Off to Kindergarten

Off to school for Owen. He was so excited on his first day and I cried happy tears thinking about all the fun he is going to have! His teacher, Mrs. Skaug is wonderful, so sweet, but firm and great structure. One of the words she frequently uses is 'connection' to help the kids understand how what she is teaching them is related. Owen will be playing and suddenly say, "Connection, Mom!" and then tell me about something he has been thinking about that he just realized was related. It's pretty fun.

Summer Fun

We packed so much fun into this summer! To Grammie's house to play with cousins, swimming lessons, scooters, scooters, and more scooters, and tons of hilarious comments from Owen and Emmy. Favorites this month - Emmy talking to her her movie characters, particularly Tangled and telling Rapunzel, 'no Punzel, don't do it!' when she goes to leaver her castle, saying 'Kitty Hello, Mom', to ask for her Hello Kitty shirt or stuffed animal, Owen's use of the word 'incredible' ("I drank my water without stopping, isn't that incredible!!" "Mom, I need some you and me time - how about Legos and watching Wild Kratts, doesn't that sound incredible?")

A Tale of Two

Sibling rivalry is hitting its peak around our house! They are the best of friends and can find themselves in some pretty interesting situations together (unrolling multiple rolls of paper towels, crushing crackers into the carpet as part of their 'rockin' out party', water everywhere... then suddenly mass rivalry to snuggle on my lap, or play with a certain toy, or stand in the same spot. Both their feisty attitudes will come right out in these situations :) then watch out though if you get after one of them, especially if we give Emmy a count for something. Owen is her hero and he will swoop in to save her with all the courage of an almost 5 year old - 'Mom! Don't be mean to Emmy or I'll put you in time out!' It is so sweet to see him want to rescue her when 5 minutes before he was running away laughing because he took her favorite toy and she is screaming hysterically. I love that he does it too when we are at the park playing, he will defend her without question and it makes my heart happy. Owen has started coming in her room at night to say goodnight with the biggest hug and kiss and she loves her 'Owie'

Happy Halloween!

It was a rainy, cold day, but we had so much fun at the Trunk or Treat, then went to Mimi's and to Chel Chels for trick or treating time.

Todd and Jeff put together a pallet maze that Meredith had designed and the kids had so much fun running through it.

These make the best hiding places/punching bags!

Emmy's ears

Emmy has another ear infection, but every time Owen tells someone, he says, "Emmy has a ear confection". If only it was a that awesome...

School is here!

Owen started preschool this week. I wanted him to go to my friend, Jamie Camp's class since I have been working in her integrated program over the last year and it is awesome! She is an amazing teacher, great curriculum, and I love the model of special needs/typical peers. We had to stand in line in April to get him on the list for typical peers, since she only has a few spots, but considering we would have to wait overnight for Kindergarten if we were still in spokane, that wasn't anything big :)
He was so excited the night before he could barely sleep! I was definitely more emotional that first day while he was super excited. I am very grateful to be working only at Knolls Vista this year and to be just a couple of minutes away from him during the school day. Going in to work with the students who need Speech Therapy a couple times a week means I get to see him in action in class and it is pretty cool to be able to watch him learning!

Good night, Superman

Owen has a nightlight that projects a picture of Superman onto the ceiling. Emmy thinks it is the coolest thing and every night, she wants to go in and say goodnight to Superman. She is dramatic and will do a sharp intake of breath, put her hands on her cheeks, blows a kiss, and then says goodnight to him. It's pretty sweet.