5.5 and 3.5 Photos

At the Castle Park I took an opportunity to take their 5.5 and 3.5 year old pictures. They really weren't "dressed" for the photo op, but who cares I still captured their little faces and hearts.

I have been recreating this picture every year and continue to do so until I die. Or they move far away from each other and me. ;)

{ages 2 and NB}

{ages 1 and 3}

my ALL time FAVORITE!!!!

{age 2 and 4}

{age 4.5 and 2.5}

This just may be my new favorite.

{ages 3.5 and 5.5}

Summer Catch-up Part 3

I have probably mentioned this no less than 100x, but I spent my summer inside a not always well air conditioned gymnastic center. I am going into my second year as a coach and have put in a ton of hard work and spend countless hours researching skills and drills. Going from competitive gymnast to coach isn't as natural as I would have thought, mostly b/c I lack teaching fortitude, but it is coming alive in me. Due to need and my hard work{?!?!} I got moved up to co-coach the level 4s. I love these girls so much. It is like each one is my own daughter and I get to watch them grow and come into their own. This is why this particular job is a dream come true for me. However, it came with its sacrifices this summer of not getting to be around a lot to do stuff with Chad and the kids. {Which is totally ok--I needed this job and Chad needs to be the main parent for the kids once in awhile and have that one on one time with them like I get 9 months a year}

So when we did get to do things I cherished it.
I have been wanting to take the kids to this cool castle looking park for years.
Chad finally loaded us up and we went.
The kids had a blast!

We may have had a bit of fun too!

We also had an end of summer water balloon fight that my neighbor hosted.

We live in a great neighborhood with great kids and families. While we may not always love our houses or wish for more or less, we all cringe at the fact of moving away from one another. I have never experienced anything like this ever.

I even busted out our big pool for Labor day weekend, unfortunately it must have a hole b/c it didn't last long, but it was fun while it did last.

And that is our summer...now onto fall!! :)

First Day of School {Pt deux}

August 18th marked the official start of school. In part one you went for just 2 hours and mostly did testing, screening and a school tour. Today however was the first real day with all the Kindergartners and going each day.
Our First day of school outfit.

Finding our cubbie.

Relaxin with some 'dough. MW wishing he could stay and have some.

So proud of our big girl. There were no tears from any of us. Matter of fact she was ready for us to hit it.

MW just wandered around asking if it was his turn to go.

Bro really misses his sass. For the first week and half he was on me like white on rice. I felt like I had a newborn again.  I guess I just never realized between all their sibling "fights" that deep inside she was his best pal. They do everything together. So now it's my turn to be his playmate. We have had fun and now a month later he is really back to doing his own thing and loves not having anyone tell him what he should be doing, thinking, saying, feeling and eating. {God love her but she is BOSS-Y!}

This photo says it all.

Now to help daddy get to his classroom...

So far she is loving Kindergarten. She has never been in a school setting before, but she is catching on quickly. She has had all greens {ready to learn} on her calendar. I have loved seeing her writing improve in such a short time and she is also learning sight words. She even is sort of disappointed when the weekend comes and she can't go. I am sure one day that will change, but for now I am glad she loves it so much and has a passion to learn.

Leighton 5.5 {Watch Me Grow}

Today is September 3.

Leighton had her 1/2 birthday on August 15, 2014.

I feel bad I didn't get this posted but with school starting I just forgot.

I love documenting how they speak, think and live every so often. Life changes so quick.

I found this adorable video of Lo when she was 10 months and the other little girls are just mere toddlers. Now, they are all so "grown" up. 

Lo and friends {Nov 2009} from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Leighton's 5.5 video.

Lo is 5.5 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Video Questions
Favorite....
color-PINK AND PURPLE
animal-GIRAFFE AND LION
book-RAMONA BOOKS
show-FIREMAN SAM AND PAW PATROL
song-FIX MY EYES {KING AND COUNTRY}
food-MAC 'N CHEESE
snack-BLUEBERRY GRANOLA BARS
game-iPAD LEARNING GAMES
play-BABY DOLLS
friends-COLE, LANDREY, AVERY, BRODY AND BRU GIRLS
to do inside-PAINT
to do outside-RIDE SCOOTER
place to go-FREEBIRDS
lovies-JUJU, POODLE, BERRY BEAR, WHALEY, SARAH---ALL OF THEM
sport-GYMNASTICS {ON PRE TEAM NOW}
when I grow up I want to be-SCOOTER FIXER...STILL THINKING ABOUT IT.

As you grow I am starting to make predictions as to who you will become. Your personality is really taking shape and as I said in your 5 yo interview you have always possessed these qualities and interests they are just coming into bloom.

I predict that you will become a teacher of some kind in your future. You love teaching everyone different things, including your little bro school. 

{Playing School}

I also predict that you will always be an out of the box thinker, intuitive to others needs and leader. This you get from me.

You love life, you get that from your dad {as well as the teaching thing.}

Watching you grow is my greatest joy.

We love you.