Saying Good-bye to Grandmom and Granddad

After a long weekend with a lot of work finished, Grandmom and Granddad left this morning to the drive back home. We really enjoyed seeing them. Thanks for the help! We miss you already!

 

 

It was foggy this morning. The girls thought it was snowing. At least they know what snow is!

After school, Jack had a birthday party, so the girls and I went to a park near-by for an hour. They had a blast playing there!

It is so funny to listen to these girls play. They love to play house and there is a mom, dad, sister and brother. I constantly hear my name, only to answer and one of them tell me, "No, mom. The little mom."

Halloween

Halloween is around the corner! The kids got into their Halloween jammies tonight. The girls were excited to wear their new ones from Aunt Ryann and Uncle Neil.

New trees in the back of the kids--thanks mom and dad!

 

Farmer's Market

My parents came up to celebrate my birthday and visit us (and do some home improvements). We went to dinner on Friday night at a cute little Mexican restaurant. There were very few people in the restaurant, but the food was really good and there was a little man singing while we ate. John told him it was my birthday so he sang Happy Birthday to me...that's okay, I'll get him back next year! The girls loved it and were dancing while waiting for their food. Aside from doing house improvements, we made it to the farmer's market Saturday morning. The kids found the donuts!

 

Sisters

The girls love these strawberry shortcake dolls. They got them from neighbors before we moved from Ohio. They call them "sisters" and like to line them up like this picture, with the barbies as the moms, or they will play with them. They split them up when they play and each girl needs at least two. I wonder how they came up with the name "sisters" and why. They don't call any other barbies, or dolls 'sisters.' Funny little girls!

Light Reading

Jack was waiting for Grandmom and Granddad to visit, today and decided to read outside. The book he picked was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I don't think he understand much of the story, but he had done a great job with his reading and school work. He tested into accelerate reading (AR) about a month ago--one of just five kids in his first grade class. He reached his first goal of five points and received an award in front of the school along with other students in other grades that reached their first goal. He told me today he has taken 35 AR tests and has over 20 points. He is allowed to read after he finishes his work and during SSR (silent reading). I get emails when he takes an AR test at school and he will take about 2-3 tests a day. His reading level has increased from 1.0 to 1.7 (he has to score 100% three times to move up a level). We are so proud of how well he is doing in school. His midterm grades were all As--all subjects were 100% averages except for two (97-98%).

 

Wall Photos

I finally got this wall put together with the kids pictures from this past summer. The house is coming together (finally).

Playroom

I thoroughly cleaned out the playroom this week. Thought I would take some pictures before it gets crazy messy!

Poinsatte Family

...as one of my cousins put it, "Here is my family...just try to keep up!"

I think there were a few missing, but this was the most recent picture of everyone in a long time. Of course, there are a handful pregnant now too, so the picture will be outdated in a matter of months...

Cowgirl Day!

The girls are learning the letter C and today was cowboy/cowgirl day at school!

Jack's Race

There was a cross country race today that let runners from kindergarten through 6th grade run (in addition to the 7th/8th grade cross country team members). I asked Jack if he wanted to run the race and he was undecided until after school and decided to give it a try. The boys ran separately from the girls and they split the races by age group. Jack ran with kindergarten through 2nd grade boys. His race was 1/2 mile. He came in 12th overall, and I am hoping to know his time in the next few days. He just missed getting a medal (up to 10th place)! He did well and even passed a kid about 50 yards from the finish line and he excitedly told me, "I passed that big kid!"

 

waiting for Jack near the finish line

Jack passed this kid right before the finish line

The finish line is about 25 yards ahead

St. Vincent's runners

The girls were good sports watching big brother, although they wanted to run! I told them they could when they are in kindergarten.