September Photos

- Dinner at Target Cafe - School work in undies- Jayhawk at the donut shop-

-Grant's school center- Wyatt's new basketball- Wyatt and our Halloween decorations-

-Catching raindrops- Dribbling practice- My RED front door!-

 -Walking to get Bubba- The Green Ninja- Movie Night!-

- Mimi's Halloween Tree- Half Birthdays!- Swing Swing-

- New car seat!- Ghost Goop- Pool closed-

- Girls Night at Pinot's Pallete- Dirty Wyatt after cousins football games-

- Dino Puzzle done for Luke Westfall- Green Grass still- Pumpkins!-

- Wyatt making a shot- Wyatt making a wish on a dandelion- Basement play!-

Junior Basketball

Wyatt started basketball the first Saturday in September! I knew I was going to sign Grant up, so when I asked Wyatt if he wanted to play basketball, he said, "Yeah of course!" So he's on the roster for Junior Basketball! 

He's got 8 boys on his "team." They play every Saturday morning in September. They learn the basics of basketball and work on basic techniques. The first week, they learned about the lines of the court, dribbling, and how to do a jump stop. Wyatt makes the cutest face when he dribbles- tongue out, just like Michael Jordan! So funny!! The second week, they worked on passing- chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. They partnered up and he got paired up with a boy named Luke. He and Luke are definitely the most "with it" of the boys on his team. They made a great pair and did a great job with their passing! They also practiced dribbling down the court, passing to a player, then catching a pass to shoot. I helped out with his activity, so that was fun for me! The goals only go down to 8ft which is way too high for these kiddos, but they tried their mightiest! It's adorable!! 

I hope basketball becomes something he really enjoys, just like his dad and I did when we were younger. Well, we still love to play, we're just....much older than we used to be! Based on Wyatt's current stature, I  imagine he could be a pretty mighty point guard!

Little Gymnasts

The boys started gymnastics through Blue Valley Parks and Rec back in August and they have LOVED it!! Grant goes Monday evenings, and Wyatt goes Tuesday mornings. Grant goes with his friend, Drew, and had mixed feelings about it at first. It's definitely something that is physically challenging for him and he wasn't so keen on actually working hard. But after the second week, he's all about it and says that nothing is hard anymore! He can do a full cartwheel and likes to show off his push-up skills! I haven't captured a picture of him yet, since the second he walks through those doors, he's ALWAYS bouncing around! But its been a great activity to get his wiggles out and continue to work on that upper body strength he's been lacking!!

Wyatt probably enjoys his class more than I ever imagined! He can't wait til they open the doors and he runs into place. He's very by the book and listens to every detail the instructor gives. He follows the routine and is very capable and coordinated! He loves it all!! It's been a great recreational activity we may just have to continue through the winter!!!

Wyatt @ 4.5

Wyatt,

Mommy just can't believe you're so big! 4.5 now?!? Seems impossible that you're so old! My tiny baby boy is getting bigger before my very eyes!! Although I'm very thankful to see you grow and thrive and mature into a sweet kiddo!

Big things happened these past few months for you!! School, gymnastics, basketball!! And its all AWESOME, as you always say!! We ended summer vacation with me being very anxious about you going to school and willingly walking into your classroom. I was worried someone would have you pry you, kicking and screaming, off my leg. And while we had about 1 minute of tears, you quickly recovered, sat down to paint, and never looked back and its been fantastic ever since. You LOVE your school and happily hop in every day (MWF). You tell me about all the things you get to do, and most importantly what was for snack! You're going to have a fantastic year!! Oh funny story-  your teacher told me as she was buckling you into your carseat: She was painting at the easel to show the class what to do, and kids were asking for help all over the place. And I guess you said really loud, "Guys, she only has two hands!" Hehe, I may say that a time or two dozen  in this house! You're a funny guy and your teacher is in for a real treat with you!

You also started gymnastics in August and have LOVED every second of that!! You go Tuesday mornings while Grant is at school and you just can't wait for that day!! The first day, you happily marched into the room, not hesitating for a second that I had to wait in the lobby area. I watched you through the window hang on every word of your instructor. You're the first one to get moving when you learn something new, always wanting to be first in line. You're quite the gymnast, so coordinated! You always say when its over that the class is too short and you ask when you get to go again! I have a feeling I'll be signing you up for sessions throughout the school year!!

You also started basketball two weeks ago! Its every Saturday morning and you look so adorable dribbling your bitty ball, all Michael Jordan like with your tongue hanging out. It's your concentration face and I love it! We think you might Daddy and I's little point guard. That was always our favorite position to play, and at your current stature, that may be in your future! I hope you enjoy the next few weeks before your session is over! A second session of basketball may be necessary too!

You're quite the little learner at home still! Always wanting to do homework, school games, etc. I made a ton of fall/Halloween activities and that has kept you quite busy! You LOVE to read CVC words and play lots of games with those! You like adding and comparing numbers. Sorting and fine motor activities still keep you occupied for a long time too! I got our our Halloween manipulatives and you sit by the supplies and get lost in the fun! Its a great thing to see!!! 

Board games are still your favorite! You will drop anything if I ask to play a game with you! Your current favorites are Uno, Yahtzee, Busytown, Dominos, and Memory. I'm constantly amazed at how quickly you pick up a new game!!

You are still a sweet snuggly, constantly wanting to be held, and covering me with kisses galore! You give the best snuggles and are just the most sensitive, affectionate little guy. You wear your heart on your sleeve and looking at you the wrong way can hurt your feelings. You and your brother could not be more opposite! So I enjoy these precious moments because I know someday the affection won't be so often! Your teddy lovey and thumb are still a package deal and I don't see that changing anytime soon!

You're still a tiny guy- most of your 3t fall/winter clothes from last year fit you pretty well. And you're still wearing a size 9 shoe! My petite baby!!

I am so blessed to be your mom! You're an amazing kid who is going to do amazing things! God has softened your heart just perfectly and I pray he continues to do so! Your heart is overflowing with love and anyone who meets you can see that!! You're a special guy and so proud that you're mine!

Love you WyWy!

Mom

Grant @ 6.5

Grant,

Wow, I just can't even believe you're half way to seven already!!! Seriously, you are just growing and changing each day and it makes my heart so happy! These past two months have brought about lots of positive changes for you and I'm so happy to see how you've adapted to everything!

You started Kindergarten back in mid-August and have done an OUTSTANDING job adjusting to your role as a Kindie Friend! Your teacher constantly has great things to say about you, which sounds weird for me to say, but kind of surpised by all her kind words. Not that you aren't a terrific kid, but sometimes its shadowed by your crazy antics. So to know that you're thriving and showing what an amazing kid you are each day at school makes my heart so happy! You've taken upon the responsibility for caring for two boys in your class who have special needs and that job is extremely important to you. You recently switched tables and don't get to do as much for the boys as you would like and it brings you to tears each day knowing that you can't be the one to take care of them. I love seeing that sympathetic, nurturing side of you because that is a side we rarely see at home. You are working so hard on reading and learning new words each day! You love math and science and all your specials! You like art because you get to sit by Adalynn, whom I think I have a little crush on. You are still working on your handwriting and have been sent home "practice" sheets a few times, so hopefully the more you work the easier it will get for you! Half-day Kindergarten was definitely the best fit for you! You come home and immediately hideaway in your playroom and decompress alone, after you take of all your clothes of course! Undies are you favorite! You love staying at home, so half day K was perfect for you! 

You also started gymnastics in August and have loved going to that Monday evenings. You complained about it being too hard the first day, but have since learned to do a real cartwheel and you are starting to love doing pushups just for fun! You're getting so strong and I love to see you challenge yourself! 

We struggled with some behavior problems the beginning of August, but now that we are settled into  a school routine, things have been much better! You're maturing each day and you are trying to be the biggest boy you can be! We walk you to school each day and the first few days, we walked you up to the building, but now you want us to stop at the house before we get to school so you can walk the rest of the way alone. You like crossing the street with the crossing guard alone. But the whole way you're walking to the crossing guard, you look over your shoulder and blow me tons of kisses and "hug" your arms and blow that to me too. It's so sweet to see you get so big, yet be so loving to me still! My sweet boy!

You still LOVE your stuffed animals and play with them before bed almost every night. You are obsessed with all things Star Wars. You want to read the books, watch the shows, play action figures, play Angry Birds Star Wars on the iPad, and talk about the characters non-stop. I don't know a lick about Star Wars so you're teaching me lots of interesting facts.You could set up battles with your action figures for hours upon hours! It's definitely "your thing" now! Legos take up alot of your time too, mostly building Star Wars things, but you can whip up a fancy ship or droid in no time!! I can't wait to see where that skill will lead you!

I'm just so proud of the big boy you are becoming! The Lord is shaping you in ways I could only dream and I can't wait to see what plans and great things lie ahead for you!! I am so proud and blessed to be your mom and I hope you know just how special you are!!

I love you bubba!

Mom

PS- You're 49 lbs, 47" tall, wearing size 13 shoe, size 7 shirts and size 6 shorts/pants. 

Wyatt's First Day of Preschool

Wyatt had his first day of Preschool on Wednesday, September 3rd. I had doubts that he would willingly walk into school with a smile on his face. I imagined weeks of someone prying him off my leg, kicking and screaming. But its been far from that!! The first day was just a 1 hr visit, with me being in another room for a parent meeting. He hopped into his classroom, sat down and started playing! Not even batting an eyelash when I left the room. He LOVED playing and meeting his teacher! He found a Little People castle that was super fun to play with! Plus she had paints and playdoh at the table. He can't resist that!!  We checked out all the toys on the shelves and he just can't wait to dive in and play with them all! If there is one thing Wyatt can't pass up, its learning toys!! Peg boards, pattern blocks, unifix cubes- you name it, he enjoys it!! He's going to have an amazing year!!

This is really how excited he was for preschool!!!!

And since I'm writing this post 12 days after his first day, I can say every day he's had school has been just as amazing! He had a few tears his first "real" day of school, but when I picked him up that day, he said, "It was crazy of me to cry this morning because I had so much fun!" and we haven't had a single tear ever since! He's already made some fun projects, done lots of activities, and had a great time! He loves his new school and I'm so so proud of what a big boy he is!! It's going to be a fun year of preschool!!

Boat Day

Wow, this happened SOOOOO long ago, but I'm just now getting to this post. So sad! But better late than never!

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We tried all summer to find a weekend to head out to the lake with the VanAllen crew and we finally got the chance over Labor Day weekend. The boys were so excited to go on the boat and do some tubing! They remembered from the summer before at the Lake and were so excited to get another chance! The weather was windy and the water was cool, but the company was fun and the laughter and smiles were definitely enjoyable!!!!