"I'm three": How Big Brother Keeps the Man Down.

Zach turned three last month. 

He wanted a cake that looked like puppy.  Ryan was in trial, but thankfully it ended early so he could do his cake boss impression.

And this is how the boys spend their days...

 

Competing, establishing a heirarchy and once in a great while enjoying each other's company.

First Grade, Day 1

Here we go again!  After much prayer, research and deliberation, we FINALLY decided on Castle Hills First Baptist this year for Faith's school!  It hasn't been as smooth a transition as CHUMS, but I believe it is going to grow her in many good ways.

We were excited to finally use the Olivia backpack we had bought LAST year and discovered she didn't need.  Now it's a perfect fit! 

Zach said "I don't want Faith to go to school!"

Ryan recently brought him to work for a couple of hours, so he often asks to go to dad's office.  I explained that it had been a special day and instead we set up shop in the playroom.  I asked him what we should have in his "office" and he told me paper and food.  Boy, is that kid going to be in for a surprise.

Disney Fun!

We took our little princess and pirates to Disney last week.  I also took my really big kid.  I think he probably had the most fun:)

This was Zach's face for most rides.  I mean, really, this is the Alice in Wonderland ride.

The little artist working her magic.

Anything in the shape of Mickey whether it be chicken nuggets from Costco or these ice cream confections makes eating 10 times more fun.

Only this ride and one other made it on Zach's want-to-do-again list.  He keeps asking to go back to the hotel (which is what he always asked while in Disneyland park).

Okay, I know I am a little biased here, but do you not want to just eat him up?

We had a good time, but there's no place like home (even Disneyland) in my book!

Summer Sanity Savers

I know I probably use a certain phrase too much and it may make people wonder about my mental state.  In order to "keep my sanity" this summer, I instituted weekly themes based on the kids' interests.  I basically made lesson plans that included reading material, crafts, snacks, activities and places to go related to that theme.  Last week was worm week (Faith's request, don't ask) and this week is train week for you-know-who.  Today we used egg carton halves as train caddies for snack cargo.

Don't be deceived, he didn't eat them.  He just wanted variety.  And notice the background.  That is what is making me balk at homeschooling. 

We also made our own train.  This kept Zach busy for a couple of hours!  Boy, if I just used my training as a teacher ALL the time, I think life would be so much easier!

Beachy Keen By Faith and Mommy

We made a very quick trip to Port Aransas over Memorial Day weekend to get out of town. We came and left at just the right time.  There was about an hour wait to get on the ferry as we were leaving Saturday. The ferry is the way to leave the island when you have kids. Not only does your car get to take a boat trip, we always see dolphins in their natural habitat when we go!

SHARK!!!  Zach and Drew are too young to appreciate this photo op as you can tell by the looks on their faces.

Shoot for the stars, Zach!

I LOVE this face!

Seashell-searching beauty

We are burying my daddy.  This is our favorite beach pastime. Really.

Ryan believes they are never too young to learn proper technique.

I mean, look at this guy, he's so good he can golf with the club backwards.

As you can imagine, the USS Lexington in Corpus was busier than usual over the weekend.

I'm glad he enjoys the view from here.

Last day:( :)

I had to include the most important aspect of kindergarten...Mrs. Pennekamp!  Teachers can make or break a grade, and Mrs. Pennekamp, you made our year!

These girls spent many an afternoon together after school, creating art, special snacks and sometimes a little chaos!

Faith's best friend Clare.  Yes, they planned it.

I had to drag Ryan home kicking and screaming.

She did it!



So she made it through her first year of school, and with flying colors!  She really has grown in so many ways and we are so proud of her!

A song they sang about them being a work in progress, so cute!



I can't believe how quickly this time has gone.  I feel like I have passed a milestone in motherhood and earned some of those grays and wrinkles I have already accumulated:)  I now can truly understand the old adage, "Enjoy this time, it goes so fast."

Faith turns six!!

I am way overdue for a posting, but we have been very busy around here with special days of all types.  There will be a few postings to catch up, but we begin with Faith's birthday.  The morning of her party started with the bounce house arriving.  The kids were entranced for a good half hour while he inflated it and then proceeded to stay busy for another 45 minutes bouncing.  Just the thing we needed to finish setting up everything else. 

Ryan has taken over the cake decorating.  Either I was embarassing them with my creations or Ryan's creative side will no longer be squelched.  At any rate, he did another fine job! 

Bob the bird guy came soon after the party started and was the highlight of the celebration.  He has a bird rescue here in town and offered to bring his birds to educate and entertain the guests.  The kids were able to hold the little green conure below and see the antics of the green wing macaw above. 

Faith LOVES birds!

I actually wanted to keep this guy (so did Drew).  He was the most loving bird I have ever encountered (my family has owned a few birds, so I DO have some clout with that statement:)

Singing Happy Birthday!  Her best friend Clare is the girl in the pink bow and dress, I had to be sure and document that since this is my children's "baby book".

So I'm pretty sure Ryan's creativity has just been bottled up for too long.  This was her birthday morning pancake.

Odds and ENDS

Anytime we go in the back yard these days, Zachary ends up covered in sand.  So we strip him down, hose him off and re-dress him.  I feel like I do that a lot these days between him and his brother.

Ryan took the kids to see Jack Hanna at Sea World.  Faith has become quite the bird lover as will be evidenced at her birthday this year.

Zachary's loves of late include pirates, trains and carrying containers of red items.   The day I took this he was in rare pirate form.  His pirate voice cracks me up.

On the same day, we made this pirate boat snack.  Reminds me of a post with Faith a few years ago.  Ahh, memories.

I Heart You

Faith and Ryan attended the annual Daddy Daughter dance this weekend.  Ryan knows what makes his daughter tick as they came home with 5 crafts, 2 being the same craft:)

We got the kids some Valentine treats.  Here Zachary is contemplating whether to eat it or play with it.  He did both.

And this was before we pulled the chocolate train out.  Those peas went down in a jiffy.

Today we went on a nature walk and the kids made "nature bracelets" out of tape wrapped backwards around their wrists and whatever they found on our walk.  My little artist made this beautiful peice.  Zach on the other hand had 2 leaves left on his when we walked in the door.  He was more concerned about gathering all the "guns" (sticks) he found.