More random moments

I'm the only one missing. =)

 The kids jumping at a party this last weekend.

Field Trip

Dominic is learning about authors and illustrators in school. So his class took a trip to the library to learn about how to find books and how the library works.

Then we walked to a local coffee shop that promotes artists of all kinds.

The children had read about a favorite illustrator who worked in a coffee shop.

So they drank their "coffee" while illustrating books they'd made.

It was precious.

 Ms. Beth-Anne bought each of her students an iced hot chocolate.

So I got Caitlin one as well.

 Illustrating his book.

We had so much fun.

Thank you Ms. Beth-Anne.

Thumb Party

I've been a bit reluctant to blog about Caitlin and her thumb. I kept blogging about Caitlin's success and fails in potty training for what seemed like forever. So I was afraid to mention her great progress in stopping her thumb sucking. What if she started again. Turns out I worried for nothing.

A couple of months ago I realized that her 4th birthday was fast approaching and her thumb was firmly planted in her mouth. I'd heard that if a child doesn't stop by their 4th birthday you should just give up until they reach their 5th birthday. Well, that wasn't going to happen.

So I bought a bottle of nail biting polish and started coating her thumbs several times a day. It was a bit rough the first several nights. She would put her thumb in her mouth and then the taste would wake her up. About a week later it looked like she wasn't even attempting to suck her thumb. I couldn't believe our luck. It was pitiful to see her upset about something and resting her little fist on her cheek for comfort. But it needed to be done and she came through like a trouper.

I had promised her several things if she would stop sucking her thumb.

I would buy the movie Tangled.

We would have a princess party.

I would buy her a princess or a Polly Pocket.

I completely forgot to take pictures during the party, but it was pretty low key.

I invited some little girl friends and let them play while we (the moms) talked.

Then we had cupcakes and snacks.

Caitlin thanked me several times for her party.

We are very, very proud of our little girl!

Random moments

I found several pictures on my camera and so I thought I'd throw them all together in one post.

Call me lazy efficient.

We purchased another kayak and I thought it would be easier for me to try it out on a lake instead of a fast moving river. Since Dominic would be riding with me I wanted some still water to test our paddling skills together.

Dominic is a great little paddler. 

I was impressed.

What I was not impressed with were the large boats that caused enormous waves. Several times we had to turn into the waves abruptly to keep from tipping. It was not the calm I was expecting.

We went with several friends (I think about 9 boats in total) and one of the guys and his kids were almost run over by a boat. It was a bit stressful there for a second.

Caitlin and her Daddy.

She has the best seat in the house.

We ate at Blue Coast the other night and they had a face painter there.

Caitlin picked a princess design that the lady had in her book.

 Dominic wanted this specific design.

The lady kept asking him if he wanted something out of the book, but he was determined.

 My hair can be extremely wavy sometimes.

Sabbath morning I had a few flat spots so pulled out the curling iron.

Caitlin wanted to look just like Mommy.

 Isn't she precious?!

Jon keeps muttering comments along the lines of "If your Grandpa doesn't give me his gun, I'm going to have to buy one."

County Fair

We went to the fair again this year. It always amuses me how the fair brings out the absolute country in people. I hear/see more cowboy outfits, southern accents, and general redneckiness (that's a word - I swear) at the fair than any other place - even Walmart.

But we survived unscathed so I thought I'd share some pictures.

Riding the Ferris wheel. 

Just my opinion, but the prices they charge are robbery.

 The kids watching the pig races.

Caitlin got a ribbon because "her pig" won.

 Walking is for other people.

Certainly not winners.

 I was really wishing for my nice camera about now.

Caitlin was in love with this little bunny.

 Dominic catching one of the more energetic rabbits.

 Enjoying the rodeo with some friends.

The kids loved it and begged to go the next night.

But I think Jon and I had had enough. =)

Dominic told me he was thankful that the days at school were flying by because it was going to be spirit week soon. When I told him I was pretty sure that was in January he said "Well the days are flying by and I'm still thankful for school." He has been one happy kid all week.

First day of School

Today was the first day of 1st grade for Dominic.

And Caitlin is letting everyone know that it's the first day of preschool for her.

Dominic was SO excited that he could barely contain himself. He couldn't remember where/what he was supposed to be doing and starting at 6:30am kept asking me if it was time to go. He's been asking for school to start for weeks and now that the time was finally here he was ecstatic.

This morning before leaving.

At his desk at school.

First day of school picture.

Photo courtesy of Heather Stovall

Caitlin has been looking forward to school as well. I will be taking two years to do preschool at home with her. No stress, days skipped, etc. But since today was Dominic's first day she wanted pictures of her as well.

Before leaving to drop off Dominic

With her very first school work

Grandpa

My kids have been so excited to have their grandpa here for a week.

He came to help Jon get caught up on everything on his to-do list. Every night Jon comes in and works on projects before heading to bed. The list is never ending and there is always something interrupting us. So my sweet dad is here helping finish a few of the projects. I think the real reason he came was because of my kids though. =)

And they haven't disappointed. They've followed him around everywhere. I have no idea how much my dad will actually be able to get done, but my kids are in love with my dad so I'm okay with it.

****

Our pear tree drops a ton of pears each year and the insects get so bad under the tree that the kids can't swing on their swing for several months. So every day we go out and pick up pears and put them in the compost. I was working in the garden and Dominic was picking up pears. He kept complaining and whining and I looked up at him with one of those mom looks. 

He sighed and said -

"I know what Grandpa would say to me right now. Take it like a man!"

I responded with a "Well?"

"Okay, I'll take it like a man."

And he did. He quit complaining and finished the job.

Have I mentioned how much I'm enjoying having my dad here? ; )

****

Caitlin has prayed at EVERY. SINGLE. MEAL. (and at worship) thanking God that Grandpa is here. If it's Dominic's turn to pray she asks to pray too and adds that little prayer. Little bug is going to be one sad little girl next week when Grandpa goes home and Dominic starts school. I see some shopping and ice cream in our future.

Happy Birthday!

Dominic turned 6 yrs old on Friday. The kids only get a party every other year. This year was a no party year for Dominic. So I told Dominic he could pick where/what he wanted to eat, one friend to come over to play and what type of cake he wanted.

It was pure torture and I finally had to give him a deadline and not allow him to change his mind again after I'd called the mom. Poor kid just has too many friends.
He chose his friend Ryan. 

He chose IHOP as his restuarant and we had him open his gifts there so Jon could watch too.

 

 That night we ate cake. He had very specific instructions on what type of cake he wanted and even drew me a picture and brought me the animals he wanted on it.

 

 I had all of the ingredients, but failed to remember that fondant must be made the day before. So I convinced Dominic that butter cream would work just as well. He seemed happy with the results.

 

  My little boy is growing up so fast. I know that time flies, but I'm always amazed at the speed with which it flies between birthdays.

This is what happens when Grammy puts stickers in cards to Caitlin. She always sends the non-birthday child a card as well. This time it had stickers in it and Caitlin put every last one on her forehead.

Grandpa loves me

Grandpa is here and the kids are really enjoying him.

Today Grandpa drew a stick figure. He asked Dominic who it was.

"It's me."

"How did you know?"

"Because you like me so much."

We laughed. But he's right!

We Made It!

Dominic's prayer at lunch.

"Dear God, please nurse our food to our bodies and bless it. And thank you for giving us the strength to make it and not die before lunch. Amen!"

I guess somebody didn't eat enough for breakfast and thought they were dying. =)