Lego KidsFest

Super Saturday fun at Lego KidsFest!!!  We have been waiting on this even for a couple of months, and it didn't disappoint!  Daddy and Pops were playing in the Club Ryder Cup Tournament, so Nana and Mommy headed downtown to the Convention Center to do some Legos!  Everyone was proud of Mommy's navigation skills, and we arrived quickly with no getting lost - starting the morning off right!  We attempted a group selfie while waiting on the elevator in the parking garage.  So excited! 

The boys couldn't contain their excitement as we walked toward the exhibit.  They crazy cheesed at the first banner they saw!

We showed our tickets and received maps of the floor, and Lincoln and Beau love to have a map.  No way would we miss anything if we stayed with our map. 

Our first stop was to create a Lego plate to add to the display.  So fun! 

A Ninja Turtle mural wall made of Legos was an amazing attraction.  Cheese!!!  

Lincoln really enjoyed the build your own super hero section.  He worked so hard to find the right Legos to make his own super hero that he named Stormer Ice Constructo Mech.  (I have no idea why he named it that, but ok!) 

We played at the track section for a long time.  Both Lincoln and Beau found a car that would go on the track thankfully.  Lincoln added lots of pieces to his car, but Beau was happy with his.  They could have stayed there forever! 

We visited more exhibits and loved Spiderman!!! 

We HAD to have a picture with Emmitt from The Lego Movie.  Lincoln really needs to point out that Emmitt has the Piece of Resistance on his back even though it can't be seen in this picture.  That's actually really important if you've seen the Lego Movie a million times . . . and we have!   

Beau spent a lot time hanging out in the Pirate Ship while Lincoln was building.  We got a lot of, "Land Ho!"  When Lincoln finally joined Beau, he gave his own commentary! 

Most of the Lego Fest was divided into small themed sections, but there was one area that was kind of a free for all . . . a mountain of a million Legos to create at your hearts desire.  Lincoln and Beau dabbled with building in the section a little, but it really was a little too overwhelming.   

Of course there was a Lego store, and it was stocked with way more things that we see at Target or the Lego Store at NorthPark.  They had some super cool Lego sets . . . which ones to buy?!?!  Lincoln had been so sure that he wanted Benny's Spaceship, and he was excited it was there.  But he also saw the Ninja Turtles Lair with bad guys trying to break in, and he just couldn't choose!  Beau found an awesome train set and needed an extra set of tracks to make his train even more cool!  It was a fun day at the Lego Kids Fest!  The boys had so much fun, and Nana and Mommy had a great time too. 

End of the Kindergarten Week

Crazy shot from after swimming lessons on Wednesday night.  Mommy is super cool about ice cream in the car!!!  And how happy is Lincoln?!?!

One more picture of Lincoln ready for Kindergarten at his table on Thursday morning.  So happy!! 

On Thursday evening, the boys got a package from Auntie.  They love their weekly package from Auntie, and she always sends the coolest things.  This week's package was biscotti cookies and bubbles with silly bubble blowers.  We headed outside right away to try them out!  Thanks Auntie. 

Beau spent the day solo with Nana, and they couldn't wait to pick up Lincoln from school.  Lincoln had received a "purple" for Friday, and that meant he got to choose a treat from the special treasure box. 

Daddy had some weekend golf tournament business to attend to at the club, so we donned our swimsuits and went for a swim.  After 20 minutes, we had a thunder alert.  Thirty minutes is a long time to wait to re-enter the pool, so we headed to the dining patio to order dinner before we went back to swim.  One nameless Kindergartner got a little impatient and had a few meltdowns that kind of got a little severe . . . time for consequences.  Beau got to enjoy an ice cream treat, but Lincoln didn't.  That was hard on him. 

Beau also got to enjoy another dip in the pool, but Lincoln didn't.  That was also hard on him.  Beau kind of rubbed it in . . . sorry, not sorry. 

Lincoln has had a very busy week and handled the adjustment to Kindergarten remarkably well.  He has not had the same respect outside of Kindergarten for his parents on occasion.  One of the hardest parts of parenting is disciplining, and we had to do that tonight.  Lincoln displayed disrespectful behavior at dinner and wasn't allowed an ice cream treat after dinner or more time in the pool.  His reaction after that earned him a ticket straight to a shower and bed.  Poor little guy was fast asleep in less than 30 minutes.  We had a lot of talks bout why he was being punished . . . I'm not sure who it hurt more!!!  Lincoln is the sweetest and most amazing little guy in the world, but occasionally the worst comes out.  He suffered some serious consequences and was really sad, but he was asleep within 30 minutes of his early bedtime.  He was just really tired from his first week on Kindergarten.  Sweet boy will return to his sweet self in no time. 

More Kindergarten - Day 2 and 3

Day 2 of Kindergarten was almost as exciting as Day 1!  Lincoln wanted another picture by the sign . . . the line was pretty much just us but whatever!! 

He went right to hang up his backpack, turn in his folder, and go to his seat to fill out his worksheet.  Such a sweet boy and always minding the rules.  So happy to be at Kindergarten again!

Lincoln has gotten into a habit of staying up CRAZY late and coming out of his room a million times after bedtime to give hugs, ask to look at a book, request a check of the Lego website, gather more craft supplies for a random project he's secretly working on, and so much more.  We have moved bedtime up by an  hour, and Mommy went to check on why there had been  no visits from Lincoln.  He was dead asleep, arms spread wide, mouth open, and full snore in effect.  Little guy was finally tired!!!! 

Wednesday morning was another picture in front of the sign day . . . this is going to end on Friday!!!  Love that he's so excited.

Again, Lincoln led us to his room, put away his backpack, turned in his folder, and got a chair to begin his work.  Love that he's so confident and knows exactly how to start the day. 

This week has been all about Lincoln and his Kindergarten and PACE fun, and it has been the best week.  He loves Mrs. Bailey, and he even got a special reward on Wednesday for extraordinary behavior.  He loves to play with Nick, Isak, and Preston at Recess and PACE, and it's the most amazing blessing that they love each other and make this whole thing easier.  I hear they are Ninjas on the playground, and that sounds super fun.  In case it looks otherwise, Beau still exists.  He will have his own posts in a week or two, but this week has been all about Lincoln.  Beau enjoys hearing about Lincoln's Kindergarten adventures, but he also likes to tell about how he has stepped into Lincoln's shoes now that he has vacated their Pre-School.  He has seriously taken over the Blue Ninja Turtle character because he's the best one, and no other kid was going to stand in the way of Beau taking that role from Lincoln . . . seriously, the color of the Ninja eye mask is super important on a Pre-School playground.  What a week!  Two little boys have had such a great week transitioning to school without each other.  We're going to keep the fun going to finish out this crazy week!  A few special events are planned for the weekend, and we can't wait!

Lincoln's First Day of Kindergarten

The first day of Kindergarten finally arrived!!!  It has taken FOREVER to get here, and we were all super excited on Monday morning.  Lincoln was looking super cute in his button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up and khaki cargo shorts and new (super speedy) kicks.  Thankfully, he was happy to pose for a few pictures before we left for school.  We said, "It's the first day of Kindergarten!"  And Lincoln said, "It's the first day of Happiness!"  What an amazing attitude!

Silly guy had fun taking pictures and made a few goofy faces. 

Obligatory picture by the sign at school.  We chatted with some friends while waiting our turn.  Lincoln and Preston promised to play together later at recess. 

This guy was the line leader of our family and was so confident about walking into his new school. 

Lincoln went right to his spot at the table and sat down like he knew just what to do!  Daddy and Beau posed with him for a quick pic. 

Mommy got to take a picture too, and Linc even gave me a little squeeze hug.  Doesn't he look so happy?!?! 

He was pretty anxious to get right to work on his first assignment . . . writing his name and drawing a picture of himself.  So busy!  We left soon after with a half wave from Lincoln.  Super glad there were no tears involved with our first Kindergarten experience.   

Pick-up time seemed to take forever for a Mommy who wanted to know all the details about the first day.  Lincoln had a great day and "cheesed" on the way to the car.  He looks a little more tired than at drop-off, right?  He had the best day!  He can't even tell me the best part; he just says I love everything about Kindergarten.  Eating lunch in the cafeteria, playing on the playground with friends, learning a new song during circle time, getting computer time, and just taking part in each new event of the day.  Success!!!! 

More new firsts for this Monday . . . Lincoln's new outdoor soccer team made of Bowie Kindergarten boys had their first practice at 6:00.  Lincoln, Nick, and Preston (from our Indoor Tornadoes team) joined Canon, Jonathan, Griffin, Crawford, and Cameron for a fun Ninjas team practice!  It was hot, and they were dragging a little from the first day of school, but they made it fun.  Lots of drills and working on skills! 

Most of us have 3 year old siblings, and they really have a chance to get to know each other.  They played a little soccer . . . until Beau's iPad tempted everyone to come watch a movie.  He and Case, Lucy B, Lucy C, Ellie, and Audrey will be super close by the end of the season, and they'll have to remain friends as they are all Bowie 2016 Kindergartners!   

We came home and made a quick and yummy dinner.  BBQ chicken and cheese paninis, steamed green beans, and a little fruit.  So glad for a quick dinner after the busiest day EVER!  The boys really loved the simplicity of it, and they got to play just a little because it was quick.  Chocolate cookies were for dessert because why not????  It's the first day of school!!! 

Early baths, early chapter reading in The Wizard of Oz, and early hugs should mean early bedtime, but not so much.  Beau came out a few times with a "blanket issue" and was sent back to his room.  Lincoln came out a million times asking for craft supplies, books, water, hugs, kisses, and on and on.  So much for being tired!!! 

After taking a picture with this random craft he made, he is no longer allowed to come out.  (We'll see about that!)  It was definitely a busy but successful and even wonderful day.  How's that for a first day of school?!?!  He's ready to go back, so that's great.  Less pictures on Tuesday, but hopefully just as much fun and cuteness. 

Weekend Fun Before Kindergarten

After taking care of business at Meet the Teacher on Friday and the Kindergarten Boys Play Date on Saturday morning, we needed to live it up this weekend and get in as much fun as possible before the beginning of school.  Daddy had a High School buddy golf date in the afternoon with Jason, Casey, Matt, Uncle Mike, and Pops, and they had a great time . . . but no photographic evidence.  The kids invited Nana to come to the pool with us to stay cool on the hot afternoon.  We had the best time splashing and swimming and having lots of silly fun.  It really is our happy place!

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went to Pop Pop, and the boys were sure they wanted to do it again.  (After several outtakes because a certain 3 year old can be extremely uncooperative in certain situations . . . that I warned everyone about because this was my 3rd time videoing said 3 year old doing the challenge and know how he gets when he's "supposed to do something on cue" and it usually ends up with lots of frowns and silence.)  Our first official take was of Beau being silent (and defiant), and Lincoln and Pop Pop stating their challenge and dumping the ice water on their heads.  It was cold!  Beau didn't dump any water on his head and completely freaked out that he really wanted to do it and was so sad that it was over.  As Mommy was explaining to Beau that we weren't doing it again because he was supposed to do it with Lincoln and Pop Pop, Mommy discovered that she didn't hit record on their Ice Bucket Challenge - whoops!!!  Beau was super happy to have a chance to do it without his sad/mad state, and Lincoln and Pop Pop were ok with repeating the cold experience.  So take two . . . (by the way, Beau only wants to call it ABS because B is for Beau, and saying ALS means he is saying L for Lincoln, see what I'm working with?!?!)  Great video after all of the drama! 

After our Ice Bucket Challenge, we all headed over to Shady's for dinner.  We love their burgers, salads, chicken, fried pickles, and so much more.  It's a great neighborhood spot!  The boys worked hard on their burgers so they could get ice cream with Daddy from Sweet Firefly just a few doors down.  They even got chauffeured from the ice cream shop back to the car.  Man, life is good!!! 

It was around 7:30 when we got home, but baths were necessary after swimming, Ice Bucket Challenging, messy burger and French fry and ketchup dinner, and messy chocolate ice cream dessert.  Since we were all clean, the boys got to stay up for a while before bed.  Beau chose to watch The Lego Movie, and Lincoln worked so hard to finish his 700+ Lego set that was Emmitt from the Lego Movie.  He worked so hard on this one, and he was proud to show it off!  He's a Master Builder at the age of 5, for sure!

We decided to have a late brunch at the club on Sunday for several reasons:  they have amazing biscuits and gravy, kids get the buffet for free with waffles and omelets and tons of bacon, they have amazing biscuits and gravy, Daddy loves the breakfast tacos, they have amazing biscuits and gravy, and did I mention that the have the best biscuits and gravy?!?!  Daddy met up with another member for golf, and we headed to the pool for the afternoon.  Nana joined us after a while, and we finally got Lincoln to jump off the diving board.  It came down to, "You have to jump off the diving board today.  You can either do it right when we get there or right when we leave or anytime in between.  You choose.  Remember you loved jumping off the diving board at Nick's house last week, so this is the same thing."  Lincoln jumped off the diving board and loved it!!!  His first words after jumping off the first time, "I want to do this all the time!"   

So glad we got that first one out of the way!  He jumped off the diving board so many times and loved it!  It's amazing that he's such a great swimmer to just swim to the ladder and get out.  All of our years at Emler Swim School really matter, and he's a really confident swimmer.   

Not too long after he braved the small diving board, he climbed up the ladder for the higher diving board.  Love it!!!!!   

After a super fun afternoon at the pool, we hit up Tom Tom and Central Market for groceries for the week.  We also picked up a few goodies for a few friends.  One of Lincoln's new classmates broke his arm on Saturday at the play date, and Lincoln wanted to do something sweet for him.  We put together a movie and treat bucket, and Lincoln wrote him a sweet Get Well note.  As Lincoln was sneaking up to their front door to leave the surprise, Canon's mom opened the door and startled him.  Lincoln and Canon got to talk a little in the front yard, and Lincoln promised to help his buddy out with stuff like carrying his lunch box, helping him open his sandwich, and helping him play on the playground.  They will grow so much together this year.  We also put together a little surprise treat bucket for Lincoln's buddy, Nick.  They were so surprised when we shared some treats with them, and it was a fun thing to do.   

We made a dinner for the Robison's to freeze and use on a super busy night, and we made our own dinner of Sausage and Shells that was super delicious (and we got to freeze a portion for us to use later).  The boys played with Beau's new wooden train tracks for a while, then we all got cleaned up and ready for bed.  Lincoln had a special book waiting for him called The Night Before Kindergarten.  He loved it, and we had a sweet time looking at it together. 

So Monday morning is the first day of Kindergarten for Lincoln, and we had the best weekend enjoying the fun and lazy things that make us happy.  Pictures and tears are sure to reign in the morning . . . for Mommy only.  Everyone, including Mommy, is sure that Lincoln is going to be the best Kindergartner ever.  Sometimes Mommies just cry and take pictures . . . we'll just need to get over the crying part and enjoy the pictures.  Stay tuned!!!

Meet the Teacher and Play Date

Friday was Meet the Teacher Day at Bowie, and Lincoln was so excited!  We signed up to volunteer at the Spirit Wear table for an hour, and we helped so many families get their Bowie shirts and shorts for the school year.  Lincoln was super happy to meet Mrs. Bailey and check out his classroom.  He found his name on the table and gave his seat a try.  Perfect fit!!!  Mrs. Bailey was very nice and spent some time talking with Lincoln about Kindergarten stuff!  We told her that he is very comfortable in a classroom setting, thanks to his Pre-School and Pre-K teachers.  He is so eager to learn, and Mrs. Bailey has a great reputation at Bowie.  Great teacher meeting!

We unloaded his school supplies and visited the rest of the classroom.  There is a job board on one wall, and each student is assigned a responsibility each week.  Lincoln couldn't believe that his job for the first week is Trash Collector.  He immediately told me to take his picture because Beau would love it.  (Beau has had high aspirations recently to be a trash truck driver.  He might have moved on to be a mail man or airplane pilot in the last few days.)  Lincoln will trade each week to be Paper Passer, Line Leader, etc.  Jobs in Kindergarten are serious business! 

We toured the school with Linc to get him more comfortable with the office, library, bathrooms, gym, and cafeteria.  He totally acts like he know everything and doesn't need this extra attention.  Great day at Meet the Teacher!

Early Saturday morning was a Kindergarten Play Date just for Bowie boys.  The boys had so much fun playing together, and the parents got to visit and catch up.  Isak and Preston recruited Lincoln to play with them right away, and they had a blast.  Nick was another friendly face that Lincoln was happy to see!  These guys have played T-Ball and Soccer together, and they really are drawn to each other.   

Kindergarten is happening on Monday morning, and we are as prepared as we can be.  Lincoln is excited and confident, and there is nothing else a parent can ask for.  He's the smartest, sweetest, silliest, kindest, most amazing 5 year old ever, and that is coming from the proudest Mom ever.  But it's true!!  Lincoln is going to rock Kindergarten, and he's going to learn so much and love doing it!!!  Bowie, here we come!

Daddy does the Ice Bucket Challenge

Daddy got challenged to do the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS by Jon Erickson (along with the other high school friends), and Lincoln and Beau were so excited to do it again.  Well, until they were too distracted watching Daddy and didn't remember to dump their own ice buckets!  Daddy helped them and fun ensued!  Pop Pop got challenged, so more Ice Bucket fun should happened on Saturday.  We are happy to donate our funds to the ALS website as we have fun doing multiple Ice Bucket Challenges. 

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is sweeping the land in the form of social media.  Several of Lincoln's neighborhood friends have participated, and the boys LOVE the videos.  Lincoln accepted the challenge to dump a bucket of ice water on his head in exchange for giving $10 to the ALS Foundation.  Beau wanted to do it too, and he offered to go first.  He also enlisted Lincoln's help with dumping the ice water over his head.  (Side note:  Beau refused to say ALS because he thought it should be A-B-S because his name is a B not an L.  Sigh!)  Beau made sure a paper towel to wipe his face would be handy, and at the last second Lincoln warned him to cover his eyes.  Such a sweet video!!!

It was Lincoln's turn next, and he was so excited!  He was pretty confident to state his name and what he was doing then heaved his bucket of ice water over his head!  Such the sweetest voice ever!!!  He later told me that his cousin Mason in OK and his soccer friend Preston should have to do it next.  They are officially challenged!  Can't wait to see their videos!

The boys had watched a few of their Bowie friends who had taken the Ice Bucket Challenge earlier in the day, and they noticed that each boy ran off like crazy as soon as they were doused with the ice water.  They both performed crazy running after their dousing, and they were super proud of that.  Sorry that the video shut off too soon.  In preparation for the Ice Bucket Challenge, Mommy explained the meaning behind the whole movement.  Lincoln took this from the explanation.

"When we do the Ice Bucket Challenge, we give money to the ALS.  They give money to doctors to buy medicine for sick people.  How many times can we do the Ice Bucket Challenge to give more money to sick people?" 

Sweetest Lincoln in the world!  We made our donation online, and he was so proud.  Beau didn't really get the donation part, but he loved to participate and sensed that it was something important that Lincoln wanted to do.  Teaching them that doing charitable acts and giving to charity is very important.  They totally loved this challenge even though they don't know what ALS is.  We should participate in each and every awareness and fundraising event that we can to end all of the diseases/cancers/conditions that we can.  Who wants to be next to do the Ice Bucket Challenge?  At least donate in Lincoln and Beau's name because they really want to do it again!!!

The Weekend

After such a fun and busy week with Lincoln going to camp at Canyon Creek, we needed to have a relaxed weekend.  Linc's friend Nick from White Sox T-Ball and Tornadoes Soccer invited us over to swim and grill out, and we were happy to go!  Coach Wes was there too with James and Charlie, and these guys had FUN!  The boys swam and jumped off the diving board at least 100 times each!  The parents mostly watched and agreed that life is the most carefree when you are a little boy jumping off a diving board for hours.  We had a crazy thunderstorm and bolted inside to play a few video games then came back out after the storm.  The promise of water balloons wasn't going to keep these guys inside as the storm wrapped up.  Great Saturday!  Nick will be in Kindergarten with Lincoln starting MONDAY, and they are so looking forward to playing together.  Love their family!

Beau wasn't left out of the fun on Saturday; he just had his own little adventure planned with Nana and Pops.  They went to NorthPark to check out the latest art installation.  It was all about Forts, and he loved it!!!  And he brought home a cookie cake to share with us all.  Score!!!!

Sunday morning was super rainy and thunderstormy, so we slept in.  We had a really late brunch at the club and hit up Tom Tom and Central Market for the week's groceries.  While Mommy and Daddy were cooking a few freezer meals for a our friends with a new baby, the boys were so enthralled by a new craft.  It was amazing that we had 90 minutes of almost total silence while they did their mosaic sticker craft.  How many of these can I order to continue the peace????  They loved the finished product! 

After the craft and freezer meal preparation, Mommy made homemade meatballs, Daddy made his special marinara with spaghetti, and the boys worked on a new Lego set.  After dinner they played with their completed Legos and really let their imaginations run wild.  A great rainy and busy day! 

We wrapped up the weekend by making rainbow pinwheel cookies, and I should have taken a picture.  We made sugar cookie dough and divided it into five bowls.  Each bowl was dyed a different color with food coloring, and we rolled out each color into a log.  We twisted the logs together and sliced them into cookies to bake.  Who wouldn't love a cookie that is green, pink, blue, yellow, and purple?  We will definitely make these cookies again!

Sports Camp at Canyon Creek

Since we joined the club this summer, Lincoln has been so excited about attending Sports Camp for a week.  It finally happened this week, and he LOVED it!  Drop off was at 9:00, and Linc was always super ready to go.  They met at the outdoor tennis courts to get organized for the day.  The coaches took the younger kiddos to the indoor tennis courts for morning tennis drills.  Daddy got a sneak peak one morning, and the Lincoln was having so much fun and learning from his coaches.

After hour and a half tennis lesson, they had a snack and moved to the pool for a swimming lesson from the lifeguards then free swim.  Lincoln is a total fish and was always happy to play in the pool.  They had lunch on the patio and then watched a movie on the outside TV for rest time.  He mostly loved the movies: Monsters, Inc and Frozen were his favorite days.  After lunch, they had a tennis lesson again then ended the day with a snack and more swimming.  Happy guy at the end of the day!

Wacky Wednesday meant that he had to dress crazy for camp, and he chose to wear mis-matched PJs.  Ms. Sally called him up to the front to show off his wacky attire, and he was so proud of what he picked!  There was a girl in a tutu and witch hat, a boy in a Halloween costume, a girl with PJs inside out, and Lincoln with his mis-matched PJs.  So fun!

Beau was with us for drop off on Wacky Wednesday, and he looked at his big brother adoringly as he was called up front.  Beau was looking a little wacky himself!  It was PJ day at Pre-School, and he grabbed his hat to be like Lincoln.  He can't wait to be 5 and go to Canyon Creek Camp too!   

Five full days of tennis and swimming was so fun!  Lincoln learned so much from his coaches, and they awarded him with Best Backhand at the end of the week.  He loved that!  They had a little carnival to celebrate the end of the session and he got to use his Sally Bucks (play money distributed when the coaches see a kid succeeding at a new skill, exhibiting great behavior, or doing something extra nice) to buy a few suckers and a toy.  So fun!!  When the pool closes and we have more free time, we'll be hanging out at the tennis courts . . . with Lincoln showing us how to properly execute the backhand!   

It was a great week of camp, and he really loved the experience.  A few times this Mommy was worried about leaving him in an environment different from his regular school.  He promised each morning that he wouldn't wander from his coaches or campmates, and he reported that every part of the day was fun.  The coaches and Ms. Sally said that he was great and really participated in each part of camp with eagerness.  That's my Lincoln!!!  It's great that he loved it so much because he's probably going to spend most of next summer there.  We can add in a few golf camps too, and he'll be the best and the tannest tennis player, swimmer, and golfer ever!!!!