First Grade

  Yesterday was Ashlyn's first day of First grade.  I can't seem to get over how quickly time is passing by.  I hate it, but I really am cherishing each age and stage.  Ashlyn was very excited to start first grade.  She's still at the age where she is excited to go back to school and doesn't dread it.  First grade is going to be a big leap from kindergarten.  It's a lot more rigorous that's for sure.  I know she is going to absolutely excel. 
    Ashlyn has become a really, really good reader.  She blows me away with her reading skills.  I haven't formally tested her, but I know she's reading several grades above her grade level.  She loves books and loves to read.  She had a pretty thick children's bible that I have read to her cover to cover two times now.  She recently decided to read it for herself.  So every night, she reads a couple stories to me.  She amazes me with some of the difficult words she just reads without even a pause.  I know she is going to be an excellent reader because she is so fluent for her age and uses such good inflection when she reads.  For a 6 year old, she rocks as a reader! 
   She's a smart cookie and I know she will have another great year in school and amaze us with how much she learns and grows.  Her teacher seems great and she is at such a great school.  Her two best friends aren't in her class this year, but I know she will make some new friends without trouble.When she came home yesterday she said she had a good day, but I didn't get a lot out of her because she was so occupied at making up for lost time with Gracie.  They both missed each other.  She did inform me that first grade was going to be a lot of work.  She is going to work hard, but I know she will have a wonderful year!

Our first grader

Giving her brother a hug

So sweet

All ready for a great year

On the first day, her school has everyone meet out front where they do a short ceremony before going in. 

Ashlyn with her friends from last year

One last hug before going

Heading inside as a big first grader

There she goes

We let her celebrate a good first day with a milkshake made by dad. 

Last Week of Summer

   What a great summer vacation we had this year!  We packed in a lot of fun.  I definitely think the highlight of all summer was staying in the tree house.  It was such a nice, relaxing vacation that we are all still talking about.  We have had a great time and lots of adventures, but sadly it's time for Ashlyn to return to school.  We asked her what she wanted to do in her final week.  We managed to get a lot done.  She slept outside in a tent in the backyard, we went to the Parade of Homes, we went mini golfing, we ate lunch at two of her favorite lunch places, we went to the cabin for her final weekend, and had a special back to school dinner.  Whew!  Last week was a busy one!!!

Setting up the tent

They were so excited

Our little batman

Almost ready

They picked a great night.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous and they didn't get cold at all. 

Gracie couldn't sleep in the tent, but did try out the sleeping bag. 

Golfing

Dawson did a great job this time hitting the ball with the club.

This course has a teepee!

   We had yet another wonderful weekend at the cabin.  Growing up, my family had a different cabin that we spent a lot of time at.  One of my favorite memories of this cabin was a swing that hung from a huge tree branch.  We spent countless hours swinging on that swing.  My mom got a similar swing for the cabin for the kids to try.  This weekend, Joey and my dad finally figured out the best way to hang it.  The girls went crazy for the swing.  The boys didn't think too much of it yet.  Ashlyn and Ella were literally on that thing all weekend.  I think one day they will have similar fond memories of swinging at the cabin.  

First try at the swing.  We had to get creative in finding something to put against the tree in case someone got a little too close 

Our little daredevil

Ella swinging.  She insisted that Uncle Joey push her since he pushes the highest. 

Gracie having a great time

This week when I write her 5 month post I will update more, but look at this girl!  She always been really good at supporting her legs and standing, but now she like really wants to stand. 

She looks so big!

Cutest kitty girl in the world!

   We have made it a tradition to go to a local pizza place on the night before school starts.  I had the same tradition growing up and looked forward to it every year.  It's a neat pizza place with an 1800s theme and even had an arcade to play in.  Ashlyn was very excited to have her last summer break dinner there.  We had a great time.

The girls and I

Sweetest girls in the world!

Joey and Dawson playing pin ball

 Ashlyn and Auntie usually take a picture together in the photo booth.  This year it was broken, so they sat down and I took some pictures with my camera. 

North Pole 2014

   We tried to squeeze in as much fun as possible into Ashlyn's final week of summer break.  She wanted to go to the North Pole before she went back to school.  She has been going there since she was a 2 year old.  The North Pole is a really neat little amusement park.  It's nestled in the mountains at the base of Pikes Peak.  It has a Christmas theme, and all the rides are themed towards Christmas.  What kid wouldn't love a park full of rides dedicated to Christmas??? Even though she is getting a little old for all the rides, Ashlyn still had a great time.  Dawson, Ella, and Jameson had a great time riding all the rides as well.  Jameson wasn't big enough to ride much last year, so this year was so much fun for him.  Gracie got to watch everyone ride.  Before we know it she will be riding the rides too.  She did get to ride the train and she sat there the whole time calmly looking around.  The North Pole is always a great day of fun for all. 

Getting ready to ride

This pole is pretty neat.  It is made of ice.  The kids always get a kick out of touching it. 

Time for the ladybug ride

Even though she couldn't ride, Gracie still had a blast!!!

I love the smiles captured!!!

These two loved riding in the fire truck and rode several times in a row.  Seeing this picture gives me a glimpse of what they will look like when they both turn 16. 

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Ready to go

   Another great thing about the North Pole, is that you can actually go and see Santa.  Last year, only Ella and Ashlyn would talk to him.  This year only Dawson and Ashlyn would.  It's always so neat to watch kid's reactions to seeing Santa.  They always get so shy and quiet.  I decided he his like meeting the ultimate celebrity to them.  I would probably act the same if I met Oprah.  Dawson very calmly walked up and looked down and mumbled his name.  He mumbled to Santa that he wanted some Max Steele toys, then quickly walked away.  It was very funny!  Ashlyn was a little less shy, but still very quiet.  She told him she wanted another American Girl doll.  Santa knew a lot about the different dolls and they agreed he would bring her an Isabella doll this year.  

Meeting the big guy

Discussing American Girl dolls with Santa

The cute boys looking in the window of the toy store

Time to ride the motorcycles.  I think both boys were using their tough motorcycle faces.  lol

We always try to get a picture every year.  We always do it the wrong way and wait to take one on the way out.  That never works well because usually we have some worn out and cranky kids.  This was the best we could do this year.  Notice you can only see Ella's leg in the middle because she didn't feel like sitting up for the picture.