Kaiden Hearts Horses

Kaiden still loves horses. He rides at a stable a lot closer to home. And he has a great connection to a large pony name Luke and we his trainer Julie is great too. His riding is getting a lot better since he learned to ride a bike. His legs are a lot stronger and his balance is great.

A shout out to all you hard working teachers!

Kaiden and I volunteered to put a bunch of mini books together for his class... we did about 1500 of them! We did them in small groups throughout the month so it wasn't so bad.

But to all you teachers, here's a shout out from Kaiden:
“Mini books are hard work. I use to think I wanted to be a teacher when I grow up. Now I realize it is too much work so I think I just want to be a principal” ~Kaiden

LOST!

LOST! Have you seen this child???

So I am one of those mothers that dress her kids in the same bright color when we go to well populated places, just in case I loose one. I always envisioned I would be talking with the mall security guard and would say, pointing to the one son I had in custody… “See this here green shirt, he is wearing one just like it!”

Well, it didn’t quite work out that way but I am thankful that they were wearing a bright shirt….

So, the story of course has a happy ending but I was terrified for probably a good 2 minutes that felt like an hour. We went to the Deerfield Fair with my good friend Laura and her daughter and I had my two boys in tow, each dressed in Kelly green t-shirt. We went into a barn with lots of cows (and tons of people looking at the cows!) and in the barn there was a large petting area. You know, one with the double gates so the animals don’t escape. Well, the kids loved this area so we were in that area for quite a while.

Then in just seconds after I last saw him, Kael was gone. I had no idea where he was. Thanks to the Kelly green shirt I was able to scan a bunch of kids in a far off corner and easily tell Kael was not in the bunch. Then my eyes scan the next corner of the petting area, and the next…. and then I spot a hiding house for the goats… maybe he is in there…. I run over… but only find goats. In a matter of seconds I knew for sure Kael was NOT in the petting area. That is when the crazy mom (me) starts shouting down the hall of the barn… “Kael” “Kael” KAEL!” KAEL!” I felt like I was just on the verge of total panic, my heart is pounding, and my head is just thinking “no. no. no.” And then I spot him… he is running to my call, he comes close to getting stepped on by all the people around, but my relief sets in. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…………..

I have no idea why he left the petting area. Didn’t he know we were still there with him? Did he see someone that looked like me and left? Did he want to go pet the cows (no way)? But I am thankful for the Kelly green shirt. If I had spent any more time in the petting area by the time I was shouting in the barn, he could have been too far to hear me. And for the record, I felt like I was watching both my boys so closely. I still don’t have a clue how he got out of my sight.

We did enjoy the rest of the day. A few fun rides and some ice cream. A perfect day for the boys I am sure.

Ride Kaiden Ride

Kaiden can tear it up with training wheels. All summer we thought he just might be ok with taking them off his bike for good, but no. But the other day I asked, so you ready to learn to ride a bike? "Yes." was the answer.

So I prepared myself for a few falls, complaining, frustration, and disappointment. I am not a half empty kind of person, but you know, it is tough to learn to ride a bike. We have tried in the past and it didn't go well.

This time... it took all of 7 seconds. They are recorded on video... see below. And he was off. If you listen closely he says... "don't touch, I can do it myself". Ah, music to my ears. And after about an hour on non stop bike runs down (the flat part of) our driveway, he had mastered stopping. And now, all he wants to do it ride. After school, in the morning, before and after lunch, ride ride ride.



Click here to see the FIRST atempt.
And Click here to see a few minutes later...

It is so much fun to see him ride. He can go faster and do many more crazy things but I just close my eyes and keep the doctors number handy.

August was Just one Big Blurr

And here it is…. Don’t blink.

We spent the weekend with friends up to their parents cabin in Vermont on a lake. It was relaxing and nice:






Photo courtesy of Dave Farr



My wonderful friend Claudine got married to a great guy Alexej:




Kael got step and scarlet fever. No worries, he’s ok now.
*** no photos sorry! ****



Kaiden and I went to Canobie… while Kael stayed home with step and a red rash. Kaiden and I had a great time, rode the log flume ride (yikes! Splash!) and just had a great time.



Kaiden started first grade… sniff sniff. All day school!!! It feels like it was just yesterday, I was holding him with one hand while he nestled his head under my chin and keept me warm. More sniff sniff.















Kaiden lost his first tooth!






Ian works diligently on the tree house…




Enjoyed a few days at the Racquet Club with friends (thanks Celeste and Shannon!)




And some how me managed to take the kids to the Dover Children’s museum where they had a blast!





The boys have been getting along so much better these days and it is so enjoyable to go places with the two of them. And I love the brother moments they have.


The summer is over. And man were we busy. But we had a wonderful summer but I look forward to a restful fall. :-)

Kaiden is SIX!

Again we had great weather for Kaiden’s birthday. It seems every year the sun just shines on him.

Happy Birthday Kaiden!!!
The 5 things I love most about you:
1. You are so very caring. If I am having a bad day, you want to make me feel better.
2. You are so smart, oh so very smart. What shall we ever do!?
3. You love animals, especially cats… and horses and dogs.
4. You are sensitive and love to hug and snuggle.
5. You are inquisitive. Thank God for the internet to answer all your questions!

If I had to guess today... you will either become a vet or an inventor.

To celebrate, we had a cookout and a few friends over: Cole, Lorelei, Jacob, the Ashleys, and the Quennivilles. There was a water slide and a sprinkler which the kids enjoyed. The next day, my parents took Kaiden and Kael to the Portland Children’s Museum. The boys LOVE that place!

Here are some photos of those wonderful memories:

York Beach Vacation 2009

YORK BEACH


Oh how I wish I had time to blog. Here is a photo recap of our AWESOME vacation.

Lots of great beach days this year which included:

wave jumping


relaxing


rock climbing


castle prep


a visit from Lexi and Shannon,


and lots of happiness



After all the long beach days, it was nice to just chill at the cottage.




Then after dinner we had time for sparklers on the beach, a taffy watching trip to Goldenrod, lots of playground time downtown, a visit to the Wiggly bridge, trolly rides, and Brown's ice cream.





And of course a trip to Nubble Lighthouse to end the day






Oh how I love my boys. They were both so good this trip. If only daddy owl could have joined us. Vacation time during the summer is hard to sacrifice.
Can't wait until next year's York vacation!!!

Trains, Planes, and lots of swimming!

I think it was last year when I decided that my boys *need* to see their cousins at least once a year. I wish it could be so much more frequent but it is what it is.

So this year we made our trip to Tennessee again to visit my brother, my sister-in-law Ana, and their kids Kayla and Orion. Kael, Orion, Kaiden, and Kayla are ages 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively. At least they are at the beginning of this post.


My boys enjoyed the flight down. Sipping on apple juice in style.


And before we headed to my brothers we stopped by one of my dearest friends, Rebecca. I love seeing her. She is like a friend that I wish was one door down from me. For a year, we shared an apartment together while on a college work co-op and I loved those days with her. Wonderful memories. She's this cute country bumpkin on the outside. Her voice sweet as southerns get.... but don't let that fool you. She is a firecracker inside. Passionate about animal, a recycler, a breast feeder, a photographer, an engineer, and just an amazing thinker. Now mind you many people care about animals. Many recycle. And many breastfeed. But Rebecca.... well.. she doesn't go just half way. She goes all out with passion. She'd drive you crazy if you didn't think like her. But I do, so I love her. Well.... we don't talk about politics. :-)


Anyway, a couple of hours at her house chatting isn't enough but it has to do. Our kids ran around and enjoyed each other like they have known each other forever. I love this age. And after being tired from the running and the 90 degree heat, they sat on the porch for some popsicles.


And on to Cookeville....

Man these kids are growing.



This trip with my niece and nephew was filled with lots of swimming. I think it was 90+ degrees every day. We swam, swam, and swam some more. All the kids are getting pretty good.











And we stopped at the train museum in Cookeville to play on the trains. The kids love that place.










And by the end of the week it was close enough to Kayla's 7th birthday that we threw her a mini party. I love that girl. She is, after all, my only girl. Happy 7th Birthday Kayla!




Until next year.....