I was working downstairs today during Chase's "rest time" and he of course didn't want to rest. But all of a sudden it was quiet so I went to check it out and he was asleep! This is how it happens most days.....and then he doesn't want to get up. The way his head is arched doesn't look too comfy....but he's sleeping so soundly.
What a nap!
We are so fortunate to be part of an excellent program in the Maize school district. It is called Parents as Teachers (PAT). It is a state funded program with the core belief that parents are the first teachers to their children. They support many activities for families together and also home visits and a preschool program. Chase is enrolled in the Eaglets preschool class on Tuesday nights which will start in 2 weeks. He likes it very much and Chad and I take turns with him so we get quality one-on-one time together. Last night, PAT hosted Big Truck Night at the school parking lot. We usually go each year and it has gotten bigger and better each time.
Our first matter of business was riding the school bus....like Emily doesn't get enough of that already!?!?! It was a fun short ride.
Chase gives the American Red Cross dog a high-five! 
Eating popsicles from the Schwan man in front of the tow truck. 
Both of the kids sat in the police car.....let's hope I don't have any other pics to take of them in this car at any time during their lives!!!!!
Our last stop was visiting the firefighters. Very interesting and so big.
It was a warm August evening, but so much fun to get a close-up view of each of these large trucks that are all so much a part of our world!
WOW! My little girl isn't so little anymore....she's now 7!! We've had a big weekend, and forgive me...this post may be a little long!! We started Friday morning at school. I went to Emily's classroom and shared treats with her classmates and helped a little bit in the classroom. What fun it was to see Emily interact with her friends.
Our treats for school were ice cream cones filled with marshmellows, goldfish crackers and raisins. It was a big hit with the kiddos!Breakfast on Saturday morning!
Emily's wish for our family time was to go to a new park we have near our house. We decided to ride bikes up there.
Emily and Chase made us drinks and we walked up to the take-out window to pick up!
We then rode our bikes to Sonic to eat lunch. A nice break while riding...it was hot outside but at least we were able to rest in the shade. When we got home, Chad informed us we had ridden almost 6 miles total! Wow. We had a great time.
In the afternoon, the children tried out Aubrey's slip-n-slide. They had so much fun.
Abigail even took in some fun in her diaper! SO CUTE. She and Chase had a ball playing together.
The family came over and it was time for gifts!
Our theme this year for all parties was a beach theme. Here is the beach cake that we made. It turned out SO cute. Emily had so much fun decorating with teddy grahams and rainbow fish.
On Sunday, we scheduled Emily's friend party. She had 12 kids here. It was a great time. The day didn't start out as we had planned as it was cool and sprinkling. Here is the sandcastle cake we made. It wasn't hard and turned out incredible!
Since it was sprinkling, some of our activities were quickly moved to the garage. The party started by playing Duck, Duck Goose so Emily could introduce everyone to each other. Next they were in the backyard slipping and sliding in the cold water, but you couldn't tell. They had so much fun.
We then had cake, ice cream and gifts and then on the highlight....a fish pinata. Everyone had a turn, but Chad broke it open and they gathered their candy!
Emily's biggest wish for her birthday was a Nintendo DS. If you are not familiar with this, it is a small handheld video game system. She was lucky enough to get enough money that we went to Target tonight and she made the purchase of a PINK DS. Within five minutes of arriving back at home, she was situated on the couch playing away. I'm afraid we'll have to set some limits. She is so excited and happy about it.
Emily had a great birthday. Thank you to everyone in her life who supports her and to the people here this weekend. We appreciate everything you did!
Well....she did it! Emily made it through the first day of first grade. And she did it with shining colors. I think this day was a little harder for mom than even going to Kindergarten. Since Maize still has 1/2 day Kindergarten, I was already used to being away from her 1/2 days, but this all day business is a little different. She was ready to go to the bus stop (at the end of our cul-de-sac) at 7:45 am but the bus wasn't scheduled to come until 8:10. Fortunately she had a few phone calls to keep her busy but we made our way down there by 8:00 am, after mom got the classic "first day of school photo":
We had fun taking pics while waiting for the bus....I think he's gonna miss her being gone!!!!
As soon as Emily was on the bus, Chase and I headed up to Maize so we could watch her get off the bus and then walk her to her classroom. She was all smiles and had a great ride with her friends. She adapts so well and it makes me happy.
She's finally situated at her desk and ready for the day. See you this afternoon Emily!
Last night daddy told Emily that he wouldn't be home in the morning to see her get on the bus, so she said that was fine, he could watch her get off! SO....he took off early to make sure he was here. Little did we know...he wouldn't have had to take off. We thought she might arrive home between 4:15-4:30. She didn't get off the bus until 4:53pm. She was glad to see us both and had a great day. Her favorite part of the day was recess. She said it was good but couldn't remembered what they learned. She said they didn't have much time for lunch. I guess she'll learn that socializing needs to be done after her food, or she'll get hungry. The lessons of life in 1st grade.
We spent our last day of summer at the zoo with one of Emily's kindergarten classmates and her mom and sister. It was a little hotter out there than we thought, but we had gotten a drink from Sonic and that helped us make it through! The kids had a great time and I had fun spending my last afternoon with the kids together.
We got home and ate dinner and headed outside for a little while. The kids decided to blow bubbles and had so much fun. It was then inside for cleaning up, Wii games and watching the Olympics. They are really getting into it this year.
Emily starts school tomorrow. This year will be different because she will now be in all day for 1st grade. She is very excited and I know she'll do great. I'll update after our first day!
Check out the sign that is now on Emily's door. It says, "Knock first. Please don't come in without asking." Hmmm....is this showing some independence or what!?!?!?!
Emily is really starting to grow up. She is very picky about her clothing, but I picked out a shirt for her last weekend and she wore it today. I told her it looked nice and she said, "I love it mommy!" I said, "You mean I picked out something you like?" She just smiled. What will happen next? You never can tell, but I'll be keeping an eye on her room!!!
I have no pictures on this post but will fill you in our last week. On Tuesday evening, I took the kids to Pratt to spend a few days with Grandma & Grandpa Pankratz. I stayed overnight and drove in to work the next morning. The next few days were filled with lots of fun...here are a few things they've highlighted:
1. Emily got to take grandma's childhood doll for a grocery store trip
2. Rides on the lawn mower with grandpa
3. Making cookies
4. Work on blankets they are both sewing
5. Riding bikes
6. Talks with grandma - Chase told her he wanted to be a bird so he could fly up high!
7. Lunch out on Friday
8. ICE CREAM everyday
I think you can tell they had a lot of fun.
Chad and I also had a good few days. I worked more at the office. We actually got to go out to eat on Wednesday night....my choice was On the Border! YUM! We took a bike ride that night and left the house around 8pm. We usually have to be home by then for bedtime so it was fun to be outside enjoying the evening, especially since it had cooled off tremendously. On Thursday night, Mom Ingram helped us on a painting project here at the house.
Grandma and grandpa brought the kids in on Friday evening and we got to spend the rest of the weekend having fun. Swimming, Emily had a sleepover Friday night, watching the Olympics, pedicures, shopping, playing, eating and relaxing. We had lots of visiting time and it's been a great weekend. Now Chad has gone to work for this rainy Sunday, Grandma has gone to KC to see the Sommer's and the kids and I are ready to get chores done and try to play a little! Hope you have a good day too!
A fun picture opportunity with grandpa and grandma!
Chase is ready with his arm band (your ticket to the waterpark)......
...and so is Emily!!!!!
This is the view when you first walk in.....AWESOME!
The big bucket on top of the "treehouse" holds 1,000 gallons of water and dumps every 5 minutes. It's A LOT of water. Chase wasn't too fond of this feature!!
We spent a little time outside, but it was too hot, so it was back indoors!
The waterslides were tiring......so the guys caught a little break. We climbed 58 steps everytime we went down a slide....and we went continuously for 4 hours!!
I think he's almost done and gonna fall asleep....but he proved us wrong and kept going!!!
Grandma and Emily enjoy a float on the lazy river.......
....along with Chase and me!
Breakfast on Sunday morning in our hotel room.......
....and lunch at the Corona Cantina #1 at the Legends!
We did a little more shopping on Sunday and then headed home - with a stop for ice cream in Emporia. It was a GREAT weekend and so much fun to have one more getaway before school starts. Thanks mom and dad!
