September Stuff

Kate not feeling great snuggled up on the chair

The second graders at Lucy's school put on a grandparent performance. It was perfect because Nana Diane was able to be in town and come.

A piece of art I saw in the vet's office that I enjoyed!

The kids getting a little crazy with the neighbor's costume bin

Soccer season, Lucy and her friend Mia and then my crew with Gpa.

 Soccer season is here. I am coaching Lucy's team and Jaydon is having a great time with some friends on his team.

We got to go to WA for a quick trip and have a fun time hanging out with a lot of people from our old neighborhood

The amazing Asia Citro, author, blogger, publisher, non-profit organizer, event planner. We were really lucky that the time we were in WA coincided with her first Seattle Public Children's Book Festival so I got to help out a little and see her!

Jaydon's learning

Over winter break Jaydon has gotten into reading a few more chapter books.  One morning he shouted at me "hey mom, I just learned something" then he proceeded to tell me a bit about the moon controlling the water.  He kept reading his book but later in the evening he had written this journal about what he learned. I was super impressed.  I love seeing kids learn!

Kate reading to E

 Cousin E was hanging out for a couple days after Leavenworth weekend and one morning he and Kate were looking at books.  I soon found Kate behind him trying to read him stories, it was super cute and hilarious because he of course couldn't see the book at all.

Jaydon reading to Kate

 We were getting ready for bedtime routine and I went back and found Jaydon and Kate snuggled up reading together, it was so cute!

Story Time

Ahhh...it is so cute to watch my husband and kids read stories together.  I love that books play a part in our time with our kids each day.

Even Higgins likes to get in on story time. Though he often gets booted because he gets in the way of the reader seeing the words.

Presents from the Buckners

Our kids sure are spoiled, err I mean loved.  Our annual Christmas package from Grandma and Grandpa Buckner arrived and they got to open it early.  Such a creative idea - a fun story for each kiddo with some gingerbread cookies in shapes that go with the stories - we had a great time.

A Seahorse book for Lucy

A gingerbread pirate book for Jaydon

And the Caterpillar book for kate

The delicious cookies were fun to play with and eat.  The layer below these pirates also had a seahorse and caterpillar for the girls.  It was great!

Thank you Grandpa Jim, Grandma Jo, Aunt Megan and Uncle Patrick.  We love you all!

Jaydon is reading

Jaydon has started reading.  His homework each night has been a learn to read book and he has done well with it.  Recently it clicked and he realized he could do it with other books.  He is loving it and we are loving watching him get excited about learning.

Sister story time

 Oh, be still my heart, both my girls reading stories while brother is at school - a lot of learning happening in our world.

Family Story Time

When it works for Kate to be awake and join us for the evening story time it is pretty cute. We cuddle up on the floor in Lucy's room and read our nighttime stories together.  Here are some pics of the three kids with Dad reading.

Sarah visits

Sarah came over to visit and the kids got her to read some new stories we had received, A Baby Makes Five was perfect for our new family!

Library Story Time

Jeremy is a pretty wonderful husband and we have a system that works really well for us with a new baby.  He cares for our older kiddos while I just focus on the baby for awhile and it makes it relatively easy (as easy as having a newborn can be).  I love library story times and am so thankful that this is a service that libraries offer!

I will say, sometimes Dads don't have the same standard of dress as Moms might for going out in the late October weather but I am sure Lucy was thrilled to wear this.

Jaydon peeking at the camera

Librarian Mickey reading a Splat the Cat story

Both kiddos paying attention to the story

Soupy the snail made his weekly appearance and Mickey was getting into the Halloween spirit.

Lucy is growing up

Lucy is growing up so fast (so is Jaydon for that matter - sheesh, where does the time go?)!

Lucy has started really wanting to read aloud to us and it is a lot of fun to watch.  She doesn't know the words but makes up the story as she goes from memory (or just looking at the pictures) and thoroughly enjoys holding the book facing out and turning pages.  In these pics she moved her little rocking chair over so that she could read to me while I worked in the kitchen. 

I had to snap these shots of her playing a game of Candy Land by herself.  I vividly remember Jaydon doing this and working his way up the board with both Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders.  Here Lucy took her little red guy all the way up to the castle turning a card and following the color every time.  It was pretty cute to peek in on and see her doing this.

Storytime with Grandpa

Grandpa got into town (Nana will be arriving in a couple days) and we get to enjoy a week and a half of time spent with them.  The kids are in heaven already and between Lucy always wanting stories ad to snuggle with Troy and Jaydon wanting to play baseball Grandpa is kept busy!

Jaydon, Lucy and Troy enjoying the stories Grandpa was reading