Molly open gym, climbing the rope

She's done many open gym nights, I've never caught her climbing the rope before. I assure you it is even more impressive in person. She has AMAZING upper arm strength. I'm sure that my daughter will be able to kick my ass one day soon.

Caleb's UPK goes to the library

Wednesday, Caleb's class took their first field trip of the year, to the local library. It is very close, so walking there is quite easy. Many of the kids wanted to check out books while we were there, not realizing that they had to wait for mom or dad to take them back. Overall, it went well, the children were really well behaved and had a great time!

Caleb, Preston (his new friend) and Mrs. Talley at morning meeting before leaving

Mrs. Mayer reads a story about a library before we head to the library

Caleb is the line leader this week, but he didn't want to perform the song while in line

On our way!!
In the library's children section, looking at all the stuffed animal characters and cool hanging quilts
Storytime with Miss Sue in the lower level, pointing to our noses
Parachute fun!!!!!! They loved, loved, loved this part!!!

Kids on the fridge?

I can't remember what prompted this, but they thought it was great fun.

Molly's first gymnastics demo

Molly had her first gymnastics demo on Saturday morning at the mall. Neither of us quite knew what to expect, but it turned out to be an *amazing* experience for both of us!! She is so grown up and didn't have any troubles with getting up in front of a pretty impressive crowd to perform. Her class, the Superstars, did a rotation of the small bar, a short floor exercise, the beam, and a vault. It was three different things for each, so she went through the course three times. I am so proud of her!!! The first demo was at 10:30 and we had intended to only stay for that, but she had such fun, she begged to stay for the one at 12:30 (despite all the company we had at home) so I relented and let her do them both.

Molly with her teammates and one of the coaches, Ashley

Molly stood still for .3 seconds for me to take this picture
Stretches and warm ups with the team girls
Molly does some casting moves on the short bar

Amazing cartwheels on her floor routine

On the beam
Mid-vault
Middle stretches that would kill her mother......
Getting some attention from her coach, Hadley

Caleb's first day of UPK

It isn't too late to post this, it is still his first week of school!! Caleb started the UPK program in our district this Monday. I have to say that I am super surprised (and shocked) that he has had no separation issues: no clinging, no crying, no hitting me so I won't leave, nothing. Nada. Zilch. Yay for him, he has really grown up this summer. He has also started getting into the art projects at school (last year he did only a handful of the dozens and dozens they had) and at home. Who knew?? Love this guy, he is so hilarious and clearly loves life!!!

Caleb with his new orange backpack.

Dave, Caleb, Potter and Molly
Lin, Caleb, Potter, Molly

First day of elementary school 2010

Molly and Potter both started school today; Molly is in kindergarten, Potter is in 5th grade!! They were all very excited this morning at breakfast and were ready to go in record time!! As they were getting into the van to head to school, Molly blurted out 'I am ready to learn!!' I hope that she carries on this feeling through years and years of school, much like Potter has embraced all of his elementary years. Caleb's first day is coming soon, stay tuned!!

Potter, Caleb and Molly, first day of elementary school

Potter, Dave, Molly (not sure why she looks so sullen)
Potter, Caleb, Lin, Molly
Potter, Molly, Caleb in front of the CFJ marquee, squinting into the early morning sunshine!!!

Monkey Mamas

The week before school, the Monkey Mamas had their second summer reunion. I love these women, their children and families. I cannot be more blessed!!!

Christina and Vicky

Kids awaiting Ryan to go down the slide (he just turned 2)
Michelle, Vicky, Christina, Lin, and Tracy (Adrienne couldn't come that day :( )

Mini Chucksters

After going there for his birthday, Potter (and Molly) decided to construct a mini-Chucksters golf course. It even has a water feature. Very ingenious!!

Nature preserve hike

(Note: I am very behind on the blog. That is my disclaimer!!)

We went for a hike in the nature preserve, now going on two weeks ago. We decided to take a trail that we had never been on before, except for Dave. It was really a neat trail, mostly shaded and cool (temperature).

Molly posed (did she learn this at gymnastics?) for me.

The kids all climb on a huge downed tree

To gain perspective, I had Molly climb on the trunk of another downed tree. This sucker was huge!!
We found an active beehive. It was so cool to see them coming in and going out. We did keep a good radius. Thankful for zoom lenses!!!
A tree with a hole.....Molly peeks through.
Our 'flute' tree. Looks like all the holes on an actual flute.

Trip to DC for APSA

We went to DC this weekend with Dave for the big poly sci conference, APSA. Dave had minimal obligations, so that left us with a lot of free time to hang in a city we love a lot. Here we go!!!

In DC, May 2008, Molly and Potter in front of an Easter Island statue (called DumDum in the movie 'Night at the Museum'.)

In DC, September 2010, Caleb and Molly and Potter in front of an Easter Island statue (called DumDum in the movie 'Night at the Museum'.) Oh my, how Molly has grown up!!!

Caleb and another boy (who I thought was Adeler) but was instead some random kid. Lots of bronze-ish statues of early cave man stuff. Cool.

Molly was OBSESSED with seeing the elephants in this museum. We finally made our way there. She has her own personal shot (this time with the real Adeler in front of her!)
She had to stick her fingers up the nose of the elephant.....
Second floor view of the dinosaur room. I didn't realize how neat this shot was until I put it on the blog!!
Street guy who was juggling a 10 pound bowling ball, tennis racket and basketball. All 8 kids put money in his suitcase, Kate had to personally hand him the money, though!!

We had lunch at the Ronald Reagan building. Tim and Dave did their Rockettes dance. Dudes, you are in the wrong city for that!!!

All 8 kids in our group, sitting together, mostly with pleasant looks!!

Eli (5), Kate (2), Potter (10), Will (3), Molly (5), Adeler (4), Caleb (3), Fie (6)
At the National Zoo, the panda bear was outside and walking around, quite active!! Have never seen them anywhere except inside eating bamboo.
A nice cooling mist: Fie, Kate, Eli, Caleb
Orangutans are apparently allowed to go all over the zoo, overhead on these huge poles and cables. I had never seen this before, but there were three of them.