A teaser.

I have a bad headache tonight; after a few hours of staring at the computer screen catching up on emails and grad work, I need to shut it off. However, on my "to-do" list today was to blog about Katherine and Will's birthday party this past weekend. Since that isn't going to happen tonight, here is a teaser to hold you over until I get to it. In a nutshell, it was a ton of fun. Kids and adults alike had a blast. More to come.

Zoo class

We are lucky enough to live close to a fantastic zoo with lots to offer. One of the perks is wonderful zoo classes, in which kids of all ages can learn about different topics each month. The classes are split by age group, with the young kids attending with a parent/adult and the older kids by themselves. Will goes once a month to class with my dad, and Katherine has taken a handful of classes as well.

I decided to sign Charlotte up for a few of the 2 year-old classes. My good friend Deb, and her daughter, Quinn, signed up too. Charlotte was happy to have a buddy in class!

Last week was the first class. The topic: trains. I was a bit nervous beforehand. I wanted to Charlotte to fit in with the other kids, and I wanted the instructor to treat her like the rest of the kids in the class. The only other experience I have had with Charlotte in a toddler class setting was swim lessons, in which Charlotte did great, but the instructor had "a special place in her heart for kids with disabilities" and felt the need to single Charlotte out every chance she got. The instructor meant well, but after a few lessons it got a little old.

Waiting to go into class. 

This time was completely different. If anything, I had too high of expectations for Charlotte. Deb reminded me a couple of different times that it was okay for her to get up an explore, instead of finishing each activity in its entirety; after all she is two and all the other kids were doing the same thing!

Charlotte loved the painting and playing with colored shaving cream, as well as demonstrating all her animal signs as we completed our zoo train costume. The instructor was great; asking Charlotte what her favorite sign was after sharing with her that she really liked the "bat" sign.  Charlotte sat really well during circle time and participated in the shape train activity.

The class ended with a trip on the zoo train, which of course was a hit. And, as we were walking out, Deb gave into Quinn's pleas and Charlotte's constant signing "Please" as they both stared longingly at the carousal.

Next month we learn about cows, and in November the topic is horses. We are excited!

First Day of School

Katherine started 1st grade yesterday. My confident, almost 7-year old had been looking forward to this day for weeks.

Thankful, the first day of school was everything she hoped for and can't wait to go back! I hope her love of learning continues in the years to come!

Will started 4K today. My laid-back, "go with the flow" son is a week away from turning 5, and he walked into his classroom today excited to be there. He had a great day and told me he thought it was going to be a "fun" year.




I had a hard time getting Charlotte to leave; she wanted to stay and play with her brother.




I am so glad they both are excited for school and like going; it makes my job as a mom much easier! Charlotte will continue her regular weekly therapies this week, as well as do monthly zoo classes with her buddy Quinn, and possibly start participating in a speech/motor group at her therapy center. Her first zoo class is on Friday; the theme is trains, stayed tuned for an update/pictures!

See ya, summer.

Today is the first day of school (well for Katherine; Will starts his final year of preschool tomorrow), which means summer vacation is officially over. I am a bit bummed and a little cranky today. I have enjoyed the past couple months; the warmer weather, a more laid back schedule, and lots of fun play dates with friends.

However, before we said goodbye to summer, we had one last hurrah, and spent five days up north with my parents and brother/sister-in-law/nephew. We all had a great time and it was the perfect way to end a pretty relaxing summer.

A recap of our trip....

we fished...


and spent time on the boat...






(Charlotte got angry when she had to get off the boat.)

played on the beach and swam in the lake...




went hiking...




went tubing...


snuggled with Tucker....


and thanks to Erin & Paul, had shoe-tying success!! 


All in all, it was a great way to say adios to summer. Until next year...



Have a great first week of school to those of you going back. I will be back tomorrow with a few of our first day pictures.

Happy Friday...

...from the north woods! Enjoy your weekend!

All good things must come to an end.

As summer winds down, we are doing the best to enjoy what time we have left. This week has been filled with a couple swimming trips (one including a water park which the kids LOVED!), a few sleepovers for the older two, and lots of preparation for the start of school. I am currently enjoying a cup a coffee while writing this post, remembering that soon my mornings won't be quite so laid back, as they will be filled with lunch making and preschool runs.

Soon, we will pack up the car and head up north for a few days of rest and relaxation (well, as much of that as possible considering we do have three kids...) on the beach. We will swim, tube, eat some good food, and enjoy each other's company. A perfect way to spend the holiday weekend!



Waterpark fun! 


I am always amazed at how much the kid's love the water.


We skipped naps in order to stay longer at the waterpark; Charlotte was a bit tuckered out by late afternoon! 


Alec and Will with the kangaroo that a high school kid gave them after winning it from the "giant claw machine." 


Little did they know Charlotte's favorite animal is a kangaroo. Fortunately, the boys were okay with her keeping the kangaroo. (Which she has been "hopping" all over the house!) 


Katherine's new 1st grade teacher sent her an email, to which Katherine had to immediately send a response. Katherine told me after reading it, "Mom, I think 1st grade is going to be a good year for me." 

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On a completely unrelated note, I read a blog post yesterday that really inspired me and I wanted to share it. http://momastery.com/blog/2012/08/23/the-talk/

I will be having "the talk" with my children before they start 4K and 1st grade next week. I want nothing more than to raise compassionate children; I believe that this is something that needs to be talked about frequently with kids. As a former middle school teacher, I spent lots of time talking to my students about this topic, but sometimes forget that it is never too early to broach the topic with my own kids.

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Happy holiday weekend everyone! I look forward to sharing vacation and first day of school pictures next week!

I need advice.

Anyone have any good tips on how to teach Katherine to tie her shoes? We've been trying for the past couple weeks with little success, and a ton of frustration for both of us.




Katherine is used to things being easy for her, and she gets frustrated when they aren't. We need help! 

Charlotte's solution? Just wear crocs.