"F" is for...First Day of School

That's right Anali is officially in Kindergarten.

She has had a hard adjustment being gone from home so long, but she is loving it! Her teacher Miss Reed is excellent and makes school so fun. Anali is learning a lot and is really close to reading, which is super exciting!

Aden is in Pre-School and surprised all of us when he just walked right in the door with no tears.

He has loved all the fun projects they do at school and is always so happy to pull them out of his backpack and show me.

What a year!!! We have lots of learning and growing to do this year in school and lots of fun to look forward to.

"G" is for...Gymnastics Meet

Anali participated in her second ever meet for her Gymnastics school. She worked really hard to perfect her routine, and all her hard work payed off.


She did a excellent routine. The best I had seen her do it in all of her practicing! On her first pass during her routine she had to do a forward roll, straddle roll, chase, chase, cartwheel, cartwheel, salute. Second pass was a handstand (touch feet together), short run, round-off, rebound, stretch jump, salute. By far the handstand was the hardest for her and she did it perfect. She received a 9.05 for her performance. That put her 2nd in her group and 4th overall.


She was so excited to get a medal!! She also remembered that last year she got flowers and was sure to mention that if she got a medal she also got flowers!!



We are so proud of and love our little gymnast!!!

"S" is for...Sailing

As a gift on Father's Day we gave Monte Sailing Lessons. I know you are all wondering "Sailing Lessons in Iowa" I too was surprised, but they exist. They are taught on Grey's Lake by the cutest 80 year old man named Dick and the best part is that they are super inexpensive.

Monte came home from his first lesson with a smile on his face and a little bounce to his step. He had a great time and the wind cooperated for the most part. There were a few "Chris Farley" moments on the lake but he seemed to enjoy it.

We joined him on his last day to watch him maneuver around the obstacle course set-up and he was able to take the kids out for a ride. I chatted with his sailing instructor on the shore while he sailed around with the kids one at a time. Dick was a sure delight!! At 80 years old still full of life and so excited about this wonderful hobby. I learned several things about sailing and the most interesting is that it is very inexpensive as far as hobbies go. Lucky for me as I think it might be a new favorite summer activity!

"O" is for...One Hundred and Four

104 degrees. That is how hot it is outside today. It is also how hot Anali has been on and off today. Coincidence???? She is being a trooper, but a high fever, headache, and throw-up is not fun for anyone. She has worried all day that she will not be better in time for school, her gymnastic meet or the week that our neighbor girl gets to stay with us. She also mentioned that this is a "really bad bad day".

Since Anali was not feeling well, the other two kids had a lot less Mom and Anali time. Aden showed his disappointment by drawing a wonderful picture on the carpet in yellow marker! I was too mad to think to take a picture, but it would have been a great addition to this post. Instead I quickly tried to clean it up...can anyone say "yellow pea looking stain"? Aden will be happy when Anali gets feeling better and uses her imagination to keep him going in a world of make-believe.
Avalon was really, really missing her sister today. Anali plays with Avalon so much more than I realized. Her newest favorite thing to play with Avalon is pretending that Avalon is some type of animal on a leash. She is so good with her and loves to make her smile and laugh. I know Avalon is hoping Anali is better soon so she has a play pal.
Unfortunately I think today was just a taste of what it will be like to have Anali at school all day. Everyone is going to miss her SO MUCH!

Get better soon sweetie, so we have a few more fun days to play before school starts!