Starting School

The day before school started, both boys were able to ride the school bus on a "practice run" to the school. They were thrilled to board the big yellow bus, and to meet their teachers for the first time.

On September 1st, everyone was up bright and early to catch the bus. Both boys were gone by 8:15am.

Nolan returned home at 11:40am, chirping about all the fun things they did: they sang The Wheels on the Bus, played with toys, and listened to a story about puppy dogs who go to school.

Matt had a half-day for the first day of school, and he arrived home at 1:00pm. He was so thrilled about school: "Mom, we got to see the gym, the music room, the art room, and the cafeteria. They called it a tour!"

School is now in full swing, and Matthew is gone from 8:15am - 4:10pm. That is one long day for a kindergartener! Still, he loves every minute of it. He is particularly fond of gym: they have very creative games of tag, and he raved about a game of "dog catchers" and "dogs." I can only assume the dog catchers were supposed to catch the dogs in that game - his teachers are very creative!

The Birthday Boy

Nolan absolutely loves thrill rides, so we took him to Waldameer Amusement Park on his birthday. He was so excited to ride the fast rides - fortunately most of the mild thrill rides at Waldameer allow a child over 36" tall to ride with a parent. Nolan was so very excited about his trip to Waldameer!

There were two small roller coasters that he could ride, and a wide assortment of other spinning/swinging rides that he and Matthew both loved. The sun was shining, it was a gorgeous, 70 degree day, and the boys had a blast!

Click Click Click....

Wheeee!

Riding Big Rigs - Number 4, of course!

Annoyed at Matthew's insistence on a boat ride.

On the Paratrooper ride. This kid is insane!

Riding the Frog Hopper

Trying to get some air on the Ferris Wheel

Hitching a ride on Daddy's shoulders

The Birthday Boy with Mom and Dad

Birthday Cake, a day later (we got home too late)!

Nolan was so excited that he insisted we come to Waldameer every day, and that Waldameer was "super fun because it has super fast rides."

I am so glad he had a wonderful time. I still can't believe he is FOUR!

Sliding

What do you get when you add water and children to a large sheet of plastic?

The world's most awesome slip and slide:

We spent all day at Luensman Overview Park, slipping down the hill and having a marvelous time. Matt and Nolan squealed with glee as they shot down the slide.


Of course, this was Amish country and there wasn't really a convenient water source. Everything had to be pumped from the hand pump at first: Matt decided he probably didn't really want to be an Amish child.

A water pump truck finally arrived and made the water hauling process MUCH easier. The kids were ecstatic to slide over (and over and over) and over again.

School starts in two weeks. Until then, we are in denial.


Summer, we love you!

Future Engineer

Matt builds with construction toys constantly. He called me upstairs to take a look at his "combine harvester," and I was pretty impressed! I love seeing what his mind creates!

Gleeful

Our apple tree dropped an apple prematurely. Casey couldn't have been more thrilled.





Now, if only he would realize that watermelons are not tennis balls, I would be thrilled!

I Wish It Would Last Forever

Dear Summer,

Please

Don't

End.

Thank you,

Leah

Becalmed

The crew holds the dock lines

No jib set today: just two little boys in the bow.

Sailing is fun, Mom!

Sun, wind, and water. What could be better?

On the dock: land lubbers!

We took the boys out with just the mainsail. Handling a jib was going to be a little tough with two small boys on their first sail. The wind died away within 40 minutes of being out on the water, and we were in irons. With nary a breeze in sight, we dropped sail and pulled out the trusty oar to row back to the dock. Nolan watched several boats zipping around on the lake, and said,

"Sailing is super fun. But when can we get a motorboat?"

We'll definitely have to take them out on a day with a bit more wind. These boys need speed and splashing!