End of Summer

This is the last week of our summer break. It seems to have gone by so fast... I don't think the rest of the year moves that quickly. Recently the weather has cooled down some, so on Monday morning I took the kids to a fun park. I have been trying to do some "summer" things with the kids this last week. Tuesday Lila and Wyatt spent the day doing fun things with Aunt Janina, then Lila spent the night at her house. Wednesday we went for ice cream after dinner. Today we went to the library (not necessarily a summer thing, but we had books due!). Anyway, back to the park.

It has a fun space theme.

A rocket with three levels! Shortly after we arrived, some other kids showed up. It was fun to listen to all of them play together and talk about "aliens" and having "permission to board" the spaceship :)

Someone else was determined to board the space craft!

Then we found a space shuttle more her size.

There was also a smaller playground next to the larger rocket that was also more her size (or at least Mommy thought so).

My little astronaut... he seemed to prefer hanging out on the second level, although he did go down the big slide a few times.

Speaking of slides, the little playground had a few too. They were electrifying to Piper :)

As soon as she got down the slide, she would run around to the steps...

and go down again!

There is a little bridge that spans a creek near this park. When we first arrived, I told the kids I wanted to try to take a picture of them before they played on the playground. They were fascinated with looking down at the creek.

I finally got them to sit down together.

But Piper immediately wanted to get up and wander off. Lila tried the "give her a hug" technique, but she wasn't thrilled.

This was the best I could get of them. At least they're all looking at the camera.

I thought maybe if they stood up, they'd be more content to hold still. Ha!

Ok, back to playing on the bridge.

And climbing on it.

Lila, 6 years old

Can you tell from this picture that this girl is full of personality? I love the little sparkle that comes into her eyes when she figures out a joke or that I'm teasing. She loves to create stories, making up an animal and then telling me all about its characteristics. Recently she has discovered Lego Friends (her first smaller sized Legos), and I have been amazed at the time and imagination she puts into building with them. She still likes catching bugs and critters (we recently had two little gecko lizards spend a couple nights in her bug hotel). She has also developed a good friendship with two neighbor girls, and the three of them will spend hours playing together in our back yard.

Due to low enrollment in Kindergarten this year and high numbers in First Grade, Lila's K teacher got moved to 1st. Lila was THRILLED to learn that she is going to have the same teacher again. Needless to say, I think her first day of school will go smoothly :)

Wyatt, 3 1/2 years old

My sweet little guy is going to start preschool this year. He's asked me several times if I'm going to go with him to school. I don't expect the first day to be easy on him (or me). He is a contradiction of personality: loud, rough and tumble yet shy, sensitive and snuggly. He still likes building with blocks and recently has discovered super heroes. His favorite is Batman. He also likes robots. This year he will go to school two days a week. His good buddy from church will also go to the same school on those days (but in a different class). I am glad that they have the same schedule, so they can still play together during the week.

Piper, 20 months old

This picture sums up the independence and determination that oozes out of this little girl. She still likes to snuggle up, but only on her terms. And if we are outside, she wants DOWN. When she's down, she's off and running. In the highchair, she wants to be the one holding the spoon. Same with her toothbrush. She is getting better and better at communicating and can say so many words now. She says several of her words backwards, putting the end consonant first. She loves to go "dise" (outside). "Nay" is again. She started by saying "nofe" for phone, but now she says "fofe". "Wawoo" is water. She is great at saying no (of course) but doesn't say yes all that much. Instead she says uh-huh or nods her head. I call her a little mimic because she loves to copy whatever we do. My favorite might be when I whistle for the dogs, and then she says "woooooo" in a high pitch :) Today at the grocery store she was winking (blinking slowly) back at the cashier. She really is a delight (and usually very happy); I love this age!