Conferences

Since I was presenting at a national conferences during parent/teacher conferences a few weeks ago, I rescheduled them for last night. Here is what each teacher said:

Kadence: Overall a complete delight in the classroom. The teacher wished she could have a classroom full of Kadence's as she is compassionate towards others, LOVES to help out whenever and wherever it is possible, is self-confident and has positive self-esteem, needs to be challenged in all areas, and is a great role model for everyone else in her class. The teacher couldn't find any deficits or weaknesses yet with Kadence. She said that just that day, she had brought up the idea during group time that they were going to start learning their phone numbers. When she got done speaking, Kadence walked up to her and said, "Here is my phone number." Sure enough, Kadence had written down her number. The teacher said she will be creating more difficult tasks for Kadence so that her learning continues.

Nick: Overall a well-mannered, compassionate, and helpful boy. The teacher said she has to keep him challenged in math, which he states is his favorite subject. Nick had a difficult time with his eyes last year (vision therapy), but even with that, he is developmentally where the other children are in reading in the classroom. The teacher knows he can do more in this area, so she encouraged us to have him read more at home and to ask questions related to what he just read. The only major concern that she had for him was that he has been very quiet lately and is very nervous when he has to go in front of the classroom (something that has changed with him since last year). I asked Nick about this when we got home and he broke down in tears saying that there was a boy outside who always picked who was on the football teams. This boy never picks Nick, and since there are limited numbers of footballs for the entire grade, Nick cannot start a game of his own (his class is usually last to get outside). My heart broke for him... I know personally how difficult and hard it is when I was the one "standing on the sidelines" because no one wanted me to play. Aaron and I are going to Dunham's later today and buying more footballs. We are going to donate them to Nick's classroom so that he and other boys in his class can have them during recess. Hopefully this will help remedy the situation and Nick will be more confident in himself overall. I told him he needs to stand up for himself as well and tell that boy that he cannot choose who is on the team every day. Other children should have that opportunity. We'll see what happens...

Family picture

We decided to send out Thanksgiving cards/letters this year instead of Christmas ones. Here is the family picture that will be on our cards.

Drew for show-n-tell

Both Nick and Kadence wanted me to bring Drew to their classrooms for show-n-tell. We made it to Nick's room 2 weeks ago and then to Kadence's classroom today. They wanted to show him off, but couldn't care less about telling their classmates about who Drew was. Drew loved going though---he kept smiling at everyone.

I've been spending an hour or so each week in the kids' classrooms. It has been a lot of fun, getting to know the teachers, children and school overall. Everyone going to Medary should be very happy and proud of their school. We don't know how "good" we have it compared to other schools.

Choices, choices, choices...

Nick is such a sports-enthusiast. He dreams it, watches it, and lives it in his daily life. There isn't a day when he isn't throwing a football around, playing basketball, kicking a soccer ball, or just running around to see how fast he can go. He has to make some difficult choices though----he has decided that he would like to join 4-H but the meetings are on Monday evenings, the same night as basketball practice. He told me, "I would rather play basketball, mom." which doesn't surprise me, but he would still like to do a few 4-H activities too. His top choice is to show a calf, but Aaron is NOT wanting him to do this as it takes many hours of practice, plus if Nick makes it to the State Fair, then we will need to take him and the calf there as well. He has also decided that he doesn't want to take piano, which doesn't surprise me. He likes to listen to music of all kinds but doesn't want to sing or play the piano in front of anyone. He has a lot of choices to make...already at such a young age! :-) I'm thankful he has the choices though. It makes him who he is and who he wants to become.

Kadence, our Kid of Character

Kadence was chosen as one of the Kindergarten Kids of Character this month (the only one in her classroom). The character was citizenship. It really doesn't surprise me that she received this...she is always willing to help another person, including those with disabilities. We are very proud of her!! :-)

"Dickie!"

I get such a kick out of Kyra at times. She has such a love-hate thing with bugs of any type. Plus, she cannot pronounce her "n's" yet, so when she sees a spider or bug outside, her response, is "DICKIE! PIDER!" Meaning....Nick! There's a spider! Nick has to come and kill it for her, and then she is happy again. She loves to watch them though!

This morning...

Kadence wasn't in the best of moods this morning. I told her to "go brush your teeth". Her response? "NO! I'm NOT going to brush my teeth for several years!" I had to chuckle under that one...until I went to go get her toothbrush and found Kyra with her own toothbrush (and toothpaste), scrubbing the carpet in her bedroom! Thank goodness it's Friday!

Bryan and Sheena Krogman's Wedding

Kadence and Nick were asked to be in Bryan and Sheena Krogman's wedding. They did a BEAUTIFUL job, although Kadence was somewhat apprehensive about going down the aisle. The wedding was absolutely beautiful as well.

Kadence's hair
Walking down the aisle.

The wedding party, waiting for the beautiful bride to come up to the alter.

Nick and cousin Maggie playing mini-golf before the reception.

Here's Kadence and cousin Steven playing mini-golf.

Maggie and Nick hanging out.

Our family picture

Bryan and Sheena

Kyra had had enough by the time the dance was over.

Kadence and mommy dancing away!

Family and friends

Drew---he's becoming more and more alert to what's going on every day.

Daddy and Drew hanging out.

First day of school 2011

The first days of school for the kids came too fast for both Aaron and I. Kadence started Kindergarten this year. Her teacher is Mrs. Carlson. She absolutely LOVED the first day and cannot wait to go back. Nick has Mrs. Bos. He was excited to get back the next day as well, so I guess things went well!

Kadence at a table, waiting for Kindergarten to start!

Nick found his desk right away and wanted me to leave (guess that's a good thing, right?).

The kids walking up to the school.

Daddy taking his little girl to school. Aaron had a difficult time. He kept telling me, I cannot believe Kadence is already in Kindergarten. Where has the time gone?

Nick, Kadence, and Drew before leaving the house.

Nick, Kyra, and Kadence. Kyra was actually okay in this picture because she wanted to be in the picture. The next picture, well, not so much...she threw a fit.

Our big 2nd grader! I can actually wear his shoes!

Our sweet angel, on her first day of Kindergarten!

Summer Vacation 2011

This summer we went to Kavanaugh's Resort near Brainerd, MN. As you can tell by the picture below, the lake is absolutely clear. In fact, I paddle boated (with the girls) to the other side of lake and could see the bottom of the lake the entire time! They have so much to do for all ages. It truly is a family resort. We also went to Nisswa. It is somewhat similar to Pioneer Village in Madison, SD and has several shops.

Kadence enjoying the beach.

Nick jumping off the dock and swimming to the floating dock nearby.

Kyra enjoyed playing in the sand most of the time with an occassion "foot dip" into the water.

Everyone enjoying the nice weather outside.

They also have an indoor and outdoor pool. Here is Kadence and Nick jumping into the indoor one.

The outdoor pool.

We stopped at Storybook Island in Aberdeen on the way home. When we finished, Aaron mentioned how he had wished he had known about this earlier. It was a lot of fun! We were there for 4 hours in the hot sun but it didn't seem like it as we were having so much fun! There are a few amusement park rides there too. Based on what occurred, I think Kadence and Kyra will be my roller coaster partners later on! :-)

Nick's 8th birthday

For Nick's 8th birthday, we reserved the Holiday Inn Express pool and rooms, something he had been wanting to do. We had several boys attend and were fortunate enough to have a few of his aunts and uncles and his cousins there as well...Jodi, Jay, Cole and Morgan Saunders & Isabel, Maya, Lucy, Edison, Greg and Stacey Knofczynski. It was a lot of fun. Kadence stayed with her daddy most of the time, Kyra went from pool to pool and wanted to go down the big slide, and Drew slept through most of it.

Summer Fun

Our summer has been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! We have had many opportunities to go different places and to do different things. Here are a few of my favorite pictures...

Kyra riding on our renter's horse. She tells her daddy she wants one but doesn't get a positive statement back. :-)

Kadence's turn! She also loves riding the horses and would do it every day if we let her.

Nick showing off his nice outfit! Cowboy boots CAN go with anything. :-)

Sisterly love....I'm so happy that Kadence and Kyra have each other as sisters and as friends. Here is Kadence pushing Kyra on the swing.

Drew, checking out the trees moving. He LOVES the swing outside and inside.

My crew---enjoying the nice outdoor weather.

Kadence graduated from Safety Town. She was so proud of herself. She remembered her address and phone number...something I still have a hard time remembering. :-)

Kadence on her "hot rod" at Safety Town this summer. I don't think I will mention to Officer Tim that she has her own go-cart at home. Ha!

Drew's Baptism

We baptized Drew at St. William's Catholic Church in Aurora, SD. His Godparents included Todd and Stacy (Insley) Klein and Mark and Karen Jorenby. We went to our house afterwards for a small reception. It was a beautiful day to celebrate Drew's baptism.

Summer Professional Pictures