Minnesota Renaissance Festival

On September 21st we spent a day at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Mark and I went there many times before kids, but have not made a visit since Ella was born. We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon taking in the food, sights, sounds and smells of the Ren Fest. Ella really liked all the focus on princesses and fairies. She enjoyed having her face painted, attempted to climb Jacob's ladder, a rock wall, and loved the giant swings. James was content to take it all in. He enjoyed playing drums, eating ice-cream and liked watching the elephants, though he was not brave enough to take a ride on one. Here are some pics from our afternoon...

Slide Fun!

We were lucky enough to be invited to a customer appreciation party this weekend and the celebration included six big blow up bouncers and slides. The kids (even my biggest one!) had a blast! The pictures speak for themselves...

James' cookie didn't need anymore sugar...he really enjoyed it!

BREAKING NEWS!! A Loose Tooth?

Isabella came home from the bus stop today with an extra spring in her step and a beaming smile on her face. Today, Ella's little friend on the bus has convinced our sweet girl that she has a loose tooth. This is a huge deal for Ella! She has been waiting for a loose tooth ever since she learned about the Tooth Fairy. She has been even more enthused lately as it seems her little bus friend has a very wealthy Tooth Fairy that visits her house. Ella has informed us that the Tooth Fairy gave her friend $5 for her front tooth and that when she looses a back tooth she is going to get $20. I think a different Tooth Fairy will visit our house... and it won't be for quite some time. I don't want to burst my little girl's bubble, but I don't think her tooth is loose.

Just so we are prepared for the future, what is the going rate for a visit from the Tooth Fairy?

School Boy

Today was a big day for our little James. He had his first day at the preschool program that he will be attending one morning a week. He wasn't too excited to go and told me he would wait in the car when we got to the school. Despite James' lack of interest in school, he made it into the classroom without any tears.

Here's our little guy modeling his special "Cars" backpack.

What a big boy!

I finally got the picture of our smiley little girl getting off of the school bus on Friday. She had a great day at school today and she is already looking forward to Wednesday. On Wednesday, Ella will be the "star helper" which she tells me is a very important job!

Ella gives James a happy hello hug after she gets home from school.

Supper is in the oven and the kids are happily playing with kittens, but just a minute ago I was laughing like crazy at James. I was busy getting the food prepped and Ella brought in "her" kitten to play with. James wanted to hold one too and Mark was busy working in the garage. Mark brought a kitten in for James to play with, but James was still impatiently waiting for help from one of us so he could hold the kitten.

James said with a whine: "I need help hold the kitten now..."

Mark to James: "Just hold your horses."

James (panic in his voice): "Mommy I have no horses!"

Kindergarten Girl!

We think Ella had a great day first day of kindergarten. Unfortunately, she wouldn't talk very much about it as her bus ride home was a little traumatic and clouded her day. Isabella did not make it to our bus stop. The bus driver had her get off at the stop before our bus stop which is four blocks from our house. When the bus approached our bus stop, didn't put on the flashing lights and appeared that it wasn't going to stop, we flagged it down and asked about Isabella. The bus driver told us that she got off at the last stop.

Of course, Isabella was in tears when we made up the distance between us. Fortunately, she knew where she was and was walking in the right direction. I did call the bus company to clear up the confusion and all should be well today. Today, I am hoping to take that picture of the happy girl getting off the bus! Here are some pictures from the day...

A happy girl all tucked in to bed the night before kindergarten.

A hug goodbye for the little brother who was still munching on his breakfast.

Our family at the bus stop.

The exciting moment as the bus approached.

Waiting in the kindergarten line at school.

The sad little girl after her bus ride home... this broke our hearts!

Playing with Meowie Marie brings back Ella's smile!

She's on the Bus

For those of you waiting on the edge of your seat for kindergarten news.... Isabella is on the bus and on the way to kindergarten. She was pretty excited and a little nervous this morning--she said her tummy hurt. I just got a little teary as the bus pulled away, so I think I held it together pretty good. We are all going to be so excited to see her when the bus drops her off at lunch time!

Kindergarten Small Group Day

A friend sent this poem that’s below to me today—how fitting. Ella really enjoyed her first little bit of kindergarten. We spent some time in the classroom together with a small group of students and parents. Her teacher was dressed in Ella’s favorite color, pink. Ella loved this! We were given another quick school tour, and then Ella and her classmates said good-bye to their parents and stayed to be kindergarteners for an hour.

Ella loved her morning. I met her by the school door and she had a huge smile and hug for me and James. Her morning must have tired her out… she’s in her bed sound asleep. Funny thing is, just this weekend she told me kids in kindergarten don’t nap anymore… Here's a picture of our beautiful kindergartener trying not to smile. Enjoy the poem below!

She started school this morning,
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years have passed.

Oh how I longed to stay with her
And hold her little hand,
And lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.

But she must get her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.

My eyes were blurred by tears
I brushed them quickly away
She is not a baby anymore –
She’s in Kindergarten today.

~author unknown

My Baby is Growing Up!

Five years ago, I was a new mom preparing to go back to my classroom to begin another year teaching second graders. Tonight, I found myself preparing for school in a different way. I spent some time packing a backpack full of school supplies in preparation for my baby to become a kindergarten. Where did the time go? How can this even be possible? Ella will have a short morning of kindergarten tomorrow to help her (and me) be ready for the big day on Thursday. On Thursday morning, Ella will ride the big yellow school bus and head off into the big world of elementary school. I'm not so sure I will have dry eyes after she boards that bus...

Ella is excited for school. She met her teacher last Wednesday and toured her classroom. She is most enthused to try out all the playground equipment and is hoping for some recess time right away tomorrow morning. James and I will miss spending our mornings with Ella. I can already imagine how excited we all will be to meet Ella at her bus stop at the end of her morning at school. I envision James jumping up and down and running to Ella to give her a big hug once she steps off that bus... I'll give the full report later this week!

Pictures from Como Zoo, Water Park of America and the State Fair

Last weekend we took a mini trip to the Twin Cities for a great lunch, an attempt at Como Zoo (parking was an issue so we didn't make it very far at the zoo), fun at the water park and a great day at the Minnesota State Fair. Here's the proof:

A smiley Ella at the Cheesecake Factory -- Yum!

The kids loved watching this little guy!

Posing by the flowers at Como Zoo.

On the carousal with Grandma O.

James and Mommy ready for the carousal to begin.

Fun at the water park!

James loved going down the big slide with Daddy. He took three trips down and begged for more.

An excited Ella after a ride down a big slide!

A State Trooper Helicopter at the State Fair.

An attempt at a family photo at the State Fair.

A highlight at the fair: A Sky Ride

We did this earlier in the morning when the fair wasn't so busy yet.

The Butter Bust of Princess Kay of the Milky Way

A MN Tradition

An encounter with this robot proved to be quite entertaining. The kids were in awe.

Fun on James' ride of choice--He thought the race car ride was the best!

James has the best view from Daddy's shoulders.

Somehow Cotton Candy tastes the best at the State Fair!