Back to School

Last week Caden started Pre-Kindergarten and Avery Lynn started Preschool.  Both will just be going in the mornings, Caden two days a week and Avery Lynn one.  Avery Lynn was very excited to get to stay at school with Caden and she had a blast.  She went right in the room and was ready to play.  She liked the fact that she got to eat lunch there and play on the playground.  She loves feeling big and getting to do the things that Caden gets to do.  Caden was excited to move to a new classroom, which put him in Pre-K with Mrs. Kristin.  He has now gone two days and is loving it.  I think he likes the fact that it has kindergarten in it since so many of his friends are now in Kindergarten.  : )   Here are the pictures from the first day.

She was very excited even though she looks a little timid in this picture

Soccer

I know I've been neglecting the blog...... but there is always something else that needs to be done.  But none the less Soccer will start up again in Sept so I figured I should post some pics from the Spring before the Fall season starts : )  Caden did soccer in the spring and had a blast.  It was his first team sport and he loved running around chasing the ball with his teammates. He was number 7.  Most of these pictures are from practice which they did for the first 30 min and the last 30 minutes was their "game" where they played another team, but you get the idea.  It was fun to watch.  We all had fun going to his soccer games.

Caden is the last one in line in this picture.  Practicing dribbling the ball.

Sesame Street Live - Elmo Makes Music

We bought tickets for one of us to take Caden to see Sesame Street Live that was coming to Columbia. We decided it would be best if one of us stayed at home with Avery Lynn since her attention span wasn't going to last the hour and a half show. Ricky was nice enough to let me take Caden. Caden was very excited when we told him about the show and even more excited when we got there. We bought tickets with some friends of ours so Caden and their two boys all got to sit together. It was a good performance and was perfect for a three year old. Caden stood the whole time and loved it every minute.

Here he is in his seat before the show started....Very Excited.

All smiles, watching the show

First Reptile Friend

I say first reptile friend because I know Ricky had several reptiles that found a "house" at his parents house. I recall snakes while I was dating him. Yikes, maybe I started something I don't want to have to keep up with. Anyway, the story goes something like this...Caden, Avery Lynn, and I were on our way home to meet Ricky for lunch. As we were driving down our street I saw a turtle in the middle of it. I pulled over and parked with the intention of getting Caden out to let him see it and then go on home. Well I decided it would be cool for him to get to take it home, because I remember keeping a turtle in a box as a kid (I think for a few days) and it was really cool. However, I am a girl and don't really like to pick up random reptiles, but I guess I'm also a mamma who loves her little boy because I picked up the turtle and put him in the back of my explorer for the couple of house drive home. (I only did this after I tried to call Ricky and he didn't answer. There was no need for me to pick it up if we could just stand there by it for a few minutes until Ricky drove by. But when he didn't answer I opted to go ahead and pick it up.) We found a box for it when we got home and the turtle lived happily (I guess) for about a day and a half at our house (on the screened in porch) until Caden and Ricky set it free at a nearby creek. It was a fun experience and Caden enjoyed playing with it.

Checking on Mr. Turtle (Caden never could come up with a name for him)

A little time for the turtle to play in the grass

He was a nice turtle


Caden being a turtle, in his wagon ride to set the turtle free

One last pet

Goodbye Mr. Turtle. Run while you still can!

Two of a Kind

Avery Lynn loves her big brother. She's a big fan of his and loves watching his every move. He is plenty of entertainment for her and he thinks that is pretty cool. He likes making her smile and laugh. They are very cute together.

I sat her in the highchair for the first time the other day and Caden needed to see what was going on. I think this picture accurately captures them right now. He talks (a lot) and she listens and smiles.

I was taking her picture the other day because I got her out of the bath and didn't brush her hair. It dried and had some cute curls up on top. We like to call her our little "Curl Ball."

Caden needed his picture taken (in the bumbo seat) too because Avery Lynn had hers taken

Our Curl Ball, chewing on everything.

A shot from the top of the curls

Two Kids for Two Months

We are all still alive : - ) Which is an accomplishment I'd say. Honestly though, it really hasn't been too bad. We are all somewhat adjusted and most days go pretty well. Avery Lynn is doing well and growing like a weed. At her 2 month check up she weighed 11lbs 1oz (50th percentile) and was 25.2 inches (97th percentile). So it seems like she will be tall, or at least taller than me. She is social...like her big brother (and daddy too). She loves to talk and be talked to. She is always cooing and making baby sounds when she is happy. I initially figured that she wouldn't talk until she was like two or something because Caden is never ever quiet and I just figured she wouldn't be able to get a word in, but now I think that she may just fight him for it. Caden is a good big brother and as you see in the last picture he does his best to comfort her when she is sad. Well at least some of the time...other times her screaming and crying get the best of him and he starts yelling too....just to totally make me go insane. : - ) Because everyone knows it is overly helpful to have a yelling 2 yr old when you are trying to calm a screaming infant. Nice. Anyway here are some recent pictures.

Avery Lynn at 2 months. In a cute hat and a cute diaper cover that I made for a friend and she returned to me when her little girl out grew it.

She currently still has her blue eyes...we will see if they stay like Caden's did

She was happier sitting next to him than being held.

Caden and some stuffed bunny rabbits

We've had some nice weather so the other night we roasted marshmallows

And made some cookie smores

Big brother brought her a stuffed animal and was bouncing her...but didn't seem to help much. : )