Oregon Trail

Greta absolutely loves learning about the Oregon Trail. 

She has been so excited about it since school started. 

(Which I'm happy about, it's one of the reasons I wanted to move back to this area.)

Today her grade went on a mock Oregon Trail adventure walking 3 miles, pulling a wagon with goods. They learned along the way and each had to eat a can of pork and beans, meat stick, apple and a roll for lunch. 

Greta of course liked the pork and beans. 

Pretty sure she will eat anything. 

Jeff volunteered since I was at work and spoke to the kids about Fort Laramie and walked with them on their route. 

 Greta pulling the wagon

 Eating the pork and beans

 still eating her pork and beans :) 

 With her Oregon Trail family. They were all given their part of the family. She was the daughter. If you notice, she is eating an apple. Always hungry.. the Oregon Trail would have been tough for her :) 

 walking the trail and with her "family" below

being pulled on her wagon. Thank you for the pictures Jeff.. 

Around Here

Wow, the weeks are flying by. 

We are still adjusting to new schedules. Out of everyone I feel this the most and that is ok. 

I think everything should be figured out and running smoothly in a few weeks. 

Greta has started volleyball and doing really well. She found her sport and I am thrilled for her. It's nice to find an activity you love and she is dedicating extra time to it and it shows. I am very proud and amazed at how well she serves and hits. It's something she wants to do daily in her free time and I am getting used to hearing the ball thump on our house repeatedly. She chose to not play basketball this year and concentrate on volleyball instead. I hope to get pics/video soon.

She is also planning on joining 4-H this year for baking and Math team starts up soon. As I keep saying, she is changing and I am trying to keep up:) 

 This little guy took a karate class with a friend today and loved it. He's been wanting to try it for awhile. He was all smiles and was so excited. He is still loving school. I am so thankful. 

Somehow with all the craziness I feel like we are having more evenings at home which I love. I think that has to do with Fieldin just having soccer on the weekends. We have a little more time to play in the backyard looking for frogs and relaxing which we need after last year. 

The Youngest

 This little man is full of life, so responsible and very happy these days. 

He is having fun at pre-k in the morning and says that kindergarten in the afternoon is awesome! His pre-k teacher asked him if he wanted to do some kindergarten work and he replied "kindergarten work is for kindergarten" which means he is in Pre-K to have fun with his new friends. 

He always says it was a great day at school. Today he was excited because he was line leader, he is the first to bring home the sharing backpack(today and he already picked out a lego creation and a picture of Chompers to share) and he got his first "bee" something they get when they are a good listener etc..I am really enjoying this age and soaking him up. 

 He is also excited about his impending birthday next week. He wants a Star Wars party again.. he loves Star Wars! this means the cat is being tormented more than usual...but as you can tell he doesn't mind too much. 

Today Fieldin drew our house being taken away by all the party balloons that will be at his party... 

 Last weekend he had another soccer game and scored two goals.

 He enjoys soccer and gives it his all. 

I can't believe he is almost 6. I adore this kid so very much. 

I love to hear him read everything he comes across, watch him draw, his infectious laugh, his kindness toward others and his all around confidence. 

Today he was "fainting" a little too realistically on the couch. The minute I worried he cracked a little smile and said"watch me faint again"... He is always doing something, moving, imagining and pretending. I can barely keep up but I love it. He makes me tired but he also makes me laugh and makes me so, so happy. 

Around Here

No pictures this post, not that we haven't been busy. 

The kids are getting back into school mode and having growth spurts at the same time which is leaving them tired. Fieldin just grew an inch, he told his teacher "I grew a full inch because I work out". Greta has grown a little and I think is in the midst of growing even more. 

I'm getting used to the new classes and enjoying being back at work. A nasty fall during a run  left me laid up most of the time but I didn't break anything so I am thankful. 

Fieldin is enjoying soccer and made two goals his last game. Greta has been going to volleyball practice and starts games next week. 

This is the time of year for school functions, meetings and for me setting up my volunteering hours at the kids school. I hope to volunteer in each of the kids classes this year. 

Now that we are slowing down a bit, I hope to get some pictures and stories posted soon. 

First Day Of Kindergarten

First came homework, then came school. 

Over the weekend, Fieldin made a book about himself to turn in on his first day of school. He did it on his own since he could read the questions and write the answers on his own. He was very proud. He wrote that he was funny and smart. He wrote about us and Chompers and liking watermelon and legos. 

 Pictures of course before he and I headed to preschool. 

 I love how these show their personalities each year. Silly and nonchalant. 

 Bowing for the camera 

 Such a sweet boy. He did great. He's got this school thing down. He was able to read books when he got to kindergarten which is all he wants to do these days.. He loves the Bad kitty chapter books. 

 At his desk below.. 

 Reading on the carpet.. then it was time for us to leave. He has been looking forward to getting picked up at school and waiting with Greta at the gate. 

Great job buddy! 

Wizards

The kids love science and they also like Harry Potter. 

They both believe in magic. 

So I bought them a wizarding kit to make potions. 

 Fieldin made a wizard hat. 

I had as much fun with the chemistry experiments as they did. Luckily, we did this on a Saturday so Jeff could help. We ended up not blowing anything up. :) 

 Watching Fieldin's measurements. 

 Fieldin used a wand to make sure his experiments worked. (below)

Greta trusted her own science skills and bypassed it. 

 Fieldin liked the glow in the dark potion the best. Greta liked it all. 

 We created a potion that made crystals. After an hour, she had beautiful purple crystals to fill her wand. 

 After we took a science break, Jeff and Greta started a rock candy experiment. (below) 

Fall Soccer For The Youngest

 Fall Soccer for the 5 year old. He had practices and now it is game time. 

 warming up with his team 

 He impressed us with a goal. He stole the ball and kicked it down field and then he outran that fast boy on the other team (above) (Fieldin is on the left of the picture) and.... 

 kicked a fast goal. He kept running with a smile on his face this time. If you have ever watched him play you will know he gets a goal almost every game and he will never get excited or show emotion about it after he gets a goal. I think that is kind of cool. 

 kicking in the ball for play

fighting for the ball.. 

Fieldin's team "the pancakes" lost but they played well. The other team was very good. 

This year I am team mom and help on the sidelines with the players, give out team info and paperwork and keep score etc. It's fun and I enjoy the kids and parents very much. 

Back To School With Me

I started back to work this week and Fieldin came along with me. 

He is in PM kindergarten this year so he will come to work with me and be in the pre-k class again before he heads to kindergarten class in the afternoon. Yesterday was his first day and he enjoyed it. I am a bit nervous about him having a full day of school but we told him double classes means double the friends and playtime. He has a great attitude about it so far. For selfish reasons I am excited because I have one more year of seeing him at work and peeking in on him throughout the morning when I can. 

First Day Of School For The Eldest

 

 She has been so ready to get back to school. 

She asked for her favorite dinner of creole for her back to school dinner. 

She was up bright and early today. 

She made her lunch, packed up her volleyball gear and her school backpack. 

Then she told me I didn't have to walk her to class this year :( 

So she went through the drop off line. I've been prepping myself for this day but still a bit saddened. She's growing up. 

I told her I will be waiting for her right after school to take her to volleyball but she was already gone out the car door. 

 She wrote this in her best cursive :)