Forest Adventure

Today marks one week until Kindergarten.  Only one week.  Yikes!  Someone asked me how I feel today.  Nervous.  Sad.  Nostalgic.  Excited.  I know I can't stop time.  I can't go back in time.  This is what comes next and I have to make the best of it.

I am sad about the little things that I am going to miss.  Having the kids come into our room first thing in the morning to snuggle and watch tv.  I am going to miss doing special things during the day...our adventures.   I can't / don't want to wrap my brain around the fact that he is going to be gone most of the day.  I will only have a few hours and weekends.  How precious that time will be!!

Anyway, to make the most of our "last" week, we decided to go on Forest Adventure.  It was so much fun.  The kids love looking around, finding animal tracks, worms and toads, and throwing rocks and sticks into the creek.  I love watching the kids just explore and take their time to look at things...no time limit, no plans.  I love these days!!

The kids were so excited to take the toad home.  We didn't bring a bug catcher with us, big mistake...  Ryan offered to carry it home and ride in the stroller, but I didn't think that I could push the stroller and drag his bike along, so we had plan B.  Plan B failed.  We put the toad in a little compartment on the handle bar of the stroller.  I hate toads.  I was so nervous I would accidentally touch it.  I felt relieved when we got home.  I had Ryan run over to grab it and IT WAS GONE!  I felt so bad.  I have no idea when it jumped out.  He just wanted to keep it for a day or two :(  He handled it like a champ and I hope we can find one in the next few days.  

Leah's first movie

Planes Fire and Rescue has been out for a month now.  We really wanted to see it in the theater and knew it was now or never.  In fact, it wasn't even in the regular theater, it was at the Budget.  We all went.  Even Leah, who I am pretty sure has never sat through a whole movie before.  

It was a good movie and we all had a good time.  She was a little intimidated by the seats and ended up sitting on my lap for half of the movie and Daddy's lap for the second half.  

My Almost Kindergartener

Yesterday we met a friend at the new school's playground.  We have been there twice now and I am hoping to go a few more times before school starts.  I am trying so hard to make sure that he will feel comfortable there and it gives me piece of mind too.  This is all coming so fast!!

After playing, we decided to do a nature walk.  I wasn't planning on taking pictures, but I had my camera with me so...

I adore my days with these kids.  I am so grateful for every day.  I don't want to believe that in two short weeks, Ryan will be in kindergarten.  In three weeks, Leah will be in preschool.  My babies are growing up so fast.  While I know that every stage of life will be great, I love this one.  I love that they are friends.  I love that I am their friend and they want to hug me and spend time with me.  I love that our life isn't complicated.  We spend time as a family.  They are still sweet and innocent.  It's the simple things in life.   Love them beyond words.  

Monarch Caterpillar

We have a monarch caterpillar.  The kids are so excited.  They are constantly checking on it, and telling everyone all about it.  Fingers crossed we get a butterfly.

Puddle Jumping

I have been waiting for a good day to have the kids jump in puddles all summer.  June was wet and cold.  July was dry and cold.  Well, today we had rain and no plans and I was determined to let them jump in puddles.  When I suggested it to them they said no.  Can you believe it?!  I gave the kids permission to jump in puddles and they didn't want to.  I finally convinced them that it would be fun.

Despite the fact that it was chilly and still raining...and they kept getting water in their boots, they had a lot of fun.  Until Leah had her big wipe out and got worse skinned knees ever.

I love watching the kids having fun and doing things that kids should be doing.

Packer Family Night

Mike and Ryan went Packers night again this year and they had a lot of fun!   Ryan was so excited to get up to Green Bay to start tailgating.  Mike remembered the meat this year, but Ryan got filled up on 2 special sodas and dipping dots and didn't even want to eat the food...except for one pickle.

This is such a fun event.  There are so many activities to do before the game.  They played games, looked at animals, did the lambeau leap.

Their seats for the practice were on the 50 yd line, but all the way up.  Ryan really enjoyed watching the practice.  His favorite players this year are Eddie Lacy, Mason Crosby and Tim Masthay.

After practice, they had fireworks and a laser light show.  Any music that Ryan hears being played during the show is deemed a "Packer song" and becomes an automatic favorite.  The boys said that it was a great day!

While they were at Lambeau, Leah and I went to the mall and ate at Culvers.  It was a pretty fun bonding day for us too :)