New Normal

We have made it past the first week of preschool and the second week of kindergarten!  It has taken some adjustment on everyone's part but I think we have found a new normal over here.  I think it will take a bit longer to for everyone to know what to expect from our new school schedule, but we are headed in the right direction.  Next week we are going to add swimming lessons back in on Monday's and Wednesday's and Carter is going to start piano lessons the first week of September.  There will be some small adjustments to the schedule with those things, but I think the kids will be ok with them.  They just might be long days for Carter.

imaginary play during quiet time

finger painting hands

The book grandma Karen got for Carter for a back to school gift

This week started off a bit rough for Carter, or maybe just for me.  Monday morning Carter was a little hesitant to go back to school and just wanted us to keep up with our summer routine.  It wasn't that he didn't like school, he just missed being around his brothers and me, and it was familiar.  There were a few quick tears on Monday and Tuesday but has been confident the rest of week.  On Monday night we had a quick parent meeting with the teacher to see how we thought the first week went and to see if we had any questions.  I asked the teacher how things were going for him and she said he is doing great.  She said he has made friends, is a great listener and he participates in class.  She even said she has used him as an example for using good manners or following the class rules for the other kids in class.  It makes me feel good as a parent to know that when I am not around, he listens and behaves appropriately.  He has come home every day with lots of stories and new information he has learned.  The big thing he has talked about is art, and how much he loves it.  He loves art day, and when it is time to choose something for "free play" in the room he always chooses the art station.  This enthusiasm continues at home and he often asks for the art supplies.  The first day he drew a picture of his class and the other night he made a book.  It was pretty cute all the things he wanted us to help him with.  He made a 6 page book that was titled "Super Carter Saves the day!" I told him how to spell super and he wrote the "Super Carter" on the front and Chad and I wrote all the other  things he wanted the book to say.  The funny thing with that was when I told him to write a *u* he accidently made it upside down so it looked like an *n*.  I told him is was no big deal but showed him what it should look like, and tried to move on, but he firmly told me that he needed to fix it because no one would know what it was saying, and he wanted it fixed (that is not my typical Carter)  But he illustrated the whole book and had us write things like "Super Carter saves the kids from the gorilla" or "Super Carter saves the radishes"  He drew all the pictures and was very proud of what he had made and showed the neighbor kids later that night.  Then when we were reading last night he told Chad that he forgot to read the *title page*.  I also think the independence is growing on him and he is enjoying that as well.  When he took cold lunch the first day he came home and told me that he ate his pudding first.  He followed it by saying that he ate everything though, and that I didn't tell him what he needed to eat first.  I could just imagine the joy he had eating his pudding first without anyone there to tell him not too.  I told him it was his choice what he ate first but that we wanted him to try and eat most of his lunch.  Another thing with lunch is that they serve chocolate milk every day. :\ I am not a fan of that and told Carter he needed to choose white milk on hot lunch days unless I told him otherwise.  The next day he came home and told me he drank white milk because it was a healthier choice.  The last thing about lunch that I thought was kind of funny was one day I asked him what he had for a fruit.  He said he didn't know what it was but it was sitting in juice and he didn't want to eat it.  I looked on the menu and it was diced pears.  Welcome to the world of canned fruit my son! Chad asked him on Wednesday if he wanted ham and cheese, roastbeef or chicken tenders from Arby's and his response was "I don't care for any of those choices."  He definitely likes his new found independence.  Today my once apprehensive little man gave me a hug and a kiss outside the van, waved goodbye in the rain, and walked across the cross walk and into the school (they usually meet outside the doors, but today it was raining) all by himself.

play dough fun!

Camden has also enjoyed his first week of preschool.  He has met a few new friends and of course his favorite part is snack and recess!  He has had no hesitation at all and enjoys his time to just be Camden and not someones brother.  He has also adjusted to life without Carter pretty well.  I am amazed at his ability to be quiet during quiet time. This kid is the king of quiet time!  He always finds something quiet to do, and plays really nice. He does get lonely and comes in to my room sometimes but he doesn't bother me.  It has been heaven!  He has been more tired on school days but I think not taking a nap is helping his night time sleep.  I think Camden has missed Carter some, but staying busy with school is helping.

finger paint fingers

don't let this face fool you, he is not innocent! :)

Callan.  I am not even sure where to start.  My pediatrician once told me that your third child is the one you deserve.  I used to think that was great because I thought I would deserve a pretty nice kid.  I was wrong, dead wrong.  I think I must be going to hell because this kid has tested every boundary known to man in the last few weeks.  He has done things that none of the other two dared to do, and it has really thrown me for a loop.  Let me give a few examples.  One day while showering Callan took out the egg carton and dropped several of them on the kitchen floor (which he was proud of helping me).  He got the stool out of the bathroom and turned all the ceiling fans on and off, on and off. He also used the stool to get things off the of the counter, including knives, kitchen utensils and electronics.  He frequently spills water from the older boys cups, and makes a mess with whatever non toy item he can find.  He likes to take the filter out of the swiffer vac and put it in the dogs water, or hide his shoes or ours all over the house.  He knows when you are at your wits end and pushes it just a tad further.  I know he has a touch of the third child syndrome due to my lack of energy to discipline him the same as the other boys.  I try really hard, so that he will turn into a well mannered respectful young man, but I fear every day that I have ruined him.  He is loving and sweet, but man does that little man have a loud scream and a short temper ( I have no idea where he would get that) :)  I am hoping that as his verbal skills get better, it will help us all understand what he needs and wants so we can eliminate some of the bad behavior.  He has taken the new school schedule the hardest.  He had to take late naps last week, during early dismissal. Now this week he has to take early naps to we can get to Carter by 2:53.  On Monday he did not nap at all and on Tuesday he had a 30-45 minute nap.  Luckily today and yesterday he did pretty well.  He misses having his brothers around I think he fills that time by getting into anything and everything.  I just pray this phase is over soon.

Camden's first day of preschool

Today was Camden's big day!  I got to send him off to his first day of preschool.  He walked right in and started to play.  He put on his name tag, gave me a quick hug and he was off.  He looked so big.  I couldn't believe I was leaving the building with only one child in tow.  We took snack the first day and when I picked Camden up he said that snack was his favorite part!  He was all smiles and is ready to go back.  He told me a decent amount about his day, but the snack and playing outside were the highlights.  Here are a few pictures of our middle child all grown up and officially a preschooler!

all the boys on the Camden's first day

outside the preschool

hanging up his bag

he put his name tag on, and was ready to start his day!

Preschool Open House

On Monday we went to Camden's preschool open house to meet his teacher and see his new room.  He was a tiny bit apprehensive when we first got there but warmed up really fast.  He played with all the toys, did a scavenger hunt and talked with Mrs. McClintock.  Here are some pictures of him checking out his new school.

checking out the tool bench

playing at the doll house

standing by his coat hook

meeting Mrs. McClintock

his new cubby

enjoying the snack of goldfish and lemonade

First day of Kindergarten

He made it past the first day!  When I picked him up he said he had tons of fun and talked about the day a lot!  More than he ever has about any day in preschool.  He talked about the book they read, the songs they sang, the rules of the class, what he had for lunch, how they got to play on both playgrounds, and that he met a new friend.  It was good news to hear after leaving him that morning.  He was excited but when the teacher told the kids to wave bye to the parents, his eyes welled up with tears and so did mine.  I just prayed that his jitters would go away and that he would have a good day.  And he did!  I am so glad the first day is past and we can get used to the new school schedule.

ready for kindergarten

Although I am excited to write this post, I am also a little sad and nostalgic.  My baby, my first born, is going off to kindergarten.  It is two days away and I think I am more nervous for him than he is.  The last two weeks have been a little bitter sweet for me because I know that things are going to change and he will be swallowed into the vortex of *school*.  For the next 18 years it will be his life for 9 months out of the year.  I have spent the last 5 years with him almost every day and I can't imagine how much the dynamic is going to change around the house without him here all day.  I am going to miss the time we got to spend together but I feel good knowing that he will be in school learning things that he can't learn at home.  Things he needs a classroom for.  We hope he gains more confidence and establishes a love for learning.  Luckily he has an amazing teacher and already knows several kids in his class.  On Thursday night we got to go see the brand new school and find his classroom, desk, coat hook and where he will eat lunch.  We got to see the art room, media room and the new gym as well.  Walking into the school Carter said "wow mom, this school is really big" and seeing the room was a little overwhelming for him but I think now he is even more excited to go since he can now picture where he will be going.  We also got to meet his teacher (who happens to be our across the street neighbor, that we really like).  The first day of school is on Tuesday August 14th.  The whole first week they get out an hour early to ease into the school year.  Carter got his new back pack and lunch box that he is really excited about.  He is going to take hot lunch the first few days to get used to it and then he might take cold lunch when he wants to.

with is new camo back pack and batman lunch box

Thursday night was fun and I am glad we were able to see the new school. It looked really nice, and it is pretty darn close to our house.  It will work out great to take him at 8:10 and then get Camden to preschool by 8:30, but Camden doesn't start until the 22nd.  Here are some pictures of Carter in his class room.

with his teacher Mrs. Kennedy

he found his desk supplies at his desk

where he has his coat and bag

sitting at his desk

with his friend Emma

Callan and Carter found a reading spot

in the lunch room

outside of Kloefkorn Elementary school

Good luck Carter on your first day.  We know you will do a great job and have a lot of fun.  We will miss you being around but hope you find more fun being at school.  We are so proud of you!

Kids update

I thought I would do a quick update on the kids and show a few pictures of what has been going on around the house when we have been cooped up because of the heat.
Callan is proving to be our most challenging child.  He is fearless and into everything.  Just this morning he opened the fridge and got out an egg and carried it around until his brother told on him.  He has fallen off almost every piece of furniture we open and recently cut his lip when he fell down the garage stairs.  He really is a tiny tornado. He is not happy about going down for naps and gets even more upset when the older two leave (like to swimming lessons) and he doesn't get to go with.  He loves his brothers, but is starting to pester them quite a bit.  He is growing up right before our eyes and has started to go pee on the potty every night before bed.  There are some nights he doesn't go but he has been doing pretty well.  He is showing some interest so when he asks we do it.  He is talking non stop but we still have trouble understanding all the things he is trying to tell us.  He will now repeat anything we ask him to say and it is pretty darn cute to hear his version of words.  I think he is going to take Carter being in school the hardest.  They have a special bond and Callan looks to him to help him with his shoes or just to play with.  He will often walk around the house when Carter is gone saying his name over and over.
Camden is all geared up for preschool. He can't wait to start and is ready to meet his teacher and see his room.  He doesn't start for another week or so, which is going to be hard to explain to him when Carter is going to be starting.  We have also officially stopped his naps as well.  A sad day for mom.  He still takes great naps, the problem is he doesn't fall asleep until late (9 or 10).  So much to my dismay I have been letting him have quiet time instead and it is working out pretty well.  We have a learning curve of what "quiet time" consists of but hopefully with school starting things will all work out.  He does get a little more crabby in the evenings but has actually handled it better than I thought.  We are still dealing with his unwillingness to clean up or do simple chores we ask him to do, but we hope that being consisted will make things better in the long run.  The two oldest are in charge of making their beds and clearing the dishes off the table after meals.  They even got a lesson in washing dishes with Chad this morning.  I think it will be a rude awakening for Camden when Carter is gone and he has to pick up most of the toys because Carter always did more than his fair share.  Camden is doing well in swimming and was a lot more adventurous when we were at Linda's pool.  He has been really into books lately and loves having one on one reading time where he can ask as many questions as he wants.
I will update Carter in the next post about kindergarten.

enjoying corn on the cob

underwear super heros

nase wanted to join camden in bed

carter didn't want to be left out

callan *loving* on Nase

dressing up in super hero gear, or so they say

have i ever told you how much he loves wearing other peoples shoes

The dog days of summer

As I sit down to write this post we are officially 3 days away from having a school aged child. Yikes! So over the last few weeks we have been trying to enjoy the last few days of this hot summer by doing some fun things. Besides all the birthday fun we have been having, we made a few trips to our favorite places.  We went to the children's museum 2 weeks ago with our neighbors. They had some new exhibits that the kids loved.  The first one was a harvesting area where the kids could collect the apples from the trees and when the harvest was over all the apples fell off.  You could also do a similar thing with eggs.  They also had a construction site in the basement that everyone enjoyed as well

the new construction site

little bat man in the dress up/stage area

We also used our free kids meals at Applebees from the kids summer reading program on Carter's birthday. The kids enjoyed going out to eat and Carter had his first experience with people singing happy birthday to you.  He was a little overwhelmed, but had fun.  The best part was that we went to Goodrich afterwards for ice cream.  Carter got chocolate and the other two boys shared superman ice cream. Before we grabbed dinner the kids asked if they could play on the swing set at swimming.  They ask me every week, and we never do, so since it was Carter's birthday, they got to play.

Carter's birthday dinner

We also got to spend a few hours at a friends pool which was a lot of fun. We went with the triplets and my mom and kids had a blast.  Carter couldn't touch in the pool but he was jumping in and swimming to the other side to keep up with his cousins.  He was also diving for toys and doing somersaults in the water.  It was a great place for him to practice his swimming.  Thanks Linda for letting us play in your pool!  (unfortunately I was having a lot of fun too, and didn't take any pictures)  Then later this week we met up with the triplets again and ate lunch at Culver's and then went to the free splash park.  

look at these little monkeys

eating at Culver's before the splash park

Then on Friday we had our official last day of summer.  We went to the park by the YMCA and played in the beautiful weather for a few hours and had a picnic lunch.  It was a nice end to the summer.  On Monday we are having a pajama day where we are going to veg out at home and enjoy our last day of all three kids at home and the kids can't wait.  This weekend will hopefully be a stress-free relaxing one since a big change is going to hit the house in a few days.