Still learning everyday…

Getting into a good routine has been a challenge, but we’ve managed to fit in a few learning projects lately.

Benjamin worked on his scissors and glue skills with this Oscar the Grouch activity from DLTK Kids.

 

Gabriella is so anxious to learn to read and loved the word piggy bank I made her, which she gets to add her sight words to as she learns them.

We’ve added several words since I took this picture – we’ll have to get an updated pic up soon!

I even got to practice my marker skills! The kids are really into the Cars movie right now, and talked me into drawing the characters for them one morning. I was surprised and pleased with how they turned out. Kirk thought I traced them, but nope, this was freehand with Crayola markers – maybe I do have a little of my dad’s artistic ability :)

Precious Words

We are slowly settling into our new routine with Gab a big kindergartner now. Benjamin and I definitely miss her while she is gone, and getting up so early is definitely taking its toll. But we had some sweet & funny moments as we finished up the first week of school.

Wednesday: Ben was pretty excited to come home and watch a movie with mom. I turned on his favorite, Cars, and went upstairs to fix lunch. When I came back down to get him about 10 minutes later, he was curled up on the couch, sound asleep (see pic). So much for watching a movie with Mom!

Thursday: 6 am, getting ready for school, Gabriella was sitting there with her head in her hands and a scowl on her face. When I asked her what's wrong, she said "Mom, when's kindergarten going to be over?" Oh no, I thought, and asked her why. "It's really hard getting up this early."

Friday: Benjamin and I decided to join Gabriella for her school mass. We waited patiently in the church, and when she walked in with her class Ben stood up and called, “Ella!” She eagerly came and sat with us. Ben put his arm around her and gave her a big squeeze. Then he asked, “Ella, you wuff me?” She kissed the top of his head and told him yes. He then replied, “Aww… me wuff you too.”

First Day of School

Wow, has it really been since mid-June since I have posted? I guess I have a lot to catch up on! Hopefully I will have time to do that now that my precious little girl is in SCHOOL! Yes, I have a kindergartener.

The night before school started she had a mini-breakdown and I had a mega-breakdown. She was scared that she would miss me too much (among other things), and I was scared of the same exact thing. She cried for 30 minutes before falling asleep, and then I went to my room and cried for twice that long.

But the next morning she woke up with a renewed sense of readiness for school. Getting her up at 6 am when she is used to sleeping in until 8 proved to be a lot easier than I expected. And she excitedly woke up her brother, “Ben, it’s time to take sister to school!”

Breakfast Time

followed by driving to school and finishing breakfast in the car because my kids are slooowww eaters

and then into the classroom we go!

Only a few tears were shed at drop-off, but pick-up was another story. When I saw my not-so-little-anymore school girl, saw her face light up when she saw me, and she came running into my arms, I lost it.

Day 2 was a little easier. Nerves were pretty calm, in fact I decided to take another picture since we were both feeling better (and the fact that I forgot to have her hold a kindergarten sign the first day).

She enjoyed her 2nd day as much as her first.

And I still lost it at pick-up time.

Footloose!

Gabriella and I celebrated Nana’s birthday with her with an evening out to Chanhassen Dinner Theater. What a great time! It was my first time there, as well as Gabriella’s. I really enjoyed the singing and dancing, but the best part was watching how much Gab was enjoying it. She was very excited right from the start…

 

and this was just when the server brought bread to the table.

Mmmmmmm….. yummy chocolate cake for dessert!

 

In the last number of the show, the actors came out into the audience, singing and dancing, and Gabriella was dancing in her chair right along with them. “Ariel”, the lead character, came right up to Gab and gave her a big high five, and I thought Gab would go through the roof with excitement. “Mom, she was my favorite one, and she came and danced by me!”

And then after the show, we got to have our picture taken with “Ren”.

It did get to be a late night, but Gab was still all fired up when we were leaving…. until the car came out of park.

What a fabulous evening. Happy Birthday, Mom! Thank you for sharing your evening with us. We look forward to doing it again next year!

Precious Words

Found a woodtick on Gabriella’s hairline. The next day she asked, “Mom, can you check my head for tic-tacs?”

Every time I ask Ben if he loves me, he answers “No. Daddy.” Finally one day, he said “Uh huh” with a big smile and gave me a kiss. Then the next day, back to “No. Daddy.” Oh well, someday.

Tucking Gabriella in for bed one night, she looks up at me and declares “Mom, I’m going to marry Jonah.” So I asked, “Why do you say that?” Her answer - “Well, he is my best boy friend mom.”

Benjamin has finally learned to say his own name. And he loves to tell you that he’s not ‘mall. “Me Ben Big”.

Found Gabriella sitting on the bathroom counter, staring into the mirror with her tongue sticking out. So I asked what she was doing. “Looking at my taste buds, mom.” Oh, well, of course.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow….

The sun will come out tomorrow... from home is where my family is on Vimeo.

Done with Training Wheels!

Last Monday, Memorial Day, was a big day at the Haddad house. Gab got rid of the training wheels for good!

No training wheels! from home is where my family is on Vimeo.

Every morning since, the second she wakes up she is wanting to get outside and go for a bike ride. She is doing just awesome – she even rode the mile to the park and back the other day, up and down hills with no problem. We are so proud of her!

Preschool Is Coming To An End

Wow – how did we get here already? Gabriella is ready for kindergarten, there’s no doubt. But I am not ready for her to be ready. She is my baby girl and I would like to keep her that way for just a little while longer. But I am excited to see what school will bring, I think she is going to just love all the new adventures – learning to read, tying her shoes, meeting new friends, all of it!

We got to join her class for a Parent Day last week. The kids sang songs and got to show us some of the projects they have been working on.

Preschool Parent Day from home is where my family is on Vimeo.

Gabriella made many wonderful friends in her two years at Mary Queen of Peace Preschool. And Mrs. Simonson was a wonderful first teacher for our baby girl - we will miss her!

A Little Family Fun

We enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon with Grandma, Aunt Christina and the cousins. Lots of time splashing in the pool, running through the sprinkler, watching the Twins game… the kiddos threw me in the pool, Kirk threw himself in the pool, and then he threw his sister in the pool. Good times!

mmmm watermelon!

                the next American Idol

 First little man…

                               … and then his momma!

Grandma

We Love the Zoo

Another beautiful day at the Minnesota Zoo – this time Daddy got to join us!

Our Little Artist

Her rubber ducks modeled for her

Twins Player

Go Twins!

We took the kids to a game at the new Target Field last week and it was great! It is a beautiful stadium, and we look forward to enjoying many more games there. We went with 2 of Gabriella’s best friends and they had a blast holding up their sign and cheering on the Twins. Benjamin’s favorite part was seeing T.C. Bear. At one point, we had an ESPN camera guy filming all our kids having fun. Wonder if they made it on tv?!

Spring Twin City Twisters Show

Gabriella had her gymnastics show last weekend. We enjoyed watching her on the bars, beams, and floor work. She has gotten really strong and has been moved up again to the next level. So proud of our little gymnast!

 

Meet Dora!

As in Dora Winifred Read, aka D.W., from the show Arthur. Not to be confused with the Spanish-speaking Dora. Gabriella wants to be sure that’s clear.

In honor of our first family pet, we made a goldfish painting project. The kiddos just love dot painters, so we used them to make our aquarium accessories, and then added a few goldfish.

Gabriella has taken quite well to her responsibilities as a pet owner. She feeds Dora regularly without my prodding, and she reminds me when we need to clean her bowl. We were a little worried at first that Dora might not like her new home. She did not eat for a whole week. But then we moved her into Gabriella’s room, turned the light off, and she chowed! She apparently likes her new surroundings better, and Gabriella loves having her friend in her room. As it turns out, it’s also a great bargaining chip for Mom & Dad! “If you don’t listen, Dora can go back in the kitchen….”

2nd Dance Competition – a Success!

The Jewels did a fabulous job once again – they really enjoy getting up there on the stage and showing the judges what they can do. Took 1st place again for both dances (being the only team in their age group again) – and this time they received a special “Too Cute” award from the judges. And they were definitely Too Cute! See for yourself!

 

Our New Swingset

Kirk never wanted a swingset. He didn’t want it taking up space in our yard, he said there’s no reason for it when we have a park so close… I had a really hard time talking him into getting the small one we had. Two swings and a tiny deck with a slide. So he really surprised me when a month ago he announced, “I think we should get a bigger swingset.” Really?! Well, then, let’s start shopping!

Kirk and I make decisions a little differently. He sees something he likes and says, “Let’s buy it.” Me – I have to look at all the different options, taking note of all the ones we like, make lists weighing out the pros and cons, and eventually make a decision that I probably question once or twice after it is all said and done.

Well, here you have it. Our new swingset. Decision made in about 3 days. We compromised on our decision-making ways, and we are very happy with the one we chose.

We went from this…

 

 

 

 

…to this!

 

 

 

 

 

And yes, my handy husband put it together - with the help of a handy father-in-law (thanks Papa Dit), two handy friends (thanks Troy and Brian), and a wife who reads directions meticulously.

The best part is the kids are having a blast!