Not smarter than a 5th grader..

 Xander has come home with some problems to see if we are smarter than a 5th grader, pretty humbling, nope...

If he absorbs school like he does the magic tricks his teacher has shown him, he will sail through 5th grade.

Pet Poolooza

 We took Strudel to Cico pool today to help support the animal shelter and close down the pool along with several other swimming canines. My friend warned me to get there early or we would be swimming in dog poop.

He wasn't too sure at first and just held on to the edge, like the toddler he is.

Once we got the ball and frisbee involved, he took flight and jumped right in, I loved to watch him splash in like a little child.

 Here he is swimming back with his ball in his mouth, think he has a lead butt because his hind end didn't swim as well as his front. He needed some floaties on his back legs.

My kids get very nervous when he is off his leash or wandering free. The most impressive thing he did was jump from this island in the middle over the river to the other side, it surprised all of us.

I love that they are both synchronized doggy paddling

Unfortunately, it couldn't be all fun.  Strudel doggy paddled a nice scratch down Monroe's arm, think that will leave a mark!

TGIF

especially for the kindergarten teacher with these two in her class:)
Jude had his first after school play-date with Luke, wow these two are pretty entertaining!
I found an old blog post from 2008 of these two little dudes together, Jude was quite excited to see they knew each other as babies.

1st day favorites...

 extra special visit from our cousin Kenzie, little Ms.sophomore/driver/volleyball player

 feeling the love by Mrs.Sandmann, think she has been on pinterest

 So proud of Jude, who knew today he was in kindergarten and his teachers name, think he is going to be a fast learner;)

Can we say just a little excited to get our art fix again with Mrs.Smith!!

 girlfriend time before & after school and at recess

 Jude was excited to sit by a familiar face, I'm sure she will teach him a thing or two

 how long will they let 4 girls sit next to each other?

best part of half days, still time to reunite at pool with cousins and friends from other schools

Back to school interviews with K, 3rd & 5th

 Jude & Mrs.Sandmann, super sweet who complimented his red hair:)

I can't believe my little Jude the dude is going to kindergarten, according to his interview he doesn't know he is going either:)

 Monroe & Mrs.Ribble. Disappointed about not being in either of her 2 best friends classes :( She found a girl to sit by new to the school, hopefully she can show her around and introduce her to some friends, too bad I can barely find my way in the new building.

Arrived a little late to meet Xander's teacher Mrs.Stenfors, not pictured. He will have Mr.Garwick for a few weeks who he is a little bit lot thrilled with, a former Marlatt teacher who is now retired and is also a magician.


We also printed these little interviews from Jessie's pinboard that will be good scrapbook/blogbook keepsakes I think.

No more monkeys

 flipping out of bed! I could not deal with him diving headfirst onto hardwood floors again and Xander wanted his duvet back we had made as a landing pad temporarily on the floor.

 Trav took off a railing and converted Kingston (Cole's) crib into a toddler bed, not sure if it is suppposed to do this, but he has now slept one nap and one night in it. He had been sleeping with his sister but she slumbered at Grandpa & Grandma's last night, now if he will stay in.

Strudel likes the easy access to the bed as well.

Floatin is what I want to do...

 We got to enjoy some boating last weekend with the Henry Fam

 Tess found a treasure at tuttle puddle

 Girls enjoyed a mud bath, squishy feet in the  mud makes me very uncomfortable, obviously not these girls

 Max practicing up his driving skills, you run out of seats with 8 kids and 4 adults on 1 boat

 Kingston loved his 1st tubing ride!

 we lost these girls almost, after several spins

 what is the boat capacity?

not good when the boat driver is riding on Big Mable

Rockin Roe

Jeryka texted this picture to me of Monroe in her wig at practice, thought it was cute! Roe told me during the Olympics that "by the time I get to the Olympics, I think Jeryka's hair will have grown back long again:)"

Flipping Out..

 that school is starting in a week and my kids are still sleeping at 10am

this one decided to flip fall out of his crib last night and did not land on his feet...

Monroe did her 1st back tuck last night on floor and got it on video, thank you iphone but a little far away and blurry.

Photoshoot Favs

this is my favorite picture of all, what an angle photographer grampy has got, surprised he didn't get any job opportunities out there.

 the outnumbered cute girls

 Grandma Susie sporting her new snappy turtle find, she is the best shopper!

 this picture sums up my kids personalities, Monroe the leader go getter in front, Xander the laid back one,  Kingston the leach and the Jude lolly gagger picking up the back.

 why are the pictures from behind the ones I like best:)?

 we need a little cut and paste for Mason & shirt for Cole, and yep perfect ;)

I didn't get a good shot from the front, but check out James and Stella, this is them embracing all the time, so cute!