Safari Time

One afternoon last week the weather was amazing and we didn't have anything planned...rare and wonderful.  Rhonald and I looked at each other after nap time and totally agreed we needed to get out and enjoy the afternoon so we opted for a trip to the animal safari.  It is probably one of Cole's favorite places.  He loves the animals, the space to run and roam and he loves to learn.  It is probably one of Lily Kate's least favorite places as she also loves the space but she is not too fond of the animals.  This trip she actually enjoyed the drive thru portion and had a few animals she wanted to see up close but you can forget it when it comes to the petting zoo.  Sister screamed her head off every time a goat got anywhere near her (and Rhonald held her the entire time).  Cole collected an enormous amount of feathers in his back pocket which, to me, was about the most precious site I have ever seen.  We lucked out on this trip because there were baby animals everywhere - monkeys, tigers, deer....it was wonderful!  Cole was able to bottle feed a baby tiger and he has talked about that everyday since we went.  Even though Lily was not in heaven by any means she also had fun and ended up laughing more than crying :)!  I feel so blessed to have these days with my family. 

The Yellow Yaks

 (Someone was a little ticked that she had to sit on the sidelines and watch the action)

Fall is here and with that comes lots of outdoor fun....including fall soccer!  This season Cole is on the Yellow Yaks and is having a ball!  There are only 4 kids on his team so he gets a lot of playing time and has been learning a lot.  Lily has finally figured out that she would like to play soccer too and is not very content to sit back and watch.  It is so fun to watch these little ones learn to work together and have fun!  I am really proud of Cole because this season he has been great about not using his hands and also keeping up with where the ball is all of the time.  He is growing so much - in every way and it is so awesome to watch!

An Athlete

Cole has been asking to "take a class" this semester as well so we agreed adn sat down with him to figure out what he would like to try.  One thing we found out about Cole is that if you suggest it he wants to try it....anything.  So, after some searching, I was able to find a class that teaches about lots of different sports so the kids can see which ones they like.  When Cole turned 4 something in his brain turned over and he became a lover of sports.  He loves to watch and play and learn about them so this class has been great for him.  He now tells people "I am an athelete." with such pride.  While Rhonald and I have choosen not to push him but to let him learn and decide what he enjoys on his own it has been so much fun and so rewarding to see his confidence grow.  His smile is priceless as he learns something new or accomplishes a new task.  I am so proud of him and his desire to try new things.  I can't wait to see what he picks as his favorite!

Big Beasts

Not only did Lily Kate recently start "school" she also started her first gymnastics class at the Little Gym.  I have never seen anything cuter than a toddler in a leotard and leg warmers.  Oh my word!  There are 5 other kiddos in Lily's class.  In typical Lily fashion she is so shy around her teacher that she won't hardly look her in the eye.  Miss Holly laughs it off and gives her some space although I know she is hoping to win Lily over sooner rather than later.  Lily will do any skill she is taught if I am the one helping her.  So funny!  By far her favorite time of class is free time.  During free time the kids are able to run and play and do anything they wish.  Lily loves 3 things at the gym....the bars, the rings and the balance beam!  And she is pretty good for an almost 2 year old.  Having no fear helps her out of course but I think there is some skill there too.  She literally leaps from the mat up onto the rings/bar and swings there until she cannot hang on any longer.  And then she does it again!  The balance beam....wow.  Sister climbs up there and pushes my hand away and run/walks down to the other end.  Every now and then she will hold on to one of my fingers (only one) while on the higher beam but even then she runs.  I love watching her grown and develop into a little girl.  And I really love seeing how much she is capable of and how confident she is becoming.  Being her mama is such a blessing!

Love Those Hogs

Ah.....it is fall and with that comes college football.  Arkansas football to be exact.  Growing up I was never a huge football fan but once I moved to the South I realized that may change and once I married in to a Southern family I knew that would change.  Rhonald and I moved to Hog Country about 7 years ago and have really enjoyed the college town experience.  This year we decided to take Cole to his first football game.  Due to schedules we decided on the 1st game of the season and looking back that may have been a mistake.  It was soooooo hot!  And the sun was setting on us for most of the first half...or at least it felt like it.  After the fun and excitement of being there wore off and after he had eatten every bit of junk food his belly could handle Cole was done.  And honestly, as much as I love the Razorbacks, so was I.  It was about 98 degrees at 8:00 so we decided to change plans a bit and go out to get some real food and spend some time inside with Cole.  Where else would we do that but the brand new Cabela's.  Cole and Rhonald had been before so they had a blast showing me around and showing me everything they would love to have one day.  Rhonald's was a fishing boat and Cole's was a dog bed...and a dog to go with it.  It was so much fun to spend an evening with Cole and make special memories with him.  Even though we only stayed for half of the game we had a blast!  Woo Pig Sooie!

The First Day of Preschool

Cole began his first day of preschool the Wednesday after Labor Day.  To say that he was excited is a total understatement.  He loves learning and he loves being a big kid so school is perfect for him.  Cole was so brave, although a bit on the shy side, on his first day.  He found his cubby and put his things away without any problems.  He walked right in and found his seat and was so thrilled to be sitting with "school Jackson" who has been his buddy in Mother's Day Out since they were 18 months old.  I love his teacher and I love how she is truly preparing him (and us) for Kindergarten.  She is sweet and kind and all business when she needs to be.  So far he loves everything about preschool!

On the same day sweet Lily Kate had her first day of Mother's Day Out.  She thinks she is 4 as well so she was very ready and very excited for "school."  She is in a cute classroom right down the hall from her big brother and she gets to see him in Chapel on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Since Lily still isn't saying very much I rely on Cole to fill me in on if she was happy or not in Chapel.  He always says she is smiling and sitting in her teacher's lap.  Lily is still shy upon meeting new people but she did so well going to class.  She has never cried when I have dropped her off but does like to be handed to her teacher for some snuggles.  She has gotten a good and happy report every day that she has gone.  Her only struggle is eating lunch at school.  I think she is so distracted that she is not interested in sitting down to eat. 

We have all been so blessed by this experience.  I cannot wait to see what the year has in store for us!

Destin 2012 - Fun In The Sun

We really did have such a fantastic time in Destin....and we have had such a great time being home that I have not had much time to blog.  Sorry-I'm sure it seems like the vacation that never ends.  The best part of a beach vacation is simply being....being quiet, being silly, being sandy, being relaxed and the most important...being together.  There is nothing better than forgetting all of your worries and watching your kids run through the waves or play in the sand.  There is nothing more refreshing than spending a whole week together enjoying the beauty of God's creation with your favorite people.  There is nothing that reminds you to slow down more than being together at the beach.  As you can see from the pictures, we had a fabulous time....being together.  Oh how I wish I was back there :)