Indiana Visit

 My mom had several free airline tickets, so she offered to pay for me and the boys to visit over Labor Day weekend. Who can say no to free airfare? We had a great time. As always, we were SO busy. If we weren't going places, we were downstairs in the basement playing dodgeball and tag. My mom and older sister just never, ever stop moving and playing. The kids love it! Me . . . well, I love visiting my family, but I come home exhausted. 

I wasn't the only one exhausted.

We took a late flight, and arrived around two in the morning. What did the kids want to do? Go play in the basement. So like good grandparents they are, my parents went down and let the kids play while I unpacked . . . at 2 a.m. They just couldn't get over the fact that my kids weren't tired. Alemitu was even jumping on the trampoline, and of course, talking nonstop. An image of that night that I will never forget is when we were walking in the airport after just getting off of the plane. Alemitu had her cute little book bag on, and when she saw my parents waiting for us at security, she took off running. That backpack was flopping all around, but she just kept running right towards her grandparents. I wish I had my camera out to capture that moment.

The next morning, we played at our favorite park and surprised their cousin Carter. We ate lunch at my favorite restaurant, Pizza King, and then we surprised their cousin Sydney when she got home from school that day. 

At the park

The next day, we went to Kings Island. Once again, they were having a heat wave when I came to visit, but we still had a blast and managed to keep cool. Wes was officially tall enough to ride on every, single ride. Even this one:

Notice the coaster is moving UP that hill, and getting ready to go down a hill that looks like it is straight down. At 80 mph, this ride seems terrifying.

He even sat in the front with Uncle Phil one time. Thank you, Uncle Phil.

Wes and grandpa on the drop zone ride.

Grandpa Jerry and Jerry Jr. -- no one else was brave enough for this one.

That kid has no fear. In fact, later on Wes wanted to do the bungee swing. I had done this once with Adam many years ago, and I remember being absolutely terrified. Well, 15 years later, nothing has changed. I agreed to do with it Wes, and I was absolutely terrified. As we were going up, I gave up the "tough mother" image, and started whining/almost crying to Wes, "I don't think I can do this. Wes, I don't think I can do this!" He agreed with me (but he has selective memory about that part when you ask him.) We went so high, much higher than it appears from the ground looking up. I had to be the one to pull the cord to drop us. My hand was shaking so bad, and it took me a few seconds before I built up that courage --- and then I screamed like a baby all the way down. I guess Alemitu told my parents, "Mommy loves it because she is screaming!" I am so glad I did it and am able to share that memory with Wes, but wow, that was terrifying. There is a new roller coaster coming in April 2014, and when Wes read that on a sign, he immediately said we need to come back in April. He loves Kings Island so much.

Prior to getting on the bungee swing

Alemitu did really well too. Last spring, I put her on a roller coaster that she wasn't ready for. It backfired. She hasn't wanted to ride on anything like that since. So when we went to the area with rides for her age, I had Aunt Tina go with her on a little kid roller coaster. I think we called it the pumpkin ride or something because she kept asking if it was a roller coaster. She was definitely scared at first, but Aunt Tina did a great job, and Alemitu was all smiles when she got off the coaster. After that, she wanted to ride everything. Going with grandpa on the log ride was her favorite. She did that a few times.

Alemitu and Aunt Tina in the 2nd car

Even on the little rides, Alemitu would scream off and on. She thought that is what you are suppose to do if you are having fun.

My easy going Calvin had a great time too. He rode all of the roller coasters that he could, and always had a smile on his face throughout the day. 

Getting soaked by a river rapids ride was Calvin's favorite.

The next day, we went to the movies and spent time with family. On our last full day, the girls went shopping and grandpa and Uncle Phil took the boys to the Indianapolis 500 race track. The boys have been so interested in seeing that race track, and had been talking a lot about it after they saw the movie, Turbo. They really enjoyed themselves, and even kissed the bricks (although if you ask them, their lips didn't actually touch). They had a fun boys' day, and I was so happy my dad thought to take them there. 

 

 

The next day we left and went back home. It was a whirlwind trip, but totally worth it. We had such a great time!

Doing homework on the plane

Completely soaked and dripping wet after the river rapids ride.

Whenever they say goodbye to my mom, they have to give her a "monkey hug". This means that they stand on a piece of furniture and jump at her. So far, she hasn't fallen over . . . yet.

This one almost knocks her over.

I love this picture of the boys taken at the Indy 500 track.

My Teacher Says . . .

Alemitu started another year of preschool. She LOVES it. I can't stress that enough. On days that she doesn't go to preschool, she normally will throw a fit. If you show up early, and the preschool door is closed, you will definitely have no trouble hearing Alemitu sing, answer questions, play, etc. over the other students. She doesn't ever stop talking. Ever. Not ever. Not for one minute. Not ever. Her teacher said that she is the friendliest student they have ever had. That's our Alemitu.

Her first day of school picture

Alemitu likes to tell everyone about her preschool. She will normally start out by yelling, "My school . . . . on a mountain!" Her school is across the street from our neighborhood, and it is the school that most of the kids in our area go to. 

Alemitu is all about saying, "My teacher said . . . ." when it comes to just about anything. For instance, "My teacher said I don't have to take a nap." Um, no. We are trying to stop those little lies. On the other hand, she says things like, "My teacher says you don't take things away from people!" This came after Adam took away her toy because she was in trouble. Or she'll say, "My teacher says you don't cut hair with scissors!!" when I try to give the boys, or Alemitu, a haircut. Normally she has one hand on her hip and the other is pointing a finger at us when she makes these "My teacher said" statements. I'm beginning to hate those preschool rules. 

One of her teachers, Mrs. Cavanough. She came to meet Alemitu at our house before school started.

A few weeks ago, one of her teachers pulled me aside and told me a cute story. They were reading a book about a ghost that would change colors depending on what he ate. He would change to the color of the food. When he ate a strawberry and changed to a pink color, Alemitu shouted, "Hey! I ate strawberries and I'm black!" The teachers thought that was so cute that they put it in the school newspaper.

I am so happy that she loves her preschool so much. On the first day, she just ran right in and waved bye to Adam and I. She had no issues, no nerves . . . she was ready. That's Alemitu -- always ready for whatever comes her way.

Her teachers take pictures of the class each week and post the pictures for parents to download.

Back to School

The end of summer came way too quickly. I hate back to school time, but it is a necessary evil. The boys were excited to go to their new school. What we didn't know was that they were going into a brand new building that had been built over the summer. When we moved into the neighborhood in May, their school was a few older buildings. I drove by in July, and the old school had been demolished and a huge, new school was being built next to the old one. The boys felt comfortable knowing that everyone would be going to a new school, not just them. 

We were able to tour the school prior to the first day. The boys' favorite part was the playground which had several different sections to it. After school actually started, the boys' favorite part was the fact that breakfast is served in each classroom every morning for all the students. Silly boys.

Checking out one part of the playground prior to school starting

On the first day of school, Wes and Calvin were so nervous. I don't think I've ever seen either one be so nervous. It just made me want to break down in tears seeing them sit at their desks nervously. At the end of the day, the boys came home so excited. Wes had made a great friend, Miller, and they were inseparable for the first month of school. On the second day, Calvin had made a great friend, Seth, and they are still great friends now. Since then, the boys have found a group of kids that they play with each day at school, and they get to eat lunch together. Sometimes, we will have lunch with them which allows the boys to bring their friends and eat outside rather than the cafeteria. Their best friend, Sullivan, who lives down the street is also at this school and is in their group of friends. 

Their best friends, Sullivan and Seth (eating lunch outside with Grandma and Grandpa Allen)

More friends and an outdoor lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Fischer

Wes and Calvin absolutely love their school, and they have never had such a close group of friends in any other school. Their friends are so respectful, and we really like them too! A few weeks after school started, I ran into a mother than I had met over the summer. Her daughter was in Wes' class. This mother told me that her daughter had seen Wes sitting by himself on the first day of school (they could pick desks, and he picked a desk with no one around). The little girl knew that Wes didn't know anyone, so she left the group of desks where her friends were sitting, and moved her stuff by Wes so that he wouldn't be by himself. That story brought tears to my eyes. 

My nervous Wes

Sweet, nervous Calvin

We love their school. LOVE it. The teachers are great, and they seem to understand our boys really well. Not much has changed -- Wes has trouble sitting still, and Calvin is teacher's favorite and wouldn't dare breaking a single rule. Wes works super fast, and Calvin still has no sense of urgency. Third grade is hard, very hard. We have heard it is a transitional year, and then this is the first year in Arizona that students have to pass a big test at the end of the year to move on to fourth grade. So we are working really hard, and the boys are doing well. They have begun to love reading. Sometimes they will take their books in the truck, or even a restaurant, to read. Calvin is really into "Flat Stanley" books, and Wes loves "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Both boys have read almost all the books in those series. I am so proud of how well they are doing. And with how great things have gone at this school, it is more evidence that we made the right decision by moving to this area. 

Walking home from the bus stop

Enjoying yogurt for the first time after the school open house. They liked the yogurt (if it was topped with a lot of candy), but they still won't eat ice cream.

Wes and his teacher, Mrs. McLean

 

Calvin and his teacher, Mrs. Billings

Summer Fun

As always, we had a blast this summer. I went from working nonstop in the spring to becoming super lazy this summer. I slept in every day. We hung out in our pajamas most days. It was awesome. I was so depressed for school to start again.

Below are some pictures from the summer (minus the vacation pictures previously posted):

The boys went to a lego camp for a week. They loved it!

They are always playing with stuffed animals.

We had lots of play dates with friends this summer. We went to Makutu's Island (huge indoor slide area) with friends several times as well. Even though we moved away, we have stayed in close touch with our friends.

Swimming, swimming, swimming. We were at the pool a lot this summer. The first few times, Alemitu was in the baby pool. After that, she refused. She wanted to swim in the "big girl pool". While she has to be closely supervised, she can dive down for sticks in 3-4 feet of water (with a little push) and swim back up to you.

Raining in Phoenix is a HUGE deal. Wes and Alemitu were quick to run outside and play in it. Calvin wanted to finish his lego project first (of course).

When Calvin joined them, the boys thought it was freezing outside (July in Phoenix), so they put on their winter jackets.

Wiped out from another playdate. She always has that little Mickey close by.

Our 13 year old basset hound, Clementine, passed away. It was really hard. And now we are left with this big, dumb puppy who is trying her millionth time to fit through the cat door in this picture. She'll give up and just rest her head inside the room.

Every single night that we were home, the boys slept on the couch. Seriously, every single night. They love the couch. The night before school started we had to introduce them to these big pieces of furniture in their room called 'beds'.

Trying to get a nice photo of these crazies.

Alemitu wanted to start carrying a purse like mommy.

Helping daddy debadge mommy's truck

Neighborhood fireworks. We laid out on the golf course and watched them overhead. This was the longest fireworks show I have ever seen.

Of course, we went to see a lot of movies.

Adam took them to a dinosaur museum before school started.

Mommy's new monster truck. It was so hard to leave the Jeep family. So hard. But this has a lot more space with better air conditioning, and we were offered almost as much money for my Jeep as we paid for it from the dealer. We always were getting people wanting to buy it, but I think our mouths hit the floor when we realized they were serious and would pay well over blue book value. I have to admit, I do love this truck. (Sshh ... don't tell my Jeeps)