes from a farming family, so we were able to see/pet/hold/feed chickens (over 100,000!), goats, kitties, rabbits, cows, piglets, and dogs.  Wow!!!   

Two cats and a dog have nothing on them!  We certainly enjoyed our visit!