Taco Tuesday - 2008

Last night we had the annual Taco Tuesday at preschool. This time it was Anna's turn to be up in front of everyone. She had a blast and did great! She even got to stand next to Zoey for the event. They sang songs and recited 2 Bible verses. Mrs Harms also had them answer questions about the Bible stories they have learned about.

The evening started out with a taco supper. They had a great turnout and we had to stand in line for a while. I had gone over early and helped fry out all the hamburger. I think I ended up frying 8 lbs and my wrist sure did hurt.

After supper, we moved upstairs in the Church for the program. Doug started out the program by introducing himself and talking a little about his time with the kids each week. Then, he went upstairs with the video camera while I stayed in the pews to take pictures. The pictures didn't turn out that well, because I was so far back the flash didn't do so good. Oh well, everything can't be perfect. Not in the Minton household at least. hahah

After the program, Anna showed us the artwork she made for the evening. She made a Noah's Ark with a rainbow. She also made a "self portrait" with curly yarn for her hair. Very cute if I may say so myself.

Fall Leaves...already

This past weekend was a little warmer again and the kids wanted to rake leaves. We didn't really have a chance, so Doug took off work an hour early to play in the leaves with the kids. Isn't that sweet?? Anyway, we made a big pile and the kids had a blast. Gabe thought the best part was us swinging him by his arms and legs and dropping him in the pile. Anna wasn't too sure about that so we just each had one of her arms and swung her in the pile.

Doug tripped the kids a few times and they landed in the leaves. Once Gabe landed face first. He got up giggling, but did have to lift up his shirt to get the leaves off his belly. It was just too funny.

Looking at the pile of leaves that we were able to make, then looking at the tree in our backyard which is still basically full, we still have lots of time left for playing and working with the leaves. But, it is such a pretty shade of yellow, I just had to take a picture for you all to see.

Now, we are caught up with the pictures I had on camera.

Fun at the Farm

A couple weeks ago, we headed out to the farm again. (My kids would go everyday if I let them.) This time it was for a new and exciting adventure. They got to take a ride on the combine with Dave to get some corn. Gabe thought the best thing was the camera on the tractor to see behind them. Anna was just excited to be in the tractor. (As you can tell, it doesn't take much to keep my kids happy.) Then Ricky took Doug out in another tractor to check on them and he got to drive it back from the field. Doug had fun driving and was apparently fighting the urge to sing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy." I just stayed back with the girls and stayed warm by the fire.

I forgot the mention they LOVE playing with Murphy, the dog. They would really like a dog at home, but we just don't have the ourdoor space for a dog. I just tell them they can play with Murphy at the farm. Am I mean or what?!?

Gabriel Milestones

A couple weeks after school started, Gabe came home very excited. He had finally mastered the Art of Skipping! Now, we had been working on learning to skip for about a year but his little feet just kept getting tangled up with each other. For those of you that know my hubby, this will not come as a surprise. Doug can't skip either. I was a little shocked about that. Now, Gabriel is trying to teach Daddy how to skip so he won't feel left out.

I just had to take a little video of Gabe skipping (finally) because he is just so happy and likes to skip all over the place. Enjoy!!

You may notice that he can even skip through our big pile of leaves. You may even notice that my strange child has no shoes on. It was a nice day out, but he still had on a shirt and sweatshirt, but didn't want shoes on. Whatever!!

Our other major milestone was learning to tie his shoes. Apparently they have a big shoe at school and they have been working on learning to tie. He mastered it and got a certificate and a treat! He was more excited about the Skittles he got to bring home. I don't have pictures of that yet, but I will take some for the scrapbook...since he does already have a certificate. Now, before you start laughing at me, remember that some moms scrapbook their kids Potty Training. I did not do that, basically because I didn't have a desire to document that. =)

Anna's First Day of Preschool!!

It was a very busy time in our house with school starting. Gabe started Kindergarten and then Anna started Preschool the next week.

She just LOVES going over to preschool!! We had a conference with her teacher before school started. She got to meet Mrs Harms, even though Anna knew her from last year, and she got to do an activity paper. She even got to make a small craft while we all talked. She did great, but she was more quiet and reserved than normal. I was thinking, "Where is my usual outgoing, crazy Anna?" But, towards the end of the conference she was more her normal self. I guess even Anna can get a little shy!

Before Gabriel went to school that morning, he gave Anna and Zoey some pointers about preschool. After he was done he said, "Oh yeah, and just have fun." He is just a sweet big brother. The girls were just so excited to go they kept asking me if it was time yet. {Zoey, the little girl I babysit, also started preschool. She gets her about 7:40 each morning. Well, that morning she had her backpack on and didn't want to take it off. So, that meant that Anna then thought it was time to go. It was a long hour before it was time to get ready} I told them we would get shoes on, then take pictures, then it would be time to walk over for preschool. They were so excited, you would have thought I told them we had just inherited a candy store!

We got over to school after the normal first day photos. Anna dropped her backpack on the floor and ran to the tree house. Needless to say, I had to remind her of the process...hang up your backpack and jacket, then you get to play. She is still learning!!

Both girls are tired by naptime so they both take good naps on preschool days. They both go on Tues and Thurs. Twice week for 2 1/2 hours I have quiet time around the house. {Luke, Zoey's brother still takes a morning nap.} It is nice, but I am glad when they get back. Anna loves to tell me all about her day and show me her papers. I can't wait until she tells me that she climbed out the window to get home. I can just imagine her face!! {The preschool is in the basement, so they have a window that can be used in time of emergency. They practice going out it the beginning of each year.}

I am glad that Anna is in preschool, but I am glad that she is only gone 2 1/2 hrs at a time. I am not ready for both kids to be in school full time!! I forgot to mention that Anna thinks it is very neat that she has Leah's backpack from when Leah was in preschool. I must be old because that doesn't seem that long ago!

Gabriel's First Day of Kindergarten!!

Oh my, who can believe that Gabriel is ready to start Kindergarten?!?!? His mom sure can't!

Before school started we had a conference with the teacher. That gave us time to meet her and tell her a little about Gabe and our family. Gabriel also got a chance to put away all his school supplies and even got to pick a desk. It was so nice to be able to do that before school started.

The first day of school was a bit chilly, so we had jackets on. That is really wierd for me!! I am used to starting school when it feels like the dead of summer and you sweat so much that you slide off your chair. Although, I remember how miserable that was, and I am glad that Gabe didn't have to deal with that. It may happen towards the end of school though.

He did a great job that first day. We walked in...you know I had to get pictures...and he put up his backpack and found his desk. Then he was listening so intently to his teacher that he didn't look at me for pictures at his desk. That was good though. He was also listening so well, that he didn't even say goodbye to me. That is fine too though because I would rather have that than him crying that he didn't want to stay.

Now, for my part. I did fine in the classroom, but I cried when I got back in the car. My little guy was growing up and in Kindergarten!! When I got back home, Doug had the nerve to laugh at me. I had to punch him..after I got the hug I needed.

Gabriel seems to like school. We have only had one problem and that was this past Friday. He is used to having Fridays off with Daddy, so he wasn't happy to hear that he still had to go to school. But, we got him going and he had a great day. It was nice out so we walked to school in the morning. Then, I picked him up on the bike. The other kids thought our 2 person bike looked so cool.

He is tired when he gets home and a couple nights went to bed at 7p. Other nights he just has to take some rest time in the afternoon or he is not so nice to be around. We still love him though, he just gets crabby from being tired.

Dancing Anna

As I mentioned, after the Jail and Bail for Doug, we had to hurry to get to the Talent Show on time. Anna has graduated to dance class without us and is doing just great! And, she LOVES it! I think it may be the fact that she gets to wear ballet shoes and pretty dresses, but she loves it just the same.

This was her first appearance and she did just fine. It didn't seem to faze her that there was an audience. Like I said she did great, with a little help from the bigger girls. She was in the back row so she could watch the bigger girls. That made it extremely hard to take pictures, but I managed to get one salvageable shot. All the other ones were just a bit too late and she was behind someone. I did get a cute before and after shot though. Oh well, she will have other performances this year for me to photograph.