Grandparent Camp

A couple weeks ago, I flew to Milwaukee with Erik and Lainey.  I was attending a GI conference in Chicago.  My parents kept Lainey and Erik from Thursday - Monday while I was at the meeting.  They had a great time - fishing, golfing, baking, swimming, storybook gardens, Lake Michigan, playdough, etc.  I think my parents had a great time too.


I have no photos of this aside from the ride home from the airport....

Excuse the improperly place car seat straps!
I think this is evidence they had a good time.

My meeting was fine, I learned a few new things, but primarily felt like what I am currently doing is correct.  Good to know!  My friend Nicki came down to Chicago for one night!  It was very nice of her and we had a great time!

Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kiddos.

Back to School!

My kids went back to school this week.  Erik is in 1st grade and Lainey is in kindergarten.  So far so good!  They both seem happy with their teachers.  No significant anxiety or worries.  Erik actually has 2 full time aides in his class.  One is there to help with 2 high need kids, the other one is part of a negotiation his teacher made with the administrators.  She used to teach kindergarten, they needed an extra first grade teacher so she said she would if she was able to keep her aide who has been with her for many years.

The budget has been an issue for our district this year.  So they cut a kindergarten position - 6 classes last year, 5 this year.   Enrollment is up though - 825 kids in our K-5 elementary school.  Last year, Erik only had 19 kids in his kindergarten class.  Lainey has 25.  All of the kindergarten teachers have a full time aide in the room though so I don't think it's too bad.

I will miss my two big kids this year but am happy they are off to a good start.

 Carson will be going to preschool on T/H mornings for 2.5 hours.

I'm nervous about this because I don't really want to be away from him 

any more than I already am for work.

But I think he will enjoy it!

He is very excited about the backpack!

Boys and Baseball

We've gone to three Blue Crabs games this summer.  It's the local minor league baseball team (Atlantic League of Professional Baseball).  The stadium is new and really nice.  The crowds have been really small for 2 of the 3 game we've attended so you are able to sit really, really close to the field.  The first time we went, we sat near the opposing teams dugout.  By the end of the game, the players were talking to Carson and Erik.  They even gave them a piece of gum.  Ha!

The games go by pretty quickly and they've won 2 out of 3.  We even saw a grandslam at the second game.   Lainey has declared that baseball is boring but the boys love it.  Erik focuses the entire time and cheers loudly for his team.  I love it!!  Carson likes it a lot, although I'm pretty convinced he likes the opportunity for a baseball snack as much or more than the game.

Victor was out of town this weekend so I took the three boys myself (dropped Lainey off at a friends house - per her request).  It's a fun way to spend a day! I'm so glad we discovered it!

Here are some photos from today....

 Erik getting the catcher's autograph!

Erik LOVES baseball now!
He has read two chapter book series on baseball (13 books)
during the past month.  He also decided to switch from soccer to baseball this fall.
It is cute to see him so passionate about it!
 

Kids Triathlon

Erik, Lainey, and Carson all participated in a kids triathlon today.  It was overcast and 60 degrees.  Unheard of in August out here!

Lainey and Carson were in the tiny-tri group which consisted of 3-5 year old kids.  Erik was in the 7-8 year old group.  Apparently, triathlon age brackets are based on how old you are at the end of the year (12/31) not the day of the race so he had to go with the older kids.

Lainey and Carson's event was truly a tiny tri.  Lainey swam really well but then got mad when Victor pulled her out of the pull too hard (so she said).  So, she cried through the rest of the race.  Poor thing!

Erik's race consisted of 25 yard swim, approx. 2 mile bike ride, and 1/3 mile run.  He told me this afternoon, " Mom, I really had fun at that tri today!"  I'm so glad honey!

All three kids completed their races and did their best!

I love having a busy, active lifestyle!

 Their biggest fan!

 Ready to race!

 Erik and his buddy R

 Lainey and Carson Swimming

 Is it done yet?!