We spent the last couple of weeks of summer in a 'camp free' state and enjoyed some Quad City activities. We took advantage of a sort of cloudy day this day and went to Splash Landing. The kids had run of the pool and BOTH kids passed the swim test allowing the to go down the big kid slides. They were thrilled!
An afternoon at Monkey Joe's on a hot and humid day! And since it was our last hurrah for the summer at MJ's we opted for a fun sweet treat.
Both kids participated in the Bettendorf library's summer reading program which meant weekly trips to the library. Kennon is still a dino fan ( now saying he'd like to be a red dino or dragon for Halloween) and enjoyed putting this puzzle together on a frequent basis.
The Bettendorf YMCA hosts a kid's triathlon every August. We went over as a family to cheer on all of the participants. The triathlon itself raises money for childhood cancer treatment/research. I'm pretty certain after watching, that both kids will be participants next year. Their swimming skills have improved greatly in the last year and the swimming portion is in the lap pool inside the Y rather than a lake. The distances are very approachable for kids.
Eric celebrated his 44th birthday in August. We ( with a little help from Aunt Kelly) put together this great book about Eric. The kids got to draw on each page and create an individualized story for him. So cool! He really enjoyed it!
The kids presenting their creation to Eric. I love their proud faces!! Happy birthday to a great Dad and husband.
Unpack your backpack night for Maddox.
A little yard project with Dad. The kids have on sad faces as both of their shovels did not withstand the hard clay in our yard!
The last Sunday of summer we joined up with our good friends, the Barone's, and went to the Quad City Backwater Gamblers ski show over in Rock Island. It really amazes me how talented these folks are!! The kids had a fun time and it was a great way to wrap up the summer.
Making homemade marinara sauce with fresh garden tomatoes from our good neighbors, Lori and Lee's, garden.
Homemade blueberry pancakes for Maddox on her first day of school with fresh maple syrup from one of my good friend's mom and dad's maple trees up in Northern WI. YUMMY!! Nothing like real maple syrup. She picked this dress out herself and was excited to start the year.
Maddox's first day of school. By luck of the draw Maddox got the teacher she wanted!! She was so excited and it seems to be a great fit so far. She is doing well in school.
This is some of the kiddos at Maddox's bus stop. Our neighborhood continues to be filled to the brim with kids! Some of the kids in this picture will age up to the middle school next year which will luckily make room for several new Kindergartners on the bus, including Kennon.
One last hug from little brother.
Our Family museum partnered with Kids Against Hunger and hosted a food packing site in August. We got to pack about 1000 meals of which 15% will stay right here in the Quad Cities to feed some hungry children in our immediate area. The other 85% will be sent out to other countries, primarily overseas in Africa and Southeast Asia. We had great fun and it was a fabulous teaching lesson for the kids.
The bags are filled with vegetables, rice and a soy protein.
Maddox wrote this Mission Statement the first week of school and colored this picture of herself.
So cool to learn about and create a Mission Statement at such a young age.
Kennon's first day of 5 year old preschool. This smile says it all about Kennon's personality.
Maddox lost her first front tooth at school, I think the second week of school. She was very excited and admitted that she may have pulled it out just to be able to visit the nurse and get the coveted 'tooth envelope'. Her second front tooth is loose but definitely not ready to come out yet.
What's the significance of this picture you say?…. Maddox washing her water bottle?? Maddox's teacher used the first couple of weeks of school to teach the children about The Seven Habits of Happy Kids. Mrs. Welling uses this book and it's teachings as the main philosophy in her classroom. It is a great book and Maddox has really taken to the tactics. This picture is in relationship to habit number one 'Being Proactive'….ie taking care of her own things and gaining responsibility. Other habits are 'begin with the end in mind', 'put first things first', 'synergize' Basically the book instills ownership, leadership, balance and responsibility. Eric purchased the book and Maddox has read through it several times. Super cool!
Maddox loves to read and Kennon loves to listen ( for the most part).
On Labor Day the neighborhood held it's second annual Family Fun Run. Kennon and I were in charge of making signs to post along the route. My good friend Kim and I simplified the workings of the race this year in comparison to last and it went better. I think a couple more improvements in regards to the timing of the participants and we'll have it down to a science next year. I continue to be so thankful Eric and I stumbled onto Judge Road 8 years ago and bought 5363. This neighborhood rocks - so many great families and family friendly activities.
Both the kids cutting apart the freezer pops which we served as treats after the race.
The 1/2 milers getting ready to run.
Maddox and Kennon waiting for their turn at the 1 mile
Maddox and Kennon waiting to start the 1 mile along with the other big kids in the neighborhood.
Eric running along with Kennon. Maddox came in at 9:30 and Kennon 11:30. I thought they did great and even more importantly they have both been encouraged by their achievement and have asked to go for runs with Eric. We are thrilled as running is just a bit of a family trait ;)
Sporting a new pair of shades and a sweet treat for crossing the line.
We celebrated Maddox's 7th birthday skate style!! Maddox has recently been to a couple of roller skating birthday parties and fell in love with skating. We rented out the Eldridge Community Skate Center the Saturday of Labor Day and celebrated her 7th birthday with friends and family. 7th birthday…what!!?? She received a pair of her own pink roller skates from Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jim! Our dear Maddox….oh my how she keeps Eric and I are our parenting toes everyday. Her loves are dance, ballet, singing, reading, and although a bit shy theatre and performing. She has shot up in height and is more like a tall string bean than she was at the age of 6. She is INSISTENT on wearing a dress to school as many days of the week that she can, which means every 'non PE' day and she'd prefer to wear fancy shoes and jewelry with each dress. She has many friends at school and in the neighborhood. She has enjoyed soccer this fall and has gained in confidence on the field, getting out to the front of the pack and nearly scoring several goals. It is a big field for the 1st/2nd grade teams. She certainly comes home from games tired. She'd ride her bike to the roller skating rink everyday if it were close enough and she has happily gotten to the point of being more upright than down in recent weeks. She is reading like a champ, most recently, National Geographic books that have words in them that I can't even pronounce and she seems determined to finish the books just as fast as she brings them home from her school library. Maddox is a stubborn as an ox, bull, donkey ( you name it!!) and has a way of arguing with you that makes me think she is going to be an extremely successful lawyer someday…no joke!! Luckily we hear good words from all her teachers and church leaders that she is very sweet and studious….saves the 'best' for us at home I suppose…always pushing the envelope a bit. She and her brother fight like cats and dogs pretty much daily and each has found just the right buttons to push to irritate the other. It seems like that has escalated in recent months, although oddly enough when they go any length of time without one another they beg for the other to return. We see Maddox's kind, compassionate, heart and we know that she cares about her family and friends' well being by her words and actions. We continue to try to encourage those kind actions with love and reassurance. We are excited to see what your achievements will be this year Maddox.
Uncle Tyler, cousin Reid and Maddox
Even cousin Chelsea drove up from Muscatine to celebrate with Maddox. The kids hadn't seen her since she was living with us so it was a fun reunion. Thanks for making the trip up Chelsea.
Singing happy birthday and doing the chicken dance with the birthday girl in the middle of the rink…..with none other than the…..CHICKEN!!
The birthday crew… Kennon, 5 Mason ( a neighbor friend), cousins Cashin and Carter, classmate Lila and neighbor friend Priya, cousin Reid, Maddox, Chicken, and classmates Elaina, Avery, Emma and Elise.
We went super simple with this birthday and ordered a pink and blue butterfly and flower white cake from Sams with extra frosting :)
Grandpa Jim with the grandkids
Since the Knowles family was in town for Maddox's birthday the weekend of Labor Day we were all able to join in the fun at the Orion Fall Festival together. The event continues to be a good festival for children our kiddos' ages although they did seem to have a fair amount more 'big kid' rides this year compared to last which our crew was slightly displeased about. No green dragon mini roller coaster :( But Uncle Tyler was happy to hop on the spinning, (vertigo inducing:) Tilt-a Whirl for the kids' first time. I was happy to pass that good deed to the younger, less vestibularly challenged adult. They had great fun- lots of smiles! We topped off our day with a breeze through the vintage cars parked on Main Street in Orion, a big bowl of strawberry shortcake, and a visit to Grammy's box.
Kennon and Reid
Silly kids on the dizzy dragon.
Big boys on the mini ferris wheel…might venture up to the big ferris wheel next year.
Maddox and cousin Carter.
Eric and I finished up September ( or really October 1st) by heading to the Iowa vs Iowa State game. It is always nice to get away and have some down time together.
I ended up splitting up the loads of pictures I have on my iPhone so I'm planning to get another post done hopefully this week yet. Stay tuned for more fun, more serving our community and more celebrations.
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