No Looking Back....

Well, all of the anxiety and stress leading up to Kailer's 1st day of Kindergarten was over in a flash!  Kailer and I had a little Mommy 'n Kailer back to school night date and on the way home, Kailer was upset with me because I told him that Dan and I would be taking him to school Thursday morning.  He wanted to ride the bus!  While I was insisting that we would take him to school, I did agree to let him ride the bus home that afternoon.

So Thursday morning he had breakfast (French toast, his choice) and dressed for the day.  I pretty much demanded pictures (no way he was getting out of those) and we loaded up to head to school.  We got to the playground, took a few more pictures, walked him to the brick wall, (where his class is to line up when the bell rings), he put down his backpack and he ran off!  I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped open in awe - I had just given that little boy 5 years of my life and he was gone just like that?!?! ;)  Dan beckoned him back and we got him to give us each a hug, followed by Dad's advice of, "Don't kiss a girl on the 1st day of school."   Just as quickly he said, "Bye" and took off like a rocket - never even looking back!  My eyes were stinging with tears and my chest was tight as I watched my baby head to the playground without missing a beat!  My heart was aching, but I was beaming with pride in knowing that somewhere along the way we must have done something right to prepare him for this monumental day!!  Dan, Aylah and I slowly walked back to the car and I continued to watch for Kailer until he was no longer in sight.  Dan said to me, "Sure, you wore your big sunglasses so I couldn't see the tears."  I let out a shaky laugh and managed to say, "Maybe."  

Poor Aylah, we no more than got to the car before she asked, "Where's Kailer?"  This questions has been asked, oh, probably 50 times/day since he started school.  I knew she was going to miss him, but his absence from the house has really had an impact - on all of us, in different ways.  She was very excited when it was time to go out and wait for him to get home. When the bus pulled up she started squealing and clapping, "There's Kailer," she yelled!  Her little bare feet couldn't carry her fast enough down the sidewalk as she embraced him in a loving hug!  It was the sweetest reunion; I wish I would have had it on video.

It's safe to say that Kailer is enjoying school, the bus rides, lunch and recess!! :)  Finding out that he can choose CHOCOLATE milk at lunch was simply icing on the cake!!  Friday morning he was up at 5:30 a.m. I told him he needed to try and get some sleep or he was going to be tired.  He didn't fall back asleep; pretty sure the morning bus ride had him very excited!  He left Aylah and I at the bus stop just as quickly as the morning before on the playground!

 We've already gotten positive reports from his teacher and we're looking forward to watching Kailer grow socially and academically this school year!

Kailer 'n Mommy Date

1st Day of Kindergarten

Anxious to get going, but I snagged him up for another hug - he's not too big for that yet!!

Big Smiles!!

Doing my best to keep Aylah occupied while Kailer is at school.

The Housekeeper

Okay, so I'm kind of a "do it yourself" kind of girl!  Dan actually teases me and will say that there are certain things that he WONT teach me how to do, because if he did, I wouldn't need to keep him around! :)  While I'm not that bad, it would be safe to say that I'm very particular about the way things are done and I'm not one to ask for help very often.

 

But after this past year and lots of tedious cleaning, I decided maybe it was time to hire a housekeeper.  Not something I would normally do, but you know, I figured it wouldn't hurt to hire a helper to do some of the basic cleaning, until I can get around to deep cleaning. 

 

I was concerned the first couple of days, as she didn't really show up, in fact, at one point I wasn't even sure she was still around.  But much to my delight, by the 3rd day, she made her presence known and has been pretty good ever since.

 

I'm pleased to introduce you to our housekeeper:  Ms. S. Cargo!

 

 

Dino Dash!

Last Saturday (8/23/14), Kailer participated in his first organized "race," - around here, it's known as the Dino Dash!  He has been so excited about it since I ran my race in March.  He was super excited to get his number bib and it's taking some convincing to get him to take it off now. 

The weather was pure crumminess (no, that's not a word, but it's a good adjective for that day) - it was cold, very wet and MUDDY!  We knew before the race started that there was going to be a mud pit at the end, but we never anticipated it would be THIS muddy!

My little guy was sooo excited and despite the weather, he was rearing to go!  So we went and much to my surprise, so did about 900 other little Dino Dashers....okay, a bit of an exaggeration there.  But, there were a lot of kids and they had a great time! 

Waiting for the race to start.

And, They're off!



Lost his darn shoe in the mud pit.  Bless his little heart, he stopped to put it on, lost it again and then was convinced to just run with it in his hand. 






Go Kailer, go!

There's the finish line!



Muddy Mess!

While they didn't chip the kids to give them a place, Kailer definitely finished ahead of many kids, which of course made him proud.  I was thrilled for him and his first race.  He gave 110% determination!  When we got in the car, he said to me, "Mom, you know what I was thinking in my head?"  Me: "No, what were you thinking?"  Kailer, "I was thinking, I just want to make Mom happy." 

Oh boy, he's got my heart!!

Does a kitty like to snuggle?!

 

Last week we were watching our friends' dog and cat while they were out of town.  Aylah was always so happy to go down with me - and she especially like to see the kitty.  However, she might have learned the hard way that "the kitty doesn't like hugs."  Pretty sure that the kitty was just as startled as Aylah after the event!  Aylah just says, "I scared the kitty," .... Yes, yes you did!

 

 

It was amazing how many people quickly recognized the marks of the kitty on her cheek!

Random

Kailer Practicing his lunch-making skills

Aylah practicing being a pirate

The usual "crew" enjoying the trampoline! 

Dog Days of Summer

Okay, I know, some of you were beginning to think that I had fallen off the Blogging planet again! Well, I haven't and I have plenty to share....which also is why I haven't been blogging much.  We've been busy!!  A few weeks ago I took Kailer, Aylah and Edward (Kailer's very best friend) to the Splash Park.  They were having so much fun, that I finally had to bribe them to leave by promising an ice cream cone.  We definitely are not ready for summer to come to an end, but it's done - the Dog Days of summer are quickly fading away, as we're already seeing Fall colors popping through the leaves.

 

Mutt & Jeff

It was a pleasant surprise to also see our little friend (and neighbor) at the Splash Park as well!

Miss A - enjoying the water.

Waiting.....

Waiting....oblivious to what is above him! :)

Here it comes!!

Aylah also loved the Splash Park (as seen in the video).  She would go out, dance around, sing to herself, whatever - she wasn't even worried about the bigger kids that were around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBh5zqQ_N9s&feature=youtu.be

Boys and their toys!

Kailer could probably be categorized as having a slight obsession with motorcycles!  A family friend got one last year, when he turned 6, and now Kailer is convinced that 6 is the magic age at which one is old enough. Mama is not quite so sure - not to mention, that if Kailer gets one, well, that would probably translate into Daddy getting one as well!?

So at this point in time, he waits and waits, in hopes that someday his dream of riding a motorcycle will come true.  But last Sunday Dan surprised Kailer by taking him out to the local MX races!  Apparently he was super excited by the surprise when they got there.  I asked Kailer if he knew where they were going and he said he "had an idea, because he saw the racing flags {indicating which direction to turn} as they were driving."  When he came home he was moping around and I asked him what was wrong?  He stated that he "Didn't want to leave, he was having too much fun!"

In the height of his glory!