Last Days of Summer

The days are getting shorter, and the weather is finally getting cooler. But before we bring out the fall wardrobe, here are a few pictures of the final lazy days of summer...

The kids love to ride bikes in the cul-de-sac. Ethan is still getting the hang of this pedaling thing, but he's improved a lot since earlier in the summer.

And sometimes after working up a sweat riding bikes, you just need to cool off with a garden hose! As you can see from the pictures below, the kids had a blast getting soaking wet in their clothes. Such a simple thing, but SO many giggles!!

We've been taking advantage of the cooler (but still nice) days to sample some of the wonderful parks around the city. One day, we went to Edwin Warner park to explore the nature center, walk some trails and play in the Nature Play area. Unfortunately, my camera battery died after the first picture, but they loved being outside in God's creation and exploring to their hearts' content. Kaitlyn loved collecting acorns and following the trails by "reading" the signs. Ethan was happy to collect rocks and dig in the big sand pit in the play area. Both were excited about "hiking" since they associate that with something that big people do.

And although I don't have any pictures, today we went to another park and waded in the stream, watched minnows, observed leaves traveling with the current, scooped up handfuls of tiny shell animals and watched them crawl around on shore. Our shoes and clothes were wet and our hands were dirty, and we all had a fabulous time.

We continued an annual tradition again this year...the Lincoln County Fair. We went on the very last day, so most of the animals were already gone. But there were a few horses still around for the kids to pet.

Ethan was able to do all the rides with Kaitlyn this year. And even though they definitely have their bickering moments, they really enjoy being with each other and love having a built-in playmate for everything.

Goodbye, Summer--hello, Fall!

1st Days of School

In August, Kaitlyn started Pre-K and Ethan started his first year of preschool! Ethan has watched Kaitlyn happily jump out of the car to go to preschool for two years now, so he was quite excited when HE was finally able to get out too!

Here they are as they get ready to go to Snoopy Day--a chance to meet their teachers and get a sneak peek into their classrooms before school starts.

After snooping around, they go outside and play for a bit while the parents meet with the teachers. Ethan clearly enjoyed his time there :)

Then came the first real day of school. Both kids were eager to head out the door with their lunchboxes and preschool bags.

I'm trying not to think about the fact that this is Kaitlyn's last year of preschool. Next August, she heads off to "big girl" school for five days each week. How is that possible?!?! Sniff, sniff.