Our little rider and reader

We decided to get Jacob a new bike without training wheels and use that excuse to teach him how to ride all by himself! We tried to take his training wheels off his bike last year, but he wasn't quite ready yet. Adam said just one year made a huge difference in his confidence and what he is able to do!

I love this picture... all geared up with his helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and gloves. It's as if he's saying, "I got this mom. It's in the bag!"


Here are some pictures of Daddy teaching his first son how to ride a bike. He was so patient and encouraging... it was really heartwarming to watch. He kept asking Jacob, "Can you do it?" To which Jacob would respond, "YES I CAN!" Jacob would feel scared when his daddy let go, so he would sing songs while riding to calm himself down. It was adorable. I realized that I was so focused on catching his first solo ride on video, that I don't have a picture of it! He rode for a few seconds by himself at first, which quickly turned into 20-30 seconds! I think it helped that he had his very own mommy cheerleader jumping up and down in excitement.


Here is little brother, trying to keep up. ;)

The littlest brother was along for the ride too!

Some other toys in our garage we've been playing with lately.


On a different note, I remember writing in our Christmas letter that Jacob was reading most three to four letter words. Well, he really caught on fast and can now read almost any word we throw at him! Being a first grade teacher, I did a little assessment to find out that his reading ability is the same as a typical first grader at the end of the year! It's pretty exciting.

Kiddergarden

Remember this post? Jakey has been looking forward to this day ever since he was three, when he called it Kiddergarden. :) It's definitely a different feeling to be the parent instead of the teacher this year. I love it so far though.

I have to begin with a huge thank you to my mom. She drove all the way down to be a part of Jakey's first day and that means the world to me. So Adam and I were able to take Jacob to meet his teacher all by ourselves, which was awesome.

Here is Jacob at his kindergarten table, where his teacher had placed a little frog note with frog candies

We looked around the room a little...


Jacob is especially excited about the class pets...
In the gym, there was a table where kids could pick a free book
and ice cream! They really know how to make kinders happy here.

Jacob even picked a flower for his mommy on the way out

Then Adam and I took Jacob out to dinner with just the three of us. It was so nice that we didn't have to rush through dinner, as is always the case with three kids! There were no arguments over crayons, tantrums, trips to the bathroom, or spilled drinks. ;)

I tucked Jacob in bed and read this book. If you haven't read it, it is the cutest story! Mostly about how the parents had to be consoled on the first day of kindergarten, NOT the kids.

The next morning actually didn't go as smoothly as I had pictured. Jacob woke up with a bloody nose, which left a red trail from his bed all the way to the bathroom. It took me quite a few minutes to get it under control, so we were totally running late. Again, thank GOODNESS my mom was there. She made french toast while I hurried to dress Jacob and make sure everything was ready.

We managed to snap a few pictures before walking out to the bus, just as it was pulling up! Phew.


I drove to school to make sure Jacob got to his line alright. I'm so glad I did, because it was basically a free for all and he would've had NO idea what to do. Thankfully, I ran into a little girl in my class three years ago who happily offered to walk him to his line from now on. ;)

Jacob immediately found a little friend.

I peeked in his classroom and waved goodbye! No tears... I think mostly due to my adrenaline rushing all morning.

Jacob,

You asked me so long ago when you would go to kiddergarden, but I never thought it would happen this fast. Part of me was heartbroken to see my baby boy all grown up, but the other part is so grateful for kindergarten half-days! I am so proud of the obedient, thoughtful, loving boy you have become at such a young age. I will hold this special day forever in my heart... always remembering the huge smile on your glowing face as you bravely stepped on the school bus and into a whole new world. I can't wait to hear all of your Kindergarten stories and adventures.

Love you,

Mommy

(I knew the tears would come ;)

Leavenworth

Our family has a tradition of camping at Leavenworth each summer. Well... my style of camping anyway. You know, the kind where there is a river, outdoor pool, coffee/ice-cream stand, playground, pancake breakfast, and most importantly, an air-conditioned cabin. I was especially looking forward to it, because last year our family wasn't able to go for the first time ever (Casey was born that same week!). We actually went right before Casey's birthday, but then we had his party, Gavin knocked his teeth out... life just happened.

I cannot even describe how happy I was to be with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, Maddie and Travis. First of all, with my husband as a pilot, I am so grateful for any time off when our family can play together. Secondly, my kids would rather play with their cousins than anyone else in the world. I could watch their smiling faces as they chase each other in the grass ALL DAY. Third, my sister and her husband can make me laugh until it hurts. You know those people who have a witty comment for everything? I don't know how they come up with the things they say, but I love it! Add my mom to that equation who gets up at the crack of dawn to walk to the playground with me and my kids... offers to stay with Casey because he is too little to go river rafting... puts my kids to bed so Adam and I can see an outdoor play. Camping would definitely not be as fun if any pieces of this puzzle were missing.

So here are some pictures of the things I was telling you about...

Our cabin with a little porch swing out front


Playing with Daddy in the river while Mommy took pictures


Sy even made a friend!Running around with the cousins


I can't run around yet, but look out next year!
Until then, my cousin Maddie will hold me...The outdoor plays in Leavenworth are AMAZING. This year was particularly special because Adam and I got to take Jacob to his very first play. My mom, sister, and I went to plays all of the time growing up, so it definitely gave me goosebumps to pass down the tradition to my oldest son. It happened to be one of my all-time favorites, The Sound of Music. I spent the entire week preparing Jacob by singing Raindrops on Roses, Do Re Mi, Sixteen going on Seventeen, and Edelweiss. So Jacob was super excited when he recognized these songs throughout the play. He told me afterward that his favorite part was when all of the children put on The Lonely Goatherd puppet show... and he liked Gretyl, because she was five just like him.

The play is set up in the mountains, so you have about a ten minute hike to get to your seats. Maddie even gave Jacob a piggy back ride for the first part.


My favorite part of the camping trip was river rafting. This was brand-new to the KOA this year. Our family purchased tubes with my sister's family and carried them down to the river. We linked all seven tubes together so nobody would get separated! For the most part, the ride was really calm and we just chatted it up while we floated down the river. If we noticed something fun like rocks to climb on (or jump off of), we hopped off of our tubes and played with our kids together. All of us adults jumped off a super high rock and I even convinced my niece to hold my hand and jump with me! The world is completely blurry without her glasses, so it was particularly brave! It was a very eventful two hours ~ My nephew fell out of his tube during one of the rapids and Adam dove to save him (thank goodness for life jackets!), Gavin pooped in the river because well, there was just nowhere else to go (Daddy cleaned up that one while Mommy was rock jumping ;), we went swimming for my sister's lost flip flop, we went swimming for both of Gavin's sandals, jokes were told, and memories were made. At the end, a little van from the KOA picked us up and drove us back to the campsite. It was honestly one of the most fun afternoons of my life!

Then my sister and her husband left for the play, so we had all five kids. Can you believe we took them swimming in the outdoor pool at eight o'clock? Hot weather will make you do crazy things! After that, we all settled in for s'mores at the campfire.


Look at this adorable s'more face, pre-toothlessness
All but one were in their pjs.

By the end of the night, our mission was successful. They were all passed out in separate bunks.

Update on Gavin

My little guy has been SUCH a trooper. The next day, he woke up bouncing around like his normal, happy self... and was more than excited to try out the bubbles, watercolors, and M&M's that the tooth fairy left for him. (Jacob was very relieved to see that she had left all of the treats downstairs :)


Meanwhile, I was able to call my dentist (Jacob and Gavin have been seeing him as well), who referred me to a pediatric dentist. After seeing this fun-filled place, I think I'm sold. There were toys, stuffed animals, colorful walls, smiling hygienists, tokens to exchange for prizes... about the most fun a dental appointment can be. ;) The dentist was very personable and told us that Gavin had a 50/50 chance of his left tooth coming back down on its own. (The chance was higher until he looked in Gavin's mouth and saw the root of the tooth bulging against his gums!) So he wanted Gavin to come back in two weeks. If his tooth is coming down on its own by then, they will most likely leave it alone. If not, an oral surgeon will have to remove it.

The part that broke my heart the most yesterday was watching Gavin as he tried to take a bite of cantaloupe. It was then that I realized this poor little guy is going to have to develop a whole new way of eating. Adam tried to show him how to take a bite with the side of his mouth, but I felt too horrible watching his feeble attempts and cut it up for him. Then he went to drink his milk through a straw, and immediately grimaced as it settled right into his sore gap. Tonight, we had corn on the cob and he watched again with his big blue eyes as I cut it all off for him. Poor thing.

Through it all, Gavin has had such a joyful attitude to match his toothless smile. My favorite part was watching him crawl up on our bench to check out his new look for the first time. He carefully pulled his lip up and stared at the new gaping hole in his mouth. Then he started smiling and making funny faces at himself in the mirror. What a silly boy!



I do miss his baby smile... but his new look is growing on me.