Last Day of Pre-K

I cannot believe Nora has gone through her first year of preschool already.  Parents of older children are always telling parents with younger children to enjoy it because time goes so fast.  You hear it all the time.  I can honestly say I didn't realize just how fast time goes until I had kids of my own.  It's days like these that are vivid reminders.  

A side-by-side look of how much she's grown from the beginning of the year.

 

I took one similar to this on the first day as well. 

All ready to go in!  She wanted to "trick Mrs. Morris" by
wearing her glasses to school. 

Nora and Mrs. Morris

Nora was so blessed to have Mrs. Morris as a teacher.  She is such a kind, compassionate, and loving woman. Every student got a big book at the end of the school year that chronicled their year.  It wasn't a general classroom book either.  Each child got their own book.  With a picture of them doing each activity throughout the school year.  I'm amazed at the amount of time and energy that went into each and every one of those books.  It's truly a treasure. She was always there to give hugs.  Nora made her a crown and she actually wore it the entire day.  There just aren't many people who would do that! She is fantastic at her job and I'm so very happy she had her.  This school year went more smoothly because of her.  

Nora is already starting to ask when school is starting again.  

Greta: seven months

There were were no official height and weight stats for this month (no pediatrician visit).

Probably the most significant development this past month was that she started pulling up to a stand.  And yes, that's pretty early on average.  I think she's going to do things like this early to make everyone believe she'll be an early walker too but I have a feeling she'll wait on the walking.

I had to order more drool bandannas for this munchkin. I think the teething may have made it worse for a while.  Good thing it's not too hot yet! 

You can see her two bottom chompers so well in this picture.
No longer a toothless grin but still just as cute!

Golf Balling

There are a couple of special things the kids always want to do when we go back to Wisconsin and stay with my mom.  One is going to the farm (Pat is my mom's best friend - her parents still live on a farm just down the street from her house -- they have cows and the kids LOVE to go see them).  The other is looking for golf balls.  Pat's house bumps up to field on one side and golf course on the other.  When the field gets cut, the kids put on their rain boots, take along shovels and a plastic bag and begin hunting in the field for golf balls that have overshot the fairway.

Sometimes the balls get driven into the grass by the tractor wheels
which is why they have to bring a shovel.

Then there's the added bonus of finding
other things in nature.

Our crew today was (from left) Jake, Alissa, Nora, Gram, Rusty, Jenna, and Pat.
I was (obviously) the photographer and Greta was able to come along
all snuggled up in the Ergo.

When Jake is back, he's always Myles' biggest buddy.

This day, the jackpot was pretty decent.  We had found about 30 some golf balls.  There have been times they've found less and other times more.  Even if they only found five golf balls, I think the two of them would be thrilled. They just like running in the field and digging out the balls with the shovel. I'm glad they have these rural-life types of opportunities too.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

"Today is a good day to fly kites." - Nora

The two older kids each got kites in their Easter baskets this year. Late in the afternoon, Nora  had the idea to break open the kites and give it a try.  I had just put Greta down for the night and couldn't resist getting out the camera and taking pictures.  The light was just too good.

After a while, Myles was ready to head inside for a bath but Nora didn't want to quit just yet.

She was enjoying every single minute of flying her princess kite.

She asked me if I wanted to learn how to fly a kite too.  "I'll teach you how, Mom." And she proceeded to tell me I just have to keep walking around while the kite is in the air.  If I want to I can stop for a break but when the kite starts to go down then you have to move again.

She labeled herself a good teacher and said I was just a better picture taker and not a good kite flyer.  She was better.

One of my favorites from the day.  Summer legs. Full of scrapes, bruises,
and dirt. 

We've flown kites numerous times since.  She loves it every time and can outlast everyone.