FLAG FOOTBALL

Jake had his 1st flag football practice last night. He was a little disappointed to learn that his team was the Rams and not the Raiders, but at least it wasn't the Chiefs! He is on a team with both Hansen kids and N. Cedar kids. There were too many Hansen kids & not enough NC kids so they combined them. It is a bit of a pain since their practices are at NC, not at Hansen like the rest of the Hansen kids!

I've attached a picture of him with his new mouthpiece in.

KID'S DAY

We spent last weekend at my parent's house and were able to go to the annual Kid's Day celebration. The kids got to march in a parade (with our friends Gopher, Annette, Amy & their kids), go bowling, eat lunch, get tattoos and ride on carnival rides. The kids each won money in a raffle ($5 each) and my nephew Ben won the grand prize, a boy's bike!! Jake was really excited for Ben (he's only 2 & didn't really understand). It rained most of the day, but they still had fun and can't wait 'til next year!

ALLIE'S FIRST DAY

Allie's first day of preschool was on Friday. She is going 3 mornings per week to St. Pat's. There are 24 kids in her class, which is a lot of 4 & 5 year olds!! She has the same teachers as last year (Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Welter & Mrs. Patterson) and a lot of her classmates are the same as well. She can hardly wait to go again tomorrow!!

The kids and I spent the weekend with my family. It was Kid's Day, the annual celebration in my hometown. I'll post some pictures from the carnival and other events tomorrow sometime!

SCHOOL

Yesterday when Jake got home from school our conversation went something like this...

"How was your first day of school?"
"Fine"
"Do you like Mrs. Wyckoff?"
"Yes"
"Did you see your old friends?"
"Yes"
"Who did you sit by at lunch?"
"Sophia & Dayna"
"Who did you play with at recess?"
"Paul, Brock & Dylan"
"What was your favorite part of the day?"
"Recess...can I have some ice cream?"

SO...I gave him some ice cream (he was trapped & forced to talk)& I was able to find out the following things (with a lot of questioning on my part)...

*he beat a 2nd grader at tetherball
*he thinks McKenna likes him...she sits really close to him
*corn dogs at lunch AREN'T good
*there is a girl in his class that can't eat peanuts
*there is NO free choice time in first grade (free play)
*there is NO rest time in 1st grade (which is why he is tired).
*he has gym tomorrow & can't wait!!

Soon after gathering that information, the phone rang & it was Adam wanting him to come over to play on the slip n slide...off he went!

Tomorrow Allie starts the 3 mornings per week class at St. Pat's. She can't wait & I'm guessing our after-school conversation will have her talking A LOT!! I'll post tomorrow!

JAKE GOES TO FIRST GRADE

Today was Jake's big day...he's in FIRST GRADE! He was so excited this morning & woke me up at 6:15!! After waiting until 8:15, we finally left to walk to school. He reluctantly allowed me to take my yearly pictures (by the Hansen sign, at his desk, with his teacher etc.) He was a little upset to find that he has to sit by 2 girls...not boys. I'm guessing his teacher knows better than to put boys together! Finally, Mrs. Wyckoff asked if Jake would like to go outside with his friends & he bolted out the door. He didn't even say goodbye to me or Allie!! I'm anxious for 2:15 to roll around so that I can find out how his day went. I'm guessing as usual, he'll give me very little information!!

Allie & I are off to run errands and have lunch together. She starts school on Friday & can't wait!

TOMORROW....

Tomorrow Jake starts 1st grade. Why does that sound SOOOOO much older than Kindergarten?? He is really excited, although he did mention that he wasn't sure where Mrs. Wyckoff's room was & that it would be a good idea for me to walk him there. Like I wouldn't??? I will be walking him to his classroom until he tells me that I no longer can!

I included his picture from last year's first day with our beloved Miss Pins. We'll miss her dearly, but knowing Mrs. Wyckoff, it will be an awesome year!

Look for an update tomorrow!!

SOUTH CAROLINA










We just returned home from a week at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. We went with Scott's entire family (there were 20 in all) to celebrate his Grandmother's 80th birthday. We all stayed in a HUGE 10 bedroom ocean front beach house. Each room had a beautiful view of the ocean.

We went into Charleston a couple of times and took a boat ride through Charleston Harbor going past the Battery, Patriot's Point, Fort Sumter and other sites. We also visited the South Carolina Aquarium where the kids got to pet a snake & see all sorts of fish, sharks and other sea creatures. We spent some time at Patriot's Point Naval Museum where we toured a submarine, air craft carrier and a destroyer. It was really hot that day, so we didn't stay too long there!

While at Kiawah Island, we typically walked around the beach, swam in the ocean, laid in the sun, hunted for shells, caught crabs, swung in the hammock, shopped, ate & had fun!!


We saw dolphins playing in the ocean, an alligator swimming in a lagoon, a jelly fish washed up on shore & several deer crossing the roads. A lot of nature for a girl that isn't too fond of it!!!!

There were only a few mild "issues" during the week...2 people are pretty sure that they got stung by a jelly fish, one ended up with sand in their eyes (bad enough that they ended up having it removed by a doctor), Allie got a fever and was in bed an entire day, Jake got the stomach flu and spent a day in bed and managed to pass it on to his cousin!!

All in all, a great week...we are glad to be home though! I've picked some of my favorite pictures from the week...I took well over 400 so this is just a small sample :)! I'm sure over the course of the next few days that I'll be posting more!

TY & WATERPARK

My cousin's son Ty was in Cedar Falls this week visiting his aunt (my cousin) Brooke. We met them at the waterpark today. The boys had fun despite the chilly water & overcast skies!

ALLIE IS 5!!!!!!!!

The big day for Allie has finally come and gone. She is 5 years old!! It was a big day for her. We had a party at the waterpark with all of her friends and some family even made a surprise appearance (Michael, Kim, Mandy, Mike & Ben). We had a blast playing in the pool, riding the slides and relaxing on the Lazy River. After a day of playing, eating and opening gifts, we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with Kim & Michael. The staff at the Roadhouse put her on a saddle and let her eat ice cream while wishing her a Happy Birthday...actually a big YEEE HAW!!!

NEW FRIEND

A new family moved in behind us. Jake and their son Paul have hit it off. They spent most of the day on Saturday playing t-ball, soccer, playing on the swing set, playing Play Station, watching Star Wars & playing action figures. They actually spent a lot of the day climbing over the fence that separates our yards to get something from the other house or to play for awhile at the other house. Jake is really happy that he has a friend so close. (I attached a picture of the boys in our back yard.)

REGISTRATION

We had registration today for Jacob. He found out he is in Mrs. Wyckoff's room this year. He also found out that 2 of his best friends from Miss Pins' class last year are in his class this year. He was really excited when he found out that Adam & Ben are in his class (they are also neighbors, which is great). He also found out that his other friends Mason, Nick, Stony, Jenna, Sophia & McKenna are in his class too. So far, it looks like he's got a really good group in his class. Only 19 more days 'til school starts!

We have new backyard neighbors. Jake & Allie met them and they have a son, Paul that is in 1st grade as well. He and Jake hit it off immediately & love the idea of climbing the fence to play! Paul registered today too and as luck would have it, he is in Jake's class too. I'm not sure who was more excited, Jake or Paul!!

Here is a picture that Kim emailed me from the weekend.

NOT MUCH HAPPENING

Nothing really going on here. We spent yesterday running errands, which pained Jake. He HATES Wal-Mart and that was one of our stops. He was surprisingly good though. After we ran errands, we watched the Disney movie "High School Musical". I had listened to it in the car numerous times and I finally had time to watch it AND listen to it. It is a great movie & now I know why the kids love it so much. It reminds me of a modern day, G-Rated "Grease"...(can't remember who described it as that, but I agree).

Today, we went to the waterpark for a couple of hours. Will probably do the same tomorrow. On Friday, Jake registers for school. I'm working at registration for a couple of hours to help promote the carnival. After registration, I have a dentist appointment (UGH). Will spend the weekend getting ready for company on Monday. Michael & Kim are coming up to spend the night for Allie's birthday.

That's it on this end...wish it was something more exciting!!

This picture always brings a smile to my face...it is from January of '05...my kids are SUCH dorks!

CATCHING UP

On Saturday morning, the kids and I drove to my parent's house. We met Mandy & Ben there and mom babysat for Allie & Ben, while Jake & Michael went golfing. Mandy, Kim & I met up with Kim's mom & sister for some serious wedding dress shopping...I think she may have found the PERFECT dress. She looks absolutely GORGEOUS in it!! We managed to squeeze in lunch and a little shopping before heading back to Mom & Dad's house.

On Saturday night, we celebrated Allie's birthday at Happy Joe's, then came back to Mom & Dad's house for cake & gift opening. Allie was pretty excited to celebrate her "early" b-day bash.

On Sunday, we had a get together with my Mom's side of the family. It was so nice visiting with my aunts, uncles & cousins. We don't get to see them very often so it was fun catching up.

On Sunday night, the kids & I along with Mandy & Ben went to Michael & Kim's for a slumber party. Michael filled up Kim's pool and the kids had a ball making their own waterslide out of her air mattress. After swimming, we had pizza and watched movies. It was back home on Monday afternoon & we were all exhausted!