100!

It's taken me a year and a half, but I am now publishing my 100th post! I love being able to look back and laugh at funny times, reminisce about great vacations and marvel at how much the kids have grown. I don't know if anyone else really reads our family's blog, but I love it and know that I will always treasure these little glimpses into our life.

Anyways, I just had to get a few of these things down or else I'm sure to forget them. Carter had a couple of funnies today, one left me scratching my head, wondering, "where does he come up with this stuff?" On our way home this afternoon, Carter informs me, "Mom, people who are at the very tip top of the earth or the very bottom of the earth are all standing up straight. They're not upside down." Really? Of course, but the whole 'earth is round' thing seemed a bit beyond his four years. Okay then. Then tonight as we were saying our prayers...I've been working on the Lord's prayer with him for the past week or so and tonight he tried to do it all on his own. ..."forgive us our debts and we forgive our dinners." I'm sure God got a good chuckle out of that one.

He's a great kid with a wonderful mind and I can't wait to see where it will take him.

Vacation!

We kicked off the summer with a week trip to sunny Arizona. After a very wet and gloomy spring in the NW, we all needed a little vitamin D and sun therapy. And the desert did not disappoint. It was sunny, warm and beautiful every day and we all enjoyed a lot of time outside. The kids LOVED the pool and swam several times each day. Carter was less fearful and by the end of the week was swimming around on his own with his life jacket. Kennedy, as usual, was fearless and loved jumping in, diving down and kicking all around. Thankfully she stayed safe and never tried to jump in without us. It was a fabulous week, and we so enjoyed our time with Nana and Pops and, as always, appreciate their generosity and hospitality. Already looking forward to next year!

Day 1 - swim time!

She would have swam all day if we let her

Enjoying the pool toys

Evening walk to feed the ducks at the pond

Carter got a little fishing in

My sweet girl

The kids and our first trip to the park...at 8:00 am! It was too hot to go later in the day, so we got our play time done early!

Having fun at Tumbleweed park

Adrenaline junkie

Uncle Kyle, Nallely, their son Tony and Carter

Christian and Carter

Carter really enjoyed spending time with Kyle's family and getting to know everyone better. He and Tony played well and enjoyed swimming together. They are very sweet kids.

Kiddos at the splash park

We visited a just-opened Aquarium in Tempe. It was fun and the kids seemed to enjoy seeing all the fish. This was one of the few pictures I got of them together.

Otter Pops! When at Nana and Pops, they were certainly indulged a bit more than usual. They LOVED the otter pops!

Vogue

Day 7 and more park time

Smiles

How can they not make you smile?

These few shots were taken as we were preparing for our trip to Arizona...have to make sure the life jackets still fit.

This one has a little too much sass already

one year down, 14 to go

I'm happy to report that Carter successfully finished his first year of preschool. I'm thrilled beyond words to know that Carter enjoyed his first school experience as much as he did. He loved his teacher, made wonderful new friends, learned a lot, created works of art and took pride in his daily jobs in class. Never did he cry or resist going to school...each day was happily anticipated and he usually came home knowing a new song or having a fun story to tell. I love that he loves to learn and can only pray that this desire to grow stays with him for his entire school career.

Here's Carter all ready for the last day of school. He grew so much - 40.5 inches and 38 pounds in September and 42.5 inches and 41 pounds in May.

Carter and his best buddy Brooks celebrating their last day of Spanish with a little fiesta.

Singing program night. Carter and his classmates sang "This Little Light of Mine," and "The Numbers Rumba." Very cute. Still not a lot of singing from Carter, but at least he did all the dance moves.

Big finish!

Carter and his wonderful teacher, Miss Laura. She wrote the following on his end of the year assessment, "Carter is very bright and very independent. He communicates well even if it's to disagree with me (gotta love that, Nana insists the same thing was said about me in preschool!)! :)...He interacts well with is peers and keeps everyone else in line and focused on the task at hand." It made me laugh to know that I'm not the only one he corrects on a daily basis - it's his way or the highway and he likes things just so. Again, I wonder where he could have possibly learned those behaviors?!?!

Overall a fabulous year and a terrific start to many years of school.