First school trip

Derek had his first class trip at SSA.  Daddy went as a chaperone to the apple orchard.  We are so pleased with D's school and his hard work there.  The kids enjoyed the apples.

The top bunk!

Derek got promoted to the top bunk!  He loves it and is very safe.  Will and Nate were sharing the bottom bunk. Then a few weeks later Nate decided he wanted to sleep alone.  So D is on top, Will is on the bottom, and Nate is using another twin bed. They are still in the same room and loving it!

Will and Nate's first day

Will ( right)  and Nate started preschool.  This is their second year at preschool at Lake Bible Church.  We really enjoy our church and it has become a huge part of us liking Portland.

Will and Nate were very sad that they started a whole week after D went to school.  They have teachers Clara and Dawn.  D had them both as teachers and has been telling them now nice they are.

There were no tears and cupcakes to mark the first day and I forgot their glasses (oops).

Will and Nate- WE LOVE YOU!

Derek starts Kindergarten!

 After lots of prayer and discussion over the past several years, we decided on a school for the boys to attend. We are so excited to be a part of the St. Stephen's Academy family.

Derek has not been excited to start kindergarten. He was not anxious or worried, he was simply not going (in his head). Hmmm...  Well we went to meet his teacher (Mrs. Briley) and meet his new classmates and everything switched.  D was excited to go to school and be with his buddy Cole (from church who is in 1st grade).  

D started kindergarten on September 3.  Mrs. Briley is amazing and D really likes her.  He was looking forward to using the playground.  He looks like such a big kid.

D as you start kindergarden, please remember,

WE LOVE YOU

We think you are fantastic and enjoy playing legos with you and watching you grow.

Staycation

 We did a mini-staycation.  We went to the beach and got rained out grr... The next day we went to Evergreen.  The boys loved the museum.  They enjoyed the spruce goose, SR-71 Blackbird, and the space building.  We had a picnic by the awesome playground.  Then.. we went to the new indoor water park.  It was a blast.  The boys had loved the water park in WI and were eager to try another one.  D loved the slides that started in the 747 on the roof. Will and Nate enjoyed jumping into Daddy's arms and showing off their swimming skills.  It was a full and fun day.

For fun and after hearing our stories, Gammy and Gumpy sent the boys space helmets. The helmets even were sent in a rock ship (the box). There have been many space adventures with the helmets.

As usual Nate is in a Packer jersey and athletic shorts.  This has been his summer outfit.  WIll loves these plaid shorts.  Silly kids :)

Cookies and more...

The boys wanted to make cookies.  D made most of the batter.  Will and Nate did an expert job of adding the m&m's.  They were yummy.

We celebrated my birthday.. my 40th birthday. GULP.  Who would have thought 10 years ago I would be living in Portland, married to the most fantastic guy, and have 3 fantastic kids?  Oh God you are so kind to me!  We had fruit tart (for me) and cupcakes (for the boys to enjoy).

 The bunk bed saga... so we bought bunk beds a while ago but have not been using the top bunk- the littles share the bottom bunk and D is in a twin.  Well... we found the littles on the top bunk during quiet time.  Mike asked them how they got up there and Nate showed Daddy how he climbed up (without the ladder).  We decided that they needed to climb safely and added the ladder. We also gave D the opportunity to sleep up there. He loves it.  They have all been safe with the ladder (usually) and it seems to have been a good decision.

Swim lessons

After our trip to WI, the boys were very motivated to work on swimming so for the month of August we had swim lessons twice per week.  Teach Esther was delightful and the boys adored her.  D is floating on his back and working on his strokes.  Will and Nate are both more comfortable and putting their faces in the water.

As a reward, we promised the boys a to a local water park for listening and behaving. Plus Daddy was able to watch a lesson on his vacation day which was a huge hit.