Henry started Kindergarten this week!! Woo hoo!! Although we had a little issue when it started (he wanted a turn with the Star Wars Lego guys)...it was not due to separation anxiety or being scared about school! He was so excited to go that he made a "count down chain" about one week prior to the start. His teacher is super nice & he has a few friends in his class from his soccer team last year. In the first three days he has learned about "rules," filling other people's buckets (kind of the "emotional bank" idea), and checking out library books (which he was REALLY excited about)! I have enjoyed meeting many of the other parents & I love that we can WALK to drop him off & pick him up!!! So here's to 17+ more fun years of school Henry!! Keep up the good work!!! :)Saturday, August 20, 2011
First Day of Kindergarten
Henry started Kindergarten this week!! Woo hoo!! Although we had a little issue when it started (he wanted a turn with the Star Wars Lego guys)...it was not due to separation anxiety or being scared about school! He was so excited to go that he made a "count down chain" about one week prior to the start. His teacher is super nice & he has a few friends in his class from his soccer team last year. In the first three days he has learned about "rules," filling other people's buckets (kind of the "emotional bank" idea), and checking out library books (which he was REALLY excited about)! I have enjoyed meeting many of the other parents & I love that we can WALK to drop him off & pick him up!!! So here's to 17+ more fun years of school Henry!! Keep up the good work!!! :)
The "Rest" of Summer
Our summer following our CA trip involved the Fourth of July (which included a GREAT local parade, swimming at the pool, a pizza buffet & watching fireworks from a hilltop with 6 crazy boys who didn't care).
Here are the boys at the parade. Henry has been very worried about "breaking the law" recently. He will do something like put his shoe on the car window & ask if he is breaking the law. When I told them we were watching the parade from someone else's yard and that they should not run around because it would be "trespassing", he got concerned that the policemen in the parade would arrest us. :)
Here are the boys at the parade. Henry has been very worried about "breaking the law" recently. He will do something like put his shoe on the car window & ask if he is breaking the law. When I told them we were watching the parade from someone else's yard and that they should not run around because it would be "trespassing", he got concerned that the policemen in the parade would arrest us. :)Summer also included swim lessons (A got to go down the curvy slide and learned to float, H learned to tread water & did some stroke work.)
We also attended Action Hero Camp (45 min. of "dance" class for boys for a week):
The boys had lots of playdates & my niece & nephew did a sports camp for a week as well.
Oh...I also competed in & completed my third triathlon. And I'm proud to say Mike's mom joined me again! Although I didn't get much swim & bike training in this year, I did do more running than usual, so I was happy about that, and I did set a personal record for myself! (7 minutes faster than last year!) However, I did develop plantar fasciitis, so I am now wearing orthotics & still hobbling a bit. So, yr. 1 I was pregnant, yr. 2 I had a newborn & didn't train much, & yr. 3 I had an injury! Ugh... 
We also had a delayed start this year due to lightning...and were chilled for the hour they delayed the race (hence the trash bags they passed out)! Thanks for all of our loyal supporters!! :)
We also had a delayed start this year due to lightning...and were chilled for the hour they delayed the race (hence the trash bags they passed out)! Thanks for all of our loyal supporters!! :)
California 2011 - San Francisco to Tahoe
Back in June, we went to California to visit friends, meet their "baby", relax in Tahoe, & celebrate Mike's cousin's wedding! Here we are arriving in Oakland...many thanks to Mike's brother for the tickets that made our trip possible!
Kyle pulled his own bag (& did not like to receive help). We rented a car in Oakland, "splurging" for the mid-size, and barely fit...but it served it's purpose & we made it to the Allens beautiful, warm home in time for a yummy dinner! We met their smiley, sweet boy & reacquainted ourselves with their doggy Scooter. (Our boys LOVE Scooter.)The next day we explored downtown San Francisco, with our one "must stop" at the Presidio Park, home of some of George Lucas's offices. Here is the group in front of the Yoda fountain:
The Presidio Park not only had free parking, space to have a nice picnic & some games of tag, but also a great view of the city. You "might" be able to spot the Golden Gate Bridge in the background of the next pic:
Sunday, we went to church & then packed up and hit the road to Lake Tahoe. We stayed in an awesome cabin there, that had plenty of room for all of us (the boys got to choose between TWO sets of bunk beds)!! Tahoe was gorgeous, and we so enjoyed being there with the Allens. Here are all our boys in the cut out sculpture of the Lake.
We were close enough to walk to the Lake & beach area. Here is one of the highlights of the walk for the boys.
Group pic at Lake Tahoe.
To Abercrombie: Greetings from Lake Tahoe. :)
One of the days we were there we took a hike, which started with someone telling us that there was a bear "just ahead"...that was really reassuring for those of us with 4 kids under 4 ft. tall & a dog. :) It was a pretty hike though. We stopped for a pinecone race on this bridge.
He wore sunglasses the remainder of the trip...until the last night at the wedding...and his eye was still sore there about one month later (the Dr. said it was an internal blood clot--and they can take months to go away). His scar is still very evident, but is a reminder of our fun trip!! We all really enjoyed our time with our friends...it is SUCH a blessing to have friends who know you so well & enjoy so many of the same things!! 
One late night walk home from the beach! Training "in altitude" for Gram's Second Triathlon! :)
The last dip in the cabin's hot tub. Hope to see you again sometime Tahoe cabin/hot tub!
The Presidio Park not only had free parking, space to have a nice picnic & some games of tag, but also a great view of the city. You "might" be able to spot the Golden Gate Bridge in the background of the next pic:
Sunday, we went to church & then packed up and hit the road to Lake Tahoe. We stayed in an awesome cabin there, that had plenty of room for all of us (the boys got to choose between TWO sets of bunk beds)!! Tahoe was gorgeous, and we so enjoyed being there with the Allens. Here are all our boys in the cut out sculpture of the Lake.
We were close enough to walk to the Lake & beach area. Here is one of the highlights of the walk for the boys.
Group pic at Lake Tahoe.
To Abercrombie: Greetings from Lake Tahoe. :)
One of the days we were there we took a hike, which started with someone telling us that there was a bear "just ahead"...that was really reassuring for those of us with 4 kids under 4 ft. tall & a dog. :) It was a pretty hike though. We stopped for a pinecone race on this bridge.
So, the last day with Jay & Barbara at Tahoe included another trip to the beach. We were almost ready to start packing up to head back to the cabin, but were just kind of taking it all in when Henry asked me if he could play on the playground right there on the beach (maybe 20 ft. from where we were sitting). I said, "yes," & he ran off. Within 3 seconds I heard this cry/scream & I ran to him as fast as I could (I could tell from the cry that it was not going to be good). I scooped him up & almost immediately saw that his eye was swollen. Fortunately though the skin had not ruptured, so he wasn't bleeding (if it had ruptured, it would have required stitches...), but it was so puffy & painful looking. So I'm holding my poor boy while everyone quickly starts packing up, bringing ice packs, anti-bact. wipes, etc. & he starts shivering while crying. Watching him go into a little bit of shock like that, starts making me nauseous & I almost have to put Henry down so that I don't faint. We made it back to the cabin, where he didn't want ANYone to look at it, but we made him an ice pack and let him watch SpaceBalls for the first time. Mike would "talk over" the bad words/parts really loud, so it's kind of funny what they remember from the movie. He woke up the next morning with his eye swollen shut...for the next two days. Poor guy now thinks every time we go on a vacation he gets a swollen eye (see our post about FL in April)!
He wore sunglasses the remainder of the trip...until the last night at the wedding...and his eye was still sore there about one month later (the Dr. said it was an internal blood clot--and they can take months to go away). His scar is still very evident, but is a reminder of our fun trip!! We all really enjoyed our time with our friends...it is SUCH a blessing to have friends who know you so well & enjoy so many of the same things!! Mike's parents drove to Sacramento for the wedding, and since Tahoe was only about 30 min. off their route, they also got to spend a night with us in the dream cabin too.
One late night walk home from the beach! Training "in altitude" for Gram's Second Triathlon! :)
The last dip in the cabin's hot tub. Hope to see you again sometime Tahoe cabin/hot tub!In Sacramento there is this park called "Fairytale Town"--VERY fun for our kids ages. Pretty simple stuff, but it all tied into the stories we know and love. You could slide down the Old Lady's Shoe, walk the crooked path to the crooked little house, see the Three Pigs & Billy Goat Gruff, climb the Tortise & Hare, slide down a rabbit hole, sit in Cinderella's coach, go through some cheese, a Giant's foot, & Peter Pan's playground (where Henry got "stung" by something up his nose)!! So the little guy had an eye swollen shut & then had to put ice on his nose too. We never saw what it was...but I'm guessing it was like a little sweat bee or something, b/c it stopped hurting pretty quickly. Here are my King Coles:
One of our friend's here recommended the Jelly Belly Factory Tour outside of Sacramento, so after some fun visits with the Monahan/Sepulveda families we did that the next day. I think the manufacturing engineer in me LOVES seeing all those machines & people at work!! :) So fascinating! It was fun to see all the art people have created out of Jelly Belly's as well!
The boys liked the tour because of the free tasters!!! :) 
Here is Mike's Dad with his siblings:
Our family pic from the wedding:
Mike & Henry at the reception in their coordinating shirts, where Henry took off his glasses!! :)
We flew back early the next morning...all making it (we were going stand-by) onto the flight to Denver. The next flight from Denver to KC however only had a few seats available, and so they warned us at the desk that we probably all wouldn't get on that 12pm flight. Mike & I talked it over ourselves (& with other SW workers who suggested that if there are any seats, take them!) & then had a family meeting with the boys dealing out what might happen: if there is one seat: Daddy & Kyle go. If there are two seats: Mommy, Henry & Kyle go (since they might not be together & Henry can buckle himself), three involved Mommy, Henry, & Andrew...four we all go. Well when they release the seats 10 min. before the flight, they had three, so we're organizing diaper bags/keys/cell phones etc. Then they announce they only have two, which ends up shifting us all, throwing things around, & then me, Henry, & Kyle RUNNING onto the plane. This left Mike with a very sad Andrew who was crying & asking if the plane was just "going around the block." I think he cheered up after he was treated to some ice cream. Fortunately for us on the plane some people shifted around so we could sit together. So I get off the plane & talk to the baggage people, because there is no way I can get our 7 bags/stroller/Henry & Kyle to our car in the "extended time" lot....so the boys & I go get the car & come back for the baggage. I did notice that the low fuel light was on, but left the car running while we got the bags & then passed on the "airport gas station" b/c you know it is $1/gallon more just for the rental cars. Unfortunately we did run out of gas. Thinking we would be "safer" if I pulled off onto the exit we were close to (as we were running out of gas), I unknowingly pulled onto an off ramp to another divided highway. I called MO-DOT who was going to send someone, but it could "be a while." During this time, Mike & Andrew did not get on the 4pm flight, so they would get on the 7pm flight & be arriving at 10pm that night. H, K, & I waited for over an hour (in 90+ heat) & then I got the double stroller out to see if I could walk "somewhere." Then I got the idea that I could use our GPS to find the nearest gas station...that's when I realized that we were kind of stranded in the middle of all these highways. When I was calling my sister breaking down, a "good samaritan" came by. I was soooo thankful...as was Henry, who told Mike on the phone: I have good news & bad news: the bad news is we're out of gas, the good news is that a Good Samaritan is rescuing us!!! Thank you Good Samaritan!!! I will never know your name, but I am grateful that you stopped!!! :) I picked Mike & Andrew up late that night while our neighbor came over and sat in the house while H & K slept....and that's how we ended our vacation. :)
One of our friend's here recommended the Jelly Belly Factory Tour outside of Sacramento, so after some fun visits with the Monahan/Sepulveda families we did that the next day. I think the manufacturing engineer in me LOVES seeing all those machines & people at work!! :) So fascinating! It was fun to see all the art people have created out of Jelly Belly's as well!
The boys liked the tour because of the free tasters!!! :)Friday night we went to a lovely rehearsal dinner, which was at a restaurant that is run by volunteers. It was such a neat concept!! The proceeds go towards a teen group home. The food & company was excellent!!!
The next day we enjoyed some more time at Mike's Aunt & Uncle's home & took a walk to a levee with some other cousins, Mike's brothers/parents & Uncle Bud. Fun to catch up with everybody. The wedding that evening was beautiful. It was held at the Frasetti Winery, with the ceremony outside in perfect June weather. Here is the Sepulveda Family with their newest addition (Joel & Celia Sepulveda):
Here is Mike's Dad with his siblings:
Our family pic from the wedding:
Mike & Henry at the reception in their coordinating shirts, where Henry took off his glasses!! :)
We flew back early the next morning...all making it (we were going stand-by) onto the flight to Denver. The next flight from Denver to KC however only had a few seats available, and so they warned us at the desk that we probably all wouldn't get on that 12pm flight. Mike & I talked it over ourselves (& with other SW workers who suggested that if there are any seats, take them!) & then had a family meeting with the boys dealing out what might happen: if there is one seat: Daddy & Kyle go. If there are two seats: Mommy, Henry & Kyle go (since they might not be together & Henry can buckle himself), three involved Mommy, Henry, & Andrew...four we all go. Well when they release the seats 10 min. before the flight, they had three, so we're organizing diaper bags/keys/cell phones etc. Then they announce they only have two, which ends up shifting us all, throwing things around, & then me, Henry, & Kyle RUNNING onto the plane. This left Mike with a very sad Andrew who was crying & asking if the plane was just "going around the block." I think he cheered up after he was treated to some ice cream. Fortunately for us on the plane some people shifted around so we could sit together. So I get off the plane & talk to the baggage people, because there is no way I can get our 7 bags/stroller/Henry & Kyle to our car in the "extended time" lot....so the boys & I go get the car & come back for the baggage. I did notice that the low fuel light was on, but left the car running while we got the bags & then passed on the "airport gas station" b/c you know it is $1/gallon more just for the rental cars. Unfortunately we did run out of gas. Thinking we would be "safer" if I pulled off onto the exit we were close to (as we were running out of gas), I unknowingly pulled onto an off ramp to another divided highway. I called MO-DOT who was going to send someone, but it could "be a while." During this time, Mike & Andrew did not get on the 4pm flight, so they would get on the 7pm flight & be arriving at 10pm that night. H, K, & I waited for over an hour (in 90+ heat) & then I got the double stroller out to see if I could walk "somewhere." Then I got the idea that I could use our GPS to find the nearest gas station...that's when I realized that we were kind of stranded in the middle of all these highways. When I was calling my sister breaking down, a "good samaritan" came by. I was soooo thankful...as was Henry, who told Mike on the phone: I have good news & bad news: the bad news is we're out of gas, the good news is that a Good Samaritan is rescuing us!!! Thank you Good Samaritan!!! I will never know your name, but I am grateful that you stopped!!! :) I picked Mike & Andrew up late that night while our neighbor came over and sat in the house while H & K slept....and that's how we ended our vacation. :) Sunday, August 7, 2011
When I grow up...
At lunch today, Henry said he wanted to be a preschool teacher when he grows up. (Likely because he is sad to be "leaving" preschool behind in a few more weeks. This has changed from police officer which was his answer up until now.) Andrew then said, I want to be a "Dada." Mike & I both sighed & were quick to say how good they will be at both jobs. And then Andrew said, "Because when I'm a Dada I can drink all the soda I want--whenever I want." Ahhh, how cute. :)
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