The back-to-school kid party. Kolbe got to go to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate starting school. Today was Matthew's first day of Kindergarten so Tanya asked us to join them for a celebration. I decided to take Kolbe sans Libby to give him a bit of extra attention.Kolbe had a great time and commented several times on the way home that he thought we should go back there sometime. He said Allyssa would really like it there. The train was the one "game" he won and got tickets from. If you have never been, tickets are given if you score points playing a game. He rode several kiddie cars and such, but this was the only thing he earned tickets from.
Kolbe LOVED riding the Bob the Builder scooper truck . His 2 favorite children's characters are Elmo and Bob the Builder, so he was in his element.
Ahhhhh, cake. He couldn't wait for the cake... until a piece was cut for him and he saw it was chocolate. He immediaetly said "I don't like my cake brown." So much for being a gracious guest. He did eat almost 4 pieces of pizza though. I asked him what he wanted from the salad bar and he replied, "I think I'll take some salad." (Gee mom, what else do they have on a salad bar, duh?!?)
Little Poindexter. These look like Dad's army issued military glasses.

Working hard painting his closet upstairs. Libby thought she would help too and put on her eye protection.

I'm still having some problems with Blogger. I am glad we are finally able to upload pictures, but I am no longer able to title postings. Who knows what the problem is?!?

Kolbe's structure. The picture does not fully show the "genius" of his design. He set up two of his cones (barely noticeable in the picture.) Then he somehow figured out how to balance, unassisted, an eight foot board across the top of the cones. He placed a shorter board on the top of the eight foot board and finally balanced several smaller boards that were approximately 6 inches across by 1 foot long. The structure was suprisingly symmetrical and he constructed the whole thing without any help. He must really be learning a lot in preschool. HaHa! Elizabeth loves to help with household duties when she gets a chance. Kolbe usually takes care of all of the chores like trash, watering, putting away dishes, setting the table, etc, before she ever gets a chance. But lately she has started to think of things that need to be done first and is trying to help a lot more. She is getting very good at watering the few flowers we have and I am getting more confident letting her help set the table.
Grandpa D has been working really hard on our upstairs rooms and had been washing up his mudding tools. Immediately Libby was right under foot to help him clean them. Of course she DRENCHED herself but didn't seem to mind. She loves getting dirty.
Elizabeth is so expressive and full of spunk and personality. She is fun to have around! We can't wait until Dad gets home and really gets to know his sweet happy little girl.

Elizabeth is riding in style with her personal chauffer.

What a gentleman!

Our pictures from the last several weeks have finally uploaded. This is just a hodge-podge of playing outside and other candid shots.Gpa D reads a story about Big Bear chopping down a tree. Kolbe likes to pretend he is Big Bear and whacks the tree with his bat.
Kolbe relaxing on his makeshift recliner. Doesn't look too comfy to me. He does have a pillow of sorts under his head.

Jeff and I have always hated the crumbling back patio area, but the kids LOVE it. They do "construction" and it is a great worksite.

Kolbe is working hard making cookies to send Dad.
Libby has actually fallen backwards after losing her balance trying to see the airplanes she hears passing overhead. Of course every airplane is Aunt Janelle flying over.

First day of preschool!

He doesn't exactly look ecstatic for his first day. Mom was a little worried.Sometimes bribery works. "Kolbe you can smile or stand up, which one do you want to do?" He decided not to stand, hence the grin. If bribery doesn't work, try trickery. Grandpa happened to be walking by on his way home from dropping Gma off at work and took a picture of the two of us. So, we got one full body shot of his first day of school outfit. A special thanks to Gma B for the cute ensemble. Kolbe was so excited to have a special outfit set aside to wear on his first day. Again, he's not looking to anxious, but doesn't he look CUTE?!?
A classroom picture in the reading nook. After school Kolbe said no one would read to him and that he didn't know how to read yet.
As soon as Libby realized Kolbe was gone she headed straight to the toys that are off limits to her. She got out his playdough toys and sacred drill. Amazingly she knew how to operate it even though she has not ever been allowed within ten feet of the drill. After she was finished I put all of the playdough toys away. Within minutes of walking in the door after school Kolbe said, "What a minute... someone's been playing with my playdough toys."

Libby's working hard and sticking out that tongue. Remind you of anyone?

So, what did he have to say about his day? "There was a little big girl who was crying." When I came in to get him his first word to me was "No." He wanted to stay there. So much for being worried that he spent the morning miserable because he missed his family. He was more interested in eating lunch with the other kids. Many stay all day and bring a sack lunch. He saw lots of goodies he wanted for lunch but I finally convinced him we couldn't stay and eat because he didn't like sandwiches. The teacher had told all of the kids to eat their sandwiches first. He was ready to go after that. All afternoon he talked about what he was going to do Wednesday in preschool. Hopefully this excitement will continue. His teachers seem to love kids. He got a hug when he first arrived from one and a hug when he left from the other.