E is for Extraction

It's "E" week in Kindergarten.  Being the overachiever that she is, Natalie started out the week with a double "E"xtraction!:)  Poor little girl...she's been through a lot with those crazy front teeth.  She may never want to step into a dentist office again, but she was so brave (while we were there) and did so well (while we were there).  You know how it goes...


Here is her new look...

Kate's developed some pretty strong fears lately.  Her main one is BATHTIME!  I'm pretty sure the drain is the cause of the wailing, trembling, and refusing to sit during the bath.  She is genuinely terrified if anything gets dropped in the water (a cup/toy/washcloth/soap).  She doesn't even want Scott or Natalie to take a bath.  The other day, I told Natalie that she needed to get a bath after we got home. Kate started to shriek, "NO!  I like Natalie stinky!"  She cries while they are in the tub and begs them to get out.  She used to love baths, so I'm kind of puzzled by this new phobia of hers.   Another cause of concern lately- combines.  It began while visiting the John Deere store this summer.  She hated them at the fair, and when one started plowing the field behind our house the other day, Kate started to shake and cry.  She pleaded for everyone to come inside with her to avoid being attacked by the creepy combine!

Scott's dream come true...a JOHN DEERE combine in his backyard!  Too bad Scott was at school though.  The farmer probably thought I was crazy as I snapped about 20 pictures of him in his tractor.  I just wanted to be able to share them with Scott when he returned home.  

Unlike the combine, Kate DID like the airplane that was doing low tricks near our house.  I, however, was a little fearful of this one.  The plane was getting awfully close and was flying pretty low. 

Kate came up to me after eating a cookie and very matter of factly said, "That was a good Oreo....that was a messy Oreo." 

Puzzle Master...

Puzzle Blaster...

Kate (after seeing herself in the mirror right after having her wet hair combed): "I look like Handsome Kate!"

Scott and Natalie have recess at the same time.  Recently, there have been kids playing cops and running around with pretend guns.  Last week, Natalie came home and said that a boy came up to her and pretended to shoot her and that she didn't like it.  I asked her what she did about it and she said that she ran to find Scott and told him.  So I turned to Scott and asked him what he did about it.  He said, "I was planning to go talk to him but that didn't actually work out too well because he kept running away."  :)  I can picture this all taking place, and it makes me smile for a few different reasons. 

 Sunday, Natalie insisted on wearing a dress I wore when I was little.  I was a bit partial.

 The men gathered wood...

 while the ladies sat and watched.  Notice the unplanned, color coordinating, stripey shirts.

 I love it when she puts up her little index finger to tell me something.  
  
Kate (beginning to freak out):  I DON'T WANT TO SEE A BLOODY MOON!

Finally, a picture of our "Butter Burger Baby."  Sometimes Kate says with a scowl, "I'm NOT a Butter Burger Baby!" (which makes us all laugh and want to tease her more).  Other times, she's excited to be a BBB and wears the bib proudly.  

("E" is also for exhausted since that's what you might be if you made it through my entire post!)

Trapped Outside!

I can't go in my front door.  There is a frog on the handle.

 

 I can't go in my garage door.  There is a snapping turtle guarding the entrance.

I can't go in the back door.  There is a blue puppy inside that looks ferocious!

What's a city girl to do?

Fair-weather Fair Fans

We enjoyed a quick trip to the fair once again this year.

Scott & Kate were first in line to get their pictures taken with Curious George.  Natalie (not pictured) was, of course, hyperventilating in the background and was complaining that we pulled her from school to come see THIS!  

She finally came around and seemed to enjoy herself, too.  Although we continued to get an earful about how she had to miss school.  She doesn't want to miss a minute!  (She's even upset about the upcoming three day weekend- a two day break from kindergarten is long enough.)

 When we made it as far as we normally venture at the fair, it started to rain. Being stuck in the pig house with crowds of fair people didn't sound appealing to us, so we turned and booked it back to the van. 

 Kate sang, "RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!" loudly on repeat during our long trek back. 

Scott thought getting wet and Kate's serenade were both pretty hilarious.

Natalie reminded us that she should have stayed in kindergarten. :/

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!