Bowlin Beige

Parker is returning to our church preschool again this year. He will be in the 3 1/2 year old class, attending Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for half days. He was excited to go to Meet the Teacher Day to see his classroom. One of his teachers, Ms. Donna, is a teacher that Ainsley had when she was 3!  Here he is after seeing his classroom.  First day of school! We found the hook for his backpack, he took out his folder and snack, and found his name on the table. He sat right down and started playing with play-doh. I had to ask him to come over and give me a kiss before I left - he was just ready to start his day! Traditional fro-yo treat after the first day. 

This year we made our annual trip to the lake with friends. We were blessed with beautiful warm perfect weather - which meant we could spend the entire weekend outside!  My DH taking the kids on an early morning boat ride. Time for one of many swims! Yep... we spent a lot of time lounging in the sun and watching the kids! Luke and Michelle brought lots of yard games, and we made good use of them! My husband and his mini-me. Amy and Jake Luke and Michelle Parker and Abby (both 3 1/2) Roasting marshmallows Yummy! Another beautiful day! Time for some Rummikub! Movie Night! Collecting wood for the fire. Abby and Jake Sharing some of her drawings Lots of dump trucks and cars to play with! Annual group bath (this time with the younger group!) On our way home we stopped by my parent's house in York to pick up Lila. She came home with us while they took an amazing Baltic...

What did you say?? I'm in FIRST GRADE?? Yep - it's hard to believe we now have a 'firstie' in our house! Ainsley started her second year at The Steward School today. So what does it mean to be in 1st grade at Steward? Well, some pretty exciting things happen when you move up to a grade with a number. Last year all the kindergarteners had a Steward School tote bag with her initials. This year, as a first grader, she gets to bring her own backpack. So she spent about 25 minutes in Target last week selecting the perfect one - dark purple with pink hearts and six (yes, count them, SIX) pockets. She is so excited to see how much stuff she can fit in the pockets of her backpack. I'll have to check it each morning to make sure she hasn't hidden the toaster or the dog in her bag.  Another perk of moving up with the big kids is that she can now play on the playground before school. Last year she had to go straight to her classroom when she arrived. The b...

Summer is a wonderful time. A time for swimming, playing outside, enjoying the late sunsets, and running around barefoot. The one thing that is not awesome about summer is that my kids spend a little too much time together. They fight over toys. They argue over what movie to watch.  They interrupt each other constantly.  They push and shove and kick because they can't figure out how to fit on the couch together. Ainsley builds things and Parker knocks them down. They can't agree on what color the carpet is.  Unfortunately  I missed out on these sibling experiences being an only child (my parents were so smart...). But luckily  during the school year they only see each other for 3 hours a day so it's not so bad. Spending all summer together creates some challenges. So we signed Ainsley up for camp one week in June. She took a (perfectly-timed and sanity-saving) two week trip to my in-laws in July. And now we are getting ready for school to start again. Halle...