Computer Age?

So what is the computer age? I think somewhere about 1.5 years:-) Crazy as it seems all of my kids developed an interest in the computer about this age. Of course, they couldn't do much except mess things up but they try! Kathryn has ended the life of our wireless mouse . . . but she is having so much fun being "grown up".

Fun with Photos

My sister, Heather, found this old photo of me in the mud after she saw the post of my mud-loving daughter.

Heidi:

Kathryn:

My Little Monkey

At this stage in life, a mother can't even go to the bathroom. . .

A true little monkey - she got up on the counter and began eating bananas, with the peel still on!!!

I'm not sure how much peel she ate. . .

Pretty proud!

Partner in crime. . .

Labor Day Camping "Trip"

How would we spend Labor Day weekend? We hadn't made any plans . . . Well, thank goodness our little kids find delight in simple things:-) We camped out in the backyard. Lloyd put up the tent and made a "bonfire" in the grill. We played "red light, green light", gymnastics (thank goodness Anika was close enough to home to have access to her costumes:-)), and catch. We ate dinner outside, roasted marshmallows for s'mores, and watched the first star come out. Kathryn went down in her own bed and then Daddy played guitar around the campfire. The kids settled down to sleep on the air mattress and were soon sawing logs. I couldn't believe they feel asleep out there. They slept part of the night in the tent and then we settled them in their own beds:-)

Anika said, "This is the best night of my life!" (Even though she says this often, it is still special to hear that she enjoyed our time together!)

Helping Dad set up the tent:

Having dinner outside:

So big:

Ballerina/gymnast/camper (it works, right?):

Unfortunately that isn't chocolate from s'mores. . . (I think she gets dirty than either of the other two!):

S'mores:

Kids on Wheels

I think imitation is an art of childhood. And Kathryn has plenty to imitate. She decided tonight that she needs to wear a helmet, just like her older sister and brother.

Andrew continues to work on his bike skills; he still can't start by himself but he has going and stopping down:-)

Kathryn's hair. . . well, it just makes me sigh and shrug my shoulders. I love her curls but what to do with it?!?!? I discovered hairbands this weekend. I love that she leaves them in and it keeps the hair out of her face. (And I don't need to cut off all those gorgeous curls!!!)

Introducing. . .

Author/Illustrator: Anika Wicker (enthusiastic applause). Anika is LOVING kindergarten. She comes home with something new everyday. I can't believe how much she has seemed to grow up in just a 1.5 weeks. She has been a very prolific author/illustrator the last few days (ever since she learned what they do:-))

Anika's set up includes a folding table, paper, stapler and pencil box of crayons/colored pencils.She was able to go to the surprise box at school since she kept all her smiley faces for five days. She picked out this wand pen.Hard at work:Take two (the next day she asked daddy to take some pictures of her!):

What can I say?

What can I say???? Our mornings (after Anika leaves for school) have been spent in the backyard where it has been nice a cool. When I looked up from my journal, this is what I saw. . .

Captions ran through my head:
When the cat's away. . .
Mudville Flats: population 1
What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger
One outfit down, ???? to go. . .
It's not a good day, until you are this dirty!
Have mud, will wallow!
Hose or tub? That is the question.

Amazing Almonds and Apples!

I was reading my sister's wise words about healthy snacks today when she mentioned apples and almond butter. Well. . . I just happen to live in an amazing valley were both products are at my finger tips. So, not only was I able to provide my kiddos with a healthy snack, I also did it with freshly grow produce and no trip to the grocery store:-) Since Lloyd is no longer struggling with nut allergies, I got out a bag of almonds that we had been given. I toasted them, processed them and voile - almond butter. We had also recently (and sheepishly) discovered that the tree along the side of the house (that was so busy with bees this spring) is an apple tree!!!! (Yeah, we don't get over to that side of the house. . .)

Here are the kids enjoying scrumptous almond butter and apples after a quick run through the sprinklers.

Anika's First Day

A picture is worth a thousand words -- and while I have thousands upon thousands of words that I could say about this momentous occasion, I'll let the pictures do the talking:

Anika & Mrs Huisken

PS For Anika, it was love at first sight! From the moment Anika arrived home, I've heard "Mrs. Huisken said. . ." "then Mrs. Huisken did. . ." "my teacher. . . " Anika is not alone in her adoration. I've heard RAVE reviews about Mrs. Huisken from everyone who has had her.

Open House Night

While I'm tempted to wax on and on about seasons of life changing, chapters coming to an end, doors closing, suns setting and whatever other analogy/cliche I can come up with, I will refrain. Suffice it to say, Anika begins kindergarten tomorrow. SIGH! Last night we were able to visit her classroom, meet her teacher, say 'hi' to some other students, and see her cubby and seat. She was so excited to look for her name and play on the playground equipment.

We all walked over to school together and I think there may be a new appreciation for one another as this new stage begins. Such independence -- "We'll lead the way, Mom & Dad."