Grant goes to Preschool

Yesterday Grant started preschool. It is the same school Tate went to for four years and we have always loved it. He was very clingy to me last week at "Meet the Teacher" but went right in yesterday morning without even a goodbye for mom. He saw that all the kids were playing with playdough and got excited and sat right down (we don't do alot of playdough at our house...it's a mess!).He will be going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this year and I think he is going to love it!

On another note, Tate is now doing much better in Kindergarten. It just took him some time to get used to. He has bought his lunch the last three days, gone to a playdate, and says he kind of likes school.

First Day of Kindergarten

Tate started kindergarten this week and it was a little difficult. I know it will get better but he was very nervous as we went into the room and basically wouldn't let us leave. We finally convinved him he would be okay and he let us go. Shortly after we got home the school called and wanted us to know that he was doing fine and we had nothing to worry about. I was so relieved! When I picked him up he seemed happy but had told the teacher he would not be returning the next day. He finally told me he had a pretty good time and would go back but only if he could ride the bus and buy his lunch. Well, he won't be riding the bus for a few weeks and he changed his mind about buying lunch but returned today. He cried a little when I left him but I am sure he was fine afterwards. He has a hard time with transitioning from mom to class, he did this in preschool. His teacher was so nice and talked to me alot after school yesterday and said he had fun and participated in everything they did. I know it will just take some time and he will love it...I hope!

The night before.....

Lunch made- check
Backpack filled- check
Forms filled out- check
Bathed and in bed by 8- check
Kleenex in mommy's purse- check

I think we are ready for tomorrow. He keeps asking me to tell him what it is going to be like and I do my best but the truth is I just don't know. I keep getting a lump in my throat when I think about dropping him off in that room full of strangers but I know God will take care of him. Here's hoping for a great Kindergarten year!

Happy Birthday Tate!

The birthday cupcakes. Thanks Aunt Carol for making the cute racing flags!

Tate and Grant in a bounce house.

Sliding down the tall slide.

Barrett, Coby, and Tate

Tate and his favorite girl, Paige.

Opening presents!!

Eating pizza with friends

Tate and Brooklyn eating cupcakes

Today is Tate's 6th birthday! I can't believe he is already 6 and starting Kindergarten next week. How time flies! We celebrated his birthday last week with a party at Locomotion Inflatable play. He had a blast with his friends and it was a great end of summer celebration.

37 years!

Today my parents celebrate their 37th wedding annivarsary! Happy Annivarsary! We love you!

Colorado

Grant did great on the airplane!!!

The cousins playing in the pool. Hope the neighbors didn't mind my kids showing some skin!

Tate in front of the river in Breckenridge.

Four generations: Papo, Nana, David, Tate

The cousins: AiPei, Ella, Tate, Grant

That's Tate at the top!

Sweet brothers....you can't see it but they were sitting in front of some small fir trees. They were amazed at all of the "Christmas Trees!"

Hiking on the trail

At the top of a mountain

We just got back from Denver CO and we had a great time! We enjoyed hanging out with all of Nana's side of the family. Her dad and three sisters and their kids all live there. On Friday we went to the Denver Zoo. David's uncle volunteers there on Fridays and so we were able to see the show he helps with and take a behind the scenes tour of a bird show. The boys really liked it and we were happy to hear about all of the animals from someone who really seems to know. That night we went to Aunt Judy's house for dinner. The boys liked playing in her baby pool with her little girl Ai Pei. She and Tate are a year apart and they play very well together. My boys looked like little hicks in their diaper and tighty whiteys but we didn't bring their suits with us to her house. On Saturday, David and I took the boys up to Breckenridge. We loved being there! The weather was so nice and the mountains are beautiful. On Sunday we went to the base of a mountain where they have things for kids to do. Tate really wanted to do the rock climbing wall and he did great! It took him no time to get to the top and ring the bell. He and David also rode on the "Alpine Slide". It is this cool slide down the side of a mountain that you ride a scooter down. I really thought he would get scared when he got to the top but he didn't and wanted to ride it again. My favorite part was riding a ski lift up a mountain and exploring all around. It was gorgeous! Tate's favorite part of the whole trip was probably going hiking. We found a few trails that took us over bridges and through the beautiful pine forest and Tate was our leader. He literally wouldn't let anyone get in front of him, I think he would have liked to have camped out there but mommy would never go for that:)

We really had a blast in Colorado. David's parents and sister, bro in law, and our niece, Ella were all there and it was fun being with the entire family.

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Other ways to stay cool? No Clothes!!

Proud, naked Grant.

Tate with a loud popping firework.

It's hard to see in the daylight but he is holding a sparkler. It just gets dark so late we went ahead and started the festivities early.

Chilling in the pool with Grant, Daddy, and Nana.

The boys and mom in the canoe.

The view from my seat, I liked the way Grant held onto his oar like that the entire time.

Grant is ready to go!

Boys ready to get in the canoe.

We have been trying to find ways to stay cool in these crazy 100+ degree days. On Friday, we took the boys canoeing at Town Lake and then to Barton Springs to swim. The boys LOVE the canoes and even Grant is still and quiet for the whole hour we are out. We had never been to Barton Springs before and have been wanting to experience the year round 68 degree temps that people seem to love. It was very cold but really felt good!

Also, on the 4th of July we went out to David's parents house because his sister, bro in law and our niece, Ella, were all there to celebrate. The boys had fun with the safe fireworks (sparklers, snakes, pop things).