Kindergarten Rocks

I love love love that Rhoslyn is now in Kindergarten!  She is one smart cookie and it is so awesome to see how much she loves school.

Just today we sat down to read some books.  She brings home paper books that her teacher prints off. She read the book to me.  Then we looked over her library books.  One of the books she brought home was a biscuit book.  I started reading and pointed to sight words that she may know.  I pointed to every word I read.  Before I knew it, she was reading the book!  We were able to video chat with daddy and she read the entire book to him!  I pointed to the words while she read.  She only needed help on a couple of words.  It is just amazing.

She talks about things she is learning and what they do in there class.  I just love it.  I love that she loves school.

I think Level 1 reading books will be on her Christmas list this year!

Alex

Dear Alex,

Thank you for being such a kind and caring young boy.  You have overcome so many "battles" the last four years.  I look at you and think, how are you just 7 years old?  You act like such a young man already. 

Thank you for helping me when daddy isn't home.  I appreciate your help in the mornings and the fact that you have become so independent.  As hard as it is for mom sometimes, I am proud of you for doing things on your own (like making yourself breakfast and helping make your lunch).

On Friday you brought tears to my eyes when I saw how you looked after your sister on the school field trip.  You took her hand and walked with her when she was falling behind because she was tired and cold.  You let her sit next to you so she could rest her head on your shoulder.  You put your arm around her to comfort her and keep her warm in the cold air.  You volunteered to be her partner during an activity.  You knew she needed you on Friday, and you were there for her.  You make your mom and dad so proud.

You were the first to raise your hand to volunteer for a demonstration.  Something you never would have done two years ago.  You raised your hand to answer questions and talked in front of your peers. You shared your knowledge and facts of animals.  

Thank you for being so well behaved at school.  Your teachers always have such great things to say about you.  They appreciate that you follow the directions and get your work done on time.  

You are going to be such a wonderful husband and daddy someday.  As hard as it is to see you continue to grow up, mom and dad really enjoy watching it.

It's almost October!

It is hard to believe that October is right around the corner!  Where has September gone?

There has been quite a bit going on in our lives.

Bill has been traveling a lot for work.  In fact, in the last 5-6 weeks he has only been home about 6 days.  It's definitely hard on all of us.  I try as hard as I can to be the rock.  I know I need to stay happy and upbeat for the kids.  I always reassure them that dad will be home before we know it.  As strong as I put myself out to be... I have my breaking points too.  One plus is that we cherish and enjoy our family time even more.  

The kids are doing great in school!  I spoke with Alex's teacher briefly before the Homecoming Parade started last Friday and he is doing great.  She said he is a great listener, does what he is told, stays focused and follows the rules.  It sounds like she is going to refer him to the Gifted and Talented program at school.  She wanted to see how the first few weeks of school went before referring him.  (Mostly, she wanted to make sure he would take it seriously and not think it's time to just play around and get out of class).  We  are very exited for him.  

Rhoslyn is also doing awesome in school!  I can't believe how much she has learned it just a few short weeks.  I love hearing her get so excited about things she did or learned in school.  One day she came home and had to show our entire family what frog jump letters are.  Yesterday she was able to go on the computers at school.... which to a Kindergartner is a HUGE deal!  They put together an apple counting/color book and she was so excited to read it to me when she got home.  She even read it to daddy over the phone.  She seems so grown up now.  

Scouts and Dance have started back up for the kids.  Rhoslyn is in a 50 minute class now.  This will be her last year in a combo class.  Next year she will choose what she would like to be in (this basically just means that mom and dad will be paying an arm and a leg for dance)! =)  Alex is so happy for Scouts to be back in session!  The hardest part for him is that dad cannot be home for everything.  However, he is pretty stinken proud that is dad is now a Cub Master and an Assistant Den Leader.  Very cool stuff right there!

Rhoslyn is joining Daisy Scouts!  Get ready for cookie sales!!

That's about all for now.  October will bring some fun updates!  Stay tuned.

First Day of School!

Last week Tuesday was the first day of school!  The kids were super excited about going back.  Rhoslyn had a hard time sleeping because she just couldn't wait to get to Kindergarten.

They really are growing up so fast.  Kindergarten and Second grade this year.  When we got to school I walked in with Rhoslyn.  We hung up her backpack and met the other kids outside.  I stayed with until it was time to walk in and go to her classroom.  She insisted that I could leave.... mom insisted on staying until she got into her classroom.  =)

I stayed strong until I got into the car.  I just left my baby girl.  It was bittersweet.

Alex was a pro at the whole thing and showing Rhoslyn what to do and where to go.  He had no problems saying goodbye to mom in the morning. It's old news for him!  He was pumped about seeing his friends.

The kids are enjoying mom dropping them off and picking them up everyday.

It has been a nice change of pace.  

Soccer Tournament 2015

Both kids joined Soccer this summer and they both had a blast.  Alex was in U8 and Rhoslyn was in U6.  Alex felt a bit intimidated by the other kids (most had already played two years and Alex had only played one year).  Rhoslyn had a blast and had two great coaches.  She always had a look of determination on her face.

Last Saturday they both participated in the Annual Soccer Tournament.  Rhoslyn played two games and received a metal at the end.  Alex's team was undefeated this year and moved on to the Championship game.  So he played three games.  He received a metal for participating this year and also a metal for his team coming in 1st place this year!  

It was a long and fun day.  The kids were drained by the time Alex's 3rd game arrived.  We were on the soccer field from 9am until 4:00pm.  We got Little Caesars on the way home, ate an early dinner, and watched a movie.  Then we all went to bed early.

Alex isn't sure he wants to play a third year (we hope he does).  He really wants to take Golf Lessons.  Rhoslyn is still up in the air on whether or not she will play again.  Sometimes she says yes, other times she says no.  They both had a great season!

Rhoslyn kicking off.

With their metals!

Taking a break and resting before the Championship game.

Look at that proud smile!

Rhoslyn's Team!  The girl sitting next to her was her little buddy the whole season.  

Way to go Rhoslyn!

Running after the ball!

Play Defense and waiting for the ball to come so he can kick it away from the goal.

Getting out of the sun and taking a break while Alex is playing his game.

Alex's Soccer Team!

Look a those metals!

The wheels have come off!

Training wheels that is...

Alex has finally beat his fear of falling and failing.  He is learning to ride his bike without training wheels!  

We have tried taking them off countless times and nothing worked.  He simply could not get over the fear of falling.  Last week I had a chat with him and told him that we just need to do it and get it done.

It wasn't going very well at first.  Which I had expected.  I can honestly tell you that this has been one of our biggest hurdles to jump.  Alex has a high frustration level and wants to be able to do things right the first try.  He also has a harder time processing so many things at one time (pedaling, balancing, steering). When he "fails" his mind just can't get over the hurdle and keep moving forward.

I talked to him about reading.  How he got really frustrated when he couldn't sound out the words, but we just kept practicing and he jumped up 4 grade levels in just one school year.  I told him he could do the same thing with riding his bike, but he needs to have confidence in himself and not give up.

We practiced quite a bit last week and we really weren't getting anywhere.  Mom is a lot like Alex and wants to just give up when things are going the right way.  I knew I had to come up with an idea that would work with his frame of mind.  So, we started talking about Skylanders and how he is really good at beating levels and beating Kaos (the bad buy for those who don't know).  He told me how he beat the game in hard mode.  The next mode was nightmare mode.  So... I used that with riding his bike.  I told him it was like beating the hardest level of Skylanders.

For the first time, he said, "Mom, I know I need to just clear my ahead about being afraid and start all over."  I told him that is exactly what he needed to do.  So I reassured him that even if I let go, I will still walk/run beside him to help catch him in case he falls.  

We went up and down the road about 8 times.  He was able to go a little bit more each time.  The problem we were facing is that he would stop pedaling and panic.  We were across the road from our driveway and I told him we were going to try and get him into the driveway.  So I pushed him a bit and he actually told me to let go!  Huge moment right there.  He made it to the driveway before he put his feet down.  We tried about 5 more times.  He was doing it and getting further each time!

Dad came out to watch him and cheered him on.  He was so determined to get all the way to dad (who was standing halfway in the driveway).  He did it.  We cheered like it was the first time he walked.  His smile was from ear to ear.

Today we got back out on the bike and after a couple of tries he was going down the road to the neighbors driveways!  He is getting better and better and now he knows he CAN do it!

We are super proud of him!  Rhoslyn was even cheering him on.

I told Alex once we get him riding his bike good, he will have to help me get Rhoslyn's training wheels off.  He agreed.

Summer 2015

We have had a pretty great summer!  I resigned at my job and finished late June, so I had the rest of the summer to spend with the kids.

The kids enjoyed:

Bay Beach
Water park Hotel
Timber Rattlers Game
Jelly Stone Campground
Parks
Playing Soccer
Playing with cousins and friends
Sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa O's House
Riding Four Wheelers at Grandma and Grandpa Ritter's House
Graduating at Cub Scouts
Dance Recital
Lots of chalk and riding bikes
Going to the Beach
Having friends visit us from Kansas

I can't wait to see what next summer will bring.  Now we are getting ready for school to start and mom is on the search for a new job.  Rhoslyn is going into Kindergarten and Alex is going into Second Grade!  The kids are growing faster then we can keep up with.

We are looking forward to Fall and all of the fun that it will bring.  Picking pumpkins, apples, LOTS of baking, cuddling under warm blankets, watching football, and so much more.