Fun Day !

It's been a really long time since we were with Marilyn, Eleanor and Wesley but we were able to get together yesterday finally for a visit. This time the girls wasted no time getting together to play. Other times when they were younger they needed to be shy and take about 15 minutes to get to know each other again. This time though they are both 4 years old and had a lot of catching up and playing to do. They got along right off the bat and Wesley did his best to keep up with them.


All three kids were so good all morning and through lunch and then they played together for a while after lunch. They got along great, as if they see each other every day. It was a great visit for us at Grandma and Grandpa's house because now the kids just take off and play together without us having to watch them or jump up every 5 minutes. We got to visit with Marilyn and catch up on news and how they are all doing. Eleanor seems to be right on track with Olivia. They both go to 4 year preschool and are learning so much. Wesley is 2 1/2 now and we couldn't believe how he ran around and was talking so well. None of the kids fought, cried, whined or had any problems. They sat and ate their lunch with us real well and when it was time for them to pack up and head back home nobody was ready to leave.



That means they all were having a great time but two 4-year olds and a 2 1/2 year old still need naps so by 2:00 pm we could tell they were getting tired and we all needed to get home for a nap.



The time always goes by so fast when we get together with them but we had a great time visiting and playing and look forward to the next visit.




After a quick nap at home we had to get to Olivia's soccer game where Grandma, and Aunt Lynn, Uncle Jody and cousin Katelyn came to watch.

It was a very busy but fun, great day!!

Fall Camping

We were able to get another camping trip in this past weekend and this time we took along some of Olivia's other cousins. TJ and Anna came out camping for the very first time. It was fun because it was a whole new experience for them. We went to Mauthe Lake which was the first time we had been to this campground. It was also the first time we have ever camped with a dog too.

They have young Samoyed pup that they call "Bear". She did really well considering she is very young, never camped and has never slept outside of her kennel at home. TJ and Anna did great too. I think they really enjoyed themselves. They are great kids, very easy going, polite and ready to try anything.



They basically got a taste of everything too. Friday night it thundered and rained and Saturday night was pretty chilly but they were real troupers. We also did some hiking around the campgrounds on Saturday, we brought bikes along for them to ride around and did all the usual camping stuff.



On Saturday afternoon Jenny, TJ and Anna took a canoe out for about and hour on Mauthe Lake. Bear is very attached to TJ and paced the shore while waiting for them to return from their canoe ride.




We tried to fit in all the usual campfire meals. Friday we die hamburgers, Saturday we had pancakes, sausages, etc. for breakfast. We did hot dogs/chili dogs for lunch and ranch chicken breasts with baked potatoes for dinner. We of course had to do smores and pudgy pies and did a big breakfast on Sunday with everything left over. The kids were very helpful and interested in learning how to cook over a fire. TJ helped with the cooking and seemed to have a good time. Olivia loved having these two along and especially liked having Bear there.



It was a busy weekend but a lot of fun for all of us. TJ and Anna were a pleasure to have along and would love to have them try it again sometime.

A New Soccer Era

Olivia has joined her first athletic team, U-6 soccer. While her big sister has been playing for the last decade and just began her high school soccer career, Olivia played her first official soccer game on Friday night. She had a great time.




It was very exciting to get her team shirt, shin guards and socks. She is on the "Blue Crew" team with 5 boys and just one other girl on her team. One boy was missing this first night. She makes friends so easily though with boys and girls. A couple of her teammates attend Bethany school also so she already knew them.



I was a little hesitant at first to spend the money to sign her up at this young age, thinking she might be a little timid and not want to participate especially when she would get pushed out of the way by a 5 year old boy. But, she surprised me again and was right in their with the rest of the kids.




She kept telling me on the way there that she wanted to be goalie but at this level there are no goalies. It will take some time for her to figure out what she is supposed to do but she still did really well. She also has a pretty good leg when it comes to kicking the ball. I got to see her kick it in bounds to her teammates.

At this level there is no winning or losing team. Everyone that plays wins because they don't keep score (although our blue team won!!). She was so cute high-fiving her friends when they would make a goal. A couple of times she would stop to wave at me and yell "Hi Mom!!" or "Mom, watch this!!" Other than maybe baby animals there isn't much more that is cuter than a herd of 4 and 5 year olds running their hearts out after a soccer ball.




When the game was over they all had to pass by in a line and slap hands, just like the big kids. And of course, the best part is that you even get a drink and a snack at the end of the game!! She was so excited about the whole night and had a great time.



Even big sister Jenny got to see some of the game because it was picture night for all teams. Olivia made sure Jenny got an earfull and heard all about her team and game.

Besides being great exercise, being on the soccer team is a great way for her to socialize, learn teamwork, meet new friends and just have a lot of fun.

And We're Off......To School !!

This morning I dropped my baby off for her first day of 4 year pre-school. Olivia was more than ready and was very anxious to get there (although I had to wake her up this morning).

We got the traditional "first day" pictures taken. Dad had to have his pictures taken last night with her in her pajamas since he leaves for work way too early to wait until this morning. Jenny started her school last week but was all dressed up today for a home volleyball game so we got some nice pictures of them on the front porch. Kyle is a "too cool" Senior this year so he waits until the last second to get up and get ready for school so he didn't make it on any pictures which I'm sure was his plan anyway.







Olivia waited for me to take a picture of her in front of her school and then she couldn't wait to get to her classroom. She hauled her backpack down the hall ahead of me and right into her room. We got her little supplies out of her backpack to be put away, she signed in and went right to playing at the table she is assigned to. She introduced herself, as always, to Kylee who is one girl we didn't know yet. I told her I would see her over at the church service and would then pick her up before lunch. She had no problem saying goodbye, just as I had suspected. She let me know she would tell me all about her morning when I would pick her up later.




The school always starts out the first day with a church service welcoming all the kids back to a new school year. Olivia came in with her class with a smile from ear to ear as they went up to the front of the church. I saw her bouncing around and talking to her friends.....just like she does for us at Sunday church services. Only now the teachers get to try to keep her quiet and still. Good luck with that!

Mrs. Travis had a kind of "leash" with loops on it that all eight preschoolers had to hang on to when they were walking. It was not only cute to see but very clever and a great way to keep them all in line. Olivia waved to me as we all went our separate ways as I went home and they headed back to the school and their classroom. I know she will do great.

As for me, I think it will take some time to get into this new routine. Also, I am volunteering to help on Wednesday's because the playgroup will still be going on Wednesday mornings as always. So, starting tomorrow I will be in charge of these eight 4-year-olds for a while during the time Mrs. Travis has to be with the playgroup Moms and kids.

Stay tuned to hear how that goes!!!

My how time flies